matadormike

Thanks Andy, I guess its just a case of scouring the whole Spartan looking for the missing bit, hopefully the weather will help at the weekend. Mike

Hi, I recently found this lurking near my Spartan, I'm not sure how long its been lurking in the grass since its been parked there on and off since I bought it last year, facing both forward and backward. Its approx 28mm across flats. I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of where its from, I'm thinking final drives, maybe oil level plug. I'm going to have a good look round the vehicle next weekend if the weather is on my side. Unfortunately the website below wasn't a great deal of help, and my parts list draws a blank. http://www.nsn-now.com/Indexing/ViewDetail.aspx?QString=5365998295391 Any ideas? Many thanks Mike

I've got breakdown cover for my Spartan with these guys http://www.autohome.co.uk/ No connection etc. etc. My Matador has UK and EU breakdown through the HCVS insurance scheme which is a part of the policy. Cheers Mike

A bit of a project then...

As Timbo said, my Spartan was a private conversion, the engine is the same family of engine that the MOD conversions have, a Cummins 6B, although unlike the MOD conversions mine isn't turbocharged. The gearbox is also a standard version like the petrol CVRT's so it tops out at about 20mph, not really a problem though. I just saw on milweb that in Witham's next tender sale there are a few CVRT's including Spartan(s?) http://www.mod-sales.com/ Also it appears that terryb on here has recently listed a Spartan on milweb http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=65796&cat=1 Don't know whether it's still available though, maybe worth a call. I bought my Spartan from him and he's a great bloke. Cheers Mike

I think the last one I saw on Milweb with a price listed was into 6 figures Mike

My Spartan is insured with Glynwood. http://www.glynwood.co.uk/specialist.php (No connection other than a (very) satisfied customer.) One of 2 companies I found that would insure me (I'm 24) The best bit is that fully comp, it costs 1/2 as much as my Ford Focus, work that one out!... A lot of companies said 25+, surprisingly a lot also said 30+, when you can drive a tracked vehicle from 21. My Matador is with the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society scheme through NBJ, that costs 1/4 as much as the Spartan's insurance (1/8 of the cost of my car insurance...:cool2:) although till I am 25 next year that is only 3rd party, but includes UK & EU breakdown... Mike

Thanks Chris, I'll look into that Cheers Mike

Hi, I am considering replacing the Armstrong dampers on my Spartan with Messier's, I understand that they have different positions for the mounting bolts? Since my Spartan doesn't have any extra tapped holes in the hull near the Armstrong dampers, how difficult would it be to mark out the positions for Messier dampers? (If necessary) Many thanks Mike

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll try and construct something, it'll work out cheaper since I should only need it for a few months. Cheers Mike

I'm looking for a freestanding vehicle cover as a temporary measure for my CVR(T), does such a thing exist? (I'm aiming of putting up a suitable shed next year) I'm hoping for something like a lightweight frame with something over it, any ideas? If all else fails I'll get a decent quality sheet/tarp and cover it with that. Cheers Mike

Very nice, hopefully I'll get mine looking that good one day... I shall experiment with treading on the loud pedal, I'll get the knack eventually. Any pics of your outing in the scorp? Cheers Mike

On a similar note, I had my first proper run out in my Spartan last Sunday You're right about the gear changes, I nearly wounded my dad a few times! This was it after changing 6 road wheels, I'm not so bothered about the amount of diesel its using in comparison! Mike

You're quite right, some of the wheels I thought would have let go haven't and of course some of the better ones have. To be fair, I don't know how old the wheels are, so some of them were probably on the way out anyway. My replacement wheels are on the way, thanks for the offer though. I've changed more than half of them now, so hopefully I'm on the home straight. The electrical systems handbook I have says: Fuel pump solenoid resistance 20 ohms approx Current consumption less than 1/2 amp Delivery - 10 pints in 3 mins Tank unit resistance 350 to 10 ohms Oil pressure switch opens 8-12 psi Coolant switch closes 106 deg C (223 deg F) Hope that's some help Mike

It is, had I not been sat in the driver's seat I'd have started jumping up and down celebrating. I took it out for a road run on Sunday (partly a celebratory drive) and got through 9 road wheels, won't be out again for a bit till the replacements arrive. Can you get road wheels re-tyred? I have about 11 with no rubber now... I'll see if I can find the page in the electrical manual I have with the fuel sender resistances in it. Cheers Mike

Well I finally got to the bottom of my indicator issues. It turns out that it was the instrument panel earth strap not being connected to the hull. :argh: :banghead: I discovered this being the problem after I accidentally earthed the lid to the hull whilst checking voltages with a meter and the indicators sprang into life. I bolted the earth strap to the hull and bingo - celebration time. As an added bonus, the fuel gauge now appears to work and the dial lights now work on their dimmer. All in all quite a happy bunny right now I never thought a bad earth could cause me such agro.... Mike

There is a button above the spare fuse holder, next to the instrument light dimmer which is for testing the temperature warning light. (Bottom left) It should have 'temp press to test' written near it Mike

Excellent, great idea thanks. Cheers Mike

Hi Does anyone have any suggestions where I should bolt the tax disk holder on my CVRT? I have a couple of ideas but ideally I'd like to fit it as unobtrusively as possible. I've got one of the motorbike type holders which 'should' be waterproof. I was thinking maybe the inside of the driver's hatch since this will be open when its on the road, or maybe the side of the commander's sight cover. I'm just wondering if there's a prefered location or somewhere blindingly obvious that I'm not seeing... Any suggestions welcome Thanks Mike

Excellent, thanks for that I'll give them a call. Cheers Mike

Hi, Can anyone suggest a company that can provide breakdown cover for tracked vehicles (my CVRT)? I don't think the company its currently insured with offer it (if they did I would have added it when I took out the insurance) Cheers Mike

I've had a bit of an investigating session with the indicators and a wiring diagram. I've come to the conclusion that they might be wired wrongly through the ignition swith itself. Is that possible? I think that the indicators may be wired to a N/C contact which is opened when the ignition is turned on, since they appear to be wired correctly to the multi position light switch contacts. I could be barking up the wrong tree here but as I said before, the indicators work fine with the master cutoff on and the ignition off. As soon as you switch on the ignition, all of the other lights work, and the indicators circuit switches off completely, even if it was on before that. Any ideas? I'm really puzzled now... I may yet have to see if I can temporarily bypass something, which I don't really want to do since this is now one of the last hurdles to getting it on the road. Thanks Mike

My handbook reckons (for a Spartan) 16' 0 1/2" long 7' 3" wide 7' 4" high over mg mount This site: (quick search) http://www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/dimensions.htm reckons a standard 20' container is (internally) 19' 3" long 7' 7" wide 7' 9" high I certainly wouldn't like to drive it in! The door is probably the issue @ 7' 5" high and 7' 6" wide It would be tight but might go, they also have 20' high cubes though that are a foot higher. I wouldn't have thought about 8 tons would be a problem, 20' are meant for heavy stuff more than 40' aren't they? EDIT: this site http://www.tasbulk.com.au/shipping-containers/20-ft-containers/90 reckons a 20' high cube door is 129mm wider than a Spartan and 349mm higher weight wise it can take 28 tons so 8 shouldn't be an issue Mike

I reckon there was one of these at Pickering Traction Engine Rally this year Sounded great last weekend, although I only saw it in the ring, not pulling the sled unfortunately. Mike

For those with amphibious vehicles - 400m freestyle (might need a pool a bit bigger than olympic regs...)