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

[Darrin Wright]

Our neighbour let us drive around on her 10 acre block/paddock, so after attending the local BBQ breakfast and flag raising, we drove down to the paddock (500m away).
With the size of the paddock and the laps that I completed, plus cutting back and forth; drove about 6km.
On 2 occasions, the engine stopped from fuel vaporising. Managed to restart the 1st time and continue driving. But the 2nd time I had to leave it for quite awhile and cool down. Spent the time in the neighbour's swimming pool. Not so bad.
Also managed to start finding all the gears, cannot get into 3rd and 4th around the driveway at home. But today I found them all!!!

[David Dunlop]

Great to see her out in her element, Darrin! Must have felt really good from your end!

David

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks David, it was good to get it out and run it without having to watch out for the house, carport/garage, dogs & garden beds.

The real challenge was driving on the road and keeping to the left (yes- in Australia we drive on the left) but not in the gutter. Luckily being the Australia Day public holiday there were no cars to share the road with.

I did try driving with the seat in the lowered position, but there was not much fun in that. Vision extremely limited and just an uncomfortable driving position. Much prefer the seat in the raised position.

Using my new laser temp gun, I had the following readings (curiosity factor):
wheel hubs 30-34deg C
brakes L 79deg C; R 70deg C
Engine (top of cylinder heads) 87deg C

Some of the suspension squeaks a little. Have since washed it so that may have fixed that.

Curious to know what others have done to stop their engines from causing the fuel to vaporise? modifications? heat insulation/wrapping?
This may warrant a thread in the carrier forum???

[jack neville]

Electric fuel pump Darrin. If you think a carrier gets hot try driving a Fordson WOT in summer. Roast feet and legs as well as vaporising but never a problem since I added the electric pump. Just used a slug type pump from Macs Autos.

[Mike Cecil]

I agree with Jack. On the F15, I put one in-line, using the holes in the battery step designed for an Autopulse pump, with a switch in the appropriate place in the dash. Only used it when needed, such as pre-start priming, re-start on a hot day or when the motor 'stuttered' on a hot day, usually labouring under load. Quick flick of the switch: problem solved.

The modern pump used the same mounting holes as the original Autopulse, but had a higher delivery pressure, so a pressure reducer/regulator had to be installed just before the carbie. It was a device with a dial for the required pressure. System worked very well.

Mike

[Andrew Rowe]

Hi Darrin, I am not a great believer in an electric fuel pump on carriers. The reason being is they are so easy to flood and to bypass the needle valve and full your cylinders up with petrol. However your climate might force you to consider this option. We run rubber hose from the fuel valve to about opposite the gearbox where we install and inline filter and an outboard motor fuel squeezy and then rubber up to the fuel pump, then copper pipe to the carb, works all the time. Only use the squeezy when carrier has been sitting around to save battery. cheers, I like the paint job!

[Darrin Wright]

I will conduct some research into the different 'modifications' and make a decision from there.
Thank you for the input.

I have since taken the BGC out for another 5km drive (last night) and this time there was traffic on the road. The look on the other drivers faces was priceless.
Have had to adjust both track tensions up, about 2 clicks on the ratchet pawl, grease the suspension arms and general check over.

Starting to get some trust and reliability with it and learning how it handles. Which is good, as there are no BGC Drivers Courses to attend now days...

[Darrin Wright]

I have a 3D printed data plate (collected last week) and have had it laser engraved with the details originally on my broken data plate.
Here are the pics of close up detail.

It is currently drying from a coat of green and will be ready to place on the BGC this weekend.

[Ryan]

Awesome Darrin. Was it expensive to 3d print it?

[Darrin Wright]

Ryan, there was some R&D set up fees that we had to pay, but the 3D printing is very affordable in this medium. It also helped that we had 5 plates printed.
The engraving cost more than the plate, but professionally done by laser.
Plates are $50 each plus postage, if interested.
Should put up a post in the For Sale section.

[Darrin Wright]

I always enjoy those before and after pics that people take to compare and look back on their progress.
On the weekend, with good weather, I placed the BGC in the same place that it sat when it arrived so that I could take a series of pics.

[Darrin Wright]

and some more

[Darrin Wright]

couple more