TooTallMike

I agree entirely that they just were not interested. I have learned that that there is no point arguing with closed ranks of bureaucracy so I retired gracefully! - MG

Do you have any sources of French parts who might be able to help with parts for a GBC? I have spoken to numerous French dealers and supposed contacts but no one seems to be able to help. Someone must be sitting on these spares over there? All we need is an engine gasket set and foot valve. - MG

Firstly, Mitcham have always had an poor reputation and I was pleased to hear recently that they may be being closed down. Good riddance. I believe any large vehicle can be plated and tested for commercial use. My understanding is that it should be tested against the C&U standards applicable at the time of its manufacture. These regs were pretty much non-existent in 1944 so goodness knows how they would decide what to test. It should be noted again that with very few exceptions all buses have to be tested annually even if only used privately. I know of numerous solid-tyred buses with no windscreens, no front brakes, little or no lighting etc. etc. which have no problem passing their tests each year. I believe Mitcham gave me the wrong information even though several of the guys came out to discuss it. I think they were just not interested but this is typical of the experience there. They reeled off a list of items that they believed would need modification including lowering headlights, fitting indicator repeaters, replacing all tyres for 'E' marked, replacing all lights for 'E' marked, fitting seat belts, fitting spray suppression equipment, fitting under-run bars, protecting numerous sharp corners etc. etc. Some of this is clearly moronic as even our ERF doesn't have seat belts, but they were adamant so I abandoned the idea. - MG

Ok thanks, I couldn't see the hydraulic dampers at the front so had ruled that out. I figured the bonnet sides and grille must have been modified. Thanks for the correction. - MG

I was on the website of one of our Portuguese suppliers and noticed in the top right corner a photo of a civilianised 980/1 with a heavy trailer. It implies there are 5 photos in the gallery but I can only get one to appear. http://www.efacec.pt/PresentationLayer/efacec_ctexto_00.aspx?idioma=1&local=5&area=1 Regards - Mike

Hi Jim, Great restoration and good to see you made such a good choice of engine :thumbsup:. Just one question though, why didn't you just fit a modern single-plate SAE#2 clutch and cover rather than re-use the original one? I would have thought the L10 is putting out 100hp+ more than the petrol and the original clutch might not be too happy with that? Regards - MG

For the sake of completeness in this thread, I have also had various comments via PM. One suggestion was to use the best swivels as they are and use Land Rover 'one-shot' grease. Apart from the cost of about 5 gallons of this grease can anyone comment on its suitability? - MG

Thanks gents, Looks like I'd better try welding then. I'll try on one of the poorer, original, ones and see how it goes. I wonder how critical it is to have a perfect contour on something swept by a thick felt seal anyway? Since the purpose is to prevent the oil/grease from leaking out I suppose it is most important that the seal contacts the whole surface and there are no sharp edges. It shouldn't really matter if it's not 'perfectly' spherical. I'll make a ply template for the shape so I can keep an eye on the profile. I'll try over the weekend and report back. - MG

Thank you for a very interesting and informative thread. It's always interesting to see the inner workings of the more unusual vehicles. Pleased to hear the work was successful. Rgds - Mike

Thanks Tony, I hadn't considered welding. It's an interesting option but maintaining a uniform shape could be a challenge. I'll have to go and have another look... - MG

I did wonder why Youngun was making such a fuss about it as that whole job only took around an hour, including soldering! - MG

:rotfl:

Thanks John and Ivor, also to others with whom this has been discussed. The general consensus seems to be to use the best swivels as they are and only worry about it further if they leak. I'll leave it another couple of days in case anyone comes up with a magic tried and tested cure . - MG

The truck was based in the Middlesborough area before coming down South. No comment on the previous asking price but there was a story behind it :-X. Yesterday the engine was removed and the front half of the chassis was steam cleaned in preparation for painting. Also, the Cummins sump was removed and the pick-up pipe extended to permit the sump to be reversed. This evening the sump will be notched to clear the chassis tube. Before: After: - MG

It's a get-out clause so the examiner can refuse to carry out the test if they are not happy with the vehicle presented. We did our tests in a Spartan on the public road with no concern expressed as to the suitability of the vehicle. More interestingly the quote states by implication that by definition [all tracked] military vehicles require a second person to help with observation. This is clearly not true: for example a CVRT has better driver visibility than a Transit. Final point - what do they mean by 'military vehicle'? 'H' license is a civilian designation: a civilian is very unlikely to be borrowing a current military vehicle for their 'H' test, so anyone taking an 'H' test will be in an ex-military vehicle (or mini digger etc.). These are registered as 'track-laying vehicles'. So there is no legal designation of 'military vehicle' to which this quote can even refer... - MG

There is one of these for sale in the Gatwick area. Hard cab and US body. It's complete and running but requires restoration. PM for more info. Regards - MG

Does anyone have any experience of renovating pitted axle swivels? The ones on the Autocar are very poor, with pits of up to 0.5mm in places. They are the same part as WLF, of which I have two spares. These are not as bad, with pits of maybe 0.2mm or less. The swivels are greased so the seal does not have to be perfect. The question is whether I will get away with them as they are or should I use something like Belzona to build them up? Top photo is a WLF one, bottom photo is Autocar: Comments welcome - MG

The engine has been stripped of unwanted ancillaries and the flywheel housing has been changed for SAE3. Flywheel is ordered and engine has been steam cleaned. Next job is to reverse the sump, modify the pick-up pipe and cut out a section to clear the chassis cross-tube. - MG

The cab was found to have been a modifed GMC one as so many are. The floor had been patched extensively in all the normal rust spots, as had the side panels. I am pleased to report that this morning I saw the freshly repaired side panels and was very impressed. Once the floor and back panels are repaired to the same standard it should be a pleasure to bolt back together again. - MG

Hi Willy, I forgot to post this at the time but I spoke to Bernard and we visited him in October 2009. We came home with a small souvenir of the trip... Many thanks for drawing our attention to Bernard's truly amazing collection - Mike

A chap in Surrey IMPS imported one of these from Kenya a couple of years ago and rallies it regularly. He may well be able to help. He was at W&P etc. so chances are you may have come across him? - MG

Forum member Adrian Scott has recently acquired a Ward LaFrance which has been on the rally scene in the Middlesborough area for many years. It is now undergoing some major repairs to the bodywork and running gear. The cab was found to be badly rotted: the floor will need to be replaced and the side panels repaired. The front wings are badly rusted where they join the chassis, and the radiator and its frame are both compromised. It is now looking like a candidate for a performance upgrade, but more of that anon. The front axle has already been rebuilt with new driveshaft seals, swivel seals, hub seals, brake linings etc. For now here are some photos of the truck showing how it currently stands. - MG

Thanks Adrian, Yup, we're expecting... 8 lambs and 8 goat kids over the next couple of months... (oh, and a human one in April...) - MG

Hi team Dennis, We are located 5 mins from the halfway stop at Crawley. We'll be watching the run and hoping to cheer you as you drive past (or chat if you can stop for a cuppa). If you have any problems you cannot solve we have recovery capability, a transporter and workshop facilities. I don't think for one moment you'll need them but the offer is there just in case. Feel free to PM me nearer the time if you want my number. Oh, and like everyone else I am in awe at the work you are doing. You have our greatest respect and admiration. Regards - Mike