Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Darrin Wright]

Removed the blocks welded to the LHF gunners floor section that hold down the Vickers ammo box tray and replaced them with new items. Cleaned up some threaded blocks with a tap, have managed to save and tidy up a few of them, so will not have to cut them off and replace them. Many of the blocks on the floor are rusted beyond use due to dirt and moisture build up.

Finished making and welding my V8 engine stand, welded in some rear legs and 2 vertical supports for the engine bell housing. I wanted it so that I can just have the engine sitting in the stand and also the gear box on it, so hopefully in the future I can run it up as a test bed.

To finish the engine stand required a floor crane, so I went and picked one up from the tool place. After doing some research found that they are all made in China to the same specs, depending on which company places an order will then depend on what colour it gets painted and the load rating on the boom. All cranes have a 8 tonne ram on them. Anyway, a very handy item to have as I will also lift the suspension with it when the time comes.
It's a red one too.

With the engine stand complete, I also pressure cleaned the engine and gear box and removed the mechanical PTO from the side of the box, something I do not need and will sell. It may suit a tipper, but fits any Ford/New Process gear box.