eddy8men

the original engine going back in the tank is great and the original gearbox will be following it too :cool2:

that was an easy one, it's a matilda the other tank is a Vickers light armed with a 15mm besa machine gun. rick

more pics

we've been busy this week :-D fuel tanks steam cleaned, repaired, tested and painted ready to be fitted. oil tanks cleaned and painted ready to fit. the engine is with the builder and the tear down starts on Monday we also had a quick look at the box and managed to free off the brakes and got the box to spin quite freely, we'll have a proper look at it on Monday and although we were told the box was knackered i'm fairly confident it will be ok with a bit of work. if the resto gods are on our side by the end of the next week the engine, clutch and gearbox will be ready for fitting.

thanks for the info on the re mould guy, I have a fella in leeds in mind but i'll try them both and see what price they come up with. cheers rick

thanks for the correction, brain not fully engaged today. cheers rick

same diameter wheel for Cromwell, comet, centurion, chieftain and challenger (I think) unfortunately they are different widths and the later tanks have 12 studs not 8 like the Cromwell but they can be used with a little machining but i'd like to have the originals re-rubbered and seeing as how lance is paying for it all, money is no object on this resto :-D rick

there's still a lot on the French and Belgian ranges :cool2:

couldn't read the engine data plate very well but it is a mk3 made by Nuffield, once it's soda blasted all will be revealed. rick

I know the new workshop is big but let's stick to one project at a time lance :-D having said that I did enjoy doing my t16, they're a great vehicle to work on. rick

looking good fella's. once the tracks are on it's all down hill after that. :-D

the engine has been loaded up and taken to the merlin specialist for assessment and repair, although the engine was seized solid i'm fairly hopeful it will be salvageable. we'll know for sure next week when the fella starts to take it apart.

cheers kev that is definitely an option we are considering but if it's economically viable i'd like to keep the originals :thumbsup: rick

good to meet you lance, just a shame it was only a flying visit. maybe next time it won't be such a rush. looking forward to start pulling it apart and getting the engine checked out. the first task will be to pull everything out of the tank and see what we have. after that the engine and gearbox need to be assessed for serviceability and sent off to the various specialists if required, then the turret will be pulled and hopefully sold to help fund the resto. the biggest problem so far is the condition of the rubber on the road wheels, we'll either have to get them re rubbered which is the preferred option as it will keep the tank original or failing that chieftain wheels that will need to be machined to the right width and correct stud alignment. cost will probably decide which route we take there is also the small problem of finding a turret and ring but for now i'll concentrate on what we have and worry about the rest later. rick

I was putting some serious thought not long ago to learning to dive and going looking for tanks on the sea bed. bracklesham bay and studland would be my first 2 sites, followed by moray firth :-D good luck with your venture. rick

few pics

lol you want pics john, you nearly got the call to come and help us unload it bloody tractor got a puncture and we had to twist the drivers arm to uncouple his tractor unit and pull it off with a little help from the forklift under the rear track links but all's well that ends well and it is now sitting outside my yard ready for shunting inside later on today. rick

great story of honour and duty

you have to buy a tacho and have it fitted. I have heard they can set you back £2k, that and all the hassle of getting involved with paperwork. it's just something I personally don't want to get involved with for a wagon I might use 5 times a year but I do see your point, sometimes you can spend more time and money trying to get around the rules than if you had followed them in the first place ! rick

I imported a carrier from the states a few years ago but I used a shipping agent and all the paperwork was sorted for me all I had to do was pick it up from the collection point show the ticket to the guy on the gate and I was on my way. you could try and contact one of the agents at the port of entry and ask them for a bit of info or employ them to act on your behalf. rick

rule no.2 of tachograph exemptions states:- vehicle is over 25 years old and is not used commercially for the carriage of goods. this is why I will buy a Bedford tm next. rick

couldn't say how easy it is to downrate a daf but I wouldn't (if you have the license) as a 4 ton load capacity is always useful to have. I have a working speedo but no centre seat i'm afraid rick

02ED01 was my old barra. I always keep a look out for it (i'd like it back one day) rick

I had a daf for a while and the way I understood it you were exempt from a tacho as private hgv as long as you don't go 60 miles from your home base, which makes sense as it would be hard to exceed your driving hours on a short journey. there is also a rolling 25 year exemption but most dafs are 91 onwards so not applicable until 2016 which is a long time to be looking over your shoulder for the vosa guys. I sold the daf and will buy a tm which will come under the 25 year rule, plus it has an 8 ton load capacity with a gross train of 24 ton. rick ps. I have a daf I am selling / breaking if you need any parts.

I might take the Cromwell if it can fit thru the country lanes, if not then the carrier will be going. looking forward to it. rick