New UCW project

[Lynn Eades]

Very nice Petr!
If any one has a spare pair of side lights like the two on the left side of Petr's first photo, I need a couple. Thanks.

[Radek]

Not original, but indian repro. maybe helpfull http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-...item25a04cd022

[Petr Brezina]

Radek, please no, it has nothing common with the genuine Butler/Lucas side lights
Avoid, very poor repro. Lynn has got PM.

[Radek]

Petr I know! For somebody is better this, than nothing. ;-)

[Niels V]

Butler side lights can often be found on ebay

[Petr Brezina]

Now its time for the engine - finally. Still looks to be in a pretty good shape, so will see

[Petr Brezina]

Stripping started, heads removed (please note my "redneck" fixture ).
So far no visible cracks, block looks solid, so the pistons and valves. Everything moving, will need some work but so far OK.

Again, its not a common flathead, but unusual French, but with some effort should fit.

[Petr Brezina]

Few more pics - pistons after rough cleaning/decarbonation.

[Lynn Eades]

Petr, I am wondering if the sump is too deep for in the carrier?

[Petr Brezina]

Lynn,
I dont know so far, but hope that instead of its flat bottomed, the deep is still OK for the carrier. If not, will have to replace it, but if possible I would like to keep it, I like this hi-cap aluminium pan
If anyone could measure for me the maximum deep of the "carrier" steel pan I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance!

[Jim Burrill]

You know you need different exhaust manifolds , right?

And a hard lesson learned... have the block totally stripped and sent out to be tank hot-dipped in chemical cleaner and flushed.

Then have it "magna-fluxed" to check for cracks.

I am rebuilding a "zero-time" rebuilt wartime engine with only 50 miles on it because the shop didn't tank-dip and solvent clean the block. They power washed it with kerosene and used hih pressure air to blow it out.

Running it has loosened up missed sludge that shifted and blocked a piston bearing oil port and totally trashed a piston bearing. In the rebuild process now.

[Petr Brezina]

Jim, thats a pity! Will do my best to avoid such situation...

Small progress - valves are out. It was dirty job, but finaly its been done.

[Petr Brezina]

One "mystery" solved - unknown oil cooler which came with my engine is from such power-unit, so is the engine, radiator and other bits.

[Petr Brezina]

Now is time for some serious work! So far it looks veeery good

[Petr Brezina]

Ready (almost) for cleaning and honning.

[Petr Brezina]

The clutch is ready.
Also note interesting oil openings on my block - it used to be running with cooler and filter within the power unit.

[Petr Brezina]

Another CIABG's Mk.III from the last production batch found - parade in Prague, May 45.
Photo by courtesy of Camba.

[Petr Brezina]

Not much to say, but finally got second fuel tank - scratch build. Hurray
Still plenty of work on the engine...

[super dave]

They look good, Are you adding any vents to them ???

[Petr Brezina]

No Dave, its been copied exactly from the original (repro in front, original in rear). I guess that there should be two venting pipes on the canadian made tanks, but nothing like that on this one. Its british Mk.III, simplified design I would say. Also note the position of flanges - also different.
Of course, there is venting valve inside the filling cover, but thats all.

[super dave]

Ok, I did not know that there was that much difference between the British and Canadian designed tanks. Carry on

[Petr Brezina]

Slowly progressing. Some valve seats had to be reamed, some only lapped. Also put paint on few parts - looks much better now.
The good point of this extreme heat over here is that paint is drying very fast

[Niels V]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Pa...item3aaf6e1d93

[Lynn Eades]

Thank you Niels.
Petr your fuel tanks are different from the earlier carriers. most have the pick up pipe beside the filler.
Which way around are they fitted?
They look very nice.

[Petr Brezina]

Hi Lynn, the pick up pipe is located - at rear, but filler has been moved to the middle of the hull compartment. I think they just found it more "ergonomical"

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Petr, it does sort of make sense.

[Petr Brezina]

With the great help from the future carrier owner the work on the hull has just been officially launched

[RichardT10829]

At least there is no riveting for you to do !

[Lynn Eades]

Petr, mine was all cut up like that.(the front armour was good) I used the arc-air gouger to pick the welds off. this will give you a clean edge for measurements, and angles for your patterns. The welds wont gas cut anyhow.
It is the one in issue 168 (May 2015) of Classic Military vehicles.
Yes it has the wrong head lights.
BTW, Interestingly it is a MkIII (w) but was still (in 1941) set up to carry the hook bar (shepherd's crook)

[Petr Brezina]

Thanks for that Lynn! You got stainless welds on your carrier if I remember it well, right?