AKA Cambridge carrier

[Jon Bradshaw]

Richard- Is there any info you can gain from this radiator ie: a standard one used on multiple variations or is it specific to this one?

Michael- Thanks I will try to see what it says about them -Amazon is out of copies of that volume right they have Vol 1 and 3 but not Vol 2. So I can't buy it.

I am told it has a B80 engine and the Saracen transmission so those should be fairly commonplace. Both the engine and transmission are seized so not the easiest to get running yet.

The final drive seems in good shape and free enough that it steers and brakes when under tow. The 5 speed shift lever and the reverse lever in the final drive are both stuck though.

The pics I took that day are not showing any data stamped on the hull. I will need to crawl around on it next summer when I have time.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

Richard- Is there any info you can gain from this radiator ie: a standard one used on multiple variations or is it specific to this one?

I am told it has a B80 engine and the Saracen transmission so those should be fairly commonplace. Both the engine and transmission are seized so not the easiest to get running yet.

Hi Jon,
There is a brief description in this booklet about the FV432 and its predecessors:
http://www.fv432apc.com/manuals/fv43...432+series.pdf

I saw in an earlier post that this is a FV402 which according to the booklet is an Armoured Observation Post Team Carrier and fitted with a TN20 Hobbs transmission, whereas the FV401 is shown as having a Wilson pre-select type (which is of the type in a Saracen). Going by the photo of the gear selector, it does not look like a Wilson box.
The photo of the plate you posted, upper plate shows the radiator was made at Morris Motors' Osberton radiator works. The plate under it with the FV number will be the part number of the radiator, under that are inspectors stamps. More than likely specially built I would think.
Sorry, I have no other info on the Cambridge. Few were built as far as I know and mostly prototypes for trials I think.

[Jon Bradshaw]

I am not the expert on these British machines and am going on what I was told at time of sale. Here is a picture of the transmission, it has sat looking like this since about 1983 so the transmission is almost certainly a write off. Anyone who can identify it with certainty would be a help. Is it from a Saracen, another British vehicle or something else entirely?
I suppose also confirming that it is a B80 engine would be good.

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Jon
That does indeed look like an adapted pre-select box as used in a Saracen. The engine is a B80
Regards
Richard

[charlie fitton]

Now I'm jealous

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Jon
That does indeed look like an adapted pre-select box as used in a Saracen. The engine is a B80
Regards
Richard

Does the image Jon posted of the driver hand and foot controls show a third foot pedal to the left . . . a gear change pedal (GCP)?

Nigel Watson wrote in:
'Universal Carriers Volume II' at page 235:

"Power is supplied by a B80 Mk.2F engine and is transmitted through the transmission unit propeller shaft, Cletrac steering unit and coupling shafts to the final drive assemblies.

Either of two types of transmission unit may be fitted, namely the Wilson pre-selective gearbox and the Hobbs transmission unit. Both units simplify gear changing and eliminate the need for a clutch; therefore no clutch pedal is fitted.

Vehicles fitted with a Wilson gearbox are however fitted with a gear change pedal. Therefore vehicles fitted with a Hobbs transmission unit can be readily identified by the absence of the gear change pedal, there being only two foot control pedals fitted, the accelerator and the brake."

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

Does the image Jon posted of the driver hand and foot controls show a third foot pedal to the left . . . a gear change pedal (GCP)?

Nigel Watson wrote in:
'Universal Carriers Volume II' at page 235:

"Power is supplied by a B80 Mk.2F engine and is transmitted through the transmission unit propeller shaft, Cletrac steering unit and coupling shafts to the final drive assemblies.

Either of two types of transmission unit may be fitted, namely the Wilson pre-selective gearbox and the Hobbs transmission unit. Both units simplify gear changing and eliminate the need for a clutch; therefore no clutch pedal is fitted.

Vehicles fitted with a Wilson gearbox are however fitted with a gear change pedal. Therefore vehicles fitted with a Hobbs transmission unit can be readily identified by the absence of the gear change pedal, there being only two foot control pedals fitted, the accelerator and the brake."

The gearbox in Jon's photos is quite clearly a Wilson pre-selector, similar to a Saracen, only visible difference is the end plate and output drive flange ( A Saracen box is bolted up to the transfer box and no flange needed). This will mean swapping over some parts I guess.

The gear selector is the same layout to the Saracen (etc). The Cletrac steering is similar to the Oxford Carrier, with two sets of tillers.

[Jon Bradshaw]

To answer your question- Does the image Jon posted of the driver hand and foot controls show a third foot pedal to the left . . . a gear change pedal (GCP)?
--Yes there is a third pedal down at the left beside the final drive and it is attached into the side of the center gearbox. I do not know what it does, it may have been a carry over from other design and do nothing or it may be a gear change lever. I will need to take a closer look when the weather is warm again.
You also mention cletrac steering with dual tillers, do you have some insight into what final drive assembly this is? A "normal" final drive (like a T16) doesn't have a transmission style shifter built into it with 5 gears and a reverse lever.....
This makes me wonder if the transmission is almost superfluous and the final drive can act as the transmission? Or it is geared in such a way as to allow massively low and high gearing (might be why the 5th gear is locked out with a bolt) 5th and 5th would be really fast. 1st and 1st would climb almost any hill with a load under tow. The reverse lever would act like a ferret and give you the same 5+5 in reverse....

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

I am not the expert on these British machines and am going on what I was told at time of sale. Here is a picture of the transmission, it has sat looking like this since about 1983 so the transmission is almost certainly a write off. Anyone who can identify it with certainty would be a help. Is it from a Saracen, another British vehicle or something else entirely?
I suppose also confirming that it is a B80 engine would be good.

Hope springs eternal, and today is of course Sunday.

The derelict condition may not be final. It is possible that much more than meets the eye is salvageable.