GeePig Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 So how are the tyres actually fitted to the wheels? Are they bonded onto the wheels, bonded onto a steel ring, or simply a tight press fit on the wheel? I don't really know a lot about solid tyres, but find them worryingly fascinating. trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Moulded directly onto the wheel. They are not a preformed tyre and they are expensive to get remoulded.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I see, so I suppose in service you would just change the whole wheel if the tyre was damaged, which would mean that they kept spare wheels in stock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Indeed, it's not uncommon to see a spare wheel carried, usually hooked over a turret rear lifting eye. Wheel changing equipment was carried as part of the vehicle tool kit, though a front or rear wheel is a little challenging without breaking the track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 That is why I might try and find a spare wheel, to do it like this, either on the front or mounted on the turret, plus I have a little spare Comet track, it is a little bigger and wider, but not too many would know the difference, to put a few pieces on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon king Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 That is why I might try and find a spare wheel, to do it like this, either on the front or mounted on the turret, plus I have a little spare Comet track, it is a little bigger and wider, but not too many would know the difference, to put a few pieces on it. If using track as applique armour, there didn't seem to be too much concern that it was the same track as used on the tank. I seem to recall pictures of British tanks even using Pz IV track for this purpose sk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 It was quite common to use whatever was to hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Moulded directly onto the wheel. They are not a preformed tyre and they are expensive to get remoulded.... No different to any other tracked AFV wheel since, then? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 same diameter wheel for Cromwell, comet, centurion, chieftain and challenger (I think) unfortunately they are different widths and the later tanks have 12 studs not 8 like the Cromwell but they can be used with a little machining but i'd like to have the originals re-rubbered and seeing as how lance is paying for it all, money is no object on this resto :-D rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_shadock Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I seem to recall pictures of British tanks even using Pz IV track for this purpose what people think to be Panzer IV tracks are indeed Canadian CDP tracks, which look very similar. P-O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 same diameter wheel for Cromwell, comet, centurion, chieftain and challenger (I think) unfortunately they are different widths and the later tanks have 12 studs not 8 like the Cromwell but they can be used with a little machining but i'd like to have the originals re-rubbered and seeing as how lance is paying for it all, money is no object on this resto :-D rick 10 studs Rick, not 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 That is why you are the supervisor Adrian!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 thanks for the correction, brain not fully engaged today. cheers rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiver Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 For re-moulding road wheels has any one tried BH Leake and Sons in Birmingham? I have used them for years for all types of rubber rolls and tyres.They are a very helpful company and offer many types of material for bonding. http://www.bhleakerubber.co.uk/home 0121 472 0657 Hope this is of some use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 thanks for the info on the re mould guy, I have a fella in leeds in mind but i'll try them both and see what price they come up with. cheers rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 For re-moulding road wheels has any one tried BH Leake and Sons in Birmingham?I have used them for years for all types of rubber rolls and tyres.They are a very helpful company and offer many types of material for bonding.http://www.bhleakerubber.co.uk/home 0121 472 0657Hope this is of some use.Thanks for the info, everything helps out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 we've been busy this week :-D fuel tanks steam cleaned, repaired, tested and painted ready to be fitted. oil tanks cleaned and painted ready to fit. the engine is with the builder and the tear down starts on Monday we also had a quick look at the box and managed to free off the brakes and got the box to spin quite freely, we'll have a proper look at it on Monday and although we were told the box was knackered i'm fairly confident it will be ok with a bit of work. if the resto gods are on our side by the end of the next week the engine, clutch and gearbox will be ready for fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 more pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) Oooooooohhhhhh pretty........ August 44, very nice.. Edited April 6, 2014 by lssah2025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtonpete Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 (edited) Rick, is the engine going up to Carlisle??? Pete And please change the seal we had that prob with in situ... I'm only saying this cuz we learn by our mistakes. Grr box out again!! no good! It seems like ppl have to work upside down in tanks, gerrit right now then no crap later... Rick, were the fuel tanks in need of less attention than the others? Edited April 9, 2014 by ashtonpete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Pete, the fuel tanks and oil tanks were restored by the previous owner at Isle of Wight, the dash has been rebuilt already, the fuel gauges and speedo were already redone, same as some work on the drivers compartment, so those just needed to be checked over, and finished. The gearbox looks good on the inside Rick said, so hopefully no big issues, the engine was dropped off last week, I think they moved locations, but should be the same builder/restorer as the last. Next big project is the turret and figuring out what to do about the wheels, either try to have the rubber redone, or modify centurion wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 Some info from the engine rebuilder. I'm unable to get the inlet manifold water jackets off, it's a common problem caused by damp storage where the studs corrode into the alloy casting. Having drilled them out as far as I can, it is still solid, so I can get the engine apart by splitting the manifolds into two with a disc cutter, see red line on photo, but I need the go ahead for that as I don't have any replacements. They could be welded, but it all adds to the work. I could get it apart in about a week and a half, so overall, it's going to cost more than a good engine if you can find one that isn't seized up. Internally it looks ok, the oil is quite clean. It has wear on some of the cam lobes, typical of these engines. The ignition harnesses and magnetos look in poor condition too. So it looks like I will get to keep my 44 dated engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 the original engine going back in the tank is great and the original gearbox will be following it too :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoranWC51 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, I'm NOT jealous and I do NOT want my own Cromwell, .................... I've seen a few of the Charioteers and Comets that the Finnish armor museum have "behind the curtains", and I hope they'll release a few more to private collectors. We want to see more British armour running and being shown to the public. Fantastic work! Can't wait to see it running. Goran N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Goran there are more Cromwell/centaur hulls around than you might think. What is in short supply is the turrets but I plan on fixing that problem :cool2:. rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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