DFC1943Fl.Lt.

Well it looks like there is going to be an awful lot of biscuits to get through lol. Just hope the weather will be kind for this get together.

Hi Rosie, we haven't been yet, it's on for tomorrow the 2nd Jan 2016. Steve.

Hi Robin, hope you saw in the new year with family and enjoyed yourself. No problem with your so called rant, sometimes it's good to get stuff off your chest when you don't agree with something. I agree with you the way some totally strip their Vehicle of it's history and try to make something straight off the showroom floor. With my ferret, the only thing I intend to do is just get the thing up and running, as making sure road safe, and give it a new coat of paint to bring it back to the old DBG. As for the inside, I like to think that it is as it was when it came out of service. I shall have to repair the drivers seat but as for all the rest i.e. internal bins, dash etc that will be left as it came to me 'service used'. While I like seeing some of the restorations on the forum, doing the complete strip down and paint job is not my cup of tea. All the best Steve.

Ha Ha like that Jules and very true. Have a good un.

Happy New Year to all and hope you all have a good one. Don't forget to keep up with those New Years resolutions.:undecided:

Hi Richard and thanks for your reply. Makes sense and as for the servo, it came with the ferret from Vince on the forum 'Aka' grasshopper. Just that he did say it may pay to put it on as it's there. But being an old school mechanic brought up on plugs and points in vehicles I did think it may be a bit of a job. As said it has been up armoured so weight has increased but if this is not an issue with the exiting brake set up then all's well. Just me being on the causes side, been a while since I last drove one, must be well over 30 years now when in the Royal Signals TA based at B.S.E. Regards Steve.

Well I must say its a good job I don't get offended easily LoL. While I agree with your argument, I am thinking more of the safety issue as there is no need for an MOT and it is down to the owner/driver to make sure the vehicle is up to a safe standard for the road, granted, you should drive sensibly but there are the lunatics around who have no regards for other road users and from personal experience having to brake hard to avoid an accident helps with bloody good brakes. Now driving a 3ton ferret is a bit different from a 1 to 1.1/2 car. The fact that these were built for rough terrain mainly and not road use and also back then there weren't the volume of traffic around to contend with. Also the latter versions have disc brakes and servo so they must have had a rethink with regards to the braking capability of these ferrets. As for the value aspect, that does not really worry me because I bought the ferret because I wanted one and not to invest money in it. If when I decide to sell it has made money that will be a bonus. Having said all this, I agree with Diana that when I overhaul the braking system and see how it brakes, if in my opinion I feel safe enough I will leave well alone, if not the servo will be fitted. Thanks for your reply Kind regards Steve.

Thanks for the info Diana, Will defo make sure all is up to scratch with regards to the brakes. I got to make a list up for Mr Banister to sort. Have to get it on the road for the beginning of April as a pretty eccentric old lady who want's to have a ride in it down our local high street waving a union jack. Should turn quite a few heads if it comes off. lol. Regards Steve.

Hi all, hope everyone had a great Xmas. My question is how easy/simple would it be to install a brake servo into my Mk2/5 ferret. I have looked in to it and seems possible but not sure as to the right way to go about it. I have a bit of room at the rear L/H side of the oil cooler to try and fix a mounting bracket, but then the master cylinder is in the front foot well. Will this mean having to get a brake pipe from the servo to the master cylinder and also replacing the inlet manifold for the servo to connect to. Is it worth all the hassle. I know trying to stop 3tons at speed would take a strong right leg on the exiting brake set up, but I don't think I shall be pushing the old girl to that extreme when up and running. Just that I have a servo that came with the ferret. Many thanks in advance Steve. P.S. Hope to see some of the Suffolk members at Adrian Barrell's this Saturday at 2pm. Thank you Adrian for the invite.

Just seen this thread, I'm up for it if the offer still stands. I'm a little way's off up in Newmarket Suffolk. Will take me about an hour, still want the biscuits? sounds like there is going to be a glut of them. lol Regards Steve. P.S. Forgot to ask for your postal address for the old satnav.

Hi Ron, I've been watching the progress of your restoration of this bike and all I can say is that it is amazing. You must be so very pleased with the progress you have made. Can't wait to see a picture of it with you sitting astride it when finished. Please keep the photo's coming. All the best Steve.

My problem too, have got all the bins but spare wheel side rear is shot to hell at the bottom. Will be having a go at making one up with a little help from a friend. If all goes well and relatively easy, we may make a whole set. My friend is a wizard with steel and other materials he has told me that for him it would be a fairly simple task. Will let you know how we get on and some picture. Good luck. Steve.

Thanks Richard, thought he may be able to help out. I think I shall be having to make a list at this rate, could start to be getting expensive. But hopefully all worth it in the end. Cheers Steve.

Hi to all at this festive time. My question is that I have replaced the engine in my ferret and started to replace all the other parts but have noticed that there is a small bore pipe from the front of the block to the gen/alter. Am thinking this to be a lubrication pipe. Is this correct ?, problem is the end connecting to the block has snapped on the shoulder of the nut. Is there anywhere I can purchase one of these ? I know this is the place to ask. Many thanks Steve.

Hi there, my problem too. Although my harness is still in the vehicle, it has all been disconnected and most of the yellow sleeving on the cables has lost the writing so although I may be able to sort out where most connect up to the starter switch and instrument panel, as for where they end up is a night mere. Will most likely have to put a test meter on every cable to trace the ends. Good luck with yours. Steve.

Hi, what other sort of markings are you thinking of. Other than corp. or sgt. strips or officers shoulder pips, the only other insignia that may be on the sleeve might be a regt. flash but that would depend on the regt. Of course you may also have medal ribbons. Can't think of anything else that would be on the tunic. Maybe someone will be along and offer other advise. Good luck. Steve.

Hi Vince, hope you and the family are ok. Yes it is a relief to know there wasn't much wrong with the engine. Will take your advice on anything that may need doing while the engine is out, would be insane to not renew parts while it's out. Yes, will be looking at getting things sorted over the next few weeks. Just want to get the thing done, started and driven. I have decided not to go all out and do a complete nuts and bolts job with spaying every part as it will only get dirty when out and about, don't want to ruin that 'Been there' look. One thing I was wanting to know is where I can get hold of the forehead foam like pads on the hatches. Managed to get hold of another canvas cover for £120. and has the No. of 33BA64 which is not far off mine of 33BA93 which I found amazing. As for the fan and cowling, may be we could meet up half way. Nice to hear from you again and how's that ferret of yours coming along?

I thank you all for your input on this matter. I was just thinking of splitting the engine from the gearbox, securing somehow and hooking up water butt for cooling. Make sure the oil will circulate, jerry can of fuel and just jumping across the starter from a 24v set up. Not that easy then. Wasn't thinking of it being hooked up to the wiring in the vehicle.

Hi Terry, see your point, will just try it when its back in place. Just thought if there were any issues with it, it would have been easier to have sorted it with the lump out for ease of access. Cheers Steve.

Cheers Bob, yes would be very messy.

Hi Malcolm, yes once I freed off the 2 sticking exhaust valves it turned very easily. Now the head is back on, it still turns freely. Will most likely just remove the engine, see what else has been dropped over the years give it a good clean up and most probably replace the brake lines. Then get it back in and proceed from there. Cheers Steve.

Have been thinking of taking the power pack out of my Mk1 ferret since the engine was seized due to non use. Got the thing turning over a half rev then stuck solid. Removed the head to find 2 exhaust valves were stuck closed. Freed them off, took the inlet valves out and reground them in. Put the head back on and proceeded to torque up the head nuts only to drop one never to be seen again. Now I know I could just get hold of another nut, but this has made my mind up to remove the pack. My question is, I'm thinking once the power pack is out what would be the safest way to fire up the engine with it on the ground. I know a large water container to place the coolant hoses in, jerry can of fuel. But with regards to electrics for turning over the pack to start and the stability of the engine. Would it need to be strapped to a pallet or something. (Should I put the exhaust on or just scare the hell out of the neighbours

Great pictures, Think I will check on my spring attachment just to make sure all is 'A OK'.

We stayed at the farm house opposite the Cobbaton Combat Museum and it was an arrangement the owner that anyone staying there was allowed free entry into the museum. What a holiday, spent most of the week in there. Every time I would walk around and still see things I'd missed the day before. I would defo. recommend a visit there if you are anywhere near, just follow the little brown tank sign's from Chittlehampton. Tim was very helpful. Not sure if this arrangement is still open.

Your restoration is truly amazing. I can't get over how quickly it takes you to restore the items from the ferret. You are an inspiration to us ferret owners, keep the photo's coming in. Well done. Steve.