How To: Restoration of Ford M8 armoured car US Ordnance number 7373

[Bob Carriere]

....... similar to the CMP cab 11 Blues............. designed for depression raised teenagers who were 5'5" and 135 pounds with size 8 boots .....brave little fellas they were!!!!!!!

Bob C.

[Big D]

Hi Bob,

Yes, it wasn't something I considered when I bought the beast. Haha. I'm told that some people just sit on a blanket rather than a cushion which would lower one a bit and help with the legroom. I might give that a try.

[Lynn Eades]

Darryl, If you continue to have trouble with the brakes leaking, you could add a 3 psi residual line pressure valve. It will hold a low pressure in the lines, which will help to keep the cup lips against the bores. It will not make your brakes drag as the return springs should be enough to overcome the pressure. There is possibly a line pressure valve in the bottom of the m/c, already, but an inline one will have a higher pressure.
Were the cylinders originally fitted with cup expanders? A number of old Dodge wheel cylinders that I've opened up, had them.
What might be involved in altering the angle of the steering column? I see the dash panel is a limitation. How is the box mounted?

[Big D]

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to speak too soon but I have yet to see any leakage from the wheel cylinders. I have my fingers crossed....

As far as the ergonomics go, I have been reminded that the armoured floor I have in the front is a bit higher than the original floor. That wouldn't help.

The foot pedal placement will also take some getting used to. I wonder how low the clutch and brake levers supposed to be with respect to the floor or throttle pedal. It seems that you have to lift your legs quite high off the floor to even operate the pedals, which gives the 'knees around the ears' feeling.

I adjusted both pedals today at the back of the master cylinders and this dropped the pedals a bit. I couldn't get as much adjustment out of the clutch adjuster though. I did wonder about putting in a thick strip of steel to act as a packer between the mounting points on the clutch and brake pedal assembly and the hull using some longer bolts. This would have the effect of directly lowering the pedals which would also help. I don't think there is much wiggle room with moving the steering box.

I will keep tinkering!

[MikeV]

Originally Posted by Big D

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to speak too soon but I have yet to see any leakage from the wheel cylinders. I have my fingers crossed....

As far as the ergonomics go, I have been reminded that the armoured floor I have in the front is a bit higher than the original floor. That wouldn't help.

The foot pedal placement will also take some getting used to. I wonder how low the clutch and brake levers supposed to be with respect to the floor or throttle pedal. It seems that you have to lift your legs quite high off the floor to even operate the pedals, which gives the 'knees around the ears' feeling.

I adjusted both pedals today at the back of the master cylinders and this dropped the pedals a bit. I couldn't get as much adjustment out of the clutch adjuster though. I did wonder about putting in a thick strip of steel to act as a packer between the mounting points on the clutch and brake pedal assembly and the hull using some longer bolts. This would have the effect of directly lowering the pedals which would also help. I don't think there is much wiggle room with moving the steering box.

I will keep tinkering!

Thanks For the update on your brakes, we finally got our M8 out for a test run and 3 times around the tank arena the brakes became spongy and the left rear started leaking again. It looks like we are going to need the same major over haul as your greyhound

[MikeV]

As you can see In the one Picture not much room for 2 6 ft crew members. we are knocking knees. and the second is just after we ran it and we parked it till we could move it back inside.

[MikeV]

Drivers view from the grey hound yes that is a Sherman in the distance. And yes it Runs and Yes it fires Blanks.