T16 restoration starts in earnest

[horsa]

We're 12-volt with the T-16 but they did originally have a 6-volt coil. A lot of people have smoked them when doing a restoration and trying to go back to the factory design. As Andrew said, he has adopted the late war/post war format of a 12-volt coil on a mounting bracket that stands off the head. Most British T-16s eventually went this way and all of them that survived Swiss service did as well.

So far I haven't had any issue with the divers helmet dizzy. I'd think it would be fairly durable since they stayed on the vehicles into their postwar service life and even the vehicles brought into the USA and converted into cut-down logging mules retained that pattern as opposed to something more modern. Still, it's a bitch to work on once everything is bolted on around the engine.

[andrew honychurch]

thanks Guys, any thoughts on the water pump leak?

[Lynn Eades]

Above that bolt you are talking about is the hole that the water runs from, if the seal is leaking. This is to stop the water going into the bearing. This is most likely where the water is coming from.

[andrew honychurch]

well, at last, and after 27 years since we last drove the T16, today she made 3 laps of the fields and didnt miss a beat. There are few problems, but hopefully nothing that cannot be sorted. Basically, one rear brake was binding, and the rope seal I put in the brake drum to stop water and dirt ingress spewed out all its graphite hrease. I dont know whether this has made its way onto the brake shoes but if so, its tracks back off and a set of new shoes, again. Enjoy the video, taken by my daughter so excuse the running to keep up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_NAdHS0OHo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy-VCbIo1Ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23lM0PNxKzo

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by andrew honychurch

well, at last, and after 27 years since we last drove the T16, today she made 3 laps of the fields and didnt miss a beat.

Well done Andrew. Looks like I visited a week too early!

Hope you got the wiring all sorted out now.

[andrew honychurch]

thanks Richard, yes almost sorted the wiring, well, not really but nothing that stops me from driving her. I was getting very bored so needed to get it out and drive it. Its odd, its not showing a charge on the ammeter, but after driving it around the field when restarting the starter spun over far faster than it has previously so i wonder if the ammeter is bust or wired the wrong way around. Anyway, no point in spoiling the party moaning over little things.

Actually, the worst thing in my view is the stuck and seized links on the tracks as this is making the drive very lumpy so to speak. In the first video you can see the track are seized as I come off the side of my barn. I just hope the free up without breaking a pin!

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by andrew honychurch

Its odd, its not showing a charge on the ammeter, but after driving it around the field when restarting the starter spun over far faster than it has previously so i wonder if the ammeter is bust or wired the wrong way around.

Andrew,

A simple check to see if it is charging is to check the battery voltage before you start up, then with it running at a fast idle, check again, if it is a higher reading, then that can assure you the problem is most possibly in the ammeter or its wiring.

[hrpearce]

Good to see you have made it to the fun part Andrew

[G166UC]

Andrew,
it has been quite awhile since I have been on this thread. Your T-16 is looking great! I am one of the guys David mentioned, that toasted a coil {or two} when first starting my engine. The original T-16s had a voltage reducer mounted on the left hand head assy, which cut the 12 volts down to 6 for the coil. I have never seen one except in photos.
I had my T-16 out today, and it runs so smooth! I hope to make it to Beltring next year, so maybe we can have a beer or two. Thanks Rod Shaver
PS Hey David, are you cashing in on that new race track in Austin?

[G166UC]

Andrew,
Forgot to mention I have some NOS water pumps, but can't guarantee that they won't leak. Not sure what I have exactly right now, but I know i have mostly one side available. Will check if you want= Rod

[horsa]

Hey Rod,

Good to hear from you even if it is in the middle of Andrew's message thread You aren't the only one that has let the magic smoke out of a 6-volt coil. I've come across several other people in the UK and Europe that were doing restorations and tried using un-regulated original top mounted coils before they figured out what had gone wrong.

The Formula 1 track and grounds are still under construction here in Austin. It will be a proper sized course for large races so should hopefully avoid a repeat of the recent accident at the track in your state. I'll probably only see races on TV though as I'm sure the price of admission would cost more than I'd be willing to pay. At least for the first few years while the facility is new and popular.

Can also say the water pumps Rod has are good for the T-16 but might need new double-belt pulleys which was the case with my set since they had the later late war/post war domed face double-belt type installed on them.

[G166UC]

David,
Yeah, the pulleys have to be changed, but I think I have a pair of them. Looking forward to coming over to see a Formuls 1 race in the near future. The Viper club may even have a convention in that area in order to run on the track for a couple days. Wouldn"t that be fun. Maybe I will see you at Brents next March. Rod

[andrew honychurch]

hi Guys, thanks for the comments Rod, not sure why but I didnt get a notice that there had been a reply on the thread so hence I didnt get back to you. I managed today to pick up 2 NOS water pumps for T16, so I think I will be ok with these now. What is taxing me, however, is the blessed wiring!!! My gauges have minds of their own. I know I am wired correctly, but the temp gauge jumps full right when you connect up the senders, and the oil pressure just jumps around and does what it likes. They are fed through some resistor type item called a voltage divider, which I have no idea what it does! Any help much appreciated. Also, may need a NOS solonoid, as it only works if I tap it. It may clean itself off inside, but they dont appear to be a serviceable item, so cannot get inside easily to take a look. Grrr, I want to go for a run in my baby but cannot until I can get this wiring sorted!.

ps, Rod, sent you an e mail a few days back , maybe you didn't see it?

[andrew honychurch]

Originally Posted by G166UC

Andrew,
it has been quite awhile since I have been on this thread. Your T-16 is looking great! I am one of the guys David mentioned, that toasted a coil {or two} when first starting my engine. The original T-16s had a voltage reducer mounted on the left hand head assy, which cut the 12 volts down to 6 for the coil. I have never seen one except in photos.
I had my T-16 out today, and it runs so smooth! I hope to make it to Beltring next year, so maybe we can have a beer or two. Thanks Rod Shaver
PS Hey David, are you cashing in on that new race track in Austin?

here are a few more photos of the voltage reducer for the feed to the 6v coil. Managed to pick one up so I could stick it on the head and make it look original even though we are not using it. I need the filter unit as i think the reducer bolts to that.