OZITIM

These gun laws were brought into Australia in 1995. I cant even have a broom stick poking out of my turret, under the current firearms legistlation. I can however aquire a pistol license and buy any number of semiautomatic concealable weapons. I cant possess a long arm semiauto, or pump actions shotgun. Any replicas must be licensed as if they are operational.

Yes, and yes. The wheel station is bloody heavy and it is difficult to get it off the workshop floor and up, at a level so that you can mesh together the shafts and at the same time attempt to get the top of the wheel station to fit together so that you can get the 8 hex bolts screwed in. Once together, you have to then screw in the 5 bolts that hold the outer with the inner. You will need to find a person with double jointed fingers that are each approx 10 inches long and a 7/16th spanner. But, the actual meshing bit, is the easy bit. Ihope this makes sense.

Terry, your a genious. I stripped down the Distributor and it was bone dry. Gave it a bit of a lube, put it back together and now it runs awesome. Its got so much pull, it nearly strips the paint off. AFter fully building the engine, I guess I was more inclined to look for major problems rather than minor. But, this time, the issue was simple. Driving it now is an awesome experience. Just got to sort out the eternal leaking bevel box saga. Tim

I'm pretty sure the filming of season 3 is fnished and they are just putting it together now. You never know, I might make the cut in season four again. Bruce is keen to come back to Australia and I've got a few characters ready for him, if he does make it this way. OZITIM

Terry, I think you might be onto something. I checked the timing with the timing light yesterday and the mechanical timing is perfect. Im going to set it at 10 degress before TDC. I think my loss of torque problem might be associated with the Centrifugal advance. I will check that through the week. The more I think about it, it makes sense that this might be the problem. Such a relief that the timing is right. Although I check and recheck everything, its generally no indication that it is set right.

Wow! And it even has the spare wheel cover.

Great work! I vote you for the HMVF bravery award! You took on a job that others wouldnt have, you have applied determination and had the courage to take it on, when others would have said no. I like your determination. I look forward to seeing you pick a ferret next time! lol

G'day Jarrod, Im pretty sure the ASW120 was never used by the ADF, however the Inter AB130 was used in Vietnam by the Engineers as a tipper. Commonly known as the teaspoon tipper. My advice, go a Daimler Ferret. You will never be board and it will bring you a whole new level of self discipline and problem solving skills. I'm just about to start an Inter AB130. I stripped it down last week and dragged the cab into the Shed yesterday. While dragging it the last distance up the drive way, I used logs to roll it. I gained a new appreciation for the Egyptians and their pyramids. An inter cab is bloody heavy, even with the doors and internals missing. Regards, Tim from Cairns FNQ

What was the original recommened PSI for Ferret?

Mal, Im going to try your non-screened lead idea. Great idea. You guys are the best

I've redone all the brakes and jacked the whole ferret up and put it on stands and then ran it. The wheels are definitely not binding. As you say, cant be the fluid coupling, and not the brake bands, as that would create an altogether different expereince when in first gear climbing, lots of revs, but, I got the opposite. I will check the carb again, as that might be an issue. And I will check the distributor again. I guess Im leaning back to the mechanical timing. I think I must have that just out. I need to go back through the whole timing procedure again. Thanks for all of your input. I will update you on how it goes. In the meantime, when your passing through Cairns in Far North Queensland, pop in for a beer. Regards OZITIM

Hi Guys, After building the new engine from an new engine block, it seems to run well. Starts easily, idles well and revs fine. It doesnt blow smoke and settles into a really nice beat. Despite that, I am not happy with how much torque is being generated. In First, second and third gears I cruise down the road quite fine, it engages into gear really well. But as I go up into fourth and fifth gear, it loses torque and you can feel the vehicle begin to labour. In fifth, it simply cant keep up the speed. I took it for some bush trials and when climbing steep inclines (a reasonable slope), in first gear it will begin to labour and then come to a complete halt. The things im thinking, 1. maybe I have my mechanical timing out by a couple of teeth, but why does the engine run so well (no backfiring, revs well, idles fine) 2. Maybe its not getting enough fuel. The carby is NOS set to factory settings. Revs well. 3. Maybe the fluid coupling has an issue. Im using dextron III, which, Ive had not issue with in the Saracen. Some are probably going to gasp at the notion of using Dextron III. 4. Maybe the transmission is slipping, but I have adjusted it and it engages with the typical clunk and initiall engagement that I would suspect. Their is no winding noise, like the bands are slipping, even when I try to drive up an incline, it just stops, and the transmission isnt winding, so, Im pretty confident it isnt that. I am doing the correct start up proceedure, if anything, I am doing it twice. Other than that, I simply cant explain why this is happening. Please, any advice from those more learned than me in this area. Many Regards, OZITIM

Yep, your a champion mate. I dont thing many of us would survive in the FV hobby if it wasnt for the generosity of our mates.

look up Tim Vibert at Wangarratta he will know whats around in OZ. Having owned all sorts of Armour in Australia, you will have no trouble with a Ferret or Saracen if you are looking to road register. They are readily available. If you want tracked, Bren Gun carriers are still around and you should be able to source one at a reasonable price. Their are a few FV432 getting around. You just need to talk to the right people. Start with Vibert. Regards, OZITIM

The Australian Museum is in Cairns.

Check these photos out of the modified Australian M113's now called the M113AS4. Stretched and added another road wheel. But the rear end looks very much like your canadian one. OZITIM

If you have a ballpien hammer, angle grinder, bench vice, migwelder, a good supply of steel, tolerant neighbors, you have all the parts you need.

Tunnel shaft covers for drive shafts, petrol tank mounts with vulcanised rubber joiner, Muffler cover, transmission cover, Stowage bins (Except large one), Most of the Commanders seat, most of the drivers seat, petrol sender, and so many other smaller bits and pieces. I need to make the spare wheel cover.

I like that battery cut off switch. Very nice.

This was the chant that we had to scream every night before we went to bed at recruit training: The role of the infantry: Is to seek out and close with the enemy To kill or capture him To seize and hold ground To repel attacks by day or night Regardless of season weather or terrain That was 25 years ago. Ive never spoke those words in the past 25 years. The military ingrained this stuff into your head. Your rego number, unit history, patrol formations, signals procedures, yet, this guy cant remember how many wheels his Armoured vehicle had. Nah, I wouldnt buy that story. Im sure he will turn up the next time I take the Ferret out, so I will probe him a little further. hahah

Hi mate, where are you in OZ. Im in Cairns. OZITIM

Wow, Im onto my third Ferret rebuild and I never knew that the hub filler plugs also fit the fuel drain plug. The things you learn.

Wow, thats easy. Im not familiar with that concept. Generally, the way ive been doing it, is drag it from a paddock, four years later register it. Maybe I should look in other places, other than paddocks. haha. Great to be driving around on the road though. Its always interesting though, when you pull up to do some checks, that same guy always turns up. The guy who tells me his uncle has one and that he has a bren gun pouch, but its mint condition. That he tried to join the army but was flat footed, and on and on the story goes. I find myself being rude to this guy every time. I try to be patient, but maybe its because Im so focused on every nut and bold and noise, that I just dont have any more mental space left to humor him and his mint Bren pouch. Does anyone else have this problem, or am I just a rude bugger.

Well done old boy. It all looks very familiar. Its a nice looking Ferret. OZITIM