VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Mike Cecil]

Well spotted Chris: the Mk6A was restored by a staff member and an enthusiastic bunch of volunteers at the Army Tank Museum, so there is no guarantee that a No.19 set was ever actually fitted while the vehicle was in service.

Mike

[colin jones]

I have also continued on making the panels for the engine dividing wall

[colin jones]

As there are only two on each tank I will call them acceptable. They fit and look the part and will also be functional. Some photos I have seen have wire edge and some don't so mine don't. I need to get into the engine asap.

[colin jones]

I am certainly convinced that this engine had not done that many hours as gears, chains, general moving parts appear to have little wear on them but corrosion is the only problem that I can see. the timing chains were seized solid but persistence is paying off. I was able to get the very small wire out, the very small washer and the pin out and 100% confident it will restore like new.
The Magneto, again has little wear and I don't think too much corrosion. I suspect it too will be resurrected. The dynamo is seized solid but it's just another thing on the list

[colin jones]

After removing the sump as gently as I could it was not a good sight. One corner is all but corroded away and a section of the floor as well and I havn't looked inside yet. Also the crankcase spacer is also quite corroded as well. I knew it was very thin walled as I could hear the sound just tapping it. Rather disapointing

[colin jones]

I may have to re-evaluate this engine The crank appears to be good and I see it does have sleeves but the bottom is a mess. I will consider fabricating the whole bottom section but that will be a last resort as some of may have been line bored and that is not something I can do if it requires precision.
At this stage I will weigh up my options so far.

[David Dunlop]

Colin.

Bit of a shame with regards to the engine corrosion. It looks from your photos the main engine block assembly is in three parts. Upper holding the cylinders and pistons, middle unit holding the crank and related bits and then a lowermost cast, flat looking rectangular oil sump. Interesting design, if true. Could make for a lot of flexibility for various installations, but also a lot of headaches for restorations. And, of course, the latter point would not have been on anybody’s radar in the Meadows Design Branch in the 1930’s.

David

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I may have to re-evaluate this engine The crank appears to be good and I see it does have sleeves but the bottom is a mess. I will consider fabricating the whole bottom section but that will be a last resort as some of may have been line bored and that is not something I can do if it requires precision.
At this stage I will weigh up my options so far.

Colin,
The Lagonda club appear to have had some new sump castings made, maybe they are adaptable for the tank engine?

https://www.lagondaclub.com/shop/m45...eadows-engine/

I think the sump you have could be made of Elektron, a magnesium alloy, it was also used to make the mantlet in the turret.

Richard