peter75

I've had a busy week at work so not got a lot done but I did manage to remove the rear body support brackets and finish welding them then refit. I also made a start on the front track guards that extend forward of the front plate. Peter.

I have welded the bottom uprights on the rear body support brackets. One moved while welding and was tipped in about 12mm at the top so I heated up the bottom and jacked it out slightly further than needed so when things had cooled down and I released the jack it was spot on. I was then able to fit and drill the rear side panels. Once I was happy with the fit and alignment of everything I clamped a length of T section across the rear of the body and offered up the top half of the rear body support brackets (I had already welded the 90° angle). I then cut them to length and the correct angle, bolted them in place then welded them. There is still some welds to finish. Next job is to fit the 4 angle irons that run the length of the body and should line everything thing up. Peter.

I managed to get another good hour tonight and was able to mark out the 2 rear side panels. I cut the first one and test fitted it and it looks good, it will probably need some fine adjusting but I was happy to cut the second one. Thanks Andrew, I am slowly working out how thing's fit in relation to each other. Peter.

I finished work earlier than expected tonight so I managed to get out for an hour. My plan was to start working out where to cut the rear side panels as there is a section to cut out of each side, also there is a pressing to put in the floor. First I offered up an original step plate that didn't fit, after some head scratching I worked out that the a bar was back to front so I turned it round and everything fitted and lined up. I then offered up the original rear side panel and a curved panel which I think covers the exhaust? I now have a good idea how thing's sit and can work out the measurement. Peter.

I removed the front panel again to drill 6 holes and then put it all back together. I then fitted the last 2 angle irons and welded them in. There is a tray to make and fit across the inside the front lower hull plate along with some fuel line clips but I need to get over to Alastair's to borrow the pattern. Next job is to finish the sides. Peter.

Now I am happy with the front panel alignment I have started to fit the angle iron to the inside of the front panel. The first 2 are straight forward lengths of angle iron that run from the top corners of the lower front hull plate to the outside edge of the body with 3 holes in the front and 3 in the bottom, I need to remove the front panel again to drill the holes down through the bottom of the panel's. There are then 4 angles that run top to bottom of the front panel that are welded to angles on the lower panel. I have got the centre 2 done these angles also mount the instrument panel. Next I need to do the outer angles which run along the inside edge of the fuel tanks and hold some of the fuel tank brackets. Peter.

I am finally happy with the alignment of the front body panels. When I started I went from the back edge of the original front lower hull plate and I should have started from the front edge throwing everything out by ¼" causing the gaps at the front corners. I sorted things out by slotting the holes in the front side panels. The rear hole are covered by the centre panel on the outside and the body support bracket on the inside. The front holes will be behind the tracks and don't stand out so I will live with them. I also took the time to get the front panel to sit better. This involved trimming the front edge of the front side panels. I had the front panel on and off 4 times today and although not heavy it is large and difficult to line up and get the bolts in. I need to take the front panel off again in the morning so I can drill 6 holes. Peter.

Still making steady progress although putting in lots of hours. I got a small alignment problem which needs addressing next or else it will cause other problems down the line. Peter.

I collected a length of angle iron this morning and fitted it to the front plate using a plate borrowed from Alistair as a pattern. Then I could not get anything to line up correctly, wasting most of the after noon before realising that the holes for the first set of body brackets were 1/2" out. (I didn't drill them!) These were redrilled then everything made sense. I hope to have a better day tomorrow as everything now makes sense! I am a bit short of pictures will try to get more tomorrow. Peter.

Thanks for the positive comments. Discs aren't cheap but was probably the cheapest and quickest way to do the job. I had to visit a mate in Lincoln hospital on Monday afternoon so when I had done I popped round to see Alistair and borrowed some of his original pattern body panels to give me hole patterns. The pictures show some of the parts layed out on Alistair's Loyd. Peter.

I set to this afternoon and cut all the T section steel to length and then cut a half inch strip off all but 2 of them as my back started to complain. Not the best way to spend Sunday afternoon but a bad job almost out the way. Peter.

I have got the bottom of the body support brackets welded up and fitted. I have left the rear ones long so I can lay a straight edge on them. I should have left the front one's long but had cut them before I had thought about that. Now need to cut a half inch strip off about 24ft of T steels!😵👎 Peter.

I still had a few little jobs to finish while the chassis was upside down. The first was to replace a missing rivet then shape the belly plate over the head of the rivet. This was done by heating the plate up and hammering a pice of tube over it. I then checked the final fit of the belly plates which isn't good on the original pattern plates, lots of wide gaps! I was then able to remove the belly plates, turn the chassis over and around so I can now work on the body support brackets then the driver's floor which will involve removing the front axle. Peter.

I have made a start on the base plate for the gear leaver, just need to drill a hole and then slot it out. I have also cut out some plates for the body support brackets. The T section for the body support brackets should be 2" by 1 1/2" but I could only get 50mm by 50mm so I will have to cut 1/2" off one side with the grinder. Peter.

I made a start today on the body support brackets, mainly making cardboard templates and ruff cutting plates. As Alistair needs to make the same brackets I ruff cut a second set of plates. Peter.

I took some pictures of these engines with I think went with the pumps. Peter.

Glad you managed to save one of them as I thought they would both go for scrap as they looked to be brass/bronze. Peter.

I have cleaned up the last of the suspension springs. I still have 4 ball ends to do. I have put some of the track guide plates into the molasses to clean next. I have striped the truck gear leaver of the parts I need and cleaned and primed them, I managed to save the gear lever nob by using a canvas filter strap to undo it. I have finished stripping the gearbox and although there is more wear than I would like there are no major problems, the bearings look and feel good. I have decided to rebuild it with new clutch released bushes and shaft as it won't be doing lots of miles under heavy loads. Peter.

These arrived in the post today. Peter.

Thursday night I popped over to Alastair's to get some measurements and borrow his body support brackets. I have ordered some metal ready to make them. While I was a Alastair's we offered a section of body up to his chassis. I have also found a gear leaver that I have been looking for, for over a week as I will need the reverse lock and securing cap parts. It is pictured next to the Loyd gear lever that came with the project. Peter.

Thanks Andrew. I have never seen a U,J, with a hole through the centre. I followed Andrew's instructions and had the U,J, off in about 5 minutes, I then removed the rubber mounting plate off the back of the gearbox. Looking at the pictures the rear bearing looks to be made in Germany. Peter.

I am still looking but I am probably going to have to get a set cast. Does anybody else need any to help offset the cost of the patterns? Peter.

I have been sorting through parts to see what I need. One unknown was the gearbox so I have split it from the engine and have started pulling it apart. First thoughts are there is a lot of play on the clutch release shaft and there is a ridge on the shaft it's self. The first, second gear and top gear which slide have a fair amount of wear and some damage. What I can see of the bottom gear cluster/ shaft look's to be good. The bearings seem to turn smoothly. The gearbox top seems to be the same as a bren gun carrier with the 2 lugs on the opposite side to a standard truck top although one lug has been cut down slightly. Next I need to figure out how to remove the U,J, as the last ford gearbox didn't have one. Peter.

I finished welding the the 4th and final seat today. There's a bit of grinding for Alastair to do. The good news is that my Loyd has a simple bench seat. Peter.

Still looking! Peter.