packman

Hi;

Excellant photo`s, i notice your`e from NZ, bright sunshine so is that where photo`s are taken from is it Ashchurch ?.

 

 

Here`s some snaps taken at DST of Drops in Training with & without armour. Modern technoligy: laptop for downloading info/clearing faults. If you don`t look after them, it`s all recorded !!

 

 

Your photo`s are so clear, your camera must have mega high pixels?

 

Happy Weekend

Tankysteve

Hi Tankysteve, Thanks for comment's It is a Kodak easyshare C140. has 8.2 meg, Nice little camera I have with me all the time

Pictures taken in Wellington area, pre delivery been carried out and then handed over to Military.

But shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone eh lol

Nice description Dave ! and a good memory ! - The Autovac in my wireless Ant has a brass top to the Autovac and does have a brass bell type relief valve as you have described but there are some small variations in individual units The one in the link is identical to the one fitted to my 1940 Morris Commercial CS8 which has an alloy top and small relief valve - This will definitely fit and work on the guy which is far better than just fitting an SU fuel pump from a Morris Minor like I have seen before .

 

On the priming side , to help the autovac you can always hide a small solid state facet fuel pump between your usual tank and the autovac and hide a small toggle switch so you can use it to prime the autovac which you can hear filling as it makes a glugging sound - You must remember however , to turn off the toggle switch when it is full or you will flood the system and your truck with excess petrol ! which at todays prices you won't do very often before you learn your lesson !! - This set up will also help with fuel vapourisation which the Guys are very prone to , especially if running an original fuel pipe set up as they can get warm esp in the summer months ... At the end of the day the choice is yours

 

Brent , I will try and get some pics of the Wireless Ant's autovac but the one in the link will do your job perfectly well .

If you are struggling to get a manual I can see if I can get mine copied if you like ? just let me know - Do you have any spare round tanks or filler neck/tops for the ants I am in need of two for my 1940 gs Ant cheers Glynn

Hi Glynn, I was thinking a long the lines of an electric fuel pump as a temporary measure to get it going, but thats after I un-seize the engine. Thank-you for your offer to copy your workshop manual, and I may will take you up on the offer if I can't find any thing local. As for spares, I am sorry to say that the only fuel tanks are on my truck and, as I mentioned in another post my father cut a truck up approx 30 years ago, as he seemed to think he never had enough parts to do anything with that truck. If only!!

Hi Brent,

the Autovac listed for sale should work but it is not quite the same as would have been fitted to your Wireless-Ant, the top is different in that the vent had a brass, bell-shaped cover. It does have the mounting brackets as well, which you may need.

 

The Autovac is a simple device, it is a double-chambered cylinder, with a float in the upper chamber, more on the float later. The vacuum from the manifold connects to one of the top elbows, the other elbow marked "IN" is the petrol line from the tank selector and filter. There is a shut-off tap at the bottom of the Autovac, which feeds the carburettor, this must be turned off when the engine is shut down. Feed to the carburettor is by gravity.

 

Petrol is drawn into the Autovac and enters the top chamber where it passes though a non-return flap into the lower chamber, then feeds out through the tap. When the lower chamber has filled, the upper chamber starts filling-up, as it does the float rises and begins to open the vent thereby reducing the vacuum until no fuel is being drawn in. As the fuel is drawn down the float lowers and shuts the vent and again fuel is drawn into the top chamber.

 

There is also a drain bung in the base of the Autovac this is for cleaning out condensation and etc. this must be done periodically else it will rust through.

 

There are a couple of ways to prime the Autovac should it run dry:

1. By the manual - shut off the tap at the bottom of the Autovac, remove the the carburettor bowl fill it manually, replace and start the engine. Repeat until fuel is evident in the lower chamber.

2. My method - shut off the tap at the bottom of the Autovac. Undo the "IN" pipe and move it slightly to the side, using a short section of rubber hose that will slip over the elbow, feed in petrol. I always carried spare petrol in a reserve tin, a rubber tube and a small pourer.

3. Tow start with the fuel shut-off tap open.

 

Hope this explains sufficiently how the autovac works.

Cheers,

Dave

Thank-you David, that is a good description and explanation.

This one has one for sale dont know them myself. http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad32685.html But maybe worth a look.

Thanks for the link, 200 euro is getting up there! I will talk with the bank manageress

Hi Mate , nice find and thanks for posting the pic up on the forum - Like Dave says it is definitely a wireless Ant and should have originally had a house body on it like my own . If you find a chassis number on it let me know as I may have a copy of a contract card for it - keep posting the pics and good luck with the restoration

 

cheers Glynn

Thanks, The previous owners father bought truck off the army as a wireless, but all I got was the truck as pictured and maybe a little extra which I will reveal at a latter date, if it all pans out

Let me have a dig this Week End I should have some printed info as my Morris runs on one still. Its a basicly simple design that uses athe vacume from the exhaust to draw fuel into a container then pulls it to the carburator I was told the only thing besides blockage that could go wrong with one is a puncture in the float.

Cool, I have no manuals at all on the "Ant" so any help always appreciated.

I know they still make them somewhere but cant find the details. Try this link as a long shot for now and I will keep looking.

http://autovac.derekharris.com/Spares.htm Any morris engine bits you find let me know

Thanks for your reply, I am unfamiliar with these devices and any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi Brent,

 

I think you are refering to the Autovac, a fuel pumping system, Morris Commercial used a similar apparatus on their military vehicles at the time.

 

regards, Richard

Thanks Richard,any leads on were I could purchase one? Sorry "mods" for asking on this thread but it only seems logical as its relevant! (with respect)

Hi Brent,

found an image, though black and white. She is definately a "Wireless-Ant", which would have had real doors.

Cheers,

Dave

Yes thats my truck I have removed that non military compressor off its back today. Maybe I had better start my own thread on EA6939.

Its called EPLS not DROPS and has been in service for quite a long time now. If you think the ordinary one looks complicated you want to have a look at the armoured and armed version or so called TES (Theatre Entry Standard)

 

Ill post a pic or two when I have a moment

The Enhanced Palletised Load System (EPLS) is designed to supplement the existing DROPS vehicles because there are of course not enough of them, by fitting a number of HX77 chassis, which were on the production line, with a HIAB Multilift hooklift system. EPLS is a UOR, the original SV programme did not feature a DROPS replacement and it has pulled vehicles from the existing pool, they are not extras. The main difference between EPLS and the DROPS system is that EPLS can lift standard ISO containers without putting them on a flatrack first, obviously providing much greater flexibility although flatracks are used quite frequently for non container loads like vehicles, trailers or other equipment.

Hi Brent,

good to hear from you, though I'm somewhat saddened to hear the Ant was scrapped. The radiator is likely the one I gave your father as he desperately needed one to get the Ant running, hope you can make good use of it, now.

I have seen an image somewhere of the Ant you bought, have you found the chassis number (stamped into the NS rail below the passengers seat) or the contract number plate mounted near the steering column. You will find the WD number on each side of the bonnet under the civy paint.

If you are looking to build a rear body, which are composite, so not that complicated there is a restored one near Christchurch.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks for your reply David, I will check the truck this weekend for its chassis number, I have seen the contract number plate, but it will take a bit to read. I have posted this picture on another Ant thread, it appears this truck has been known about for quite a long time. The previous owner's Dad used it to sand blast bridge peers around the Wairarapa. He also had jeeps and dodges but they are long gone now.

I been looking through some back copies of The Automobile magazine and found reference in the Feb 2001 edition to another Guy Ant in New Zealand. An accompanying photo shows it to be a full windscreen model with humped bonnet. It's carrying a generator, but that's probably a later addition. Registred EA693 or EA693? and in need of rescuing. I wonder what became of it.

EA6939 is "rescued" and now in my military vehicle collection outside of Carterton NZ. See my profile for more pictures, This truck has a seized engine and gearbox selector it is missing a drivers door and passengers seat, also the device on the passengers side next to the dashboard (fuel or oil filter)? is missing (any one have mentioned spares they could bare to part with)? Thanks, Brent Delaney.

.

Hi Glynn,

thanks for the welcome. I have uploaded an image of my old truck in the "early Guy Ant" string. Just went through my files:

Census No. Z4646406 Car No. A22257 I sold off to "Kiwi" who is also on this forum, he got all the NOS spares including 3 engines from scrapped trucks. As I recall there were aprox. 20 Ants in NZ. some were GS and others House-type Wireless-Ants, I could account for only 10 either as remains (engines) or had located the actual vehicle. I knew of 2 Wireless-Ants, one chassis (bent) and one unrestored. I know for sure that at least 4 were scrapped. There is another GS restored in West Melton (near Christchurch) NZ.

While in the UK I met a chap in Sheffield who had one, pretty much a stripped chassis and I think the engine was seized. They were extremely rare 20 years ago, good to see some more brought back to life.

Cheers,

Dave

Hello David,

You may remember me from the early 1980's, you took me for a ride in your GuyAnt GS from Ross Hopkins yard in Hamilton NZ out to his house. I think you had almost finished restoring the truck.

Anyway just wanted to say Hi and to add that Gavin and I recently recovered the GuyAnt radio truck out the back of Martinbourgh. (4 years after paying for it ) it has been converted to a compressor truck but is mechanically mostly complete although both engines are seized from being out in the weather for decades!

I plan on getting it drivable, but may take the 1950's compressor off the back if it turns out it can't be resurrected. I would probably make up a basic flat deck just to make truck practical.

After spending an hour lubricating the heck out of everything I managed to get the brakes to operate (just). Its ironic how things work out as approx 20 years ago Dad cut up the remains of a "Ant" as we did not have enough to do anything with it,:shocked: but he did keep a new radiator for one. Lastly if you look on my profile you can see the truck as recovered a few weeks ago (date stamped) and it now resides amongst the other vehicles in our collection.

Kind regards,

Brent Delaney :-)

Sorry for the delay in posting pictures of the Gmc data plates from Poland (camera problems).

Here they are now. The left column contains the new plates and the right has one from my spares truck and below that a brass one from a march '42 hardcab, then a reconditioning plate also from the spares truck and lastly a poor reproduction to show what not to buy, it is just a frisbee !

Hello David, They look great, in-fact I would like to buy a set for my mid series H1 could you please send me the makers contact details.

Cheers

Ah you know who! Do you think he'll ever do it?

He sells when it suits, but don't want too think about him to much!

Covenanter went to "you know who". I would like to see him do it as it is more interesting than anything else in his collection

 

The Valentines went down Carterton way. Dad has known the owner for ages. Packman, I'm guessing you are the son of said owner?

 

Sorry for Hijacking the thread AJ.

Yes Gavin is my father and I am his Son

Didn't Bruce also convert a Covenanter but never used it? That's also with a collector, probably the same one, who doesn't sell anything........!

What are you trying to say Adrian As for the Valentines x2 we brought them off Bruce Alexander a long time ago (23 years) It could have been restored 10 times over in that time!!:red:

Welcome along

Thanks Vulture, I look forward to participating on forums.

Hi Brent, nice place to live. Welcome along to the International Club House. Wipe feet on entry.

Hello Tony B, Thank-you for the welcome and yes NZ is a nice Country, worth a visit

hi a warm welcome to the forum . :-)

Thanks private mw, appreciate the welcome.

Welcome to the forum Brent

Thank-you Lewis.

Welcome aboard! :captain:

Thank-you Joris, Its nice to be welcomed.

Hi Brent,

 

good to see you here. I take it your paddock is as full as ever?

Hahahaha paddock full of rust! Hello Adrian, I see you're been very busy! We have added a few more trucks, but have also "cleaned" out some as well. Its been a while since we had contact Happy New Year btw.