Humber FV1600

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

G'day Wayne.
The decision to go non standard was not an easy (or cheap!) one.
However, the exhaust system itself was a combination of differing sizes and originality, and needed replacing, it was not possible to get a NOS "Y", and even if I fabricated one myself it would not be out of cast iron. So , the "originality" became a moot point for me. Mind you it took three years to make the decision.
There are better products for repairing cast iron these days than brazing rods, however since the original repairs were done this way it really precludes using anything else, particulary with a shape like this where you can not remove all the contaminated material.
Cast can only be welded so many times, last attempt it was cooled over 18 hour period, cracked within the week.

I must say that the 30 km trip home after I picked the old girl up was a bit of a worry, cost me over half a tank of fuel, was down to about 4 cylinders and blowing smoke like you would not believe. Kidded myself that it was due to the change in dynamics caused by my lovely new system, but was having serious doubts when I finally Huffed & Puffed into the shed. Halfway through changing out the plugs I had a brain wave and looked at the carby. The workshop had started the truck using the cold start (which it never needs) and it had jammed full on at the carby, was looking me in the face all along.

Been sitting in the shed since, while fitting the electronic ignition from Jolley Engineering. Similar decision process to above. Finished last night, quite shocked to actually have it start. If you knew what you were doing, this would be about a half hour job, I managed to drag it out way longer than that. Start was very quick and easy, 90% less smoke billowing out at the rear end. Plugs are set with a huge gap, so the spark is very intense. Test drive showed a much more lively truck, does not stop dead soon as you back off. Looking forward to doing some miles in it in the next month or so and see how much improvement there really is.

Thanks to Clive for the extra info on fitting this system: http://www.hmvf.co.uk/pdf/IGNITIONMATTERS.pdf
it was most helpful indeed!
Rich.

[FV1611A]

Rich that is great news. I have heard a few tales on the forums regarding the cold start not being used or indeed sticking! I guess as they are little used they can seize up and become problematic....

I have a nice NOS cold start cable bought off that nice man in Salisbury of Humber fame and I suspect it will be a dash feature for correctness.

Of course when I fix mine up it may be one of those engines that needs a rich start??? Time will tell

[malcolm erik bogaert]

this is a message for Clive...I have been offered the ex RUC Pig thats located in Pompie which has back axel problems and which you have advised the chap on..would the axel from 1 ton g/s Humber fit..our friend Doug in Elgin can supply me with same or could I get away with just changing the diffs etc...your advise is most appreciated best regards malcolm

[fv1620]

Malcolm greetings. I have followed the history of this Pig in its various guises for the best part of 30 years. A few years ago it appeared on ebay painted grey displaying the registration 3071 EZ & claiming to be ex-RUC

This was not the registration of the vehicle. EZ was belonged to a Mk 1 Pig used by the RUC, it was unique in that it was a FV1611 unlike the other 9 RUC Pigs which were FV1609.

I think a previous owner thought that the flat barricade ram bore a resemblance to the one on his Mk 2 Pig & assumed its identity. I pointed this out to the then seller informing him of the actual civilian registration. As this agreed with his V5 he believed me, removed references to ex-RUC in the advert.

It passed through a number of sales subsequently, but no doubt still has the grey paint underneath that might give the impression that it had seen RUC service.

The RUC did have three Mk 2 Pigs in the mid-late 1970s but the one being offered is not one of those.

The transfer boxes are different.
Pig 1.41:1
GS 1.33:1

Axle ratio
Pig 5.71:1
GS 5.57:1

I am told the present difficulties are due to a damaged diff pinion wheel. I believe the pinion & crown wheel are the same for Pig & GS.

The rear joints on the GS will be Tracta whereas Pigs were originally fitted with Chobham joints. The Chobhams proved unreliable in their duties in NI as the retaining clips for the articulating pad were prone to failure.

In desperation some Pigs were fitted with GS Tracta joints & indeed some were actually re-manufactured for this role.

Subsequently the stronger Birfield joints were fitted. However they ran out of the special steel so there were 104 Mk 2 Pigs that were not fitted with Birfields. So without dismantling the joints there is no knowing whether a Mk 2 Pig was fitted with Birfield, Chobham, Tracta or a combination of any of these.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

aye Clive many thanks for the prompt reply and greetings from the frozen and windy north..yes I knew about the tracta joints from your article in the windscreen mag..however I thought I might get away with just swapping the complete axels over..I dont plan any long journeys..best regards malcolm

[lynx42]

Be interesting to find out if any of these still exist.


http://www.travellerhomes.co.uk/?s=93

Rick.

[fv1620]

Rick maybe the white one became this?