simonm

Very interesting thread. I must admit that taking transmission out I had wondered about the front drive shafts. Now I don't need to ask the obvious question!

Hi Richard The gearbox is ciming out again whatever the problem .. actually she is leaking worse and worse so I think you are right. I'm also a bit concerned as the transmission noise is not what I would call healthy. Loud yes, I can understand that as I am sitting inside the engine compartment, but I'm sure there is something not quite right. This time round should be quite quick! PS. Follow on from the above, transmission coming out, easier second time round and managed to identify that one of the CV joints (to rear right of driver) is very worn and almost certainly why I am getting so much noise. Actually a relief as this will be relatively easy to fix with the right part available. Simon

My M38 Jeep. Built in the US in 1951, shippe out to Korea for that war. Sold or donated to Pakistan, then a couple or more wars, disposed of and used by a range of people, pink for a while, then owned by head of British Council painted green with loads of chrome, bought by me (actually by wife), used for some years in Islamabad then shipped back to the UK. Almost circumnavigating the world.

A follow up on what is now looking like a bit of a saga. I took her for a few short runs 1 -2 miles and didn't lose any fluid. A longer run 5 miles mostly downhill and again no loss of fluid, back home and literally as a drove in to the yard she shed a load of oil / fluid! I've since tested her on short and long runs, basically as soon as she gets warm (and/or I use a higher gear) when I stop I lose about a litre of fluid. Now, looking at the flywheel (through the inspection hatch) it appears dry, even spinning it so where any fluid might have leaked and run from the main seal, nothing obvious. I've clearly got to have it out again, should be a lot quicker 2nd time round, but any thoughts on what to look for? Before doing that I'll lift the gearbox cover and see if there is any movement on shaft going to the flywheel - not done this before so I'm only guessing that there will be something to see. Very frustrating

Thank you griff66, I need to buy you a beer or three ..

Thanks for this. I had that page copy already but didn't know its origin, useful being able to state where it comes from. I'll see where we go with this. MOT shouldn't be a problem as our local garage is used to older vehicles and all looks good on the Ferret. Apart from.. fluid flywheel, but that's another story.

Hi, I've just purchased and am registering in my name a Ferret MK 1/2 VIN 3719 6 65. DVLA have written to ask for confirmation - taken from the vehicle, not the V5 - of VIN and weight. VIN I am sending aphot of the stamp, the plate has long gone. For the weight it asks for proof based on any of: a) Plating b) A copy of the certificate of conformity or submac ?? (it says submac = Subsequent Minister Approval Certificate issued by manufacturer c) Manufacturers confirmation of maximum design weight in UK d) Design Weight Certificate e) For mobile carnes ... clearly not applicable) The only weight indicators I have are general consensus ie looking for posts on HMVF. 'In Military Service' the book on the Rolls Royce B series which has a section on the Ferret, a couple of photocopied sheets which llok official giving the weights for each Ferret variant. V5 has 3,200 Kg other spec has 3,600 or 3,550 Kg Has anybody been through this process and what did DVLA accept - without necessarily going to a weighbridge. Also, why are they asking me to go through this when I am the 5th owner ?? I will anyway phone DVLA and ask what they might accept and report back. Simon

And another picture. This time of the pressure tester that I made up. The fluid flywheel filler caps are the same thread as the fairly standard plumbing fitting (non metric) that bolts into header tanks. All you do then is solder a few extra bits of pipe down to 10mm which fits perfectly onto a tyre airline, you do have to sacrifice the bit that actually fits on the tyre. In my case I had a spare having run over one last year and cracked it. Never throw anything out ! The plumbing wrench is needed to get a reasonable seal, make sure you have a decent sized O ring. All back together and running well very well, the engine that is. I've now changed both filler cap seals as I still had a leak. It ran for 10 miles without losing anything then dropped a whole puddle of fluid. I've since refilled and pressure tested. It holds a pressure, I can hear bubbling at 25psi but it seems to retain a pressure at about 10psi. Again a short run and she hasn't lost any fluid so I am hoping it was just the old filler seals, which I must admit fell apart on removal. I'll be taking her for a few more runs over the weekend which should confirm all is well - or not! The other thing that I must revisit is the alignment of the wheels and the filler caps. When the gearbox was disconnected I jacked up all the wheels and lined up the hub filler caps before reconnecting the drive shafts. Best laid plans of mice and men, now she is on the ground they are all over the place! All runs okay, just looks very very wound up!

I've just ordered a 25 litre can from Morris Lubricants, total price just on £65. This is the stuff: http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=125&product=Liquimatic+No+1+ISO+10+Hydraulic+Oil'>http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=125&product=Liquimatic+No+1+ISO+10+Hydraulic+Oil'>http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=125&product=Liquimatic+No+1+ISO+10+Hydraulic+Oil Its all available online : http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk

Below is a range of oil seals. To the left is the old one that has been removed, the difference between new and old is very clear, the new one is obviously made of rubber, over many years and with some abuse this turns into an old bit of round wood. To the right top is the new seal and the retaining washer which sits under the circlip. If you look carefully you will see the washer has a raised edge, this fits into the recess of the seal, I suppose pushing down to keep the seal lip in place. Bottom middle is the John Deere seal, clearly of a quality and the right size, but it would need the raised edge of the washer to be ground down. Ref John Deere seal and Washer, looking at it again, I guess the washer could simply be installed in reverse with the raised edge on the circlip side.

I've got more images to download but here's a few comments that might be of use. I've all but finished, I was called in for supper having replaced almost all the interior, but managed to start her - started 1st time. The whole job took me 4 main sessions. An evening, say 2 to 3 hours to strip out the interior tin, then similar to separate the drive shafts and split the engine and gearbox. Actually replacing the seal was quick, say an hour and the same evening getting the gearbox and engine mated. This evening about 3 to 4 hours getting all bolted back together (and making sure wheel hubs are all lined up). So, about 12 hours overall. With the fixed gantry, I relied on moving the ferret back and forth to shift the gearbox out of the way. I physically couldn't have done it without the gantry and hoist, the engine leveller made it so much easier. I bought a John Deere seal with the idea that two 'seals' are better than one and that it is newer and therefore should last better. But, the original seal and retaining disc/plate fit together with the plate having a raised bevel that fits into an indentation within the correct seal (I photographed all next to each otehr and will post soonest), the JD has no indentation. This shouldn't be a problem as it would be easy to grind off the raised bevel (perhaps that's not the correct word). Actually I replaced with the correct seal and have the JD as a spare. In my opinion there will be many seals going now, not necessarily through misuse but simply sheer age. The one I took out was like iron, no flexibility at all. Refitting the gearbox was lots of brute strength and ignorance. While there are handy places to insert a crowbar to help move the gearbox and engine apart, there is nothing similar when re-mating. Having the hoist and using an engine "load leveller" which allows the gearbox to be very precisely levelled was very very helpful. Machine Mart do them relatively cheap. Also, make sure you have lots of light. I braced a 150 watt halogen light in the top hatch. The battery leads, wrap with tape before removing (and disconect all before passing any through holes of the battery boxes) I couldn't get the seal out simply by removing the circlip and had to remove the main retaining plate. The threaded holes for removing the plate are 'fine'. Be very very careful when removing this plate, ie each of the three bolts that are inserted to split the plate from the flywheel should be screwed down a very small bit at a time. Again lots of light so as to see when the plate starts to separate.

Clean, yes! The floor area is filthy, understandable as most of it is out of reach apart from a major teardown like this. Cleaning is mostly lots of old rags soaking up old oil, then its a vacuum as this seems to then leave loose dirt. and dirt Also I am painting a few parts, however most of the parts that have come out are in very good condition, I guess as these have been exposed to the oils and greases. I'll post some more pictures shortly. Hope this is helpful. I looked all over the web for similar but seems to be absent, I suppose most people undertaking this sort of work just want to get on with it, I tend towards photographing all stages as then I know how to put it back!

Well, here's me with my nice Ferret, brilliant, excellent tinwork, only marginal surface rust and runs with a very sweet engine noise. Another long drive out, got back and she was dripping hydraulic fluid, at least that's what it smelt like in that it wasn't engine oil, nor water and didn't really smell. Topped up the flywheel, it took 1.5 litres, off on another jaunt, checked again and it was down, checked the fillers, all looked good, B*****ugger! The seal's gone, clearly somebody up there wanted me to practice before doing the Saracen! Its a Mk 1/2 so lots of room on top and fits in the garage just under my winch, so I thought I would start immediately. I've photographed all the stages as a document which I have appended below. I've taken advice from this forum and here: http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~dgrev/dhmg/ferr010.html and am using the John Deere seal. All images are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/simon.mallett/FerretOilSeal# Basically, so far, it seems to be a relatively straightforward job that requires the removal of lots of nuts and bolts and lifting and separating a very heavy gearbox from the engine. The engine hoist made it so much easier. The biggest challenge was the bolts joining the gearbox to the bell housing, some of which were nuts and bolts rather than studs, just keep at it! The two bolts directly underneath were relatively easy, a couple of socket sets making a long extension bar and bendy joint. 1/2 inch and 11/16th spanners and sockets, also 14mm and 15mm! At the time of writing I am just about to pull the seal housing, I expect a serious gush of fluid. Just about to start, wearing obligatory ex forces trousers. The tin removed from the internals The bell housing bolts ready to be removed. Note the linkages, in all cases I removed the split pin and retaining stud, hopefully to avoid having to re-align anything on re-assembly. Drive shafts disconnected, all 4 had to be separated, NB as per comment on post further above, an opportunity to line up the wheels. The gearbox and transmission ready to be lifted. NB It isn't lifted, rather supported otherwise there is a lateral force on the splined shaft that goes into the fluid flywheel, jamming it and stopping it coming apart. Engine hoist Transmission separated from the engine. Above the bellhousing is the fuel tank, note the pipe following the line of the tank, The tank and pipe obscured the nuts that had to be undone to release the transmission. By removing fuel tank retaining bolts I was able to raise the tank and pipe out of the way. The beast herself. A slight indication of fluid at the base of the seal, lots a of fluid all over the floor of the Ferret, bolts holding the seal retaining plate removed, next step to pull it out. The Saracen Manual, okay its not the right one but close enough, and the new seal

Hi Richard Thanks for the comment, in this case I'm sure it is seal as I replaced both filler plug seals. Actually following your earlier advice (about a year ago) and bought them from Banister's along with the tool. I really wish it were those seals! I suppose that leads me on to the next question, as I'm anyway going to have to equip myself with suitable crane (my engine hoist will lift two tonnes but its in the garage, where the saracen won't fit, my old collapsible engine crane is too small) is it simpler to work from inside shifting the gearbox or outside shifting the engine? Or maybe there is a magic spray or additive? best wishes Simon

Hi Paul No mist when running or starting, but the oil (fluid) level goes down by about 1 litre for a decent trip that warms up the engine. That could be 5 to 15 miles. I think that the leak or loss of fluid occurs when the flywheel is stationary, otherwise I'm guessing that the rotation keeps the fluid away from the seal area. (Hopefully Richard will clarify). But, my understanding is that an oily mist invariably means flywheel seal! Simon

Strange you should mention Saracen... I know that mine needs a new seal, it weeps so I get by with a regular top up, however it does need fixing and I'm building up courage and reserves of patience to do it. However 1st things first, I'm laying a concrete pad so there is a better work area for the Saracen to sit on over the winter while it is seriously off road. Question, "Why do you want 9 cubic metres of concrete ?" Answer "Because my flywheel has a leak!" And what makes this post relevant to Ferrets? I bought the Ferret that was on sale at War and Peace! So far its a fantastic little thing (compared to a Saracen) and just right for nipping down to the shops. What with the engine in the rear, its all A*s* about face, but at least the forward reverse lever goes in the right direction. Lots of sanding and painting, but apart from a bit of surface rust, excellent!

Convert champ to V8 Auto - what an idea. I've got 2 small block chevy engines, a 5.7 Petrol and 6.2 diesel. Both auto boxes, still in decaying Chevy Blazers. And a Saracen, which actually runs very well (but is due a fluid flywheel seal change). I wonder?

I've just been going through some old photos and came across this one. Apologies in advance if some of the photos are not particularly Military Vehicle(ish) It is not staged and was taken in Pakistan in about 1995. The story behind it is a 4x4 hash (A hash is where you have a hare and hounds paper trail running race which ends up with a BBQ and lots of beer, originated in Malay and found within most expat communities) Where there is a lot of space, you can do it in 4x4s and its a lot more fun! In this case, the towing vehicle is - I think - owned by an Aussie from the Oz Embassy (CD22), the newer red jeep would be a local. Clearly the fording of the river proved too much for the new one, we followed on in an old 1978 Chevy Blazer. Also, a couple of 20th Anniversary pictures, I was in Berlin the week after the wall fell. Having spent a great deal of time previously getting an official pass for me and the wife to go into East Berlin, we didn't show it once, just walked through the hole in the wall! The checkpoint is of course "Checkpoint Charlie", the one at the bottom is the main checkpoint, deserted following the preferred access through the hole in the wall! Not exactly about military vehicles. And last but not least, while in Pakistan we went to the Khyber Pass, on the way through the pass you can see the memorials to the many British Regiments that served in this area. When we went through, even then (1995) we were warned by our guide to not be seen taking photos. Our guide also told us that in some of the compounds, the locals not only had large collections of Kalashnikovs, (which we saw everywhere) but also went so far as to have anti aircraft guns etc.. They valued their independence!

If its a waste of money, then I can't think of many things worth spending it on! A Spitfire flying over, that Merlin engine rumbling, those curves.. Priceless!

Early Sunday 17th and setting up for the show, but 1st a bit of fun and seeing as the streets were empty a still from my new film "The Day of the Truffles" Then everybody started to arrive 1st off being a forward control Land Rover one of 3 military vehicles out of over 200 exhibits the third being a military motorbike looked WWII - a V engined low slung dispatch riders bike. The Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force makimg the most of their armour. ll in all a great day while I let the kids climb on the outside at Belmont - a soft landing in case of falling, here she was buttoned down and kids let in under strict control and really it was 10 / 11 years or under and where parents watched on. I had two ex Saracen drivers, one more recent who advised on the risk of drive shaft problems. The other, ex REME chap who worked on them in the 1960s then had to learn to drive so he could test them. A trip right back down memory lane for him and almost managed to get into the drivers seat. A very busy day, exhausting in fact and topped off with a request " Would the Sarry be available for a photo shoot with the UK National Ladies Airsoft Team for their Calendar" I almost asked him how much I would have to pay! By the way, my answer was of course yes! Then the real challenge of the day. A final top up of the fluid flywheel, a check round everything, 5 stamps in each gear to prime the preselectors, yes it does kick back. but I'm ready! Started up on the 1st turn! and off we go for the drive back home. Its uphill all the way but she behaved magnificently! Got home, drip tray under and not a drop to be seen! With regard to the comment furter above - grinning ear to ear all the way back! Again a few quibles about the awful standard of driving seen from fortunately a minority. Admittedly the Faversham road through Doddington to Lenham is not the widest, though routinely used by farm vehicles, but don't these idiot drivers realise that cutting up a 12 ton armoured vehicle means they might die! I have a 4x4 driving ahead with hazards on, there's a flashing beacon on the Sarry, I'm driving no more than 25 mph and stopping whenever it is safe, I have a rear look out, but even then I had to swerve 3 times to avoid total idiots. Swerve in a Saracen YES! Next trip I'll mount a video camera on the turret. I suppose any impact would be knock for knock so perhaps I shouldn't worry? I've got some spare paint! Overall a fantastic expedition and one I hope to repeat. I think W&P might be a bit too far but possibly Detling or Headcorn? Though the latter is when we had hoped to go on holiday - maybe I need to get my priorities right?

I hope that it is appropriate to add this link here, I had been asked to give a jeep ride to a friend's friend who had just reached his 70th. he was ex- Korean War and showed me a set of contact prints that he had - much like those here. I said that I could scan and blow them up - yes, it takes ages! Especially so when you have house to renovate, 3 kids to entertain, a jeep and Saracen to attend to, oh, did I mention work? http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.mallett/Korea02?authkey=Gv1sRgCIHXj67Cw6XKOw&feat=directlink I really don't know much about the pictures apart from a few comments made when they were lent for copying. The jeep was crushed by the halftrack that had rolled off the top of the bank. Most of the jeeps had been nicked from the US Army. The turret less tanks were in fact troop carriers that had been abandoned by the US troops when they ran out of fuel then acquired by our lot, apparently a major means of equipping the British army in Korea. Simon

Some pictures from our little expedition. Last practice before setting off. The front plate is missing - being painted and so I can dip into teh engine compartment to see if there are any major leaks. Geoff my son in the turret, watching for low slung branches and ready to do hand signals. Filling up - well, not quite, more a case of putting enough in so its over the reserve. The armoured car V child strength test! At Belmont, gently sinking into the highly manicured lawn. The Head Gardener had suggested that doing trips round the lawn might not be appropriate. And the band plays on. On being asked by one credulous youth why we had an armoured car, I explained - I hope convincingly - that it was in preparation for the expected Zombie pig attacks that would be a result of pandemic swine flu. One never knows!

After two years of steady preparation, both the Saracen and me mentally, I finally took her out on a long journey! Not just there and back again to the local lay-by, just 1/2 mile away and no hills but the long way round from just on top of the hill above Lenham to Faversham for the car show where she is now waiting parked up at the ATC HQ on Preston Street! Friday the 7th May was the start of the big journey with the 1st stage of the drive down to Doddington, all down hill and a turn around so the right side was facing the petrol pump for a fill up, 70 litres - just about past the top of the reserve and over my allowance for the month, then on to Eastling school where the kids were looking forward to our arrival. This was the real moment of truth in that Sherry would be going up a few steep hills - no problem! 1st gear and taking Richard Farant's advice on using the rev's don't stress the engine and especially the flywheel! Got to the school, into the playground and out with the drip tray - there's a hole in the bottom so any drips come out pretty quick! Barely a drip! Then 103 kids (in stages) swarming over it, and having a great time with the clansman setup, I've now got 5 working headsets. They loved the experience and though its not quite WWII, they are doing that period in their class so a good addition to normal teaching. Then on to the "small drive for car, giant expedition for a 12 ton armoured vehicle" the drive from Eastling to Belmont where she would be displayed at Belmont's open day cum spring fayre. We made it and she performed fantastically! Up some steep hills (Haywards Hill, anybody know it) down into lowest gear and sat there at 1 mile an hour while she pootled up. Two glorious days with a huge number of very interested visitors, quite a few much older people who were fascinated by the Bren gun and remembered it and a couple of ex-army, one who had been in a Saracen when it was blown up by an IRA Mine. He walked away from it! And one person with an Irish accent who walked away grumbling that he'd seen a few too many Saracens Sunday late afternoon was the next part of the expedition, driving to my brother's in Faversham where the Sarry would stay until going in for the car display. 1st off a top up of the fluid flywheel, a litre but I think a lot of that got spilt as it went straight into the drip tray! Again a brilliant drive, up hill down dale and a lot of learning about slowing down, taking corners - its a whole different way of driving! The saddest bit was on the A251, even pulling in every mile - that's every 3 minutes the jokers in the cars seemed to take it as a personal affront that they had to slow from 50 down to 23 for such a short time. It seems that the bigger and newer the car, the greater the perceived insult! Sad! Against that there were a few who had smiles and waves and thought it was fantastic to see the old girl on the road. Today (Friday 15th) was getting her into the middle of Faversham and parking up ready for Sunday's car show. Again she behaved brilliantly, A251 onto the A2 and slowed a part of Faversham down, down to the centre and stopped a goodly amount of traffic while I backed into the side turning next to the drill hall. A brilliant bit of reversingdespite the scowl of the man in the Swale Heating van who had to wait all of 3 minutes! Faversham car show is going to be a challenge, then its a 10 mile drive home! I'll post the rest of the story and some images but must collect kids now!

I think it was the 24th I was at Bannister's, coincidentally buying a fluid flywheel tool! I'm planning a revisit asap for seat backs.

Just found this: its a youtube video showing the workings of the fluid flywheel, epicyclic gearbox and tracta joints. It must be late 1940's and sounds like Harry Enfield narrating!