mazungumagic

Forum members, Thanks to all who made me welcome. Berni (I'm sure you'll make a good sheila), If you are in Perth on Anzac Day (25 April - celebrates the first blooding of this nation in one of Churchill's grand schems), a mob of ex military vehicles (incl my Dodge), transports infirm Veterans in the Parade. You might find it interesting - it's possible we could even find you a seat ! I'd be happy to show you over the Museum during your stay - I'll send a PM. Richard, I was on the last trek (2005 to remove any confusion) in my S2A Landrover. Have a look at http://www.jack4carz.blinkz.com/ for a potted report on the trip. Many of those who took part were partly cooked leftovers from previous trips, including Henri de Wally, Bob Dimer, Tony Arrigo, Barefoot Charlie etc. 4000km and over 2500 of corrugated dirt !!!! John Williams was there as well in a stretched Ford Blitz. Clive, I was in touch with you before I came across to the US about Humbers - I think it was on another forum. To everyone else - save your pennies and come for a visit. By the look of the news I've been following since I've been in the US, we need all the help we can get fighting bushfires ! All the best Jack

Hi, I thought I'd accept the invite to introduce myself, as I've been looking at this forum for a couple of weeks and like what I see. It seems a good grouping of helpful contributors with a fair range of HMVs. I live in Perth Western Australia, although for the next two months I'm in Virginia USA. I've got what was an original WC55 which, like all or most of these ill conceived variants, were modified to WC 52s as soon as the troops came in contact with the enemy who had larger guns/more armour. Regrettably I've no idea of it's history. I've also got an ex Australian Army Series 2A LWB landrover. I do volunteer work for an Army museum and in partnership with two others, have restored two Bren Gun Carriers (the Australian LP 2A variety), a Chevrolet Blitz C30 Ambulance and am working on an International Mk 5 Wrecker, with a few other potential projects waiting in the wings. Glad to be here and hope to be of some help. Jack

Hey Lloyd, Regrettably mine too was converted to a WC 52 at some point probably around 50+ years before I got it, but I prefer to think of it as a 55. In the current climate I might be drawing unnecessary attention to myself and the ex military vehicle movement in general, if I contemplated re-equipping it with a 37mm - even if I could find one. I'm in the US at the moment and won't be back in West Australia till mid March, so i can't post my chassis # till then. My Dodge has a Plymouth motor (the engine # starts with 'P*') but it is the short motor and a clone of the T214. I know of only three other WCs in Western Australia so they are a rarish beast here. All the best Jack

Rowan, I've got a 42 WC55 and I'm assuming yours is a similar engine. I had the same thing happen after I'd had occasion to install a new head gasket. The water just appeared on top of one or two of the spark plug recesses closest to the radiator. As you have done, I dried the water up thinking it was dripping in from some unknown place, but it re-appeared after a drive. Found out it was leaking from the thermostat housing. The gasket there is a bit thin and fairly narrow and you need to ensure a water tight seal. Might even be worth re-facing the bottom of the housing as it is likely to be old and is subject to corrosion. Jack