Gordon_M Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 That's good news, I never did fancy cranking over something by hand, even at low compression. There can't be that much still to do on the Dennis, surely? I remember the radiator tanks were still a little suspect. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 [quote name= There can't be that much still to do on the Dennis' date=' surely? I remember the radiator tanks were still a little suspect. Gordon When we filled the Radiator yesterday, several of the small leaks re-appeared - the filler that we put on them last year has "given up" - and really not surprised at that! So the plan is to clean them up and then put a similar seal on them again for this year - and pattern make this winter so that the new tanks will be ready for next year. At least that's the plan! So much going on at the moment with the Thorny engine! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 (edited) Yes, new tanks are probably the answer. I did wonder about the aluminium 'welding' process someone here pointed me at to joint up the sheet metal on the Snow Tractor roof. http://durafix.co.uk/ This is some sort of low temperature alloy which will fuse with the aluminium and might be just the ticket. I vaguely remember that the tanks were severely pitted, but in relatively small areas? Of course the difficulty there might be getting your original repair epoxy out cleanly. Edited June 4, 2012 by Gordon_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 There can't be that much still to do on the Dennis, surely? Gordon Not much to do but always something. Completely finishing a project is always hard! At the moment I am playing with the mountings for the side curtain as it will be much safer fixed to the lorry than rolled up in my bedroom! I want to make up a heel block for the throttle pedal to try to make it a bit more comfortable to operate. There should also be some steps on the side of the body to allow you to climb in over the back wheels. They are a blacksmithing job and were postponed when my anvil was taken. I now have a replacement anvil but have been too busy keeping the rest of the toys operational to get stuck in. Earning a living is getting in the way too! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattinker Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 (edited) When we filled the Radiator yesterday, several of the small leaks re-appeared - the filler that we put on them last year has "given up" - and really not surprised at that! So the plan is to clean them up and then put a similar seal on them again for this year - and pattern make this winter so that the new tanks will be ready for next year. At least that's the plan! So much going on at the moment with the Thorny engine! Tony I realise that I' left out an essential word in my message making it incomprehensible! I've been thinking about how you could use the existing headers as patterns, extending the length and width of the flanges, that are used to bolt it to the radiator core. I've not seen it up close, but I would have thought that these are only critical dimensions, the shrinkage over the tanks them selves not being critical. Body filler could be used to make things smooth on the inside to make a core mould and to extend the flanges. Regards, Matthew Edited June 12, 2012 by mattinker 'd left out the essential "as patterns"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4860S Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Dear Tony, Steve and Tim. First a confession, whilst I am an enthusiast, I'm not into military vehicles specifically. I own a number of old cars but have never owned a truck. On a cold, wet and throughly miserable Monday (yesterday) in Sydney at 6.30am I was on the AACA Forum, where (I think) there was a link or reference to your Dennis restoration. So I opened it up. I wouldn't say I was engrossed or anything but lets just say that I couldn't stop reading it and in fact didn't until I finished it at 4.30pm. I got frustrated that I couldnt open some of the links, so I registered. Then I read your Thornycroft restoration blog. I have restored a few cars, however, I am astonished at the determination and dedication you guys have shown in even attempting this. Not only that, the quality of the thread itself - its not a thread it's a story and a rivetting one at that - is wonderful. So is the humilty. As somebody said in a post, you could walk past it and no one would know what an effort this has been. All I can say is thank you, it was not only interesting, it was also uplifting. I will continue to follow your continued exploits with anticipation. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Hi John, Well, thank you for those kind comments! We have always said that it has only been done for fun - but after putting the continuing "tale" on HMVF - and then finding others getting so much pleasure and interest out if has been a bonus for us. We have always been concerned that we might bore others - but so far, so good! Thank you, again! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks for that John. Very kind of you. We are amazed at the number of hits we continue to get and always delighted to have so many people share their good ideas when we reach a problem. Wherabouts was it on the AACA forum? Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4860S Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hi Tim, I found you here, when I was researching Peerless cars. http://forums.aaca.org/f188/peerless-research-findings-261660-4.html Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Ah yes. Thanks. That looks familiar. Do you have a Peerless car by any chance? Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) The Dennis will be out next weekend, for the first time this year, at the Honiton Hill Rally - Sunday and Monday 26th and 27th August! Tony Edited August 19, 2012 by Minesweeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 We have been getting ready for our local show today. Unfortunately we had a Month of rain in 24 hours making everything a little less fun and a great deal more wet. We put up the painted hood bows and fitted the end of the lorry which we had not done before: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 We are taking four trucks this year which will be a handful. Always training up new volunteer drivers We spent the rest of the day between showers of rain putting up the canvas: So we can have an early start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 This might be a long thread so i will post it in little chunks in case i start losing bits of it. Anyway, as you may remember we fitted an impulse starter on the magneto which made it a little easier to start. If you click on the image it should show you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 Hope that works for everyone. If you click on this image it should show you the Dennis running nicely. But that didnt last very long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 Just around the corner the engine started popping and banging and was generally gutless. We found a useful field gate to take refuge in: This was the first time we had been out with the new magneto. it started well but the timing was not right so had a quick rethink. A journey home too get the old magneto and we switched them over being careful not to upset the timing. It took about 30 minutes to do and then started really easily. What a great sound. Then reversed out back into the road and we were off again: This time running much better. Click on the photo below: Mark had already arrived in the field to get a taste of what conditions were like: The question is how do you get a three ton lorry on solids through a very muddy field. Well, it is all about driving style. Click on the image below to show Steve's positive driving style. And this is where we came to a stop. Or more "where the mud gained an upper hand". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 If anybody is having difficulty seeing the movies on photo bucket let me know and i will try something else. Thanks Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I think Steve's driving style could be described as softly, softly catchee monkey:D or to put it more technically, 'as slowly as possible, as quickly as necessary'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Great to see the fleet out and having fun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane.c Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Very nice lorrys there sound nice watched all the videos very good hope you had a good time, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 If anybody is having difficulty seeing the movies on photo bucket let me know and i will try something else. Thanks Tim Do you have any more video coverage of the rest your of the Fleet in the muddy conditions? How did the Autocars cope? I take the next addition to the vehicle stores will be a set of chains for the rear wheels! Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 The mud was a real trial for us. The tipper came through the gate and stopped. The Dennis managed a few more yards after the film clip and then stuck outside the beer tent. Both were assisted in with the Land Rover. The FWD did quite a bit better with my approach of blasting in through the gate in second with my foot clamped to the floor. Tim says that it was very exciting but unfortunately, he didn't have his camera in his hand. I managed to get as far as the military vehicle section before I found a really soft patch and stuck. The military Autocar did best of all and went all the way on its own. All four had to be dragged out and we have spent the rest of the week getting the mud off. It was during this process that I managed to push the Autocar into the back of the Dennis, mashing a side light. Nothing we can't repair but another job I really didn't want to have to do. Probably the first ime that two Great War vehicles have collided in sixty years! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Oh no what a shame Steve, as you say it can be repaired but its going to be a very time consuming job & you have better things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 It must prove the Dennis still has a Tommy's heart. I 'll at least get as far as the beer tent! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 A pity about the lamp. Still seeing your skills it will look allright again. Loved the video's, I was surprised how far the trucks got in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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