sirhc

http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ Chris

Jack, I would like to bring the Spartan to the Plain next year, I'll need to get a truck to transport it on though. I'm going to see if I can get the 432 painted in time for Beltring, and some space on a low loader to take it there! Chris

Tracks are great Actually the 432 has almost brand new tracks, and the engine is hardly run in. There are new bits bolted on all over it, seems like the MoD like to waste money on vehicles they're about to get rid of! The interior is complete apart from one rear floor plate over the fuel pump. I can make one of those if needs be. It just needs a good clean. Chris

Simon, Photos coming up... Chris

Or fit the electronic ignition kit?

David, Before touching your Ferret read through the manual thoroughly. I also suggest reading the parts book and familiarising yourself with what the bits are, how the go together and how they work. You will need to take things apart so it's better to have an idea of how it all fits together now. The most important point is that the GCP is the Gear Change Pedal. It is not a clutch. Do not use it like a clutch. I fitted one of these: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/battisol/battisol.html To the RH battery box in between the -ve battery terminal and lead. They fit through the vent holes, you will need to drill 2 bolt holes to fix it in place. You will also require a lead between the battery and switch, fit the existing lead to the other terminal on the switch. This will prevent the interior lights, intercom etc from draining the batteries. I've never had a problem with the mechanical pump, but if I wanted to fit an electronic one I'd use one of the plugs near the generator panel, probably the ignition line. Hope this helps, Chris

Rick, You need some etch primer. I get all my paint from Crosbie Coatings now, they're friendly, fast and not expensive. http://www.crosbie-casco.co.uk/ Chris

Alien, That doesn't look like a Kinetic rope to me, most of the CVRT ropes these days are just standard tow ropes too. You can spot the difference because the kinetic ropes have a sheen to them and tend to be green rather than brown. Why don't you get yourself a Ferret? Chris

Fred, I think you might have put the barrel in the wrong way round? I'm sure I spoke to someone else who did this and had to remove it and put another one in! Chris

Neil, If that did happen the challenge would be ignored and the Saracen driven out of the yard! Chris

Yep I noticed that when they first moved into that yard, I thought about finding and rescuing it, but thought better of it! Chris

Clive, You're right, thats exactly how the key works. Chris

Cris, If you've got enough money to buy 3 real SA80s you should buy another vehicle instead! You're looking at about £2000 each for a deac. Go for BB guns at £50 each. Chris

I guess that would be Rob Griffin? His Chieftain book is excellent, it also includes the list of Chieftains and what happened to them at the back. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chieftain-Rob-Griffin/dp/1861264380/ref=sr_1_13/202-8669709-3176626?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180957112&sr=1-13 Chris

Alien, The torsion bars on CVRT are full width. The wheel stations on one side of the vehicle are in slightly different positions than the other side. You only really notice it when you get underneath though. Chris

Different size how? External diameter? Internal diameter? It seems from your photo that you don't have an item 21 fitted at all! Chris

Matt, You are missing item 21. The bolted type don't have these, they look like this http://images.thexmod.com/prod_pics_3/360-1.jpg[/img] The reason why one is bigger than the other is because one doesn't need the pivot pin and the other does. Chris

Mark, It's on the side of the hull just above your right leg. Follow the linkage from the pedal! Chris

Matt, Yep you've had the bolted messier ones fitted. I have one of the missing pins here if you can't find some, you can probably get some made up quite easily using it as a pattern. Chris

Mark, It sounds like you need a new brake pressure switch. This fits into the system just behind the master cylinder. They are a common commercial item so you should be able to find one. Chris

Matt, There are 3 types of link arms. The early Armstrong & Messier ones are as Mike described and slide on to the pin. There is also a later Messier type which bolts through the trailing arm. It sounds like you had the later ones fitted and need to refit the pins. Post a photo of what you've got and I'll see if I can figure it out. Which dampers are you fitting? Chris

David, Fit an isolator switch to the battery and make sure you use the GCP properly and you should be ok! Chris

Well the 432 was delivered today at 8 am. I dragged it off the truck with my Land Rover and pushed it into some bushes with a forklift. The other week I honestly felt like I'd wasted my money :cry: so I was expecting it to be a bad day. We connected up the Sabre and turned the power on. A big knock with a mallet saw the fuel pump kick into action. 1 problem down, on to the next one. It still wouldn't turn over, so we hooked up an A frame to the Sabre and dragged it over the yard in gear to see if we could turn the engine over. I left the jumper cable plugged in, and low and behold the starter started to work. It turns out theres an earth problem somewhere, with the A frame disconnected it won't turn over, with it connected it spins. We tried to start it but it wouldn't fire, so we began to trace the fuel system. No fuel at the injectors, cleaned the filter, messed about for about an hour before remembering we turned the fuel tap off before trying to fix the pump. As soon as it was switched back on and the system bled it fired right up! :-D After 30 mins of running the batteries had charged up enough to start it under its own power, so now I have a running driving 432. I'm not quite as depressed now! We also rubbed down the paint where we could see markings. The 432 was also used in KFOR, Kosovo 99 - our Spartan was used in KFOR and we painted the old markings back on when restoring it, so I already have the stencils ;-) I'm not sure if I should do it up and sell it or do it up and keep it. I have the missing lights and some paint so I'll tidy it up and see how it goes. Here's a video of it driving around less than 5 hours after delivery! :-) Chris

John, Yes I did see the other one at the end of the yard. I assume they came from Jacksons, as I'm sure the other one was in the tender they had. I was there a couple of times the other month resucing a few parts from the last couple of Spartans before they're cut up too. Chris

Lee, Bumper looks good, is it a real one, or a repro? No spare Union Jacks I'm afraid. There are plenty on ebay for a couple of quid though. Chris