Richard Farrant

Hi Gavin, Try this museum archives, they may copy the manuals for you; www.archives.staffordshire.gov.uk [TABLE=class: ContextTable] [TR=class: ContextTree] [TD=class: ContextData]Running instruction manuals and parts lists for Dorman engines [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: RecordView][TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel]LocatedAt [/TD] [TD=class: Repository]Staffordshire Record Office [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel]Level [/TD] [TD=class: Level]Item [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel]DocRefNo [/TD] [TD=class: AltRefNo]6412/5/18 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel]Title [/TD] [TD=class: Title]Technical booklets and parts lists for Dorman engine types 4JU, 4JUL, 6JU and 6JUL [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel]Date [/TD] [TD=class: Date]1922-1930s [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: FieldLabel] [/TD] [TD=class: Extent](1 bundle) [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] regards, Richard

Used in weapons testing in Australia to protect from chemicals used in rocket propulsion?

1,000 miles away from Christmas Island ..... could this be Malaya? Anti-mosquito clothing maybe. The second photo shows a dark band across his back is this a shadow or a camo pattern? Final observation, first photo, where shirt sleeves are rolled up the material looks lighter on the inside, must be made of something special. Some kind of tropical wear.

The second photo looks like some kind of protective clothing and he looks to be wearing rubber gloves, headgear looks odd, is it anti-gas or similar?

A Churchill tank As an aside, Mackays were rebuilding war surplus Allis Chalmers crawlers and they then went to Africa on the groundnut scheme

Hi Martin, It is an offset flange

No, Bedfords seem to think a hand prime lever was unnecessary, yet other manufacturers specified them.

Hi Martin, The maker was AC and their part number was 1524405

I had to part a Michigan 275 once to renew the centre pivot pin and bushes. No mean task .... the pin was six inches diameter. The loader had been working in the Falklands straight after the war, loading the rock crusher to repair the old airfield (so I was told). Some years previous I fitted a brand new Cummins engine in it.

Bren mount?

Crikey Neil, you make hard work of things. I don't know why people tighten the HT gland nuts so tight, never known one vibrate loose, a spot of copper grease on plug threads, make sure the nuts and plugs loosen before warming engine. Leather glove is handy for this, save burning your digits.

Neil, As I said before, a compression test will prove this before stripping, can't you borrow one? Ten minutes and the job is done. Without actually witnessing these signs it is not guaranteed that I am correct, but a quick test will prove whether the head should come off.

It was actually the TS Arethusa - a training ship, probably moored at Upnor

Blowing between cylinders, will run reasonable until under load, fits what you say. Exhaust blow from inlet manifold due to one cylinder blowing through to adjacent one with open inlet valve.

Tony, I am beginning to think you might be a train spotter

.......or a blown head gasket ........... compression check in order by looks of it.

Hi Capt Max, I can confirm a part of the vehicle history, as I worked on it at a certain point. It shows as being transferred to C Sqn, Royal Yeomanry on 17-9-79 and later on 17-10-82 transferred to the Vehicle Depot, Ludgershall. Between those two dates, in April 1982 it came into Workshops and noted it as one I worked on, no other info though. regards, Richard

I built hundreds of S2a and S3 2.25 engines and I only recall them having the pressed steel inlet gaskets, no exhaust gaskets. See link here, they are for 2a and 3 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/371035779077?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108 You said that you checked the manifold faces with a rule, hope it was longer than 12 inches as you need to go end to end and also check alignment between the two manifolds.

I have rebuilt a few Humber engines and agree some are awkward ! Best of luck.

Hi Mike, Looking at the photos, I doubt this engine is of an age that it was at the fall of Singapore. From the outside I would say it dates from 1960's ............ could be wrong :-|

Doug, The one I pictured looks pretty good, but does need some work, a few rust holes in the bottom and the radial engine needs a bit of attention from what I understand. It is belonging to a deceased estate and the late owner did have it going, but an issue arose with the engine. Less rust than the one in Qld.

A picture speaks a thousand words ...... oh well ten perhaps ............ Bruce.pdf

Hi mate, Forget that one, have a look at this LVT Buffalo, up for sale, no real recovery problems like the one you pictured. It is in NSW. If interested send me a PM and I will put you in touch with the seller. regards, Richard

Hi Jules, I wondered if it was your Humber. Something worth noting is that those Humber engines used welch plugs that were in metric sizes, unusual at the time compared to other British manufacturers. I would make sure the leak is sealed before you add antifreeze as that has a searching effect and will find leaks you did not know you had. regards, Richard

If these are the convex disc shape, they are known as welch plugs. Problem I find is that there are some inferior ones about. The edges should be ground with a sharp edge so when hit in the centre they lock in place (using Stag, Red Hermatite or similar sealant). Also got to watch that the seat in the block or head is not corroded or pitted. If it is only a small weep from one spot, I would be inclined to try one of the better coolant sealers, K-Seal is brilliant for this and will not block radiator cores, unlike those things that look like something a dog has left behind (Barseal).