Richard Farrant Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Bloo*y hell,:shocked: you'd have to be brave and extremely clever to restore that one. :sweat:Believe it or not, I don't know a great deal about Albions, so I don't know what model this is. Could be a Chieftain :??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) Hello Richard, the only Albion I could find with a front panel the same as the moribund Albion in your picture, was a 1954 HD 57 eight wheeler. I believe cabs were made by several different manufacturers so I would imagine this is what the cab should look like. The design of the front panel is the same as my Albion, and my cab was made by A. C. Penman's of Dumfries. http://truck-photos.net.s3.amazonaws.com/108.jpg Will it ever look like this. Edited March 16, 2009 by Swill1952xs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Will, if you get time, would you please include a close up 'photo of the type of headlights fitted to your lorry ? Thanks. These are the type of headlights I'm looking for. As I said previously, they are the same as the ones for sale on E bay, apart from them having an embellisher ring or rim between the front flange of the headlight and the mounting bowl. It looks like a normal headlamp embellisher rim fitted the wrong way round; which is why I call them "Inside out headlamps" :-D The ring I am talking about sits between the visible slots of the mounting bowl and covers the space between the two parts of the headlight. The corroded aluminium plinth is an Albion part and is not part of the headlamp assembly. Er........ this is the view from the front, showing the embellisher ring around the outside edge. Hope you can understand which part I'm trying to describe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormin Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Isn't that a standard military lighting part as fitted to Land Rovers, Bedford MJ's, Etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Yep it is, there is a guy breaking MJs for spares on ebay. Might be worth sending him a message... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bedford-MJ-transfer-box-4x4-military-breaking-TK-TL-MJ_W0QQitemZ110342584366QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM?hash=item110342584366&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 It looks like a normal headlamp embellisher rim fitted the wrong way round; which is why I call them "Inside out headlamps" I've come over all funny and have had to go and have a lay down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekawrecker Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Right.................... now for the porn shots. :-D Do ya wanna see my underneath :cool2: Looking forward......... the front axle is a bit skinny for a 20 tonner...... must have been made out of some good steel. The beergox casing is all aluminium, and the sump is a massive ally casting too. The rear axles are permanently linked worm and wheel diffs. I don't know if Albion made these or not. Braking is full air Westinghouse equipment. Axle travel is limited by cable stops at the end of the springs. Suspension is two inverted semi elliptic springs. A very interesting vehicle, esp being a short wheelbase 3 way tipper, I'll certainly be looking forward to its completion. I see it's got an auxillary low range box fitted which I believe is quite easy to turn round to give a bit more speed. Keep up the good work 'Swill'- I will let you know if I come across an Edbro 3 way body, but if it's still attached to a Militant, I'll be buying it complete!!:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) A very interesting vehicle, esp being a short wheelbase 3 way tipper, I'll certainly be looking forward to its completion.I see it's got an auxillary low range box fitted which I believe is quite easy to turn round to give a bit more speed. Keep up the good work 'Swill'- I will let you know if I come across an Edbro 3 way body, but if it's still attached to a Militant, I'll be buying it complete!!:-D I had wondered about the reduction box and whether it was possible to either reverse the gears or the whole unit. The mountings are different from end to end and the speedo drive comes off the back output shaft, so reversing it is out of the question. I have a complete unopened unit on the donor truck, and will probably have a good look inside that one to investigate the possibilities. My first priority is to get the cab done and get it on the road. I doubt whether I will achieve it, but there is a local show in September that I am using as a target to at least get it on the road. My hunt for a tipper body will be my next priority, but if I can't find one, I have considered trying to rebuild it to an acceptable standard, or fitting a cargo body until something turns up. I don't hold out much hope of finding one really, as I would imagine that out of the few of these that were made, most would have ended up being put on something else or turned into a trailer. As they say though.... something may turn up. I will tell you something though; if you can find one on a Millie, you certainly won't be selling it as they are probably as rare as the proverbial rocking horse poo. Yo may also find that there will be people clambering over one another trying to buy it off of you, judging by the comments made about mine and the Millie pictures. I'd love to have a Millie tipper, and of course an Albion CX22 gun tractor, both fantastic looking trucks. P.S. That aint rust under the truck................... its good old brick yard dirt, which has done a grand job of protecting the paint under it. I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to clean it all off when I got it all those years ago. Edited March 18, 2009 by Swill1952xs Additional comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Having spent far too much of my life in truck breakers yards and the like I have to say I've rarely seen a good s/h steel 3 way body, let alone an Edbro one. Looks like the only thing to do is make one to your pattern. However, is it worth being very cheeky and contacting Edbro? They might just be prepared to help in some way, especially if you can show them a stunning chassis restoration, and perhaps in return for some occasional "sponsorship" appearances for them? I know it's a long shot, but you never know!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 pictures taken in 1990 Travellors at a concert site. Wonder where it is now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 dont know where or when this was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 pictures taken in 1990 Travellors at a concert site. Wonder where it is now. Ooooooooh..........................spare parts......... well it is an 'N', and a fairly solid looking one. Obviously summer time, because they don't have heaters..............got plenty of ventilation though. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 I've been looking around various websites looking for some suitable steel to use in the cab restoration. So far all I've discovered is that most of the companies I knew have been swallowed up by the bigger fishes, and all you can get now is steel sheet in stupid metric sizes. :n00b: What the :argh: happened to the 8 x 4 sheets we used to be able to get................. all you seem to be able to get width wise, is either 1.0 metre wide or 1.25 metres. Absolutely no 'kin use whatsoever. I don't want to make the :argh:back panel in two sections, cos it wasn't like that in the first place. A four foot sheet is pushing it a bit but at least it would just about do the job. 8 x 4 sheets were a good idea for transport; they could either be put crossways across a truck, or two packs side by side..........great idea. Now we get these stupid sizes that are about as much use as a chocolate teapot. :banghead: Anyone know someone who does sensible sized sheets? (South East of Londinium) What I really want is 2.5 x 1.5 metres in 1.0 mm. The front of the cab is made from 1.5mm stuff, but I can buy some sheets about the right size for that. Oh.......... an' paint's the other thing. I have 5 litres of the gloss green, but would like it painted in the deep bronze green ? but with a satin finish, because I don't think it would look right in high gloss. Gloss also shows up blemishes more too. I want it to look smart, but not overdone. The matt Nato green looks too modern for this truck. Anyone know where you can get good quality paint for less than a tenner a litre. I will be asking the local tractor dealers as they used to do Land Rover green paint at a very good price, but I would need to check up on the colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 dont know where or when this was. Is it that Army driving school again............. That Dude looks pretty pleased with himself for getting his truck balanced on top of those blocks. :-D The picture has that seventies look about it. The truck itself has a more civilian look about it from the cab and wheels point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 What the :argh: happened to the 8 x 4 sheets we used to be able to get................. all you seem to be able to get width wise, is either 1.0 metre wide or 1.25 metres. Absolutely no 'kin use whatsoever. :confused: I know a man with a guilotine..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Is it that Army driving school again............. That Dude looks pretty pleased with himself for getting his truck balanced on top of those blocks. :-D The picture has that seventies look about it. The truck itself has a more civilian look about it from the cab and wheels point of view. That is an Albion Clansman 6x4 3 ton Machinery truck, basically a mobile workshop, the body was of same design as that used on the prewar open cab 6x4 3 tonners and also the wartime Ford WOT6. The sides fold out to act as benches, carried lathes, drill, grinder, etc, depending on role. They were basically a civilain truck introduced around 1948-50 or thereabouts. I remember them still in service in late Seventies, before disposed of. That one looks to be a demobbed one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Anyone know where you can get good quality paint for less than a tenner a litre. I will be asking the local tractor dealers as they used to do Land Rover green paint at a very good price, but I would need to check up on the colour. Be warned that Land Rover Green from tractor dealers, is no longer Deep Bronze Green. Years ago, Rover used DBG as a standard colour, but on the Defenders it is now a different shade and that is what New Holland / Ford / Case IH branded paints are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 That is an Albion Clansman 6x4 3 ton Machinery truck, basically a mobile workshop, ....... I remember them still in service in late Seventies, before disposed of. That one looks to be a demobbed one. Richard, there have been several of these restored trucks offered for sale over the last 18 months. Fitted with replica bodies, tipper / flat. The trucks seem to have done very few miles. I was surprised at the use of a small 4 pot engine, must have been difficult making headway with a heavily stocked machinery body :sweat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Richard, there have been several of these restored trucks offered for sale over the last 18 months. Fitted with replica bodies, tipper / flat. The trucks seem to have done very few miles. I was surprised at the use of a small 4 pot engine, must have been difficult making headway with a heavily stocked machinery body :sweat: Tony, Normally those mobile workshops stood around until a major exercise and did little mileage. I understood they were obtained postwar as a stopgap. Mind you the predecessor Machy wagons, were Ford WOT6 with V8 and Bedford QL, both running around 9 ton gross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Parker Steel, Zintec, cold rolled general purpose, mild steel, 2.5 x 1.25 http://www.parkersteel.co.uk/macros/Product.mac/Product?VisitorID=VVVVVF9K9V1&Status=guest&From=home&Product_No=0086347&MatrixURL=%2Fmacros%2FHierarchy.mac%2FMatrix%3FVisitorID%3DVVVVVF9K9V1%26Status%3Dguest%26From%3Dhome%26table_ref%3D21 Give them a ring for small orders, I use the and they will deliver small lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Parker Steel, Zintec, cold rolled general purpose, mild steel, 2.5 x 1.25 http://www.parkersteel.co.uk/macros/Product.mac/Product?VisitorID=VVVVVF9K9V1&Status=guest&From=home&Product_No=0086347&MatrixURL=%2Fmacros%2FHierarchy.mac%2FMatrix%3FVisitorID%3DVVVVVF9K9V1%26Status%3Dguest%26From%3Dhome%26table_ref%3D21 Give them a ring for small orders, I use the and they will deliver small lots. I wonder if they can get larger sizes cut to special order. What I really need for the back panel, is 2.0 metres x 1.5, which will give me more than enough to make the folding return edge on the panel. 1.25 I've just discovered is just on four feet.............. aren't I a silly old Hector.:red: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I wonder if they can get larger sizes cut to special order. What I really need for the back panel, is 2.0 metres x 1.5, I'm sure you can get it, but probably only through specialist suppliers to sheet metal workers. I think the fabricating company I use in Norwich keep it. Try googling Stevenage Sheet Metal and give them a call - they advertise press brake work up to 4m width, so must be able to get larger sheets to feed it with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 No pictures of this weekends work, as I have now removed all of the cab floor from the donor chassis. I had a bit of a sortout of all the parts I will be re-using and made a pile, ready to have them sand blasted. I have found a couple of local companies and will be contacting them next week to see how quickly they can do them. I had a look at the cab front panel with regard to replacing the outer skin and discovered that when it was made, it was rather enthusiastically spot welded together, so it wont be a five minute job to dismantle it. I'm hoping to order some steel sheet next week so I should have plenty to do when I'm on holiday in a weeks time. Over the weekend I have decided more or less exactly how I will go about the restoration of the complete truck. I'm hoping to remove all of the cab, clean and paint the chassis and engine. The cab floor and front panel will be fitted next folowed by the back panel. That way when the side panels are finished, the outer cab shell will be complete. At this stage the windscreens can be made (Again by a local company "2 Plus One Windscreens", Uckfield) and fitted. Then we are getting down to the nasty bits............ repairing the roof and repairing the wings. As previously mentioned, I will restore the inner wings and try to get some new outer ones made. The wings should be one piece but can easily be fitted in two sections or joined once they have been correctly located. There are also some additional supports to be fitted under the wings, but they are straightforward enough to make and fit. These add strength at the front and support the weight of the steps at the back of the cab. The cab doors require a fair bit of work to the bottoms, but that shouldn't be a major headache. Bit of a boring post, but there will always be times when there doesn't seem to be much happening visually, but I just wanted you to know that I have been plodding on towards my ultimate goal. Fortunately as the donor truck is dismantled I can transport large bits around in my motorhome. I have a 1979 Transit Autohome 4 berth with a central rear door. Just right for big bits, 8 x 4 sheets of steel and it saves ruining my Fiat Ulysse interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill1952xs Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 So far this week I've sorted and stripped trim from all the cab floor parts, and delivered them to a local firm for sandblasting. I hope they aren't going to rip me off. I've asked them to zinc spray all the parts when they've been cleaned, so hopefully that should help prevent rust re-occurring. When the parts come back I will have a more or less complete cab base to refit. Today I have removed the outer skins of the front panel. The dude that did the spot welding was pretty enthusiastic. It is now in eight pieces instead of one. One of the outer sections of the front panel is 99% complete and will make an excellent pattern for two new ones. Again the good sections of it will be sand blasted before assembly. It will be painted internally, and waxoyled on assembly, to improve life expectancy. There have been numerous colours on the front panel, but at the moment I haven't recorded them. Boring you may think, but it may give some clues to what it has done for the last fifty six years. Paint is easy to remove from the chassis on these vehicles as they seem to have been painted with silver paint when they were manufactured, prior to the green being added. The gloss green paintwork must have been done when A. C. Penmans fitted the cabs. I have also managed to remove the injectors from the donor vehicles engine. I've put about half a litre of gas oil down each bore and tried to move the engine, but it wont budge either way now. :argh:. There's definitely something wierd about that engine. I can't see that it has siezed up when I left my other one without running it for eight years and it fired up like someone drove it yesterday. When I first tried to start it a couple of months ago, I decided to take the inlet ducting off as it had been open to the elephants for some time. I found a nut in the manifold............ not a metal one but a flippin' hazel nut:shocked: I have a nasty suspicion I may find more when I remove the rocker covers (Inlet manifold built into them) as when the decompressor levers are operated,; they don't seem to be connected to anything or offer any resistance. I'm beginning to think that the valves may be off their seats and me rocking the engine to and fro; may have firmly jammed them under the valve seats and now be preventing the pistons from moving. Hence the reason the decompressor doesn't appear to be working. We shall see. It certainly seems strange that I managed to move the engine a few weeks ago, but now it is locked solid. If this is not the case I may try to borrow an endoscope to have a look down the bores and see what's going on. :coffee: I will let you know what I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Good to hear you are progressing well mate ! She's gonna be a beauty I am sure ! Keep us posted please its all very interesting ! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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