TooTallMike Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) Hi all, Seeing the current revival of interest in diesel conversions I thought I'd make a record of all of the engine conversions carried out by both Green Barn Services (my MV restoration & modification business), and by the individual members of Green Barn Group (our vehicle club). I plan to link all previous and future jobs in to this thread to make as full a record as possible. These conversions have ranged from Land Rovers up to High Speed Tractors, and we might be going even bigger this year. I can think of at least ten conversions in which I have been instrumental, with four more booked to happen consecutively after the current one, and several more in discussion. I'll start with the latest project which is for a customer in Stockton. We started with an ex-French Fire Brigade engine-less Ward laFrance delivered on a low loader. The customer had seen the YouTube video of my Yellow truck towing my scrap truck over the crest of a hill and commissioned me to do the same to his truck. He intends to leave the vehicle red so the spec was to bling the engine as per mine. The engine was built up before the truck was delivered and after steam cleaning the engine bay, it was fitted as per the attached photos. This is the 6th Cummins WLF conversion I've done, and the 5th to use a 6BTA so most of the issues are known although due to the nature of the vehicles every one throws up its own challenges. in this case it has been the wiring loom, but more of that later. For now I'll just post a selection of build photos with comments. Thanks to Chris B (Bartron) for the photos. Edited February 20, 2015 by TooTallMike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) Link to the conversion of my Yellow truck: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?34372-New-yellow-Ward-laFrance-from-France&highlight=yellow+ward Adrian Scott's truck: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?22325-Next-Ward-LaFrance-restoration&highlight=ward+cummins Mark Hart's truck: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?17372-Markheliops-Ward-La-France-diesel-conversion&highlight=ward+cummins Edited February 20, 2015 by TooTallMike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 View of my workshop last week with engines in various stages of build for up-coming jobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markheliops Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I'm liking that red paint Mike - looks cracking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 I'm liking that red paint Mike - looks cracking. Thanks mate, it's the colour I did the engine in the yellow truck and the customer liked it so much he wanted his the same! Isn't it time we pulled your engine and 'box back out for a paint-up? They'd look great in mid grey. - MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markheliops Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks mate, it's the colour I did the engine in the yellow truck and the customer liked it so much he wanted his the same! Isn't it time we pulled your engine and 'box back out for a paint-up? They'd look great in mid grey. - MG I have been meaning to sit down with a coffee as I have a number of wants for the Rugged Boys. Trouble is you're so busy matey! We'll get together soon and discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 First test drive of red truck conversion: - MG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Looking good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Mike; I am impressed, you could never accelerate in 5th gear ( or for that matter, any of the gears) like that with the 22R like you can with that Cummin's! John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) It’s been a while since I’ve updated this thread as we’ve been flat out. In between GMC brake rebuilds, LandRover repairs, Jeep restoration, truck maintenance and repair etc etc we’ve had three major projects on. The first was the recommissioning of an M151A2 imported from Vietnam. It had been taken to the owner’s local garage where they got it running and attempted to MoT it as received. It came back with the biggest failure list I’ve ever seen, running almost to a third sheet! They then said they couldn’t find the parts and advised the owner to find a specialist. After an appeal on HMVF we took on the job. A lot of work was carried out including a full brake rebuild, partial re-wire, welding, engine tuning and lots more, after which I’m pleased to say it flew through its test. Following that it was registered and returned to the happy owner after some gentle off and on-road testing. Edited August 18, 2016 by TooTallMike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 The second was re-engining a Federal 93 x 43 tractor unit. This involved the removal of a Belgian Army-installed AEC Matador lump, and replacement with a 5.9l Cummins 6BTA including intercooler. This was mated to the original ‘box and uses a custom-made clutch in order to work with the original linkage. This was followed by some axle work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 The third was re-engining a Ward laFrance M1 with a 265hp 8.3l Cummins 6CTA and Eaton 6-speed ‘box. The project also included a complete re-wire including upgrading the lighting, and some brake work. The truck’s debut was at A&E 2016 and it has gone on to win ‘Best Heavy Truck’ at Headcorn 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Top notch work by a top notch team as usual! :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Johns Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) Top notch work by a top notch team as usual! :thumbsup: The top notch team solving another intricate problem Edited August 19, 2016 by Nick Johns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 They're only pretendon they can read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Top notch thread Mike, thanks for posting and looking forward to further episodes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Maybe reading is their "Achilles heel"...:rotfl: I'll get my coat.:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Olaf, to quote from Rowan and Martin's Laugh In................ 'Funee but stoopid':cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ1988 Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 What happened to the AEC MAT lump you took out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted August 25, 2016 Author Share Posted August 25, 2016 What happened to the AEC MAT lump you took out? It was immediately sold to a Mat owner who now has it in reserve stock. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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