Jim Clark

is it started by donkey engine or just by hand/motor? Cheers Steve Hi nSteve, it is a 6 cylinder motor which starts on petrol and then is swiched to diesel. I will try to explain, in the cylinder head there are 3 valves per cylinder, inlet and exhaust as normal for a four stroke motor. The third valve when open leads to a small chamber with a spark plug in it. So when you want to start the motor you turn on the tap in a 1.5 gallon petrol tank, pull down a lever on the dash board, this opens the third valve in all the cylinders, it also opens a flap in the inlet manifold so the air is drawn through a carburettor, it also turns the mag on. when the third valve is opened it also reduces the compression ratio to run on petrol pull out choke, press the starter button, engine starts. Run engine on petrol for a few minutes until warm, depending how cold the weather is. Pull the lever back up and the diesel hand throttle up at the same time. the valve is then shut increasing the compression ratio the carb is turned off, the injection pump is now on and the motor switches to diesel. To shut down the motor you do the same in reverse. Simples. Jim.

Thanks to all the others for your kind comments. Jim.

Hi Olaf, the dozer is pretty easy to drive but completly different to the Sherman which does catch me out still. Basicaly the Sherman has two levers to steer it, one to turn left and the other to turn right. By pulling a lever back it applies a brake to slow that track, in turn (because of the central differential) it trys to speed up the other track therefor the tank turns left or right depending on which lever is pulled. If you pull back on both levers at the same time the tank is brought to a stop. The clutch, accelerator and gearbox are just like a normal vehicle. The dozer has three clutches, the main clutch is used to select the gear you require and is an over center type, which means its either in or out. The other two clutches are steering clutches and they are used in conjunction with two foot brakes. So after selecting the gear you need and pulling the main clutch back the dozer starts to move. To turn left you pull the left cluctch lever back (this breaks the drive to that track) then you apply pressure to the left brake peddle and depending how hard you push will affect how sharp you turn. To turn right you use the right clutch and brake. There are other issues which affect the steering control , such as whether you are pushing dirt, pulling a load or the load pushing you down hill but if I explain that it will confuse you. Hope all that makes sence Jim.

Hi Pete, although the dozer had olive drab under all the red paint it did not have military type data plates. The only plate it had looks more civilian to me but the numbers on there date it as 1941. Jim.

Took my TD18 to the Dig For Victory show over the weekend now painted in olive drab. On Sunday we loaded it onto Jasons Rogers trailer, bit scary as we had to load it backwards. Looked good though . Jim

Yes I knew the heads had been changed but I thought as parts are hard to find and the probability of a genuine TD18 having good heads was slim. I went with the more practical option of buying one with the mods already done. As for the exra pulleys on the rear I have already removed them as they were from the hard nose of a Cat D7 or D8 with cable operated blade. Thanks for the offer of spares, all I am looking for is the two head lamp guards, either type will do. Also two enamel Bucyrus Erie name plates that attach to the hydraulic arms. Jim.

Thanks for the kind wishes. Best not say too much about the tank, only causes trouble. But then, does this look like the face of concern Jim ps They say life is like a roll of toilet paper, it goes quicker towards the end.

Hi Adrian, yes it starts on petrol then switches to diesel just as it should. The only reason i bought it was because it only needs minor work to get it ready to show. I didnt want another long term project. Jim.

I recently aquired a 1941 International TD18 dozer its ex army and underneath the red paint there is the good old olive drab. As can be seen it was fitted with an aftermarket cab which i have removed but in all fairness it has protected the controls etc. It runs and drives as it shouild, all the clutches are free, the hydraulics and rear double drum winches work and there are no major leaks. I am just going to do cosmetic work on it then flash it over in a fresh coat of olive drab Jim.

Above the fuel tank and to the offside of the engine sits a pod with three radiators, one each for the engine coolant, torque converter fluid and gearbox oil. I had to repair the bottoms of all three radiators we then pressure tested them to make sure there were no leaks. They were then fitted into their mounting pod along with the fan and fan shroud. The pod was then bolted into its mounting frame which bolts to the hull over the engine. If you look you can see half of the frame has been cut away, this was a field modification to allow removal of the engine without having to take the frame and radiators off . Jim.

I have also refurbished the dash board, sorry the photos are not very good. Jim.

Ok here we go again, sorry for the delay but work is getting in the way of my own projects. I managed to find a NOS Waukesha motor for the HST in Utah. When I got it back to my yard I checked it over added oil and fuel and it ran as sweet as can be. I then gave it a fresh coat our dark olive paint added the new engine wiring harness and fitted it into the hull The large oblong tank next to the engine is the fuel tank which I had to weld in a new top and a couple of sections in the sides. Jim.

Hi Terry, sorry its now fitted with a 9 cylinder radial engine. The original multibank motor was in a very bad way so my easiest option was to fit the radial. The motor was very easy to fit as there is loads of room, just had to make up engine mounts, alter propshaft height slightly and plumb in oil,fuel, exhaust and electrics .. You need to get in contact with Adrian Barrel his M4A4 is running the correct mulibank motor. Thanks jim.

Thanks Clive for your reply,your apology is accepted although to be honest I was more annoyed than hurt. Yes I can understand there is a fine line when doing this sort of stuff. I did get assurance from the organiser that it would be a peaceful event without any chance of aggravation from “rent a mob” or tree hugging hippy types. I would like to thank all the other folk who replied for their kind comments, most appreciated. General Lee, I will try and dig out the photos and start a thread on the Sherman's restoration, but please note it is not in the same league as Adrian Barrels Sherman restoration. Thanks Jim.

I am a bit p...ed off with some of the comments on this thread so while we wait for Antar and Clive Elliot to explain there comments about me bringing the MV movement into disrepute I would like to make a few comments of my own. First of all thanks to Joe, Bob and Jason for their supporting remarks. Second I am fed up of being classed as a rich and wealthy WW2 armour owner, this I am not . Not that its anybody's business but I will tell you anyway, I bought the Sherman in 1999 for £4000 as a wreck, many people including some on this forum turned their noses up at it and walked away from it. In total it owes me less than some of you have paid for your everyday transport. It was rebuilt on a small budget but with many hours of hard labour, not just mine but with the help of Martin Hammond, Paul my nephew and others. So please don't bleat on about not being in a financial position to own WW2 armour its getting boring. I will say though the prices have soared since buying the Sherman and I certainly could not buy the same vehicle at todays prices. You all had the chance to buy the Sherman, that's your loss get over it. Regarding the lack of number plates, again not that its anybody's business but mine, I have never displayed them on the vehicle in 10 years. I have done more miles than most on the roads in the UK, Belgium, Holland and the Czech republic and not once have I been asked where my plates are. Admittedly I do have some magnetic plates which are on the inside of the hull and if asked I would display them. My only part in the protest last week was hiring the Sherman and myself to the organisers , as you will know the upkeep on these vehicles is expensive so when they can earn their keep it helps. Actually while we were standing around in Clifton I recon about 50% of the people were more interested in the tank and its history than the parking problems. I had a lovely conversation with an elderly Dutch lady who thanked us for keeping the WW2 memories alive with our military vehicles, made my day just chatting to her about her experiences during the war. Last year I had someone going on about me crushing cars at the Welland steam rally, again I was paid to do it and the crowd loved it. I am sure most of the moaners are either just jealous or have nothing better to do than whine on about someone doing something they haven't the ba..s to do themselves, other just have loads of books. On a more serious note when we do commemorative events, we do them with reverence and all the respect they deserve. Thanks Jim.

Perhaps you would like to explain your comment. Jim

I do them, give me a call. Jim.

Hi 125LAA , we are not doing anymore to this Jeep, its staying in its "as found" condition. If it were to be restored to factory fresh condition it would be just another restored Jeep. It has probably got more interesting history post war than its short wartime use. Your right about the film though, I liked it so much I bought the tank. Jim.

Pete, the light colour paint is post war. Fortunatly the original matching number chassis and glovebox plates are still in place and from what we can see the body has never been off the chassis. The engine number is different but is an earlier MB engine. Jim.

more pics, All of the replacement panels were hand made even the strengthening rib inside the body edge. The repairs were then painted olive green, then with a similar colour brownish paint to match the weathered exterior of the Jeep. Jim.

More pics of the work done to make the Jeep roadwothy and pass the MOT. Jim.

In these pics you can see the remains of the wooden door frame and also the passenger side removed for easier access Jim

This Jeep was first registered in November 1946 when it was bought from Ashchurch ( General Depot 25) by David Thompson.He converted it to a station wagon with wood and canvas top and sides. He used to keep the jeep at his friends house in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. Sometime in the 50s David sold the Jeep to his friend William Davis who used it as general transport. Paul has been in contact with William Davis daughter and she can remember learning to drive this jeep around their farm. On one occasion whilst driving the jeep with her sister, she remembers driving down over a hill on the farm and because she could not quite reach the brake pedal it careered down the grassy slope scaring them both. They never told their parents about the incident. The jeep was also used to tow their caravan to Cornwall for family holidays When William Davis died in 1984 the jeep was sold to Walter Whitting of Painswick he just parked it up in a barn. After Walter passed on it stayed in the Whitting family but moved to another farm owned by the family and this is where it was sold at auction in 2010. The jeep attracted a lot of interest but Paul was the highest bidder and is now the proud owner. So this Jeep has always lived in Gloucestershire Jim.

Hi Pete , Paul is leaving it as found condition doing only essential work for the MOT, brakes,tyres steering, lights etc, I will go into that in more detail over the next few days. Hi John, yes the bike lamp brackets are still on there, Paul even has some lamps now. I would put a tenner on this Jeep getting more attention if it were put next to a very rare 101st AB Jeep at any show or even an M201 which was on Omaha on 6-6-44. Jim.

Thanks for your comments. I will try to post more photos of the work done to it also its history since demob. I am having trouble with uploading pics at the moment . Jim.