Great War truck

Dennis vehicles of this period guide the HT leads within a moulded cardboard tube mounted on top of the blocks and we are very fortunate that the one for our engine has survived. As you can see, it has suffered some damage in that one of the grommets was loose and two more were missing as was the reinforcing ring from the magneto end. Steve spent some time puzzling over how to repair it and eventually decided that replacement parts could be made by laminating thin card and then sanding it to shape. He started off by turning up a plug the diameter of the magneto end and then wrapped it with greaseproof paper to prevent the card from sticking. He then cut strips of card from a cereal packet, across the grain so that they wouldn't kink, and wrapped them around the plug in layers using a houshold adhesive to stick them together. The resulting assembly was then left with a rubber band around for 24 hours to harden off. A few minutes with some glasspaper and this was the result which was quite pleasing

I have seen some like that which sit in the spare wheel of a VW camper van.

Bending you say!

Enots made allsorts of accessories - fuel filters, door handles, buttons, filler cap, radiator caps etc. Here is a page from a catalogue of theirs at the time (with thanks to Ben for bringing it tour attention) :

Could be the same type. manufactured by Enots?

Crikey Richard. That was quick off the mark:

Had a remarkable piece of news today. Look which original part we will shortly have to reunite with the Dennis. Fantastic, and many thanks Mick. Have you all guessed what it is yet?

Thats fascinating stuff. So, where is the CC now? Tim

Thats an interesting one Richard. I will have to give it some thought. Well sunk into the ground. Why on earth would they cut out the cross members though. Very odd. Tim

it has been put on to hold right now. We are still looking for a differential for it. Once we finish the Dennis and we have the diff then it will start off again.

Sorry. I managed to upload the wrong photos. here are the correct ones:

I would keep that quiet if i were you.

Steve has just had a pleasant hour stripping down our latest 30mm carburettor. Everything was solid, of course, but a little heat from the propane torch and everything let go with no breakages at all. The hole pitches in the mounting flange are incorrect for us so Steve tried to remove it but without success. It is screwed on and soldered but even though the solder was running, it wouldn't shift. He has therefore decided to use all of the components to resurrect the 28mm carburettor body we have and make a new flange of the correct size for that. Actually, this will be a perfect solution as 28mm is the size specified for the lorry anyway!

Hi Richard Thanks for filling in the gaps on the history of the Crossley. I am sure Tom will be pleased. Tim

Sounds fair. I was wondering what to do with all these old military magazines. I just sold of my old Britian at War for charity. I should have mailed them on to you.

Britain at War is a great magazine and so of course is Pathfinder. However, going back to the original question it referred to "Green Machines". I think Military Machines International has come on a long way and is very good and informative magazine, but also i think Windscreen is superb - but of course you have to join the MVT to receive that as part of your subscription. Buy them all!!!!

With the first engine "start-up" getting ever closer, we have bought the oil and lubricants for it. The Dennis Engine, Gearbox and Back Axle all have quite large capacities and of course on this occasion, we have to fill them from empty! I would tell you how much this lot cost, but it is to painful.

I caught it first time round and bought it for Steve as a Christmas present but am yet to see it. Who's is that blue Crossley?

Of course. Thats how we found the carb. "Single 45 year old guy looking for girl with Claudel Hobson carb - GSOH".

This one made me curious. $400 for a very mediocre photo. 380049558036 What suprised me most was that the seller felt the need to give a comprehensive history of WW1 in order to explain the photo.

Surely they must be the same ones that were in W&T nearly 20 years ago.

I cant find any reference to it outside the original subsidy scheme specifications that Roy mentioned. Seems like a good idea but i cant see it lasting long on active service. If a so called judge brought this up at a show I would have to introduce him to the lump hammer of negotiation. You know me, i always like a lively discussion. Anyway, look what came in the post today: This is the correct one! Bargian price too!

Thats interesting. I see that it is not just the UK that converts old trucks into trailers. Thanks for posting Tim

That is fabulous. Great to hear another one running, very reassuring, especially as ours sound exactly the same. Thanks for the link. Tim

You have not become one of those pirate re-enactors have you?