Meekumslr

Hi chaps, well, I bought the Austin K5 and now have a thousand questions and ‘wants’. The project needs finishing and it’s mainly the wooden floor and body. The first things (once delivered) are to aquire the maintenance manual (there’s one on Ebay but £195??) and to find someone with a K5 that I could use/ visit to look at the body and chassis rails to get the spacing correct. I also need to register it with DVLA but at the moment, only have the reg No. to go on until I try and locate some numbers. The reg No is PVJ 445 and I have included a photo of it in 2009, abandoned and the current condition as bought. Many thanks in advance guys. Neil

I checked the reg no. and no records found. Is this a major problem?

Thank you all so much for your replies and insight in your own endeavours. I was also thinking about lorry and commercial breakers yards who stock articulated trailers and what they might want for a bed. I could then skim it through a surface planer.

Cheers Wally, never heard of it but Googling as we speak. Neil.

Oooohhh, gor bless ya guvnor. That would be great if you could find that. Ive got a trailer and lorry to re-bed and side. Neil.

Hi guys, would anyone know what type of wood is standard for WW2 vehicle and trailer flooring and sides? I know any wood is ok but is there a generic hard wearing choice? Many thanks, Neil.

Many thanks for the link. I haven’t got the Reg yet but waiting to find out when I can view it. When I get the day, I’ll ask for the reg no.

Good evening chaps, im going to look at an Austin K5 this week but wondered if any of you know what I should be focussing on? Ie, should I expect to see a vehicle plate in the engine bay? Are there any common faults to look for etc? The vehicle does not have a V5 but has a reg plate. I’m not sure if this is a problem. I know they were all built during WW2 but if I bought it, could I trace history from the Reg. No.? sorry for the ‘novice’ questions but this is a restoration so I’m wary, but I love the truck. Neil.

Oh Richard, I wouldn’t have a clue my friend.

Hi guys, I know it’s only a small part, but would anyone have a wheel nut for a Godiva fire pump trailer (the type with seating collar pictured)? Many thanks for your time, Neil.

Hi guys, I bid on an Austin K5 this evening as I like them, but reserve was not met. The lorry has been rebuilt and needs finishing but has no V5 document. what would be a K5’s market value for the purpose of price reduction and value? Many thanks, Neil.

Oh, getting them off is ok, I don’t mind removing valves and building up a sweat but inflating needs to be done in a cage. If the rims aren’t seated correctly, they will kill you, without a doubt. I wouldn’t Mind doing them as the wheels have been blasted, primed and painted so they’re ready to fit but I’m just very nervous due to all the bad press.

Hi guys, I have two really nice remould lorry tyres to go on a Coventry climax fire pump trailer but the usual guys who fit the tyres now say they have to be brand new with receipt in case of a blowout and the customer claims?? Does anyone know where I could get two trailer tyres (6.50 x 20), put on two newly painted split rims in London, Kent or Essex? many thanks in advance, Neil.

Thank you both for your replies. I can never get anything easy to research!

I’ve just taken one. it’s about a 10 inch diameter.

Good evening all, I have an item that says ‘Cover, Muzzle No.48’. Its a U.S. cover. would anyone know what this muzzle cover would have covered? (The gun type before someone says ‘a muzzle’). many thanks in advance, Neil.

Hi April, Thanks for your reply and informationAnd I’m glad I’m not the only one. It was made by John and Mary Worthing. It has torn Where the water runs Off at the edges. The originals seemed to be some kind of thick vinyl and I didn’t want to use modern (1980s/ 1990s) stuff as it’s completely rubberised and too light in colour. I need it to stay on the vehicle as it’s going to be repainted and the paint makes the final seal on the beading that fixes the flaps to the body. I don’t mind replacing them every few years but wanted something that at least lasts a year.

Hi all, Im looking to buy some 1950s type Vinyl? Material to replace my awning attachment skirts on the truck. I did one side in canvas and it weakened and tore At the ends within a year as it is outside constantly. I have a Couple of photos to explain the type I’m looking for. The two sides need to be 12 ft by 1 ft. The awnings themselves are of the same material. Many thanks, Neil.

Evening all, well, the thermostat And gasket arrived And I fitted it this evening. I ran the engine with thermostat fitted and new temperature gauge connected for half an hour. The thermostat is rated to open at 74C. After running it for 5he half hour, I now have 170F which is 76.6C (not far off 74C for 5he thermostat. Now I know why there are two leg vents and the whole screen folds out.... it gets bloody hot in there now as the bulkhead/ back of engine is right on your leg. However, much more snug in the winter. well done chaps and thank you again.

Thank you very much for your replies. just ordered 2 x 3/16 bsf 3/4” bolts and standoff collars (only just realised their name). much appreciated.

Chaps, long story short, I boiled and cooked my truck last weekend but no damage done. I’m now fitting a water temp gauge but need some spacers to go between the rear dash plate and dash cover plate. Im also after a couple of screw bolts (to keep it original). The spacers needed are 12mm in length, 11mm (not important) in diameter and the originals have a 5.5mm hole. X2 The screw bolts will need to be at least 15mm to cover the spacer and two 1mm thick panels. Ive looked online but I’m getting frustrated trying to get the right bits. Naturally, I will pay the going rate and postage just to get it sorted. Any help would be appreciated. Neil.

I definitely will Pete. Waiting for the thermostat to arrive then I’ll be straight in it. well I got nothing on the gauge today so we will certainly know with a thermostat in it. Im also going to treat the gauge and thermostat (when it gets here) to Phil’s hot and cold conditioning as I feel the gauge isn’t quite giving a true temperature. I will post the outcome in due course.

Phil, That is cracking advice and I did notice the gauge wasn’t quite reading right in boiling water so I will do exactly as you’ve mentioned to loosen the gauge and the new thermostat. Thank you for that information. Richard, it’s definitely for a petrol as the stated the engine type E1ADKN is petrol (the K being Kerosene) and E1ADDN is Diesel. Again, I may not have known that so thank you.

Guys, thank you so much for your replies. I have just ordered a new thermostat and gasket and will fit the gauge after I fir the thermostat and see where we are. Again, sincere thanks for your answers to the post. Neil.

David, I took the thermostat out when the radiator was overhauled and didn’t replace it. The filler cap is just a brass solid threaded cap that unscrews. Is it not good not to have a thermostat? The truck has no heater so I didn’t bother refitting the thermostat after the new rad core was fitted.