PB1954RNS

Hi Andy. Many thanks for your kind words about the project and it has been a labour of love. My biggest problem has been working on it outside and trying to dodge the bad weather, rain, frost, snow, more rain ! Another problem has been with it being the only one, you are stuck to go and have a look at another BY5 to check on parts etc. I have had to work from the offical war time photo's of a BY5 and size it to what should be the correct size, then with a handy piece of cardboard make one - then try for size and adjust. Then cut out - a bit of trial and error As for lifting heavy parts around, I have a handy sack truck and having strong arms, thick back and being daft in the head helps ! But the dear wife keeps telling me - "You are 65 not 18, be careful" I'm sure that once you get taking a few parts off your Land Rover, you will find that restoration will be in your blood. Right, I have wanted to finish off the small annoying jobs that if I don't do them then they will never get done. So I'm going to wire up the rear light, fit the junction box and the two way switch. Now this where the problem starts. If you look at the start of page 3, there is a copy of the wiring diagram that is in the workshop manual. I was going to use this to sort out the light, on the rear BUT on checking the drivers manual there is a different diagram. The diagram from the workshop manual shows at the rear a tail lamp, junction box, feed off to the trailer adapter, carries on to a two way switch and the rear axle floodlamp. Okay so what's the problem? well on the drivers manual diagram, it shows a feed to a stop lamp switch, then to the junction box , with a feed off to the stop lamp, feed to the tail lamp, then to the two way switch for the axle floodlamp. So which one do I do, this would explain the lamp bracket under the tow hook with two red lights fitted and the pull out switch but not sure on how or where to fit the stop lamp switch or what type to use. Or shall I just fit as per the workshop manual Regards. Paul Burns.

The rearlight bracket photo has appeared 3 times, I can say that there is only one bracket. PB

Hi. Update photo's of the Albion The rear marker light fitted with new bracket . I measured off the works photo and with a piece of cardboard made up the bracket. I did fix it behind the rear off side mud guard but it was too far back so I moved it behind the number plate. Next is the new plate for transporting the oars as these were carried on the inside of the chassis. New passenger foot rest but needs tread bar fitting to it, but might just fit strips of flat steel strip instead. This next photo has jumped the que but shows the rear lights bracket and fits behind the towing hook. There was the remains of a pull out switch in the middle, but will have a ponder about fitting the originals back again as they are too far back to see them . Rear number plate but this has been leaft blank as the bolt heads have to have a touch of black paint on them. This will carry the 18YX66 numbers but only for display purpose, but will not be displayed when being shown in the 1944 livery. When registered for the road then the legal reg plates will be fitted. The front number plate showing the post war number and if any one writes in to tell me that one of the numbers isn't straight - it is - the number plate has a slight curve in it and puts the number skew. Then I removed the covers to give it a breath of fresh air. Paul Burns

Hi. Many thanks for your thoughts, but I'm well aware of the difference. The only reason for putting both numbers on is that the 18 YX 66 are display plates and will be changed and the proper legal road number plates will be fitted in their place. The lorry will run as the 1944 - 1949 livery but by taking off the L number plate, will also be displayed as in the post war number registration. Cheers. Paul Burns.

Hi. The weather down here in the South West has been the monsoon season - non stop rain. Every time I go out when it does stop, to take catch up photos - it rains. But I hope there will be a dry spell to take them this weekend. Right bit of a update. I did manage to change the top piece of the side locker but not able to paint yet. The top was a bit flimsy and if any one had walked on it , then it would possibly bend in the middle as I used 1.2 mm steel, this is now 2 mm . The order for the new cable for the rear marker light and junction box is now on the go and await it's delivery. I have ordered a 50 m reel of black cable as the power take off starts at the electrical gear at the front of the cab and the cable runs down the inside of the chassis rail all 22 foot and across the rear. So to save using a wonky tape measure that some times gives me the wrong size to cut, to play safe and get a full reel. The passenger side foot rest was also made up and fitted, but still needs the tread bar /pyramid nosing to be obtained and fitted. I did try a fab shop that I use to see if they had a small off cut , when asked and tried to describe it to him, his blank face never moved. I need to catch up on the time off and get frustrated when I cannot go out to work on it due to this weather. When I did try to work underneath the chassis in the rain , all the drips off the sheet covering it found their way down my neck ! Will try this weekend for photos. Paul Burns.

Hi. Yes still around but I had some health problems last year - body bits were starting to fall off - joys of getting old. I had to put a hold on the restoration but back to 100% and getting stuck back in to it again. I did some serious pondering about some of the work I had carried out and wanted to rectify it as I wasn't happy about it. So I set about it and made up my mind not to wonder off doing some thing else and leaving a part finished job. The first job I wanted to do was to make up the number plate brackets, I had two original ones , these were used on the rear and cut , drilled and painted the plate for the numbers. The front was a bit more of a swine as there is a slopping stone guard and the brackets had to be fixed inside the plate at the bottom but enough metal showing to fix the number plate to them.. It is a bit low but you can read the numbers on it - 18 YX 66. Next was to work out from the Black and White works photo of the rear angled number plate for the lorry number as fitted on the right hand side on the body. L533042. Having a good supply of cardboard, made up a plate for trial and error and when correct cut out a piece of steel 2mm and got the angle bent to 90. The stencil is on the wish list for the number. Next, was fitting of tail light. Back to the photo and it showed that there was a plate fitted at the back of the rear off side mud guard. Back to the cardboard supply and cut out a piece and trial / error got to look right. I cut out a piece to shape and drilled a 28mm hole for fitting the rear lamp.. The lamp I brought off a vintage car site, it is of the rubber type and has 3 self tapping screws to hold it on. I need to buy some cable and a 2 way junction box to wire in the light . On this wiring diagram there is a two way switch for the axle flood light, which will have to be obtained.. I had a small angle bracket which had two small red lights in it, they were very rough and could only save the bodies. This piece had puzzled me for many a year as to where it fitted, I couldn't find any holes that would fit it. Lying on my back a bit further in under the lorry having a ponder, I found the holes and is now fitted but without the lights. I shall have to see if I can buy new connectors and fit them inside the original bodies. Right, inside the chassis at the rear there should be a plate fitted - 33" x 25" and this is to support the boat oars. The chassis body work will help also to support the oars. Plate is cut out but needs to be drilled and painted. The top of the side locker, I'm not happy with the plate as it's a bit on the flimsy side, so I've cut a new plate out and is the next job to be done. Side locker door, is again a bit flimsy, so I will strengthen with a piece of 2mm steel on the inside of the door. As soon as I can, will just put up some photo's Paul Burns.

Hi. Many thanks for the help and I will give your idea a try to stop the leak. It's not that I don't to spend the money and time getting it repaired but I just want to use for a couple of years and have some fun with it. I want to find a workshop when the time is up and strip it down to the bear bones and rebuild it as factory fresh. To Match Fuzee - sorry I missed your message about the gauge , but will still keep looking for one. Cheers . Paul Burns.

Hi. Thanks for your comments about the work so far. Pete. Thanks for your input about the rad, I have got some metal stick which is to stop leak's but it's just trying to get the paste around the leak. It's the middle tube and I wasn't going to remove the rad if I could,. I have had a look on web sites for rad leaks on HGV's and found some liquid fixer for £40 a can. But not sure what a modern HGV water capacity is as the Albion is 5 3/4 gallons. Cheers. Paul Burns.

Hi.. Time for bit of a update on the Albion. Rear Axles: They have now fresh oil in them and a full repaint, now just to sort out the leather gaiters with fitting them back on. The Torque Rods were sized and had to be freed up and I have to fit new leather covers on them to protect the ball joint . Chassis: Having been working underneath, I found areas of rust on the body work and chassis rails which needed urgent attention , so this has had to move up the list of to do jobs. Also it has also given me the chance to clean off all the muck it has built up over the years it was left out in the farm yard. Another job that again moved up the list is the amount of holes in the bodywork and chassis that have not been drilled out, holes out of alignment, bolts not fitted, bolts fitted but no nuts on them, so all of this has been corrected. Electrics: With the monsoon season over, hopefully for a few days to allow me to have a look at them again. I did get a replacement switch box and decided to replace it. All the wires were marked with the letter on the switch box that they should fit. Wiring diagram double checked and the switch box refitted. The oil gauge had to be removed from the panel and when I have spun the engine over, there is no movement of the needle on the gauge. So on checking it found that it was no longer of any use so I need to get a Smiths 0-100lbs, type X.53580/17 - any one help with a working spare they don't need or where I can get a replacement. The old gauge was refitted just to act as a plug to stop the oil from coming out. So all wiring checked and a quick double check on the wiring again, the battery came out of the garage, fitted in the Drivers tool box , leads fitted, quick prayer to the small god of vehicle restoration and turned the side lights on - bingo yes they are on, main headlight on - bingo yes it is on. The first time I tried, this circuit wasn't working and running the meter over the ignition circuit again 100% working. The problem was that the switch box that had been full of water over the years had taken it's toll on the connections inside. What next - well the watering can came out, spare petrol and check the engine oil level and to see if I could fire it up. First thing was to fill the rad up and listen to the water filling up the the block and the rad and I started to wonder why my feet were getting wet! The rad had a leak in one of the coils right in the middle of the 3 rows of coils - silent scream - and it's about 6" up from the bottom. If you look at the last photo you can see it - look at the rivet and move to your left you can see a spiders strand and you can see the water coming out. So I'm looking for a cheap fix, any one recommend any rad leak fixing fluid to fix the leak and make it last until it gets a full strip down and get the rad fixed. Cheers. PB.

Not tried that route at all - will give it a go, also will try to expand trying Fab / stair making companies for off cuts. If no luck will have to buy a 3 meter strip as I want to finish off this out standing job. P.B

Hi . It's been a long time since an up date but with the lorry parked outside and battling rain and snow it's not been very good to work on it. I did manage to get underneath it and drain out the middle axle and found a sticky brown tar fell out of the axle and into the bucket. I left this to slowly drain out for a couple of days and then left it for another day just to be sure. The rear axle as you might know, the rear diff was taken out in the scrap yard and this included the axle drain plug. Having checked the web sites for a foundry, there was one not far from where I lived, so the plan was to use the original one to cast another one off and get it machined. As you can see from the photos not a great success but took it over to a machine shop and see what they could do with it - nothing - it was cast to size and below and ended up as a £20 paperweight. Plan B just have one machined out of bar instead. The cost was £60 but did a good job and they got the threads correct which are 1-3/16" BSF. Checked to find a tap to clean up the threads but not able to find one , so cleaned up the threads with a wire brush and with the threads coated in grease slowly wound the plug it in , stopping after a full turn and wound it out checking the threads for any damage. But slowly but sure it to the top, it was then removed so that I could clean out the axle of rust. I did clean out about a pound of rust and to make sure it was clean, I removed the oil filler and found this was solid with rust. This and the filler lid have been cleaned up and given a coat of Red Oxide and will be ready for a white undercoat. When replaced the axle will be filled with oil to protect the half shafts as they are not doing any thing but turning in the oil. Right, on other blogs, it has been brought up about pyramid nosing - I'm looking for 2 foot of 35 mm x 5 mm. I can only buy it in 3 meter length which is too much for the job I want it for. So would any one have a spare piece that they no longer require and can I buy it from you. I have tried fab workshops - they don't know what it is or can not help. Cheers. Paul Burns.

Hi. Just a quick update for the start of the new year. I spent some time between Christmas and New Year hiding from the surplus turkey and Christmas pudding in the shed making up the steel latches for the side locker. This is one of those small jobs that has been on the 'To Do' list for some time now and with the weather working against me to work on the Albion outside this was a good time to make them up.. Also cutting out the leather parts for making up the gaiters for the axles putting them into store ready to when they are need to be fitted.. Also many thanks to mark for letting have a spare switch box, this will be fitted as soon as the weather changes. I have double checked the wiring and all the electrical boxes and switches for any loose or dirty connections. I hope by fitting the new box this will cure the lack of supply to the coil and lights. Paul Burns.

Hi.I have put a wanted ad on this site to see if any one can help me out with a C.A.V 12 volt switch box to replace the one on the Albion that has suffered water damage due to being stored outside for a few years. I have put a photo of a switch box as shown in the workshop manual, if any one can help with any of the parts as shown in the diagram then please let me know as they would be most welcome. They can be big or small and if I can make one good one out of spare parts all the better. Just to wish all vehicle restorers seasons greetings . Cheers. Paul Buirns

Wanted to replace the switch box on the Albion BY5 instrument panel. Mine has suffered water damage over the years it was stored outside and I would like to replace it. It is model C.A.V 12Volt type 47A -29 and I have seen one on Ebay for £170 - well out of my budget. So can any one help me with a complete switch box or parts to make up a good one. Thanks. Paul Burns.

Hi Pete. Many thanks for your help and advice about the wiring, to be honest I want to sort out both issues,. to get the engine running and to sort out the electrical problems at the same time. I'm away for a few days but when back I want to go over and check all the connections as the first stage and then move on to the next one. I do need to get a replacement switch box as this will put my mind at rest, at the moment it's like a itch you cannot scratch and will feel better about it with a replacement. Thanks for the info on post war switch box and will keep a check on ebay and will put a wanted ad on this site. Cheers. Paul Burns.

Hi. Just a catch up on the wiring situation on the lorry. After doing some domestic jobs around the house I did manage to get out and start to check the wiring with the multimeter. I did find two circuits that were dead - A) Wire from the Ignition Coil back to the Switch Box. B) From the Fuse Box up to the Switch Box which controls the lights. So its going to be the case of checking the wiring that I removed when I took the Switch Box out and check to see that it has been wired up correctly., or to what I think could be the real cause of the problem is the water damage that I found when taking it apart. I shall have another go and try to clean it up again. I don't know if there are any companies who can service the Switch Box out there, if any one knows of a company then please let me know . The other alternative is to try and find another one in a better condition, but so far have not seen one for 12 volt system. The Fuse Box is the original one and has the wire fuse on a type of card that fits into spring clamps and I want to get some spare fuses, any help welcome - I'm away for a couple of days and will post a photo of the type needed. Cheers. Paul Burns.

Hi Andy. No worries about the book many thanks for letting know about it and it is sat in my collection of books about Albion BY lorries. I'm hoping to get it moving around again in the summer subject to fixing some large and extra large problems!. The main problem is the weather as I have to work outside on it. The equipment is slowly being replaced as I find it and I still have to call in to the R.E Museum to measure up the boat. Main spending is the last two new tyres as the costs for the tyres, flaps and inner tubes cost just under £600, so hitting EBay to sell off bits and bobs. I have managed to grease up the wire lifting cables as the cables are a bit dry, after a few windings up and down are well covered. Still trying to sort out the wiring problem and get the engine running again. Will update as I sort things out. Paul Burns.

Hi. Not been able to do much due to weather - cold or wet. When it has been able to work on the lorry , I have been checking over wires that I did disconnect and cleaning up the faces of of the connectors. The one main problem and I have always had doubts over is the switch box on the instrument panel, this did have water in it during its time outside. I did strip it down and clean it up , replaced the ignition spindle in the ON/OFF switch, but feel that this might be a problem and need replacing subject to getting a replacement. Being mechanically minded and not being electrically up to scratch - I having a few trial runs with the meter before diving in to start and check the circuits . History Note. The half Albion at the start of this blog still in the scrap yard , I have the details of it. L5333019 , Chassis No 52521F, Reg No 18YX62 and sold from C.V.D Ashchurch on 09/09/59. Will keep you informed as I progress. Cheers. Paul Burns.

A PHOTO COPY of the Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book for the following models - Tractor 4X4 F.A C/8 - Mark 2 and Mark 3, Chassis 30- cwt. 4x4 C9/B. Lorry 30, cwt. 4x4 A.T Portee C/8. Mark 2 and Mark 3. Tractor 4x4 A.T. C/8 Mark 2 and Mark 3. Tractor 4x4 A.T. C8/P.. This book was brought back in 1981 when I had a Quad Mark 2 and a Mark 3, but these were sold on but always thought I would find another one and restore it. But now having the Albion BY5 to restore - one is enough and so the book is being sold to raise funds for the Albion. I'm looking for £35 and £5 P+P and will be sent marked to be signed for . Paul Burns.

Hi. Many thanks for your reply - on checking the wiring around the control board there is a combination of old and new wiring installed. Will check it all over again and have now ordered a multimeter to try and get this problem sorted. Many Thanks P.B

Hi. As requested the wiring diagram for the Albion in two parts. The lorry has stood outside for many a good few years, so I don't know if the weather has corroded any of the wiring or terminals. Any thoughts or suggestions welcome. Cheers. P.B

Hi. It's on my list to get a multimeter and will be checking out various web sites to get one. As for the problem well it's from the control board upwards, I have taken the cover off to check the wiring but all seems okay. Could something electrical in the control board be stuck, burnt out or just being very awkward.. I want to try and get this out before buying a new control board, it could something so simple......... PB.

Hi. Time for a update on the old girl. Things have been a bit slow due to the weather as I keep the lorry outside under sheets and as the season has changed, I have set up a programme of mechanical jobs to pass the winter away. First of all I have now got the vehicle Army Reg from the R.L.C Archive and it's 18YX66 and was sold off on the 25/08/59 and is marked as C.V.D Ashchurch. Next tyres, These are the new tyres but only one fitted but you can see that they have a larger diameter but still the same size. The old tyre is going to be fitted on the spare tyre stand on the other side of the body work, still need two more tyres to finish. Also the brackets for the leather gaiters are now fitted and checking the others will need to make a full set for the remaining axles. And talking about axles still looking for the rear axle drain plug - 1-1/8" BSF thread, any one got a spare one doing nothing and want to find a good home - them please let me know. If I cannot get one then I shall have to have one made up. I brought some leather off Ebay and also the hole punch and eyelet punch as well. I wanted to touch up the paint work on the wheel - please don't try this at home - And 3/4's of a can of green paint is now sat on my garden. I was lying on my back to check and fit the original leather gaiter and I found some thing stuck in my back, quick push with the arm problem gone. Then came the smell of paint - another can on order. One of the winter jobs is to try and get the engine running, there is a new battery as the old one was passed it's working life date. When connected the stater motor will spin but from the fuse box/ control board to the instrument panel is dead. I have checked the fuses and cleaned them up but still the same . There isn't any of the lights working or any discharge on the ammeter - it's like a blockage on the cable that's stopping it from working. Well fellow restorers any ideas as to what the problem could be any views welcome. P.B

Hi. Don't know if this is any good to you not being 100% on carriers, but the National Archives have a hull drawing of a Bren Carrier No2, MK 1/L and MK 2/L. Classed as a large drawing Record No WO 194/154 and dated Dec 1938. Any help. P.B

Hi. Time for a quick up date on the Albion. I have been working my way around the oil points and cleaning out the grease used instead of oil on various parts and then marking them off on the chart to show that they have been done. The two half's of the brackets that hold the leather gaiters on to protect the spherical bushes on the rear axles. I did consider getting these made up by a fabrication company but decided to have a go my self This was the first one made up and on a trial fit before finishing off. This shows the rusted one on the left and a new one just needing another coat of paint. I did cut out of 20 gauge plate - cut the 4 backing plates and I made up a former to bend the edge over for the gaiter to sit on. When I did the bending, I did use some heat to make the forming easier. There should be 6 bolts to hold the brackets on but I only had 3 fitted, so sent off for 3/8" BMS bar and made up the missing bolts. As I have run out of gauge plate and will order some more when I get back from a holiday and carry on making up the two remaining brackets. So a job I have wanted to do for some time now is to change the engine oil, but every time I thought I would change it, went off and did some thing else. So the day came when I would change it, bolt fitted into the sump plug but the plug wouldn't move, Albion fitted the sump with two sump plugs, don't know if any other makers did the same. Second one was loose and a quick check around me to see if I could make a fast getaway to save me from getting covered in oil as I was lying on my back. Waste rags, large bucket to catch the oil and slowly turned the plug and getting closer to when the plug would come out, plug out and a Brown , Grey and Black Tar fell out of the sump. Left alone to drain out for a while, I put a finger in the sump to have a feel around and found a black sludge inside, this meant that the sump had to be dropped down and cleaned out. Glad to say filter and sump cleaned and with a new gasket fitted put back on the engine. Next job is to drain out the main gear box and hope I don;t find the same tar in there. P.B