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

[Darrin Wright]

Had a delivery of parts during the week, this enabled me to:
fit the hub locking washer to the L side and bolt axles in
fit a new shaft for the clutch fork, into the gear box
fit another starter motor and play around with that
fit the gear box output yoke (drive coupling) to the gear box

I also assembled the exhaust system into the back of the hull with new tail pipe brackets. Then lifted the rear armour diff cover into position to test fit the tail pipe positions and where the mufflers will sit. From this I will now make the brackets to mount the mufflers and finish the exhaust system. Will also straighten the mounting brackets for the rear armour diff cover as this determines how/where the exhaust sits.

Sorry, not much to take pictures of...

[Darrin Wright]

I picked up the stater motor from the auto elec on Friday and swapped over the bendix drive, and today using the car with a new 12V battery attempted to start the engine.
Had to drive into town and get fuel for it as the last lot had been used in the mower.

After winding it over for approx 1 minute I then switched the ignition on and it fired straight away. Only ran it for a minute as I did not have my cooling system attached.
Installed the temporary cooling and have ran it for a couple of minutes with some RPM.
The timing and fuel settings all seem fine.

I have also installed the steering cam plate assembly into the hull and started to install the tube axle rollers and clamps.

Pretty happy with the engine as I was starting to get the s@#t's with the little problems that were stopping it from starting.

Anyway, at last it now runs.

[Ric Davies]

That first engine run is always a great moment. Specially after a few dramas,congrats. Did you go ahead with the electronic ignition ?

[Darrin Wright]

After all the little problems it was awesome to hear it run.

I am still investigating the electronic ignition, I wanted to get it running first to see how it behaves.

I have an email back from Jolly's Engineering in the UK ref the electronic ignition as they are the only ones who have an electronic ignition unit for the V8 with the helmet ignition. I have more questions for them. Their electronic ignition requires a 12V negative earth system, which is not a problem for me.

I have been starting the engine on 12V and have the ignition on 6V, ran the engine some more today to get it warm and check performance.
Oil pressure when warm--- idle is approx. 40-50 psi, high rpm 70-80psi, giving it a bit, oil goes up to 90psi.
There is a bit of bark out the exhaust at high rpm and returning back to idle, not sure if that is timing, over fuelling or a V8 trait.

I also installed the felt sections in the inside of the engine cover where the radiator sits and also the gun mount on the top cover of the engine cover.

Before & after pics of the felt on the inside of the engine cover.

[Darrin Wright]

This weekend not much was accomplished on the BGC, took the Jeep and Dodge out to a local car show Saturday morning not far from home and displayed them from 10 til 2pm. Came with free morning teas and lunches , weather was excellent with many different vehicles on display (approx. 50). Pics attached of a slat grill Jeep, my Jeep & Dodge and a 42 Chev.

Mixed some paint with a 20% flattening base and did a test spray on some small parts, it produced a satin effect. Will look at it again next weekend when completely dry and do another test spray at possible 30% flattening base.
Cleaned up my NOS hand throttle cables and painted them.

Went to fit the steering tube axle clamps that hold the rollers that follow the steering cam plate. Could not fit them as they are an item that it required to be bolted into position before the floor plate is bolted in. Bugger. Will remove the floor plate on the weekend and fit clamps, and refit the floor plate.

Conducted maintenance on the Dodge and trailer in preparation for attending the Temora airshow, refuelled the Dodge, partly packed the trailer with swags, esky & chairs. Will finish packing before setting off.

Last task was to run the engine, pushed it outside and filled the fuel container with 1 Lt of petrol and that allowed it to run for about 15-20 minutes. Oil pressure good, no unusual noises and sounded nice.

Next weekend we will be off to Temora, but for me it is a long weekend so might get some work done on the BGC after the weekend. Or I might have to do some household chores

[Ian Fawbert]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the continual updates! I sure am enjoying reading (and more so seeing) the progress your making.

Interesting paint on the slat. I had a look at its ARN and it doesnt seem to have been a navy jeep at any stage (written off from 1BOD in 1960). Do you know any more details on it? The ARN matches a slat grill MB, but not the navy side of it- however, i am jst assuming it was originally a RAN jeep and not painted that way by the owner (i was hoping it was originally one but the ARN presence threw me!).

Cheers,
Ian.

[Darrin Wright]

Ian, have some pics of the data plates & dash.
It is owned by a local Jeep collector.
I do not know anymore details of its authenticity or history.

But is a nice tidy slat Jeep.