HWade

Hello John Your doing a grand job on the 969 any chance of a couple of pics of the data plates you had made, I need some for my 975. Regards Howard

Well sounds like you have your work cut out.Mind you that will be a great piece of kit when its done.I dont recall seeing another one about. Howard

Hello N.O.S you would want a good generator as well, Wayne said that you have started work on the Tanker,how much work does it need then, or is it mainly a cosmetic job.There is two WLF's for sale on milweb, there in France. Howard

Well had a good day today all of the top coat of paint is on the search light, the new road lights were waiting at home for me so I will fit them tomorrow, that will be one light complete with one more to do.I managed to get my living van in the workshop to strip off the awning flaps to remove all rust and replace the two steel strips that run the length of the trailer. Regards Howard

Evening well I have got the last parts to the lights in red Oxide tonight, hope to give them the top coat on Friday.Will start to rewire the towing lights on Saturday. Regards Howard

Hi N.O.S your right there it would really spoil the truck if it was painted,mind you his van could do with a T-Cut.Well I am off to the Suffolk MVT meet tonight. Regards Howard.

Hello N.O.S Wayne has been full of complements have you seen his chevrolet stepside pickup, its a real nice piece of kit.His on about wanting to get a dodge Ambulance. Regards Howard

Hi N.O.S. I do like a bit of comfort and just to rub in the salt the carpets an old Wilton.I would like to come and give the Autocar a once over some time if thats ok. Regards Howard

Nice looking little blade something different to take to the shows, keep up the good work. Regards Howard

Well I have managed to get the wheels painted and also the chassis of the search light, I have also given the body of the light a coat of paint,second coat to follow.

Well now got both of the brake drums apart, and cleaned. The brake cylinders were seized but these have been all cleaned and now working, also made up to new copper brake pipes. Regards Howard

Yep just push and turn I fiitted a new one to the 975 last year, is the spring ok try a bit of WD40. Regards Howard

Hello Bodge That will be nice to see the other pics if you have them, I managed to strip the drums off the axle only to find that there were no brake shoes or springs inside the drum.I took off the the brake cylinder and got that all taken apart and cleaned up and put back togeather.I will have to see if I can get hold of some shoes and springs.The stud pattern looks like a sankey but I will have to double check who knows there brake shoes may fit. I forgot to take the camerra so will get some pics next time.Well thats it for now. Regards Howard

Hello Bodge Thanks for the support hope to post some more pics tomarrow stripping down the rest of the brakes tomorrow and hope to make up the new pipes. Regards Howard

Hello I had a bit of time this afternoon and took the brake master cylinder apart it was siezed up but after stripping apart cleaning and putting it back togeather its now working,some of the brake pipe is rusted through so I will have to replace it but I shall do this with copper pipe. I now have the base of the search light ready for grit blasting so I shall take a few pics of this and post once I have done this.I am away at a show this weekend so the grit blasting will take place one eavening next week. Regards Howard

A few more pics Regards Howard

I have recently taken on the restoration of two US search lights, They have been converted to 240 volt, 1500 halide bulbs.The units appear to be in quite good order, Iam not to sure when they date from but I am looking in to this I would say that they are post war.They are mounted on a US built trailer chassis, and they have hydraulic over run brakes. The brakes are in a bad way as there are parts missing linkage ect.The lights have a difuser lens as well as a clear lens for searching with.They have hydraulic brakes for the up and down movment of the light as well as the side to side.I have included a few pics will keep you updated as the restoration goes. Regards Howard

Hi The seal kit was a new old stock dated 1962 and the thermostat was also new old stock I bought these from David Wildenberg, I did however manage to get some new chain links from a local bearing stockist, the link was for the chain that drives the water pump. Regards Howard

Hello an update for the Diamond T 975a. I have fitted the water pump back onto the truck and also fitted a new thermostat,I also replaced all of the rubber hoses. I took the truck for a run yesturday and after getting back there was no leaks and the temp kept at a steady 80oC or just under. Before I had no theremostat and found that water would blow from the top of the radiator, having a thermostat has put a stop to this and its running cooler. Well thats it for now. Regards Howard.

Update A friend of mine has finally managed to get the water pump apart and the rear seal was totally shot, so I now have to try and track down a seal kit.Hoping to find one at War and Peace. Will keep you updated. Howard.

Hello Joris Will do as soon as there is more to report. Howard

Hello Gents Well up untill now no real problems with the truck, but after getting back from a show the other weekend I noticed water dripping from a hole on the water pump. It first looked like that I would have to remove the wing and inner wing to get to the water pump, but on closer inspection after removing the aircleaner I was able to get to the water pump with out to much of a problem.It would apear the inner seal has dried up but i will know more once I get to take the water pump apart will keep you posted. Howard

Hello Tony Sorry I dont have the key number but I found it very easy to remove the lock and take the barrel apart.I had a key fit the lock it was just a case of getting it to work.The answer to your other question is when you turn the key it just reset the red needle to zero.Mine works well so I can now see what max revs i get to.I recon you will be lucky to locate a key,thats why I did what I did with mine. All the best Howard

Picture of my DT 975A Howard

Hello Mark Yep its mine or right I dont know why he is selling though, its proberly the best YB626 about. I may even buy it back. Howard