Richie's Mk1 Restoration

[kevin powles]

That dimension might be 1/4" will check.

[RichardT10829]

Cheers guys !

Hopefully I should roll her out next week when I get back from Suffolk ! And get the engine pack installed. I still need to make the fuel tank floor mounts, which look like they may be a bit of a nightmare... Was thinking about flattening one and getting it copied for laser cutting.

Worst case scenario being I just run the machine from a jerry can for W&P

[Lynn Eades]

Do you know someone with a boat fuel tank?
A 4 mm welding rod makes a good source for the pins.

[Ben]

A sealed plastic boat tank isn't a bad shout if you don't get a metal one ready in time.

[RichardT10829]

Cheers, I have the straps and the base mounts for the turnbuckles, along with one turnbuckle (one missing) so it's just the floor "standoffs" I need to sort.

Anyone tell me how much oil I need to fill the gearbox and diff with ? ( I am on holiday and my books are not to hand) just going to order some oils online :-)

[Jordan Baker]

Those same turnbuckles are available today from Aircract Spruce. They are expensive but then again they are rated for aeronautical use. I don't have part numbers handy though.

I also just redid my original fuel tank. Poured muratic acid in. Let it sit on each side for a couple of minutes then sloshes it around to get the baffles. Rinsed out with many gallons of water and a box of baking soda. I then used the tank etch and sealer from Mac's AutoParts. Did two coats of sealer and it looks great. I also soldiered up three pin holes before sealing the tank.

[RichardT10829]

Well it's been a while since I posted up any progress.

The engine has finally been hooked up to a radiator and run through until hot and I am glad to say that no oil mixed with the water, and vice versa.

At this moment in time I have four or five different things on the go at once, time is certainly running down and there is a fear in the back of my mind that the carrier won't make it to war and peace..... There is not much left to do to get her mobile, but there is no time or financial contingent left now that we are counting down to H hour. So as long as things go without hitch we might just make it yet !

Checkie has supplied me with the required wiring to start running it through the carrier, so between other jobs, I have been running a cable in here and there.



I have had to re manufacture the fuel tank straps, which was pretty straight forward, there was enough bits to cobble up an original strap but for something safety critical like this I retired the original bits and made new.


As for the fuel tank I have coated the inside with POR15 so it's now ready for fuel !


The linkages have been on hold until the clevis pins arrive, however the new throttle pedal has been installed


And also the air duct scoop has had its new metal grafts onto the remains of the original.


I have also bolted on the fixed original bits to the axle cover plate.



Now that most of the dirty work has been done, I can start the detail work, which I decided would start with the disruptive pattern..... As used in 43 during Operation Husky.


And finally for now.... Just to remind myself how far the thing has come