Markheliops

Excellent Mark -

I have heard a rumour Jack is buying everyone a beer so best meet at his tent.

Markheliops

Hi all.

Contacted the chap selling - purely out of interest really. Reply below.

Hi Mark

I am still the owner of the truck and that since 1994

The car is in origional shape, like the wodendeck ,worklamps

welding cilinders , clocks and cables

Several wires must be connected : those of the worklamps and behind the dashboard

Technical Manual are available

The roof-top need to be repaired or chanced

One petroltank is out of order, caurce of rust inside, but two new once are available.

The dashboard needs some painting

I am asking the price what I payed for in 1994 : 12.500 euro's

Joost

12500 euros = £9,837.88 at todays exchange rate.

I think for the condition its not a bad price. When you consider WLF basket cases and lost causes are going for around the £4000 mark.

Markheliops

I'll be there - under my own steam as well this time. (God willing).

Markheliops

As advertised on Milweb - Looks a nice one.

Ward la France WW2 Heavy Wrecking Truck M1A1 Serie 5

In original shape and in working condition with Dutch licence papers. Same owner since 1994. Emigration forces sale.

0031(0)6-53291343

http://www.milweb.net/classifieds.php?type=4

Who's man enough - or silly enough.

Markheliops

Hi all.

Work continued today - on my own as Mike was off pondering the meaning of life and Carl was on a tea making course.

Straight down to it - well after a cuppa of course.

First job was to remove the timing chain cover as two oil seals required replacing - the accessory drive shaft seal and the crankshaft seal. Had to remove the fan assembly, fan adjuster, accessory pully and a couple of other itmes. Wasn't to bad to get off and took the opportunity to ensure all was okay with the timing chain, etc. Yes - it is a chain and it looks okay. so that was that.

After fitting the seals, making new gaskets and putting it back together again, I rolled the engine over to my seized engine to remove the ancillaries.

By the way - I am rather proud of my engine stand as I made it and as yet - it hasn't broken. Excellent to be able to wheel the engine around.

The ancils to be removed where the compressor, the water pump, distributor, plugs and ignition items, various pipes and leads. Also had to make various gaskets for the above.

After the ancils had been fitted, I hook up the engine and wheeled it outside for a jet wash. Thank heavens for mechanical handling equipment.

After washing the engine, I tinkered a bit more until I ran out of milk - so decided to call it a day - as I couldn't make anymore tea.

The engine is almost ready to go back in except for the clutch, carburetter, and distibutor which is fitted but not yet timed to the engine. I can't decide whether to paint the engine. I quite like the old look and besides, if a paint the thing - I won't be able to see any leaks when they occur.

Updates as and when.

Markheliops

Hi all -

A couple of pics to add for the days work.

Mike Posing next to the stationary - but award winning Ward La France.

Mike watching Carl drinking tea - too much of that going on.

Big - isn't it.

Engine bay - minus engine - Flintstones Power.

All on my own - time to do some work then.

All in all - a good days work.

Many thanks to Mike as usual and to Carl (I don't make tea) - (best bl--dy well learn then) who was silly enough to be roped in to the fun and frolics.

Further work will continue tomorrow - Monday.

Markheliops

Happy Birthday John - aka - Catweazle - aka - "sod em all". LOL

Markheliops

It is correct - the 432 will make an entrance at Bromley this year. The Ward was going as well but obviously will not make it.

I don't mind a £5 entry fee as you get a little plaque and a programme - more than you do at some places where you pay to enter -

As long as the weather is OK - the 432 will be there. Not taking it if the ground is soaked as I don't think the park owners will be too impressed by a tracked vehicle wrecking their grass.

Mark - me and Dave will see you there.

Markheliops

Thanks Harry - look forward to them.

Markheliops

Mike will agree with this one.

"What is it"

It's a Ward La France.

"So it's made in France then - why the American Star"

No it was made in America during WWII. Made by the company that made fire engines.

"What in France"

No, America!!!

Others are, like your Diamond T, Mach, Jimmy. Has no one heard of Ward La France.

Markheliops

Many thanks Mike.

Will hopefully be able to move the spare engine from it's home in Maidstone and then she will be ready for tinkering. Shouldn't take long to drop the transmission - infact I am thinking we can just reverse it a little just to give us the room to move the engine back.

Markheliops

Hi all.

Work resumed today (Bank Holiday Monday) and it's on days like this I thank my lucky stars I am undercover.

Work started with draining the engine oil. The two magnetic drain plugs didn't look to clever with a lot of metal shavings on them, bearing in mind I changed the oil two weeks ago. Sorry - dodgy pic.

After the oil drain, I removed the radiator which was secured by two castle nuts at the bottom, the top and bottem water hoses and a bulkhead securing stay to the rad. I don't think the rad has been removed before because the nuts were a b-----d to remove. Now believe me - the rad is heavier than it looks. It comes out complete with the rad frame. You know when you take the weight of something and then think - whoops. To give you some idea of the size, here is a picture of the rad after I removed it leaning against a wheel.

Next I continued to remove and disconnect the ancils such as the starter motor, oil filters, air filter, fuel lines, generator wiring, exhaust pipe, temp sender unit, oil presure unit, distributer wiring, air compressor piping, various earth straps, and other bits and bobs.

One thing struck me whilst I was beavering away - I was amazed to see how close certain machined parts were to one another - for instance - the crank pulley was no more than 3 mil away from the front chassis plate and the fan blades were about 2 mil from the accessories drive pulley. Doesn't leave much room if something goes out of shape.

I finished the days work by removing the floor and toe boards to gain access to the transmission assembly and prop shaft which need to be removed in order to give me the room to move the engine backwards to aid removal.

As you can see there isn't much room to manouvre. It's a shame there isn't more room at the front of the engine as this would eliminate the need to drop the transmission.

So more or less the engine is near to being ready for removal. Work still required is to-

1. Remove the transfer to gearbox propshaft

2. Remove gearbox linkages and rods, etc.

3. Reverse or drop the gearbox.

4. Remove throttle linkage from bell housing.

5. Remove the engine mounting bolts x 4.

And out she comes - apparently.

All in all I cracked on today and I am happy with the results. Back to work now for another 2 days and 2 nights. I am planning to collect the spare engine next Saturday and then back to the truck on Sunday for yet more tinkering - if anyone feels bored - you know where I will be.

Markheliops

Thanks Harry - Excellent pictures - A1.

Can I trouble you for the Ward Pictures and of course the one with me bent over the crane controls - (no smug jokes gents).

Some unusual angles of the Rugged Boys Wrecker Harry but they do make great pictures. Hats off to you young man.

Markheliops

Excellent Pics - thanks guys. Wish I could have got the Ward there as is just isn't a military vehicle show without a Ward La France. Looks like an excellent meet so must ensure I get there next year - providing the Ward is still going. LOL

Markheliops

Ok chaps - enough off topic thankie.

Right, today David (Top Dog) Sanderson and I prepared the Ward for the engine change that is now required.

First, we had to use the 432 to move the Ward from it's resting place to the workshop using a straight bar.

Once in the workshop, we began to strip the components that I would struggle with on my own. This included the bonnet and brush guard assembly which needless to say is rather heavy.

Have included the following pictures to show what we are now looking at.

The Ward is now in a position where I am able to tinker with things until the gearbox has to be removed. I shall return to the workshop tomorrow - Bank Holiday Monday - to hopefully remove all ancils. This will leave me with just the gearbox to remove and then she is ready for the engine removal. Easily said. LOL.

In a sadistic kind of way, I am quite looking forward to repairing the Ward - again. You find out all sorts of things when doing such major overhauls.

Must be bonkers!

Updates to follow as and when.

Markheliops

Thanks for the hand David.

Yes, some people behind a steering wheel have no idea. Even when I slow down approaching corners - out of pure consideration for other road users - round they come - and they see me - do they slow down?

Do they hell. You would think seeing 15 ton of 432 coming towards them they would either move over or stop or even slow down. Nope. Totally unaware. It's almost as though they are thinking - "I don't care how big you are, I'm not moving for you."

Anyway, didn't hit anything so I class that as I successful road run. LOL

Markheliops

Someone will probably correct me - but as far as I am aware - it is against the Geneva Convention for any vehicle marked up as an ambulance to be fitted with mounted weapons as they are classed as non-combatant vehicles. Crew were allowed personal side arms for their own protection only. Not sure if this included SMG's but they were allowed to carry pistols.

Markheliops

Hi Mark.

I shall be there from the 10th onwards or maybe even earlier. As long as the Ward is repaired by then - and I bl--dy well hope it is - I shall be able to give the a lift and a hand.

Markheliops

Hey - hands off you lot - find your own vehicle inspectors.

Markheliops

Thanks for that Mike - totally forgot after the M25 mis-hap.

You did forget something though -

Before you start - ensure you have friends who are either silly enough or stupid enough to assist.

Many thanks mate.

Markheliops

Oy you lot - put your tongues back in -

Markheliops

Happy Birthday Mark - Have a great day.

Markheliops

Happy Birthday Dave - Now you can tell people anything 118 118.

Have a great day - maybe someone will buy you some new handcuffs or a baton. LOL.

Markheliops

Hi all.

Many thanks for the messages and kind words - but hey - this is the forum so a bit of micky taking will be excepted and expected!!!

Not sure why the engine went pear shaped Jack - perhaps it has something to do with my mis-behaving at Bunker Bash and yes Lee - the sneezing Ferret's did wake me up. I would suspect old age played a part in the saga - so watch out Dave Copper - any moment you may just stop working without warning. LOL.

I am sure once the replacement engine has been installed we will have a look at the knackered engine just to be nosey. Priority is obviously to get the beast going again and worry about the other stuff later.

Oh and the lady in the picture - what picture, er what lady, dunno what you are referring too. LOL.

Keep you all updated.

Markheliops

Hi all.

So, here we go again - yet another part to the long running saga which is -

The Ward La France M1A1 Project.

I will try to update with pictures as and when so bear with me. Quick recap -

On way home from Bunker Bash on the M25 - lots of knocking then bang - truck stops and will not turn over. Yep, it's terminal.

Intention is to replace the engine with another petrol engine I have as a spare - bl--dy good job and there was my ex saying - "why do you need another engine."

In the winter I intend to replace the petrol engine with a diesel for no other reason than I need something more reliable and which will enable me to tow a 20 ton plant trailer loaded with a 432 on it.

So the work begins.

I will start this thread with three pictures of my pride and joy cause when I get peed off, I need to remember why I am doing it -

Why do I do it - The Ward La France GRIN.

Markheliops