Richard Farrant

Hi Wally,

Having worked on the Fox throughout it's whole service life, I would be interest to read these reports.

4 hours ago, OzH said:

Hi Richard, thanks for this, not that I doubt you for a second, but I'd be interested how to work this out?

Thanks

Hi,

The letters TEG are on your data plate and looking at the Chilwell census number list, it confirms the maker as Transport Engineering Co. I believe they were located in South London, I have seen an address for mid 1930's which is the Old Kent Road.

Possibly going to Pickles Auctions at Thurgoona if the info on the photo is correct as that is in that area. They dispose of military vehicles and equipment for the army.

The maker of the trailer was Transport Engineering Co.

Hi Pierre,

Not a lot of help but just scanned the cover of a Bedford parts list, printed in 1953. You will see these are British military contracts.  I remember where I worked years ago the apprentice trade training section had an ex-army KC for instruction (no cab or body).

Well done, sounds like you have cracked it!

regards, Richard

Did you compare the length of the old filter to the new one? From the video, it looks like the new filter is shorter, if so not good as it will not seal against the top cover.

1 hour ago, Meekumslr said:

Guys, thank you so much for your replies. I have just ordered a new thermostat and gasket and will fit the gauge after I fir the thermostat and see where we are.

Again, sincere thanks for your answers to the post.

Neil.

Neil,

I think you mentioned getting the gauge from a tractor part supplier. Be aware that it is possible that the thermostat is for the Fordson Major diesel which I think opens at a higher temperature than thermostats in petrol engines. You never saw many petrol Fordson Majors (50's models) so cannot be certain if they were both the same rating in this case. You will know when you get it as the opening temp is usually marked on them.

Just now, Pete Ashby said:

Sorry Richard our post crossed there

Pete

 

No worries, we all are putting the same point over!

21 minutes ago, Meekumslr said:

David, I took the thermostat out when the radiator was overhauled and didn’t replace it.

The filler cap is just a brass solid threaded cap that unscrews.

Is it not good not to have a thermostat?

The truck has no heater so I didn’t bother refitting the thermostat after the new rad core was fitted. 

You need the thermostat in the engine, in order that the engine warms efficiently enabling a good start off from cold, once the engine reaches working temperature the thermostat will open. This is probably why you have a low temperature on your new gauge as the water is passing round too quickly.

The thermostat is nothing to do with the heater, they were fitted long before heaters.

2 hours ago, Trooper 3/9 RAAC said:

Hi, Some reading why we are still isolated.

I thought I'd put this link up for interest showing the unique Australian Army Land Rover Series 2 with a 106 mm M40A2 Recoilless Rifle. 

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/19356/ 

We had a few of these in our South Australian Mounted Rifles Squadrons during the early 70's along with Saladins, Centurians, M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Ferrets & Studebaker Trucks in various types.

The 106's also served in Vietnam.

Hope you find it of interest.

Pierre

 

Hi Pierre,

We run the annual Corowa GPA Swim-In & Military Vehicle Gathering at Corowa, NSW and usually have some of these 'Gun Buggys" turn up, here is a photo of one, original army number 112-372.                                                                                                                                                                  Also as Land Rovers were the theme for the 2018 event, here is a picture of the brass plaque that was made for the participants. This event is the largest gathering of ex-military vehicles in Australia and takes place each March.

best regards, Richard

1 hour ago, David Herbert said:

How about Mack NO2 as the tractor ?

David

I agree with it being a Mack, the clue is the front axle set back. The trailer looks like it has 4 axles.

1 hour ago, mammoth said:

 

 

I have just ordered this one. Haven't heard of it before. Available from www.pitstop.net.au and currently on discount.

I know one of the authors. Mike is a very good researcher and I have several of his books.

Another well known term is "it was running when it was parked up" ............. they don't tell you that was 20+ years ago!

Not sure about it being a Villiers, there are a few things that stand out as being different from that make, like the spark plug in the side of the head. Another possible make is a J.A.P. but cannot think of one that looks quite like this.

2 hours ago, Mad.ideas said:

 

For those who know the B81 (I don't, but i'm picking up bits slowly!) it appears to my slight untrained eye to have a fixed dizzy cap so unless i'm mistaken no adjustment there...

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks 

The distributor body does move to adjust timing, it has a limited arc of movement where it is attached to the cyl. block, two hex head screws, just release, from memory, I think if you turn it anti clock that is advancing the ignition.

Here is a photo of the jack issued on military Bedford RL trucks, it is best to carry a wood block to put under it as well.

The washer bottle needs to be upright which I am not sure can be done in the glovebox. As it is now would be the same as when it was used by the Armed Forces in latter years.

Just to answer some of your points on this video, the long wooden pole with the metal end stowed on the roof, is a lever which you use like a crowbar for lifting something. a standard military item. Spare wheel, no issues on changing wheels on a RL, all the army versions carried spare wheels and a jack. The windscreen washer was not fitted from new, it was fitted around the 1970's when a new regulation came out for all vehicles to be fitted with washer. I remember carrying this out in army workshops at that time on Bedford RL and AEC Militants.

1 hour ago, RAFBedfords said:

Episode 1 of the restoration; changing the coolant. Pft what a simple 5 minute job I hear you say. Unfortunately not...

Not sure if you are aware, but that pink antifreeze you are using is not suitable on older vehicles with copper radiators and copper head gaskets. You need the older type glycol antifreeze which is coloured blue or green.

I know this is a very old thread but I just happen to have a picture of the gears in an Austin K5 transfer box, helical (as opposed to straight on the QL)

37 minutes ago, Tomo.T said:

Hi Steve, I'm sure the crankcase mouths are bigger on mine, I will check on Monday. Also there is a small ammount of possible upwards movement which would shut off the combustion chamber. I take your point about low temp, low performance, but I'm concerned about pistons picking up etc.

Hi Tomo,

A possible solution if you are uncertain about pegging the liner, is making a thin steel plate to fit between cylinder and crankcase, probably stainless as it will have a greater strength, this would lower the compression ratio slightly of course. The inside diameter of the plate being just a smidge larger than the crankcase throat and large enough to keep the liner from moving. All said and done it depends on the fit of the liner as I have fitted many plain liners to engines with interference fit and never had or known one to slip.

regards, Richard

First check the cylinder head nuts for tightness. Could be leaking across the gasket and up the stud holes. Have you had the head off recently?

Normal matt  or semi-matt white paint

11 minutes ago, Richard E said:

Mark 2s and 3s (and maybe earlier versions, don’t know) also have conventional Ackerman steering, so you don’t need to skid steer on the roads.

Hi Richard,

I was involved on the Mk1 versions that the army ordered for range work, and they were awful on metaled roads as they were fixed wheel stations, similar to an Argocat. I recollect it was a Citroen engine and transmission. Once out on grass or earth it was OK, but on the ranges where it was beach they struggled to turn. I remember they were delivered by rail to the local goods yard and we drove them about half a mile back to the workshops, not something you could do roadwork with. We were not impressed by them. It all changed with the later ones, Mk2 as they performed better on hard roads.

regards, Richard

Hi Wally,

That is interesting. We had one of the early Series 2a Station Wagons 27EK31 which was specially adapted as a Test Station for guided missiles. The vehicle was bought from a dealer then prepared and entered in a charity motoring event in Australia for REME 50th anniversary in 1992 and raised money for the Army Benevolent Fund in the process.

regards, Richard