New Carrier Project (Halifax)

[Flyingtanker]

Hi Everyone,
I have been lucky enough to come across and acquire a MK1. It arrives at my house on Canada Day, a good way to celebrate, I would say

What I know about it so far is that the bottom hull is in good shape with all the suspension. The Engine and transmission are disconnected and inside the vehicle and in working condition.

It is however missing all of the top armour, fenders, panels and I am sure anything that was attached to them. From what I have read thus far it sounds all too common.

A little about myself, I am a big history buff. I am currently in the forces as aircrew on the Sea Kings. I also spent 11 years in the armoured corp, as 8 CH and Dragoon, on M113's and Leopards. Hoping the track experience will help although judging by the Australian manual I picked up it is very unique.

This Forum looks to be a good place to ask for advice and discuss restoration projects of this sort. I look forward to getting to know you all.

[Justin Pollard]

Hello Flyingtanker,
Welcome to MLU,I,m sure you will find all the help you need here.
There are some very helpfull people.
I have just bought a LP2A in simular condition but it was Bare,i have now got a motor and box and some other bits.
so look forward to seeing your progress.

Regards
Justin.

[Ralph Volkert]

Flying Tanker, welcome to the fold! Is there a name with that handle?
Is there a story behind that handle?

My carrier was finally delivered just prior to Canada Day too! I will pass on the best advice I got when I first joined....

...I wouldn't get too carried away until I had the right manuals ..
"Mr Manual",Joel Bellrose has all the right manuals you need..

http://www.dana-nield.com/d32/Defaul....com/d32/blair

#61
423 pages
FUC-03 FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA
CARRIER, UNIVERSAL Mk. I and Mk. II.
Illustrated Parts Catalogue 1941-44.
Reissued May '44.

#61A
200 pages
FUC-02 FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA
CARRIER, UNIVERSAL Mk. I* .
Illustrated Parts Catalogue 1941-42.
British Supply/Mech-1026 W.S.L.-72-2
And Canadian CDSt-957,CDLV-58...73..213...259...422...423...435...445.
Reissued June 1942.

#62
200 pages
UC Universal Carrier Mk. I,
Operators Maintenance Handbook,
July '43, Canadian.

#63
290 pages
UC-F1 Universal Carrier, Mk. I, Canadian
Workshop Manual,
Nov 1942.

#64
96 pages
UC-OM1 Carrier, Universal No. 2, Mk.2,
Operator's Manual,
Sept 1944.

....and more!

Joel was very helpful in helping to determine what manuals were a good start for my carrier and he is a good person to get in touch with! Those manuals were worth their wieght in gold! (Thanks again Joel!)

The next thing to recommend, is to learn to search the forums!!!!! You would not believe the info that is there! All the guys that are here were once newbies too and had a lot of the same questions that you and I are going to have.

Have fun! And keep us updated on your progress! Post plenty of pics!

[maple_leaf_eh]

There are a few guys in NS, centred near Amherst who gopher on this forum periodically. Wayne McGee has a hand in the West Novies' museum, and another industrious fellow who fixes old artillery pieces.

Good luck and have fun.

PS did you go through The Big 2 at any time?

[Flyingtanker]

I received my carrier today and it needs a lot of work, but i am sure you have all heard that before. It was missing even more than I originally thought.

Does anyone know were the hull number would normally be?
I did manage to get a few numbers off of it.
-There is a number painted in the front of the lower hull that appears original (LB 194)
-The Number on the engine is 81A-6049-A
-There is also a plate attached to the engine that reads:
"Mackenzie, White & Dunsmuir ltd. Precision Machine Shop, Date 25, 2, 53, CYL 030, RODS 020, MAINS 010.

What it actually has is:
-complete suspension and track
-final drives complete up to axles(missing complete 9" dif)
-Engine and Transmission
-Lower hull with inside almost completely gutted

This is my attempt at uploading pictures:


As you can see by the images of the engine, the generator has been removed and the fan has been removed and relocated to the crankcase wheel

[Dan Sicotte]

Well done on the purchase. Now will 9er domestic complain that you're in the garage all the time?
What's your name by the way, I was RCD (Petawawa) from 1990-2004. I may know you....
Dan Sicotte

[Flyingtanker]

She has been supportive
I spent most of my time in Gagetown with the Armoured School, so I would not have been around then it was only later that I got posted to Pet.
Chris Saunders

[Ledsel]

The engine is not original. It is out of a 1940 pick-up .I think . I can't remember just off hand. they had the fan mounted on the crank for the low sloping hood but that is the only difference otherwise the engine is the same if the carrier is around that year. I'm sure someone will fill you in on the details. Also the rear end for that is the same as a 2Ton truck of the same years. It has a split diff where as the 3Ton has a conventional type diff And most often had a two speed rucksell

[Ledsel]

I'm afraid you have no chance on any meaningfull numbers as they are all gone.

[Flyingtanker]

"they had the fan mounted on the crank for the low sloping hood but that is the only difference otherwise the engine is the same"
I believe it actually is the original engine. The mount for the the generator is still there on top where the fan should be and the fan was very roughly welded onto the crank(home job). The person I purchased it had removed the engine and transmission and modified it to run a backyard wood mill. Also the transmission was altered to fit the requirement.

Chris Saunders

[Ledsel]

Yes I was going to say it looked like it was used to run a buzz saw. It very well could bethe engine . There should be a engine number on the top left rear of the engine block, Between the head and the intake. There is a flat spot there, the same surface as the intake. Probably starts with a "T".

[Brad Mills]

Chris,

Welcome to the Forum!

Good luck on your carrier rebuild, you have some work ahead of you thats for sure!

I'm in Truro, so if you need some info, feel free to contact me, I have a couple of mk I carriers.

Brad

[Flyingtanker]

Thanks Brad, I may pay you a visit in the near future if your up for it

A few question about the upper armour. I am going to have to aquire or fabricate all of it. Does anyone know were I could find some of the original armour pieces? I am guessing its not likely that I will find any, but you never know so I thought I would put the question out there.

On fabrication I thought I read somewhere in a thread that there are CAD drawings of the armour floating around. Does anyone know of their location?

Any advice regarding the armour would be greatly appreciated.

About the drive shaft, does anyone know of a buisness that produces this part? I'm sure there is not a huge market for it judging from its size.

Thank you all for you help and advice.

Chris Saunders

[Brad Mills]

Any time Chris.

As a general note, I would be very very cautious using those CAD drawings that were put together by Rob Groves. I purchased a set of front shutters from Rob a few years ago and the measurements were way way off from the originals, so much so they required extensive modification to fit and even after all that work, they still looked like crap. If the shutters were that far off, I can only imagine the rest is the same.

Driveshaft? No drive shafts in Universal carriers...

[alleramilitaria]

bren carrier drive shafts are rare indeed, the only time i have seen a drive shaft for one it was a new one in a box, right next to road wheel repare kits (for flats) and the rare tie rods for the steering.

BTW its a joke
dave

[Flyingtanker]

Thanks for the tip on the CAD drawings Brad.
Well don't I feel silly now , I just sort of assumed there was one. I don't have the Dif assembly so its hard to picture how it goes together. Oh well, this will be a constant learning experience. I am working on getting those Canadian manuals, that should clarify alot for me.
Cheers
Chris

[alleramilitaria]

there are many carriers up there with armor, you can have the armor made from plywood, get it fitted properly then take it to one of the people that makes "yard art" and have them copy the plywood and have it plasma cut with the proper thickness steel.
dave

[Flyingtanker]

I like that idea, thanks Dave. You are right too, between museums and Brad there are lots of good carriers to measure from.
Cheers
Chris

[alleramilitaria]

no problem.
i have 4 carriers and 3 of them are rebuilds. let me know if you need any ideas.

dave

[charlie fitton]

Might be - but the ex manifolds are not.

I'm in Southern Ont, but if you're ever up this way , give me a call - who knows what's in my backyard that may be of help.

[Flyingtanker]

Yeah part of my problem with determining the authenticity of the engine is that it was refit in 1953, so I'm not sure how extensive the refit was. There is a plate attached to the engine in reference to the refit. It Reads:
"Mackenzie, White & Dunsmuir ltd. Precision Machine Shop, Date 25, 2, 53, CYL 030, RODS 020, MAINS 010"

I will hunt for a number tonight in the location that was explained to me and see if I can't verify it either way.
Cheers
Chris

[alleramilitaria]

if you can get a good set of exhaust manafolds from charlie than do it.... do it NOW. the exhaust manafolds could be a show stopper if not.
and he sounds like a good guy.

dave

[Brad Mills]

Chris,

If you want to see what you have in store for yourself with this project, jump in your car and point it to Truro, if its not raining you can drive it and really see whats involved with your project.

Brad

[Dan Sicotte]

Chris, check your Private messages.
Dan

[Flyingtanker]

Does anyone know what year and type of ford truck that the dif comes out of? I'm going to start the search for one but need to be sure of the details.
Thanks
Chris

[jeff davis]

I Have a mk 1 Carrier I think the 1 1/2 ton ford truck has the same diff

[alleramilitaria]

check for a 122 in w.b. 1940 ford 1 1/2 ton ford truck

[Flyingtanker]

Thanks guys, now I can start the search

[jeff davis]

The Carrier loooks familiar did it come from B.C?

[Flyingtanker]

Yes it did in fact, from Clinton.