LP2a SAR restoration

[Andrew Rowe]

Evidently, with the New Zealand production of Local pattern carriers, mufflers were introduced in the last 200, of our total production of "roughly" 1200 carriers. Hull Serial numbers were pre dated by an "X" , Cheers Andrew.

[Phillip]

It’s been a long time since I was down the shed. The engine I was planning on using in the carrier turned out to be a dud. So after nearly 12 months in the shop I was a tad bit annoyed

In the depths of dispondency, I followed up on an engine that I had tried to buy a few years ago but was not for sale. (Must sound familiar to most of us?).

The engine in mind was sitting in a junk yard and was in either a welder or generator frame (I can’t remember which) and had a carrier oil cooler attached. On following up it had been sold........then re-sold........and was sitting in a shed less than 2km from my home.

Armed with a dashing smile, my best pleading voice, some glossy photos of a partially restored Bren carrier and a fistful of cash, I called in the current owner.

The guy was happy to show it to me, he had bought it running and was going to put the engine into a truck to restore (Must sound familiar to most of us?) ..... but had changed his mind and was happy to sell it.

The engine has me a little stumped, the block is cast 61 (so not a mercury block) and the engine number is F100! but there are a lot of Carrier tell-tales - it has the pcv valve, two piece sump and the block has been drilled for an oil cooler - oh, and it was with the carrier oil cooler and a carrier radiator.

Throwing caution to the wind, I parted with some cold hard cash for a running V8, possibly carrier, but until I pull the heads off - more likely a generator engine - but who cares - it runs

So I brought my new purchase home, cleaned it up, pulled the sump, replaced the water pumps, fitted the clutch from the old motor and a rebuilt carby. Wired it up and hit the starter and it runs perfectly. So I won’t pull it down yet.

I’ve been given a confirmed carrier block to rebuild so will eventually put that engine in the carrier.

For now this is what is going in. I’ve opted for the 1942 build to suit my later model carrier, but I’m having to manufacture a bracket to mount the oil filled fan opposite the generator pulley, so in this photo the earlier twin pulley generator has been fitted.

[Phillip]

I had planned to build a gantry over Christmas but managed to pull my right leg out of my hip socket, which in turn created back issues and laid me horizontal for five weeks.

Mobile now but on light duties so decided to finish the storage bins and the battery holder.

I’ve not had much luck with modern 6v lead acid batteries, being lucky to get 2 years out of them. I decided to try an Optima 6v. Only issue being the shape, I got around this with a dummy cover. The battery top and tray are one of the few repro parts in this restoration and is just a roughy until I can copy an original.

[Mike Gurr]

Phillip,
A good choice, I have had the same Optima battery on my Carrier for the past 4 years, only gets run occasionally but never fails to start and has held a good charge without any remote charging in all that time.
Cheers

[Mike Cecil]

I use a battery maintainer for the various 12V and 6V batteries that don't get much use for extended parts of the year (generator, ride-on mower, jeeps, tractor), not a charger, and have had no problem thus far with modern 6V and 12V batteries.

Mike

[Phillip]

Looking back, it’s been a fair while since my last post. During my absence from the forum, I made a gantry out of scrap I beam, fitted the engine and completed the wiring.

So many little jobs! In hindsight I’d recommend a table on the outside of the carrier on which to place the plethora of tools and parts that you need whilst working in this space. On a positive note, you get heaps of exercise climbing in and out to go and get that part/ tool that you left on the work bench!

I made up a tool to get the correct bend on the bifurcated rivets holding all the felt in place, this worked well in forming the loops on the rivet arms to keep tension on the rivet head - well worth the effort to get the correct result.

Both fuels tanks are now restored and the near-side tank fitted as this posses the least hindrance to any final works in the engine bay. Thanks to Euan McDonald who had a sample of what was fitted to the hole in the fuel tank under the rear seats - it’s a breather that was discarded on later fuel tanks.

All the fuel lines made up with new fittings, I found cloth covered fuel line but could not source the old style swagged fittings, what you see is the nearest I could get. The purists will note the pick up is rotated 1600mils - this was so the line does not rub anywhere.

One of the few concessions made in this restoration, besides an electronic ignition, is an electronic fuel pump. As I fitted a new mechanical pump, I only wanted to use the electric pump to prime the carby, so I ran an extra wire in the harness so that it can be turned on/ off from the drivers compartment. Works a treat as she fires up easily on 6v.

[Phillip]

I went to fit the rear seat over the fuel tank and decided I didn’t like the look of my re-orientated fuel line, some careful bending of the brass fuel line and I’ve now got the line facing the right way and not touching anything

Fitting the rear seat was fun (not) and I’m not sure that once the engine cover is in place that I’d be able to sit on it!

The wiring is now complete, the capacity to switch the electric fuel pump on and off from the drivers compartment works a treat. I was not getting a charge out of the generator but the coils are giving the right readings, so pulled it out and re-cleaned and polarised it, now charging!

Air filters, engine cover, all those little jobs and (shudder) tracks next!!!!