Fordson WOT6

[67burwood]

!!!!!! JACKPOT !!!!!! 🍻🍻

A minor bit of surface rust but no wear, no play and turns smoothly 

 

 

And this is what the prop is supposed to look like 😁

 

[mtskull]

Excellent!  You deserve a slice of good fortune 👍
 

What next, swap the diff or just transplant the entire axle?

Edited December 1, 2022 by mtskull

[67burwood]

12 minutes ago, mtskull said:

Excellent!  You deserve a slice of good fortune 👍
 

What next, swap the diff or just transplant the entire axle?

I am going for a straight axle replacement, there’s no point dismantling a working unit, I’ve cleaned and flushed it, hopefully get it painted this weekend.

[Pete Ashby]

2 hours ago, 67burwood said:

!!!!!! JACKPOT !!!!!! 🍻🍻

And this is what the prop is supposed to look like 😁

 

The amount of ware on the left hand prop shaft spline is something else !!!!!!

very pleased for you that the axle looks like it's going to come good and the rest of the spares truck turns up a few more useful parts

Pete  

[Rootes75]

That is brilliant news!!

[Citroman]

Good find.

[11th Armoured]

Fantastic news! 👍

[Zero-Five-Two]

Nice to get a result every now and again, good for morale. 👍

[67burwood]

Rear axle progress report 

 

Rear axle cleaned and painted 

 

Torque tube and propshaft fitted

 

Rear axle back in place. New can of straight gear oil arrived yesterday, just need to tighten the U bolts and fill with oil, typically the weather isn’t playing ball to get it finished. 
 

Opinions and advice needed in regards to Divisional markings

I am going to order some stencils soon so I’d like a few ideas for 1944-45 markings, what’s division’s/regiments would have had a machinery truck issued during that period??

[Richard Farrant]

2 hours ago, 67burwood said:

Opinions and advice needed in regards to Divisional markings

I am going to order some stencils soon so I’d like a few ideas for 1944-45 markings, what’s division’s/regiments would have had a machinery truck issued during that period??

As the WOT6 was a Machinery lorry, it would have been in service with REME, the one I was involved in restoring is shown here, with the Blue, Yellow and Red sign to denote REME and 99 over it for Workshop unit. The other sign was for 6th Guards Armoured Brigade, significant in our area as one of the first V1 flying bombs dropped on their camp and killed a large number of REME personnel.

The QL is mine, photo taken about 14 years ago.

[simon king]

All infantry and armoured divisions would have attached REME elements.
 

It’s a case of choosing

(a) which division you want to represent. Divisional signs are readily illustrated on t’internet. This marking goes on the near side front AND rear

(b) add the REME Arm of Service square on the offside front and rear.The REME AoS square is same size as Div sign - blue over yellow over red

(c) add the unit code in white on the AoS square. In 1944 in an Armoured Division this is 99 for the Armrd Brig workshop and 100 for the Inf Brig workshop. In an Inf.  Division the numbers were 88, 89 or 90 for each of the three brigades in the division.

The other markings included speed limit, Prep for Overseas Movement number and colour bars and markings to show the state of preparation for wading ashore

[67burwood]

2 hours ago, Richard Farrant said:

As the WOT6 was a Machinery lorry, it would have been in service with REME, the one I was involved in restoring is shown here, with the Blue, Yellow and Red sign to denote REME and 99 over it for Workshop unit. The other sign was for 6th Guards Armoured Brigade, significant in our area as one of the first V1 flying bombs dropped on their camp and killed a large number of REME personnel.

The QL is mine, photo taken about 14 years ago.

Thanks Richard 

REME markings it is , just need to choose a division. 

[67burwood]

2 hours ago, simon king said:

All infantry and armoured divisions would have attached REME elements.
 

It’s a case of choosing

(a) which division you want to represent. Divisional signs are readily illustrated on t’internet. This marking goes on the near side front AND rear

(b) add the REME Arm of Service square on the offside front and rear.The REME AoS square is same size as Div sign - blue over yellow over red

(c) add the unit code in white on the AoS square. In 1944 in an Armoured Division this is 99 for the Armrd Brig workshop and 100 for the Inf Brig workshop. In an Inf.  Division the numbers were 88, 89 or 90 for each of the three brigades in the division.

The other markings included speed limit, Prep for Overseas Movement number and colour bars and markings to show the state of preparation for wading ashore

Thanks for the info, all very helpful, I might look for a locally based division during ww2. 

[ajmac]

Thanks to a chance encounter over Seamus's search for a WOT6 crown wheel and pinion I have picked up a WOT6 to have as a back burner project while I complete the Loyd Carrier.  Lots of knowledge crossover between the two vehicles due to the Fordson hardware used in the Loyd design.  I've started a Youtube series just like the one I occasionally update for the Loyd Carrier.  Thanks again for the info Seamus.

 

PS. I apologise for the very brief video, the next part will be a more substantial length.

Also started a facebook page as a hub for WOT6 info as I gather it.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088725355166

[67burwood]

13 minutes ago, ajmac said:

Thanks to a chance encounter over Seamus's search for a WOT6 crown wheel and pinion I have picked up a WOT6 to have as a back burner project while I complete the Loyd Carrier.  Lots of knowledge crossover between the two vehicles due to the Fordson hardware used in the Loyd design.  I've started a Youtube series just like the one I occasionally update for the Loyd Carrier.  Thanks again for the info Seamus.

 

PS. I apologise for the very brief video, the next part will be a more substantial length.

Also started a facebook page as a hub for WOT6 info as I gather it.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088725355166

Your welcome Alastair, another wot6 saved 👍👍

[Rootes75]

I saw your posts on FB today and I think big project but definitely worth saving!!

[ltwtbarmy]

On 12/30/2022 at 3:24 PM, 67burwood said:

Rear axle progress report 

 

Rear axle cleaned and painted 

 

Torque tube and propshaft fitted

 

Rear axle back in place. New can of straight gear oil arrived yesterday, just need to tighten the U bolts and fill with oil, typically the weather isn’t playing ball to get it finished. 
 

Opinions and advice needed in regards to Divisional markings

I am going to order some stencils soon so I’d like a few ideas for 1944-45 markings, what’s division’s/regiments would have had a machinery truck issued during that period??

Looking good! You’ll definitely be starting the new year with a smile once you get her back on the road. Am sure it will be a longer drive than the first one. Take care, and well done!

Edited January 1, 2023 by ltwtbarmy
Fat thumbs

[67burwood]

3 hours ago, ltwtbarmy said:

Looking good! You’ll definitely be starting the new year with a smile once you get her back on the road. Am sure it will be a longer drive than the first one. Take care, and well done!

Many thanks, 🤞a couple of dry days and it should be ready for a longer road test. 

[67burwood]

Is it just me that gets a nervous feeling before a road test??

especially when you’ve had a major breakdown🤨

you almost feel like you keep finding jobs to do just to avoid the treaded road test!!

Well hopefully I’ve covered everything this time, the rear axle is now back in place, filled with fresh oil and ready for testing.  I decided to tackle a few outstanding jobs before the road test ( yes I was just putting it off ) but the jobs still needed doing. On the first outing it was noted the suspension was very bouncy , I’ve since removed each shackle pin from the front springs to check operation ,clean and grease, each pin was tight and dry so hopefully this will have improved the ride, next job was to carry out the same task on the rear springs, this however was a very different story!!!

 

Rear spring shackles, should be simple enough, remove the cotter pin and drive out the shackle pin with a chisel in the slotted end.

 

Top pin, tight but eventually came out.

 

Bottom pin!! 🤬 took just over a day to remove, it was rusted solid, I eventually had to drill into the bush to soak it with penetration oil  

 

I had the blow torch, sledge hammer and a right arm that popeye would be proud of, it eventually gave up and now we have working rear suspension 🎉

 

Next job was more cosmetic but still another job, the wot6 should have storage lockers and Jerry can holders underneath, I did think about making storage lockers but after a route around in the shed I found two identical metal tool boxes  

 

These have been knocking around for year mainly filled with junk, after a few minor modifications and some new locks they worked a treat 

 

They both fitted in the same place as the originals would have done, just need a coat of paint and it’s job done, still need to make Jerry can holders but road test first 😩

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by 67burwood

[67burwood]

Well……the time had come to face my fears and road test the wot6!!

genuinely nervous given the disastrous maiden voyage but it had to be done at some time, the weather forecast showed today was the best day this week, double checked the oil, water and lights, crossed my fingers and headed off.

Just so I didn’t forget..

 

Thankfully everything went according to plan, 13 mile round trip without incident 🎉🎉🍻 Just need to practice the gear change, double de clutch on the way is fine but changing down is a different matter 

 

I invested in some wot6 ppe which is definitely needed 😂

 

 

Next job I’ll be looking at changing the exhaust, currently I have a Fordson major tractor silencer fitted as they run the same engine but at lower rpm, I do however need a bit of advice, I’m thinking of making the exhaust a bit longer and fitting another silencer or certainly a bigger box, I know it’s not a performance engine but can anyone foresee any running problems ??

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by 67burwood

[david1212]

I am pleased to see all the extra work was successful given what you had done in around 2 1/2 years up to  the drivetrain failure 3 months ago.

[67burwood]

So……I’ve taken the plunge and sold a kidney on the black market!!

Now I’m sure some people will say the timber should be hardwood but…it is being painted, so it will be protected and apparently you do need at least one kidney!! So the hardwood wasn’t an option….

106 meters of tongue and groove is required for the wot6 sides and tailgate.
Just need to get the router out and chamfer all the edges 😢

 

and then there’s the 400 coach bolts to drill and fit 🙄

4 hours later and a beautiful pile of chamfered timber appeared. 
 

 

The plan is to cut and dry fit all the panels before individually painting each one to give maximum protection, once everything has been fitted it will all get painted again in situ. 
 

[Rootes75]

We have gone tongue n groove softwood for the body sides and tailgate on our Commer. I see no problem at all with that. When its painted will anyone ever know?

[Trooper 3/9 RAAC]

Coming along nicely 67burwood, beautiful work.

Either on this forum, or another, someone stated that hardwood became scarce & expensive during & after the war & they reverted to using pine.

I've used Baltic Pine T&G on the sides of my 53 K model Bedford which I managed to get for free from a demo site, one side stained & outside will be painted. Will see me out.

I've sold my kidney years back & will probably need to flog off an eyeball by the time I'm finished! 😄 

another great little truck saved

cheers

Pierre

[Rootes75]

2 hours ago, Trooper 3/9 RAAC said:

Coming along nicely 67burwood, beautiful work.

Either on this forum, or another, someone stated that hardwood became scarce & expensive during & after the war & they reverted to using pine.

I've used Baltic Pine T&G on the sides of my 53 K model Bedford which I managed to get for free from a demo site, one side stained & outside will be painted. Will see me out.

I've sold my kidney years back & will probably need to flog off an eyeball by the time I'm finished! 😄 

another great little truck saved

cheers

Pierre

That's right, due to imported hardwood shortages softwoods were therefore used on MV bodies during the war.