Starfire

I would suggest Windows 8.1; The interface is a little hard to get used to at the start, but once you do, it's much better than earlier versions of Windows. If you're after a new computer, I highly recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro. Cheers, Terry

+1 for AVG. I work as a systems administrator and have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff; it's not great for corporate environments, mostly due to the lack of centralised management and reporting, but for home use, it's pretty good and you really can't beat the price. The free edition doesnt tend to offer the best protection out there and doesn't have a full internet security suite built in, so you will still need to excercise some caution online (mostly don't open unexpected email attachments or install software from untrusted sources) but it should be good enough, without making your computer unusable. If you want to throw down a little money, the paid version offers a more complete suite. Cheers, Terry

Weak spark does sound like a suspect. Check your plugs, leads, coil and breaker(s). When you rebuilt the engine, did you have it compression tested? Cheers, Terry

From the Saracen Service Schedule: [TABLE=class: grid, width: 800] [TR] [TD]Class[/TD] [TD]Lubricant[/TD] [TD]Equivalent[/TD] [TD]Quantity (Total)[/TD] [TD]Notes[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Oil[/TD] [TD]OM 13[/TD] [TD]ISO 10 hydraulic oil[/TD] [TD]23.3 L[/TD] [TD]Compatible with yellow metals[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Oil[/TD] [TD]OX 8[/TD] [TD]DOT4 brake fluid[/TD] [TD]17 L[/TD] [TD]Older vehicles only, check placard on hydraulic tank[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Oil[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD]SAE 30 or SAE 10W30 motor oil[/TD] [TD]31.8 L[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Oil[/TD] [TD]OEP 220[/TD] [TD]EP90 gear oil[/TD] [TD]28.3 L[/TD] [TD]Compatible with yellow metals[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Grease[/TD] [TD]XG 279[/TD] [TD]Chassis grease[/TD] [TD]Misc.[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Protective[/TD] [TD]PX 7[/TD] [TD]Petroleum jelly[/TD] [TD]Misc.[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Coolant[/TD] [TD]Not specified[/TD] [TD]Antifreeze[/TD] [TD]34 L[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: grid, width: 800] [TR] [TD]Serial No[/TD] [TD]Assembly[/TD] [TD]Lubricant[/TD] [TD]liters[/TD] [TD]Pints[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]Engine[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD]16[/TD] [TD]28[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]Engine oil filter[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]3[/TD] [TD]Engine air cleaners (two)[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD]1.5 (each)[/TD] [TD]2.5 (each)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]4[/TD] [TD]Mechanical tyre pump[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD].3[/TD] [TD].5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]5[/TD] [TD]Main gearbox[/TD] [TD]OMD 75[/TD] [TD]11.5[/TD] [TD]20[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]6[/TD] [TD]Transfer box[/TD] [TD]OEP 220[/TD] [TD]5.1[/TD] [TD]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]7[/TD] [TD]Hydraulic fluid supply tank (see page 3 para 1, sub para b, op 4c)[/TD] [TD]OM 13 or OX 8[/TD] [TD]17[/TD] [TD]30[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]8[/TD] [TD]Bevel boxes (six)[/TD] [TD]OEP 220[/TD] [TD]1.2 (each)[/TD] [TD]2.25 (each)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]9[/TD] [TD]Steering cross-shaft bevel box[/TD] [TD]OEP 220[/TD] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]10[/TD] [TD]Fluid coupling[/TD] [TD]OM 13[/TD] [TD]6.3[/TD] [TD]11[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]11[/TD] [TD]Hub reduction gear housings (six)[/TD] [TD]OEP 220[/TD] [TD]2.5 (each)[/TD] [TD]4.5 (each)[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Cheers, Terry

There are indeed two types of filters fitted to the Saracen; one of the manuals that I have at home details the differences and I'll try and remember to look it up tonight. I have two of the spiral ones spare but, unfortunately, I'm keeping them for my beast for when it gets a full service. I have heard of people converting the Saracen to use a spin on type filter, but I can't find any details of how they have done it - that'd suit me down to the ground as while not as original, it's a hell of a lot less messy and much cheaper. Cheers, Terry

Where did you get the plates? Do they do them for other things? I'd like a set for my 30v 300W charging set. Cheers, Terry

Thanks Clive, My interior is silver, but I dare say that it's been painted half a dozen times since the 80s. Cheers, Terry

As always, thank you very much, Clive. You don't happen to have a soft copy of that do you? Cheers, Terry

Is that painted deep bronze green? Would that colour be suited for one in the 70s or 80s? I'm looking to tidy up and repaint mine but want to know an appropriate colour. Cheers, Terry

There are a couple of pages missing from that manual. Here is my little genny: [video=youtube_share;8M-3ABUc_oI] Cheers, Terry

"Charging Set E.D. 300W 30V (BSA)" is the proper name for the BSA variant. The one that came with my Saracen is a 1960, and I got it running a couple of weeks ago. [video=youtube_share;8M-3ABUc_oI] Cheers, Terry

Some awesome content here, guys. Does anyone have any pictures of the interior of a Saracen ambulance? None of the manuals I have even contain line drawings, even though they cover most of the other variants and I've not been able to find any on the internet. There is some brief footage of a Saracen ambulance in Threads (1984), which has the same registration number displayed as my APC, 82 BA 88. It is quite possible that it is the same vehicle, as I know that the Saracens could be converted fairly easily, but does anyone know of any tell-tale signs of ambulance service? Cheers, Terry

Yep, just bend the wire loop that goes around the barrel to make it a snug fit. Australia uses a broad arrow mark for its military gear too. Cheers, Terry

From AC61335 Saracen MKs 1-6 User Handbook 1976: Approximate Weights [TABLE=class: grid, width: 500] [TR] [TD]Variant [/TD] [TD]Status [/TD] [TD]Tonnes [/TD] [TD]Pounds [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]APC Mk 1, 2 and 3 ACV Mk 1 and 2 [/TD] [TD]Laden [/TD] [TD]10.2 tonnes [/TD] [TD]24,490 lb [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]APC Mk 1, 2 and 3 ACV Mk 1 and 2 [/TD] [TD]Unladen [/TD] [TD]8.7 tonnes [/TD] [TD]19,180 lb [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]APC Mk 5 and 6 ACV Mk 5 AMB [/TD] [TD]Laden [/TD] [TD]11.2 tonnes [/TD] [TD]24,700 lb [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]APC Mk 5 and 6 ACV Mk 5 AMB [/TD] [TD]Unladen [/TD] [TD]10.2 tonnes [/TD] [TD]22,490 lb [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ACP [/TD] [TD]Laden [/TD] [TD]11.2 tonnes [/TD] [TD]24,700 lb [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ACP [/TD] [TD]Unladen [/TD] [TD]9.6 tonnes [/TD] [TD]21,160 lb [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Bridge Classification [TABLE=class: grid, width: 500] [TR] [TD]Variant [/TD] [TD]Classification [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Mk 1, 2 and 3 [/TD] [TD]11 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Mk 5 and 6, ACP, AMB [/TD] [TD]12 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Shipping Tonnage [TABLE=class: grid, width: 500] [TR] [TD]Variant [/TD] [TD]Tonnage [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]APC, ACV, AMB [/TD] [TD]26 ton 35 cu ft [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ACP [/TD] [TD]29 ton 37 cu ft [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Cheers, Terry

Or just throw a small turbo on there...

Pics please! So far, the Saracen has been the best terrible idea I've ever had. I'm sure you'll love owning an FV 600 series; I can't, however, say the same for your wallet. Cheers, Terry

I don't know anything about a Land Rover kit, but I know that putting an AC in the Saracen is on my wish list. I'm planning to adapt a unit from a sleeper cab truck, probably mounted on the offisde wing and plumbed into the vent inlet.

I thought that the Mk 5 and 6 Saracens only ever had a fixed roof at the rear. Cheers, Terry

Are these printed or digital? If they are digital, I'd like a copy of all of them, please. Cheers, Terry

I don't know about any historical accuracy, but it sure as hell looks tough

They're obviously not Dutch, not a single one of them was wearing clogs!

Yep, my Saracen was one of the ex Hong Kong ones imported (Australia only ever had Mk 2s in service). Get on to Tim Vibert (http://www.timvibert.com.au/index.php?page_id=13) and ask about wheel stations. He has much more stuff than just what is listed on his site. If he can't help you out, I'll look into the legalities and do the export paperwork, if required. Cheers, Terry

Looking really good, although I'm not too sure about the accuracy of that new commander's chair Can I get a couple of pics of your hydraulic pump and tyre pump? Also, what adhesive do you plan on using for your spall liners; a couple of mine need re-gluing. Cheers, Terry

I could always use more manuals but my collection is getting bigger Why are you having trouble with importation? Is it that no-one will send them to you or that you can't get them into the country? I could probably source some from Australia for you, if you like? Cheers, Terry

I know it's your car and therefore the only thing that really matters is that you are happy with it, but I've got to say that I liked it better in the "before" shot; maybe it needed a bit of a general tidy up, but you really don't see them like that. Anyways, Jak, it's still a lovely vehicle and I'm more than a little jealous. Cheers, Terry