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

Darrin Wright · #1 25-02-14, 10:28

I collected the second batch of leather boots, this pair are for my project, and installed them to the hull. I utilised some heavy gauge galvanised wire to secure/tie-wire the boots to the exterior of the steering axle. So as to get the wire in the groove on the steering axle, I put a loop in each corner and this pulled the wire in tight against each flat surface. I have seen this technique used on other BGC. I have also seen 2 to 3 thin wire strands wrapped around the boot as well. This technique worked best for me.

The previous week I also put an order in for glass to be cut for the vision covers in the front of the hull. I collected these items on Saturday. They are of modern glass with a 6% tint. That should protect my eyes against sun glare whilst driving.

I also commenced some of the vehicle wiring, starting with the rear conduit section to the lights. Had to utilise a small cord/rope as a pull through to encourage the wiring through the conduit. I am going to run an additional wire, as an earth wire, to ensure that I have no problems with circuitry/earths in the vehicle lights.

Darrin Wright · #2 18-03-14, 08:57

Well in the last 3 weeks have been busy preparing vehicles and camping equipment for our annual trip to Corowa.

have managed only small jobs, but was fortunate to be able to borrow a little colour book, produced in Jan 43, from a fellow VMVC member. I had the light stone colour sample matched at the paint shop and now have 4Lt of light stone paint for my camouflage pattern.

The light stone was matched up very close to Champagne Y52, but the paint shop has the recipe for it.

The weekend of the end of Corowa, myself and a friend did some work on the BGC, but will download pics and more of a story later.

Darrin Wright · #3 18-03-14, 09:01

Forgot to mention the colour sample booklet also had Khaki Green, I put this next to my green as a comparison and it is within shades. Would be closer if my green was 100% flat.

End result, I am very happy with my green.

Darrin Wright · #4 18-03-14, 10:42

Took Monday off as a friend was down from Darwin and I was not too enthusiastic about returning to Melbourne. So, with little encouragement, we both worked in the hull and got some jobs done. Makes up for the small amount of work in the last 3 weeks.

We cut and installed all the radiator hoses and fitted new hose clamps. Use a smear of grease to assist in getting the hoses onto the radiator outlets and over the thermostat housings.

Installed the NOS choke & throttle cables into their correct positions, but discovered that the inner wire must be shortened and the linkage fittings shortened. Minor remediation work that can be done in the hull. The outer protective cover was a perfect fit.

The pics will give some idea, the 2 blokes are deep in thought about how it all goes together....

Darrin Wright · #5 18-03-14, 11:05

Installed the air induction tubes and bolted them together. Then read the parts book and measured the hose sections. Fitted the air cleaner hoses as per the parts book.
Read the parts book and assessed the hose section above the carby, we came to the realisation that this is a critical part as it may interfere when the engine cover is fitted.
So we then installed the engine cover (test fitting only) and measured & cut the hose section above the carby. This worked out to be 6 1/2" in length. Installed new hose clamps. There is not mush clearance between the air induction tubes and the engine cover.

Had problems with the hose section from the air induction tube to the LH air cleaner. After measuring the air cleaner bracket's position, discovered that the bracket was welded into the air scoop 1/2" lower than where it should have been and 4mm outboard. This meant that I had to cut a new section of hose to make it all fit and seal up.

With the RH seat fitted also did a test fitting of the seat with the engine cover fitted, quite tight, especially with the bracket welded onto the side of the cover near the dip stick tube/holder. This bracket digs into your LH hip joint.

I am still none the wiser about the purpose of this bracket, it may be a bracket for the rifle or bren MG stowage or to stow the 3"mortar bi-pod in the folded position. Anyone with a better idea......?

Darrin Wright · #6 26-03-14, 23:53

Work this weekend was a catch up on numerous small jobs that had been left for later- whatever the reason, it was very satisfying to get them done.
Last weekend I had purchased more bolts, this enabled me to paint them for fitment. I also painted the LHR suspension unit and some smaller parts.

I finally installed the last oil cooler mounting bracket, cut the mounting bolt to a suitable length and now all done up tight.
Painted & cut to length the 2 underside of hull bolts that hold/secure the RHR suspension unit in. Early hulls had these 2 bolts and later they were discontinued. Trap for your players when dismantling and removing the suspension unit from the hull.

Painted and fitted the large wing nut for the Vickers gun shield.

Painted and fitted the coolant overflow pipe bolts, this is now all secure and installed the way it should be.

Painted the LH brake linkage pivot post that was riveted to the floor over the Christmas break. Found and test fitted the linkage pivots that mount to the post.

Disassembled a steering column and removed the mounting plate that holds the lower bearing. Removed the bolt at the base of the steering column that engages with the linkages, who knew this was screwed in? Tried everything else (apart from breaking it). Will get new item machined up in the next 2 weeks. The pic showing this apart has a yellow arrow, this is pointing to a thin sheetmetal dust/water cover that may have protected the bearing- anyone have a better pic of this or dimensions?

Cut out a pivot post from the rusted drivers floor plate, this will be a sample to assist in two new items being made so that I can weld them onto the new drivers floor plate (already laser cut).

I also managed to fix the ride on mower and cut some lawn.

Dale Jordan · #7 27-03-14, 00:24

Hello Darrin do you mean the dust cover in my photo painted grey ? .If so I can take photos and sizes for you . Your carrier is an inspiration to me, if my machine turns out anything like yours . Ill be a happy camper ..Dale PS Darrin looking at your photo of your single station , the nuts to hold it to the hull , should they be on the outside of the hull I checked this out in the books to show them this way around I could be wrong .

Lynn Eades · #8 27-03-14, 00:29

The stubbs generally have a spigot that centers in a hole in the floor before welding. There are 4 different sorts, if I recall correctly.

Lynn Eades · #9 27-03-14, 14:02

Quote: Disassembled a steering column and removed the mounting plate that holds the lower bearing. Removed the bolt at the base of the steering column that engages with the linkages, who knew this was screwed in? Tried everything else (apart from breaking it). Will get new item machined up in the next 2 weeks. The pic showing this apart has a yellow arrow, this is pointing to a thin sheetmetal dust/water cover that may have protected the bearing. Unquote:

The bolt threads into the spider (7/8 UNF?). It has a washer under its head that is folded down against the spider, and another part up to hold the hex of the head.
The plain shank goes down through the clevis slots, under which is a washer, followed by a castle nut (3/8 UNF?) with a split pin.
The dust excluder has a felt seal in it, and the bearing housing in later carriers has a grease nipple in it. The felt in the dust excluder runs on the top of the bearing carrier.