Richard Farrant

Rachel, These are same wheel cylinders as the Ferret and they are prone to siezing.

Only the Mk3 GS Cargo was LHD, as far as I am aware, all Mk1 were RHD

And you a frequent visitor to Portsmouth, if I remember correctly it stands for Osborn Engineering Co. and that is where they were made.

A twin port OEC, would have been requesitioned, like the snazzy black out hood on headlamp. A sporty motorcycle there

Situation must be serious at Bisley, since I used to go there, don't recollect having to have bullet proof vehicles then Actually, a few odd things about the Rover, looks like a military type rear cross member, civvy type side and flasher lamps, rear mounted fuel tank, which would not indicate them to have been used by the army in NI. Clive will know for sure if RUC, I suspect.

If you look at the list that Runflat has put a link to, the one belonging to Peter Ray, in NSW is in restored running order and has been taken by the Australian Army on several occasions, for commemerative events in Canberra, etc. Matt from Oberon in NSW has one that is taken out on runs to local shows as well.

Mark, I was involved in the repair and maintenance of Foxes from when they entered service around 1976, till the last ones were withdrawn in early 1990's. From the very outset, they were troublesome, I recollect the high number of modification instructions in the early days. Regarding top heavy, I think more is made about fatal accidents than actually happened, the number of vehicles that came in for repairs after a rollover was very small, and we had a large number of dependants in our area. The maintenance of a CVR(T) is far easier than a Fox. The engine and gearbox is outside the turret area on a CVR(T), transmission gave less trouble than fluid flywheel and Wilson box and wheel stations. Also they did suffer cracks in certain areas, most worrying was the steering mounting. This could happen after a hefty thump to a front wheel station, like hitting a tree stump, etc. This may not be the picture that private owners see of them, but when you had to keep them in active service, parts in short supply with long delays, you will understand. Other than that, they were a treat to drive........especially when the turret was removed :-D

Mark, The 4.2 was no better in the Fox either. The amount of engines I have changed, with gaping holes through the side. It should have had an ignition rev limiter, but apparantly, that would have been detrimental to this particular engine :???......some logic there! Also had them with camshafts broken in 3 pieces. In the CVR(T), in their early life, they were also suffering broken crankshafts, this was solved by drive shaft and mounting modifications. Incidentally, the Royal Yeomanry had their Foxes at the Drill Hall in Mitcham Road, Croydon, along with Saracens and Ferrets, etc. There used to be a Saladin gate guard there.........is it still there?

If it has been rattling about within the spring, then I suspect the hole is a bit burred on its lower end.

Fun?........oh yes, forgot about that :-D Now, what could have caused it to break up. Just looking at one of your photos, am I right in thinking, the outside of the guide where it was in the block, is shiny, with a slight burr just before it tapers towards the end? If so, I would say the valve has siezed in the guide at some point and the guide has been forced out. If this is so, be careful in fitting a replacement guide as it could well be a slack fit in the block. You might have to have one made up to fit the hole in the block, don't forget to then have the seat recut, also face the valve, which might also have been damaged when the guide moved. As has already been recommended, John Walker is the best bet for valve and guide

True........in over 40 years of my working life, I think every one of my lunch bags was WW2 surplus :-D. First one was the army gasmask bag, present one a small pack, funny how the vacuum flask and lunch box fitted so neatly in to them.

A Daimler Scout Car Mk.1b (early Dingo) was £925 ex-works in 1940

Something you have to be careful of, with Thermostarts, is if you use Easy Start in the intake, start instantly, don't let the heater warm up. I recently saw someone blow the end cap off the air filter on a forklift truck............ frightened the life out of him :rofl:

Simon, We had a Scammell EKA in workshops many years ago, with excess smoke, turned out to be the CAV Thermostart cold start aid in the manifold, it was leaking fuel through all the time. Is this what you meant? Should be easy to check, by blanking off fuel supply to it.

Simon, Can't say specifically for the FH70 crane, but Alas cranes in general, on all other army vehicles was OM33 ( military code) hyd oil, which in civvy speak is an ISO32 grade of oil. Often find agricultural machinery dealers are very well priced for this sort of thing.

Runflat, I think that the organising of this has been over a very short period as I was approached to take part only about a month or so ago. The logistics of doing the complete journey with only a short time to organise might be the reason for only going as far as Sevenoaks. Should make a good spectacle though.

Funny you should mention the AA transporting a Guards battalion to Hastings, this is going to be re-enacted in part, later this month, the 100th anniversary, but only going from London to Sevenoaks, due to the age of some of the vehicles. When told about this it reminded me of my father taking me to see what would have been the 50th anniversary, on the A21 at Flimwell, there were veteran cars, pre- WW1 London buses, etc carrying troops.

Hi Donald, As Robert has posted, 9.00-13 road tread tyres for a car, sand tread would also be acceptable. A friend is looking for a set of five.

Dave, Problem 1 I suggest you get the injectors checked and serviced, could be sticking or worn hence the smoke. Also as has already been mentioned, check the air cleaner and air intake for obstruction, collapsed hoses, etc. Could also be an injection pump problem, but a first call is the injectors, a diesel injection specialist will be able to put them on his tester and tell straight away if there is a fault in them. Problem 2 I think this is a four wheel drive truck, am I right? As Degsy says, it could be a tyre with a flat on it, from standing in one place too long. But if 4x4, then it might be a drive joint in the swivel...........also occured to me that the front axle drive is engaged, worth checking this. Problem 3 This could be anything, check oil pressure for starters, in case it has worn bearings, this would show as a low oil pressure.........not familiar with that engine.

Robert, Tenterden is not far away either, lovely little country town, Kent and East Sussex Railway starts there and runs to Bodiam, although not sure of opening times for April, look up www.kesr.org.uk Also, in Station Road, there is a good sit down fish n' chip shop. Then down on Romney Marsh, the Brenzett Aeronoutical Museum, very interesting collection, check opening times though.

The Bedford workshop manual dated Jan 1940, does not show a convoy lamp on any of the WD models.

I am afraid that there is only one way to find the problem, and that is to strip and examine. Sorry if it sounded like bad news, but if I had suggested you ought to remove the engine, then that is bad news.....so look on the bright side

Sounds like it is badly worn or come loose. Until you remove the valve, you cannot assess what damage is done. Originally, the Morris would have had hardened seats, which would mean an ordinary hand valve seat cutter will not touch them. A Vibrocentric type of tool with a specially dressed stone would have to be used. You will have to enquire locally, because there may be someone with the equipment who will come out and do it. Years ago firms would come to the vehicle to do rebores and valve seats in situ.

How have you lost the valve guide :confused: ? Unless you can make or find a suitable valve spring compressor, then the manifold would have to come off. When I restored a Morris Comm. 4 cyl about 30 years ago, I made a compressor to suit the engine, not a difficult job at all. Valve seat will need recutting after fitting a new guide to ensure it is true, as it is No. 2 it can be done insitu.

Neil, UK airports have to be equipped with fire / crash tenders that come up to a specification dependant on aircraft type and size of airport and all sorts of other criteria, like response time, ie speed to get to incident. You will find a lot of these smaller airports have now had to invest in much more modern equipment in recent years. There is no way that they could or would be allowed to operate by using the local fire brigade.