Richard Farrant

This type and make of pick up strainer was used in other engines as well, the Humber 6-cyl side valve is on that comes to mind.

I can vouch for them as I work at the same premises and see what they are moving all the time.

Hi Matt, In nearly 40 years of working on Ferrets, I have never known a cotter fail in this application, so providing it is a good fit/correct size, you should have nothing to worry about. cheers Richard

Rubber rings were fitted to the swivel joints in oil strainers. Incidentally, O-rings have been about earlier than the 50's

Hi Degsy, Keep your spirits up, another of life's hurdles to get over. best wishes, Richard

Assessing the speed it was towed by a tractor it would not have been great. The only thing that would suffer would be the gearbox because with transfer box in a directional gear the gearbox will be turned from the output, meaning the oil pump on the input was not turning................ unless you had left the gearbox engaged maybe. Tracta should not suffer in this situation.

No Signals ......... you are quite correct. If an engine is unknown and has been running on a straight low or non detergent oil, then using a multigrade detergent oil is going to loosen the crud. We have gone though this many times before. These engines do not have full flow filtration and therefore that is why we still use straight low or non detergent oils. Ask the oil companies tech departments, they will say the same. regards, Richard

Hi Tony, If the census number painted on is correct then the trailer was built by Templewood. They only built two contacts, this one was S2557 Trailer 10cwt GS, 4.2" Ammunition and 4.2" Mortar, three types on one contract so you can see why the guards would all be the same. regards Richard

In March I was out in Australia attending this year's Corowa Swim-In & Military Vehicle Gathering. It was the 35th annual event and the 8th one that I have attended since 1996. Participants bring vehicles from all parts of the country, which is no mean feat given the distances travelled, one guy even flew in from Singapore to pick up his Dodge Weapons Carrier and drive it 1000kms. I have been on the organising committee now for about 3 years and also editor of the newsletter, all of which is a year round job and very enjoyable too. For those interested, an episode of Classic Restos was shot at the event and shown on some Australian TV stations last week, it can now be seen on the Channel 31 website for about 2 weeks only from the date of this post. Here is the link: http://www.c31.org.au/schedule/view/episode/118300 cheers Richard

Hi Andrew, I remember that photo shoot and your Dingo, as I was there with the REME Museum's Austin K6 Gantry. cheers Richard

Hi Bill, As your new RL is not a military version, it may not be equipped with the normal WD towing gear. Also, have you checked to see if it has air brakes or vacuum brakes? To me it looks an early model despite the registration and may be from the 1950's. regards, Richard

Martin, Are you asking about the date the engine was made (originally) or when it was rebuilt? These engines could have gone through several rebuilds in their life and each time they went though this process a data plate was fixed to the engine, usually on a cam box, it gave a code for the Workshop that undertook the rebuild and any variation in bore size, main and big end bearing sizes, with the date of completion. Plates on J60 engines were often stuck on and seemed to fall off in service. When I was involved in engine rebuilds we usually riveted the plate to the block.

Bob, The gearbox has an oil pump in its input end. You can tow for short distances by putting the forward / reverse lever in centre position, but as I said previously, a suspended tow you should take the sun wheels out of the hubs that it is being trailed on.

Hi Tim, Some years ago, when working for the Army, we used to get some Wickham target trolleys in for repairs. They were driverless narrow gauge railcars powered by a large JAP v-twin side valve engine with a fluid coupling. The guys who operated these on a local range would use one to ride on to shunt them back and when the governors were overridden it was an exhilarating ride! I think they dated late 1930's by the engine. cannot tell you much more. There was a long narrow gauge rail system on the range. regards, Richard

You can do a suspended tow, and remove sun wheels from rear hubs (if front suspended).

Geez mate ... never had to do any gymnastics like that when I rewired a WOT6. Just stood beside the front wheel, panel comes out easily.

Andy, Your motorcycle is of the same age as my M20, that was specified to use SAE50 engine oil originally and that is what I have always used, one of the vintage or Classic straight grade SAE50 oils, which are of a very low detergency. Originally non-detergent but now just a trace so the oil companies say. Morris Vintage oil, Comma Classic, Castrol Classic, etc. Richard

According to Bart Vanderveen, Egypt bought some Scammell Explorers ........ this could fit with the Russian tanks in the picture ....... more research needed ... closer to home too! PS Just gone back through this thread and post #1063 gives the answer .....it is Egypt !

It does include NZ, but the tanks look alien to that country, hence why I thought the location was the Middle East, or towards Asia maybe. Who else bought these late Explorers?

Bernard, The tanks look like old Russian ones, very doubtful this is in the Antipodes. Australia did not have those Scammells but New Zealand did. While in Australia recently, I was talking to a guy there who is keen on getting an Explorer and told me he missed out on buying one of the NZ ones, of which he said there were only 3, one now in a museum, and another scrapped. My guess is the picture is from the Middle East somewhere. regards Richard

I think you will find they are agricultural machinery tyres. Some views of the sidewall markings may reveal more though.

There is one thing you never do with a QL is to overfill the radiator. I fill until I can just see water at the bottom of the tube, carry a dipstick will be easier unless you are 8 foot tall. My QL has a temp guage fitted, (ex-Danish army mod) and you know when there is a problem occurring and it is time to back off the pace a little. regards, Richard

Nice one, I recognise that lorry from years ago. It once belonged to Pete Gaine and we used to see him with it at rallies.

I believe this indicates they have been modified by Indian Central Railways for a better feed with a new follower and capacity of 20 rounds.

Mike, The selector forks are a form of bronze or gunmetal, so I would stick with a straight gear oil, personally I use SAE140 as originally specified. regards, Richard