Armor removal and armor screws

[Mrs Vampire]

Hi I am up to removing the armor from my Stuart.

I have done this before many years ago on on other Stuarts with less than happy outcomes for the armor screws.

I have so far done the full flush with oil of wintergreen etc mixtures to get as much penetration as possible. I have whacked them with a 1 inch drive rattle gun . My next trick will be to heat them and cool them try to get a bit of penetrant into then when they are warm .

Heating stuff up is always a trick with all the accumulated oil etc around.

I cant find any reference to special screwdrivers for armor in my parts/reference books. The screws are a pain as they have very narrow slots given their size. Every screw I stuff up means a screw I have to make.

Any clues would be gratefully received.

[Andrew]

Im not firmillar with what kind of bolts it has, are they like american halftrack bolts? Countersunk flat head bolts?

Andy

[Mrs Vampire]

Yes just about the same.

The large armor bolts are about 1/2 inch I think the biggest on a half track is 3/8

there are about twenty at 1/2 inch and thirty at 3/8

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Gina,
Same problem here with the Staghound turret, the front plate has 1"
countersunk screws with locknuts on the inside.
I made an 1 1/8" Screwdriver out of an old leaf spring because I couldn't find a big long driver to fit. Then I made a bar to fit horizontal to the screw driver to control the twist. CRC, heat and swearing also help.
Two person job to undo each bolt.
Wayne

[Andrew Rowe]

Another cunning trick is to mig a reasonable size tack on each side of a hex nut, then use a standard socket while it is still warm. You have to relinish the top of the screw when finished , but at least you achieve the job. Just make sure the tack welds don't cover the slot area of the screw.

[Mrs Vampire]

OK thanks for the great tips...will organize a bit of leaf spring and a Mig and give it a go....

Wayne any recommendations most effective words re the swearing.... ???

[Lynn Eades]

I'm guessing its a spur of the moment personal inspiration thing.

[Andrew]

Gina, here is a tool on ebay right now. Its expensive but you can get ideas to make one yourself. on my halftrack I just heated nut up and used a flat head ended socket for my 3/8 drive ratchet, although the t handle would be better i would think

www.ebay.com/itm/like/231269007868

Andy