Cdn Ferret C/S 31 restoration

[Robin Craig]

This will be the start of a thread showing most things that I am doing on our Ferret.

The vehicle was purchased nearly 2 years ago and there is some info that I posted here:- http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ghlight=ferret

The basic intent of what I am doing is to make the vehicle as reliable and useable and roadworthy without any new holes of anything welded on.

I only get a few months over the winter to monopolise shop space and even then I have to be careful. It is only over the winter that I can get enough time to do what I want as part of my job is farming which sucks the hours out of a day.

The vehicle will not be a shiny hangar queen but a daily used vehicle with scuffed paint and a few hand prints.

I will be doing a few minor modifications that are all reversible and do not detract from the vehicle and to be quite frank 99% of you would never even know what has been done as either you dont know Ferrets or you can't see what has been done.

I would like to point out that I am not wealthy and am very fortunate to be employed by someone who shares my interests and affords me the use of shop space and heavy equipment and tools and jigs that we have made for Ferrets in the collection that I manage.

I am without question, opinionated and a different cat and those of you who know me will likely get a chuckle out of that. Those of you who dont know me will likely think i'm just rude sadly you are mistaken, i'm being blunt.

I would like to thank Colin Stevens for his work on Canadian Ferrets, even though this one is an exception to the rule.

So, to date the following has been done:-

Photos all around

The engine was run a few weeks ago and sounded quite sweet

Fuel tank removed

Power pack has been pulled

Fuel tank is back from cleaning

Propeller shafts removed

The pack is sitting on a stand, to be split shortly

Th hull has been dug out, literally, loads of soil and pine needles, a few bolts and a socket and one mg link

regards

Robin

[Robin Craig]

One of the major issues that I will be dealing with is a supply of clean fuel.

Sadly because of the inverted horse shoe shape of the tank the right side only fills once the level on the left side reaches the middle and the fuel flows over the middle hump.

Lack of good housekeeping practises with Ferrets result in fuel being orphaned on one side as owners don't change over the fuel tap to draw from the other side. The vehicles in the collection when used get the tap switched over at the half way point in the journey and have the tanks brimmed off for anti-condensation best results.

One of the modifications I would suggest anyone does is to extend the banjo bolt with a small tube brazed or soldered into the centre just to lift the draw point a small way up.

It is shown in drawing form here http://www.ferret-fv701.co.uk/useful_info.htm quite a ways down the page.


R

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Robin

Thanks for sharing the Daimler Ferret Useful info web site http://www.ferret-fv701.co.uk/useful_info.htm I had never seen this one before. Who ever put it together has put a lot of effort and time into a most interesting and informative web site regardless of if you have a Ferret or not.

The comment about the fuel tank design leaving fuel in one side unless you change over the fuel valve reminded me of Rider Rental a truck rental company in the states at one point modified many of their trucks with saddle tanks by putting a small cross feed line between the tanks, reason too many service calls trucks stopped by the side of the road with a fuel tank of fuel. Of course the engine was using the other tank. I've heard of the same problem with motor cycle tanks which have the same saddle configuration and the same issue of collecting dirt and water in one side if both sides are not used regularly.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers Phil

[Robin Craig]

Here are some better pictures, things electronic like digital cameras give me grief, maybe because they have no grease nipple . .

The radiator is already off hence the end view of the fan.


R

[Robin Craig]

Rad shop called, original one the lower tank is pooched. Pulled off the rad from the other vehicle and will send that in, somehow it doesn't look much better.

Anyone got any fave rad rebuilders who are artisans?

R

[Andrew]

Did you try your local Napa? I have talked to local napa and they have a rad re-builder in Barrie Ont. They say they have sent him tiny rads to huge semi rads, plus old farm tractor rads that they never thought could be fixed lol

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

Rad shop called, original one the lower tank is pooched. Pulled off the rad from the other vehicle and will send that in, somehow it doesn't look much better.

Anyone got any fave rad rebuilders who are artisans?

R