Jimmy F

My original rotor arm was really pitted, so had to replace, but that is definitely something to consider.

Really think it may be to do with the ignition? She's firing fine and idles fine.

I didn't get a chance to do anything with the carb as we had a leak in the water tank in the loft and my other half insisted that was more important! Haha.

I shall check the needle and such at my next opportunity, but not sure if it may be worth replacing the cool anyways. I believe they're the same as the ones on a Morris minor??

So, my Morris isn't too healthy. She'll sit and idle perfectly but if given revs for a few minutes splitters and dies.

Tanks were recently resealed and we have no problems there. Fuel pump is an electric one and all lines have been replaced within the last month. I have, this morning, replaced the spark plugs and distributer cap, along with the leads (fitted spade ends) and anew rotor arm.

Still got the same problem. She's not dropping any liquids either.

Any ideas?

A little bit more has been done, although it's only being bolted together to make sure it all fits.

Jules, that's interesting, I shall look into that!

Been a bit quiet recently, apologies for that, but work on the Humber has been progressing.

we have now put all the mechanics into the chassis, which has been painted around the engine mountings. We have then started fitting the mayal together so that the woodwork can come together.

We're still sourcing a few mechanical parts before it runs, plus all the fuel lines need to be fitted. Fuel tank has been fitted, as have both axles and all the brakes. It's starting to actually look like a vehicle now! Still a long way to go, but I think we've made a lot of progress. This is going to be a picture heavy post...

The hubs when they were off.

Engine and such painted and ready to go in

Chassis ready for Engine.

The front diff

Engine and mechanics mounted

And now the front end all together and on, including the wings, wheels and rad

Fuel tank seated.

And the woodwork begins...

We're trying to keep as much of the original as possible, but in some cases we're having to replace a lot, all the floor woodwork is having to be replaced, as is much of the wooden skeleton. The wood above is a first fitting so needs to be sanded and finished. We've managed to save all the original metal bar a few parts at the front on the chassis. The truck had been tested in the sea, which had filled the chassis up with sand, shells and crap and just eaten it away.

I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped us with part so far, I will name you all when I have a complete list!

Singe, if I had one, I'd post a photo hahahaha

I'll try and find a photo and will put it up.

£200 would indeed be ready to bolt on, but it would only be that cheap if we got a minimum of 5 people (including our one).

Cheers for that Jules, I'll send you a list of all the parts we need… Haha.

It is looking like we may have to get a new water pump and thermostat housing made for the humber.

Problem is the cost. We have, however, figured out that the more people we get in on it the better the price will be. If we got 5 people in on it we'd be looking at about £200 per person for the lot. I don't have a full list for the vehicles this would fit on, but I'm sure if people will know if it will fit their vehicle. I'll work on trying to get a list together anyways.

We're not looking to make any profit from this, we'll just take the cost of getting them made and split it between people involved.

Even if you've got a working one, a spare would always be handy. Especially as it seems they're really very rare.

Work has slowed as we're waiting on the replacement wood to come back from the mill, the sheet metal to be bent up and the chassis to be sandblasted (which should be tomorrow).

engine is now together after finishing the tappet and valves/spacing today. It has been sprayed red oxide, when the chassis is back we'll then get the engine and mechanics in, the paint it all up in prep for the rebuild of the body.

We have also managed to find storage for the 8 vehicles we've got. Should be in that within the next few weeks. (Then the work on the Morris can also be done at the same time as the Humber.

Chassis as it is before sandblasting.

and the engine block with the head, sump and such on. Water pump is just being cleaned up and have sourced a carb, which will be cleaned up and on soon.

Sorry for lack of updates on this, had to focus on something else for a while, but Dom has been cracking on like a trooper.Chassis goes to sandblaster on Thursday. All body panels are back from the sandblaster now. Have found a good supplier for the wood too. It has been ordered and is being cut for us as we speak. Engine has been stripped down. It was a bit of a job as pistons were seized. In fact, everything was seized. Head had been skimmed, valves seated, pistons freed up. Everything now turns and pistons move. Gasket set arrived yesterday from John Walker so the block is now ready to go back together. We're still missing a few parts and the oil pump and filter need stripping and cleaning. The block was in a real mess and took a long time to clean it up.Ordered the engine mounts a we're still looking good to have the engine in and running in the next two weeks. From there the front axle is going to take the time. Brakes are all off and in pretty good condition so just need cleaning and putting back together.

Cheers for that!

Thanks for the info guys. I haven't had much time to work on the Humber recently due to other things coming up. Dom has continued though. The metalwork went to the sandblaster and is back, the chassis is going to him tomorrow I believe. Wheels are off and the brakes are in pretty good condition. Work on the engine has started in earnest. We've found a wood yard that will sort out the ash and cut it for us, which is good news.

we've been collecting parts so now have a lot of, dare I say it, most, of the to work. We also have a lot to sell as it came with a load of tin work for an earlier box. I'm trying to get hold of John Walker for as gasket set but can't find where I put his number! Sod's law.

So, got the brass plates for the vehicles sorted out. Dom went on a shopping spree today and bought a selection of parts (thanks to Alex and Jon). Going to speak to Jon Walker tomorrow and get any gaskets and such I can ordered. While the chassis is at the sandblaster a our attention will turn to the mechanics.

so, on the repair plate it has a code of SPR in 1953. Anyone know what this means?

That makes sense! Thanks for that. We'll make sure it stays then. Haha

The vehicle is now pretty much just a chassis and we've got a sandblaster coming to pick up all the parts to be done this week so the rebuild can start in the next couple of weeks.

Can anyone advise what this 'K-Gass' thing in the dash is for? It seems to be a manual pump. Our vehicle had a Diesel engine in it at some point, so not sure if it's for that. Also, not sure if it's supposed to be there.

This is the panel that has gone. It seems that because of the design mud and crud has built up around the diff and eaten through the plate. Having had a rudimentary search online the piece looks the same on all Humber Heavy Utilities.

We're not too sure on that one ourselves! Haha. We're going to have to go and see a Humber with the transverse leaf springs and compare.

in reality there is only one piece that needs replacing, which is the bottom plate, that runs beneath the differential (in fact, has a hole that the diff sits in).

Saying that, a whole new spare axle could also be useful for other parts, depending on what fits where on our spring/shock absorber version.

Oh, and the front axle looks like itms going to need at least part of it replaced, if not all. Which is a pain in the bottom!

The weather has held up the strip down so she's not a chassis just yet. Instead we sorted out the parts in the dry warmth of the garage. We have a lot of body panels, that although need work give us something to work with. As expected the woodwork is going to be awkward, but we'll get there.

we also lined the engine up to see what we've got. The block is in good condition, although cylinder 6 is seized. Not the end of the world. We have a good manifold and head that will both need some very minor attention. The fuel pump is there and fits, as do the clutch, flywheel and gearbox, which are all in good order. Fan and all accompanying parts are good and the air filter is good. The trans box was confusing but is, again in good working order. It's all looking good for having the mechanics done for Christmas as we've just bought a fan belt and distributor cap. We are, however, missing a starter motor, so if anyone has one for sale...

Oh, and radiator seems to be good.

Oh, and a spring hanger has gone on the rear driver side , so need to get one made!

If you ever want to get shot of the Humber I'll happily swap it for my first born.

back to our Humber it seems it was one of 3 or 4 made as a development, possibly post war, although our plate suggests it is wartime. Does anyone on here have any information in this??

I see you have a Humber scout car! That is my holy grail of MVT!

Thanks for the replies. Got stuck into it a bit more today. It's on schedule to have the body off by the weekend. Was hoping we didn't have to take the axles off but the front one has gone in a few places that mean we're going to has to remove it.

oh well, some other bits were better than expected.

one of the problems is that the design of the front end means water, mud and crap puddle in the chassis around the front axle. Rather annoying. She is a well built piece of machinery though. Incidentally , she has been christened 'Maggie' after my nan.

The strip down has started. Some bits are better than expected, others not so good. I'm lucky that the guy who is teaching me as we go has done several builds of vehicles that were in this state.

Jon, are you in Norfolk? If so I think Dom (the other guy) knows you.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'll keep posting until I forget

I have fallen in love with the vehicle. I can't wait to get behind the steering wheel. It has bags of character.<br><br>I had been told the curved windows (and metal windscreen surround) meant it was a later model.  It did indeed claim that this was one of 2 or 3, but I think that relates more to the spring/shock suspension.  We'll do some digging on this to find out how true that is, but also to get the history of the vehicle.  There are some divisional markings on the wings that we're going to try and rediscover.

The strip down is going to take a while. The plan is to have the chassis and suspension done, the engine and mechanics in and running and all mechanical parts done by Christmas so it'll be a running, driving and stopping chassis.<br><br><br>of course the plan is always the first casualty.