6 X 6

QUOTE: Now when (if) the oil migrates between the gearbox/transfer box it does exactly that and there are no visible external leaks, or are you suggesting that owners have missed the sound of internal dripping oil? As with Land Rovers, the only way to check is by observing both oil levels. Interesting point. I know of two different vehicles where the oil does find it's way out after reaching a certain, not very high level. Having seen these two, I had assumed this would be the case with all similarly affected gearboxes. If you are saying that it is possible for the transfer of oil from one to the other without any warning leaks that's a bit worrying and all the more reason for checking oil levels very frequently. I imagine anyone with a preserved vehicle, of what ever make, will be keeping a close watch on all oil levels. The Land Rover gearbox/overdrive/transfer box oil levels are something I monitor carefully for the reason you state. I've just remembered, Anita Broad's Constructor also leaked due to worn interconnecting seal.

Hey chamber101, London to Brighton LR run, I didn't know there was one. Thanks for that.

AMBUSH ABORTED DUE TO POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS. Mike, I would just say that both of the Scammells associated with Steve Guest that you refer to experienced gearbox problems due to factors other than flawed design. I was interested to learn that even Jeff Rhodes has busted a few Constructor gearboxes in his time.......where will it end ?

Sir, I have a different situation to report from this position. My first observation is that it's gone suspiciously quiet. This maybe because certain of our adversaries have realized that a ambush has been laid over the past few posts and have decided to keep their heads down. With regard to the quality of incoming fire, I am forced to conclude that the only observable remaining straddler has either completely run out of serviceable ammunition or is deploying some sort of feint. I shall move to resolve to situation in our favour under cover of darkness sometime in the early hours of of Tuesday morning.

Sorry if I seem like a dog with a bone, but what I can't quite understand is that if the Constructor's transmission is so riddled with faults, how come three Constructors I have had personal contact with, PSU 439, YSV 865 and UVS 149 (and I'm sure there must be others) all drove without any of the faults being attributed to Constructors here ? All three vehicles had both props in place driving both rear axles, all had significant mileage on the clock, all three are now pushing 60 years of age, all three could be/can be driven in every gear, right through the rev range, with NO SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION. Well, you might wonder if these three Constructors had been modified in some way. They had not. They are, in the respect of their transmission, completely original. I repeat, substantial mileage, both props fitted and in all gears NO SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION. I certainly don't deny the Constructor transmission has it's faults and weaknesses and that most of these faults have been correctly identified in previous posts. But most 'faults' can be anticipated and remedied with routine maintenance. Take the problem of output flange bearings breaking up. How long does it take to check for early signs of play ? The signs that one of these bearings needs renewing will be present long before the bearing breaks up. So, bearing break up, design fault or poor maintenance ? God knows how many Constructor gearboxes have been destroyed owners ignoring the warning drips of oil that indicate the seal between the boxes needs replacing and oil is now migrating into one box leaving the other box bone dry. I mean, Scammells can't talk, oil leaking from the gearbox is it's way of telling you it's not very well. Worn out seal on gearbox connecting shaft, poor design or just wear and tear ? During a 20 minute telephone conversation I once had with Stan Wass I made a point of asking him what he thought about the Constructor gearbox and he only had positive things to say about it. As did another Constructor driver Bert Paul. Maybe I should have asked Stan what he thought about the twin prop shaft arrangement. Most Post-War, low volume, special purpose British MV's are, in my humble opinion, to some degree lemons and it's hardly surprising that there were teething troubles. Maybe that's what Stan's mates problems could be attributed to. Just a few years ago the TNT depot where I work received a batch of 20 new model MAN's. Within less than two weeks 15 units were down at the MAN dealers in Avonmouth with faults that included a seized engine. Now they're on the road 24/7 and I can't remember when any of them last broke down. Teething problems occur to even the best of manufacturers. Regarding mismatching tires on the rear axles I not even going there. Anyone who can't grasp the importance of doing this shouldn't be allowed anywhere near one of these vehicles. For what it's worth, my overall feeling about the Constructor is that Watford did a reasonable job of supplying a highly specialized, very capable vehicle that was a product of it's time. Lets not forget that with all it's faults and failings, a single Constructor was able to handle a load well in excess of 100 tons and did so for many different operators overs a period of years WITHOUT gearboxes, or other transmission components, giving any undue trouble. A number of these heavy haulage Constructors, now 50 plus years old and in preservation, can be driven today still with their original gearboxes. True or false ? Just to remind you, PSU 439, YSV 865 and UVS 149 all with both props fitted, substantial mileage on the clock, no modifications, all now approaching 60 years of age, through all the gears over the whole rev range NO SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION. In the light of some of the previous posts on this thread, if you care to, please explain. I'm on the wall of death for the next few days so if someone does reply to this post the reason I haven't replied is that I'm off line. (and not because I'm sulking)

Persons of a nervous disposition, or those unaccustomed to hard core Scammell porn, should avert their eyes from the following five posts.

Prop.shaft to rearmost axle.

Centre bearing, rearmost axle, other side looking forward.

Centre bearing, rearmost axle, gearbox side.

Output from transfer box to rearmost axle.

Prop. shaft to first rear axle.

Amen, Brother ! You're an inspiration to us all.

Scammell Constructor, 1955, all views with the body removed. Output from transfer box to first rear axle.

Or this one?, see post No.8. Aren't they a Nato 1600 X ??

That is indeed "Bastardslow", has anyone seen it recently ?

Thanks very much. I'd heard various stories over the years and this seemed like a good opportunity to find out from people who have obviously had first hand experience. Cheers.

Thanks for a nice clear explanation. Just one more Scammell gearbox question, how many usefully interchangable parts do the Constructor and Explorer gearbox have in common ? I mean, if one had the job of reconditioning a Constructor gearbox, would an Explorer gearbox in good condition yield up many useful parts ? Cheers. (this maybe a simple question with a more complicated answer but I thought ask it anyway)

QUOTE: Actually no as an Explorer winch drive is taken from the gearbox first motion shaft via the reverse idler with the 'box in neutral. To progress my education a bit further....how does one, or can one, vary the winch speed on an Explorer ? I'm assuming the Explorer has a hand throttle on the steering column like the Constructor, is this the only means of controlling the winch speed ? Thanks.

I recently had about a dozen vids converted to DVD by these people, who I think charge a reasonable amount, and the DVD's came back within 3 days. Once you have the DVD I think it's relatively easy to make further copies on your own computer. (if you've got one that can do that !) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WE-TRANSFER-CONVERT-VHS-OR-CAMCORDER-CASSETTE-TO-DVD_W0QQitemZ320248781507QQihZ011QQcategoryZ2288QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hey swiftnick, The best "looking the part" I ever saw at a vintage car show wasn't an MV but an elderly Wolseley 6/80 police car with a bell on the front and manned by an elderly couple, both in period police uniforms, but best of all, sitting on the back seat, was an elderly, grey whisked german shepherd police dog. Car, coppers and dog all looked they been trapped in some kind of time warp. Maybe they had.