RCD Staghound near Ottawa

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi,

Last saturday I went to the Dutch Cavalry Museum for the first test drive in their Staghound after major repairs. I had rebuild the two Hydramatic transmissions after miss-use a couple of years ago. The transmissions were ruined trying to load the Stag on a trailer using only one engine. When the first transmission failed they started the second engine and then ruined the second transmission as well. Both engines were also rebuild as they were out off the vehicle anyway.
After some inspections we fired up both engines and drove off. Suddenly sparks came from the left engine's flywheel! The starter motor had developed a short somewhere and engaged itself unwantedly. We switched off the left engine and test drove the right powerplant first. After disconnecting some of the wires on the left starter motor and briefly putting power on it we started the left engine again. After a short drive both engines started to overheat and blew coolant from the radiator caps... Well, at least the transmissions worked.
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Does anybody have a wiring diagram for the Stag? The museum has some manuals but no wiring diagram. Help much appreciated!

Cheers,

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Marc van Aalderen

After a short drive both engines started to overheat and blew coolant from the radiator caps...

Marc,
Is it possible that a water outlet or inlet on the engine or rad has been plugged up and hose fitted forgetting to remove the plug? I have seen this done before.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Richard,

With some of the volunteers that "help" at the museum anything is possible.
Both radiators had the core replaced and one off the lower tanks has been repaired were it had cracked when trying to install the radiators with the engines in place. I'll tell them and also to check the thermostats. Thank you for the tip.

Cheers,

[marco]

Hello Marc,

I can sent a Staghound wiring diagram to you or directly to the Cavalry Museum in the beginning of next week.

The problem with the self-engaging starter motor sounds familiar.
I had it twice with my Stag and know the same problem occured with another Staghound.
Inside the solenoid on top of the starter motor is a small coil with two contacts.
These will be melted together causing a shortcut thus engaging the starter motor.

With best regards,

Marco

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hello Marco,

Please send the copy off the wiring diagram to me. I'll make sure it gets to the right person. Thank you very much. Will PM you for the address.

Cheers,

[Stew Robertson]

I am just wonder where you arrived at the number of staghounds in North America running an where are they?
I could send a picture of one that was a complete rebuid from scrap in the late seventies /early eighties and the pictures of the rebuild .As far as I know there is only one other one like it and that is in Denmark
Stew

[Stew Robertson]

Sorry I am just getting on to this conversation so iI am a little behind
The reason your engines are getting hot is they are not tuned to run together
both engines have to be running at the same rpm off the throttle control
set up one engine to run about 1000 to 1100 with the hydraulic contol throttle locked /disconnect the throttle lever from the carb andstart the 2nd engine and the adjust the second trottle to run at 1000 or 1100
Both engines must be turning at the same RPM within 50 rpm, the closer the better
Lots of luck!
Stew :