T16 restoration starts in earnest

[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.

[andrew honychurch]

thats a good idea Richard. I will try that the next time I go for a run with it. thanks

[hrpearce]

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

[Lynn Eades]

Great to see. Why dont you oil those frozen links. Once they are moving again you can wash them. A bit of oil might help them free up, which has to be better than a pin breaking. (the brakes will always work better while the tracks are still on)

[andrew honychurch]

well Lynn, I had not thought of that to be honest!! I know that sounds stupid but I have always been told by my father that the tracks should not be oiled, but i suppose that when they are free. Ummh, what does everyone else think? I had been hoping that they will free of their own accord. I think they are better than they were for a brief run.

[RichardT10829]

As Lynn says as long as its a short run and you jet wash all the oil out after you could be ok. better than soaking lengths of track in baths of Black strap molasses for a few weeks