M5A1 coming along...
 

Stuart ready for wheels, tracks not far behind now...

Two new bearings in each wheel and four new seals really adds up x 8 wheels and two idler wheels...the wheels all had the plates welded on them to prevent anything being jammed in the spokes, even though the wheels were NOS years of sitting had rotted the plates through in many spots so they all had to be removed and replaced. I had considered leaving them open once they had all been removed but then opted to make new plates and re-install as original. One thing I did do was to laser cut the plates out of 1/4" steel instead of the original 3/16" ...figured they would last forever with the slightly thicker plates

Attachment 74262

here is one of the original plates...interestingly it is not symmetrical

The endless sandblast, prime, paint...repeat

For the more delicate pieces I did not want to blast but had years of corrosion, I used the old molasses and water bath...both final drives were placed in a 50/50 molasses and water bath, took about three months total. They went in frozen solid and covered in scaly rust...they came out like they just left the factory...we were able to spin the them apart by hand...everything was pressure washed, disassembled, new seals and re-assembled

People with an interest in Stuart tanks in Canada will probably enjoy this short article from "Army Motors Magazine" some years back...

Excellent job John, I think I will be going down the same path with 1 of my
M3s. It went through a flood as rumour has it way back in 1956 so the trans will probably have to be dissected.
Colin.

Molasses and Water rust bath
 

Can I dip an entire vehicle?

I have seen "hot rod" guys do entire Model A bodies in large swimming pools of the mixture...and MV restorers dunk sections of well rusted track. The metal is so clean when it comes out that within minutes of being washed it starts to get a gold tint to it as it begins to flash rust...you can get a product called "hold tight" that you mix with water for the rinse which will keep the surface from flash rusting for several days, it is often used following "wet" blasting...Colin I would recommend filling the gearbox with the mixture and allowing it to sit...would make dis-assembly much easier

After a day of track bashing the Stuart is up on its new feet

Attachment 76254 Attachment 76255 Attachment 76256 Attachment 76257 Attachment 76258

Almost looks like a tank again after decades in pieces...

Attachment 76259 Attachment 76260

Very Interesting! So a jar of molasses that you get from the grocery store or is it something different? Does it smell bad during the process? You have my idea gears turning. We have some CDP tracks that have some seized links, do you think a long soaking would free those up?

Sean

Stuart is looking Nice! :thup2:

I did it with store-bought, but scaled up production would be expensive.

Go to your local farm supply and get a five-gallon pail that would be used for horse feed... should be much cheaper.

Exactly...horses being a rather large part of my life, even more than MV's...a trip down to the local feed store is all you need..I found 50/50 mix with water works great...and if you keep it covered you can reduce evaporation and keep the mix alive for a long time...I am still using the original batch I made up. And yes Sean, I have no doubt a long soak would free up the CDP track...the results, though they take a long time, are nothing short of amazing. And yeah..it stinks!

Thanks for keeping us updated on the Stuart John. Good to see the tracks back on the machine!

There are some good youtube vids on the use of molasses for de-rusting. I have cleaned up some parts with this mixture as well. In my opinion it works really good for cast parts, but had some trouble with a very thin piece of rusted sheet metal....there wasn't much left after a few weeks in the molasses bath :whinge

I think I have seen some pics on HMVF, where someone dropped a complete cannon in the stuff.

Alex

Thanks John,

Well I do have time.

I have been thinking about building a large container to hold the entire set of tracks. They are currently rolled up. I figured I would lay the on the side and stack them. This sound like a much safer way to go environmental speaking.

I am also now thinking about seized suspension units. Those are always a Joy to take apart!

But I will experiment small first...... to evaluate the smell factors!

Sean

If the track is rolled, it is probably in pallet sized portions. There are any number of equivalent sized metal or plastic tubs/tanks which might be suitable. A long flat pan will show a large surface for evaporation (and accidental foot falls). Whereas, a squarer pan will have less of the molasses' surface exposed, and the track might be easier to manipulate with a forklift and lifting straps.

I'd like to know if the sticky sweet attracts bees and critters. A good black bear bait is exactly this - molasses.

I bought a couple of large rolling home depot garbage cans with lids, and as you know we had a hot summer out here in BC. So far the critters have been a non issue, but I do keep the lids on, if you walk by the cans you hardly notice the smell, but when you open them...WA-POW! Haven't had any bear run ins yet either, but the pace of unbridled development here has pretty much driven all the wildlife away...I think I would rather put up with the bears than the condos..but that's just me

Hi John
I am in the interior and am wondering if a couple of us could come down and see your machine. I have a carrier and my friend has a CVRT Sabre and Warrior.

Thanks!

Bill

Hi Bill

Sounds good to me, try to email me with some notice, since I retired I have been busier than ever. I'm really not sure how I used to fit work in with all the time these green mistresses demand.

John

Hey John!
Great, it won't be until the spring or even early summer. We are going to be getting together over the winter and see about having a gathering or 2 during to summer to play with our vehicles rather than parking and showing. Or a little bit of both. I've been on most of the Western Command Convoys, and it is a blast. But even if we found a huge field or rolling hill area, it would be fun for soft skin and tracked vehicles. I'll be in touch!

Bill

Very nice.

Sounds good Bill, I have lowbed so if you come up with something fun let me know and I will truck on up!

John

Rolling hills
 

I have a couple of Carriers and might be interested in coming up for a event as well .
Cool Stuart . The Westminster Regiment (New Westminster) used them without turrets during the War as recce vehicles
Regards

Jeff

Hey Jeff

How's the Kid's CMP coming. Has he started restoring the box yet? I have my carrier engine out and am cleaning up the interior. Does a later engine fit in OK without modifying the oil pan?

Bill

this is the Shilo one being put back together
Great job John
always good to see

Attachment 77259

Hey Jeff we could easily put the Stuart and your carrier on my trailer to head up to Bills next year

Great shots of the Shilo M5 Stew..Thank you!

John

Hi John, I rarely post on MLU (a few posts and photos in the Gun Park). If you're having an unveiling of your Stuart, I would love an invitation to join a group of CMP / MV enthusiasts. Alas, I have no carrier or CMP (none would fit in my condo's underground parking garage) just an '86 Ferrari 328GTS, but, as an army brat in the 50's-60's, grew up with many MV's in Canada and Germany and am always keen to look at them. Although I can't recall seeing any Stuarts in Canada or Germany in the 60's, the Belgian army unit stationed nearby our base in Germany was still using carriers, half-tracks, jeeps and deuce-and-half's from WW2. BTW, I passed on your molasses tip to a buddy who, having just sold his Ferrari 348, acquired a '36 Olds coupe and a '41 Packard two door. "Car guys" can have many diverse interests! Your tip might come in handy for him. Cheers, Jon in Vancouver - I could find my way to Surrey, being a former resident. And, you're right about having no spare time in retirement. :thup:

Ferrari? I feel a trade in the works! I will try to keep people posted on the Stuart and her eventual unveiling. It would be nice to do some type of event or open house where like minded enthusiasts could attend and enjoy but as you know there are many competing and "strong" personalities in the hobby here in BC. And at the risk of rustling feathers I pretty much keep to myself and avoid the politics of the local MV clubs. In fact, except on the MLU and at a select few local events...most people have no idea our little collection exists. Sometimes not the worst thing in the world...Let me see what I can come up with Jon..PM me when you have time

Trade? I think you would find the Ferrari's cross country performance unsatisfactory; simply no ground clearance. Armour and armaments are substandard as well. PM sent. Jon