Richie's Mk1 Restoration

rob love · #1 12-06-09, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

can the rear axel be removed with the engine in situ ? i only ask as if i can drop the axel off i will get the engine hoist in much closer to do the lift for the engine.

Yes it can...the procedure is shown in the manual, although I have always found it easier than even the book shows.

RichardT10829 · #2 12-06-09, 21:05

hahhaha, excelent will give it a go on sunday then.

RichardT10829 · #3 14-06-09, 11:09

well managed to get the gunners side drive hub off last night, remarkably very very clean inside, the shoes look brand new ! springs are in excelent condition too. some heathen had previously taken the large flat nutts off with a chisel and they are in a right mess !

the bearing is in good condition too, so it was a pleasant find to say the least.

anyone know of a good way to remove the rivets on the hull, i tried cutting the heads off but realised this was fruitless as the rivets are all counter sunk.

Rich

Lynn Eades · #4 14-06-09, 11:51

Drill; a pilot hole in the centre of the rivet, then drill it out to near the rivet dia. drill about 2/3rds through, then put a punch in the hole, and hit it.
If you hit it hard enough the rivet will break in the middle. Use all the safety gear etc., and try not to damage your self.
The centre of the rivet hole is not necessarily concentric with the head, so dont start with too big a drill, but the more meat you cut out, the easier it is to break the rivet.
I have not used the arc/air gouger to blow out rivets, but it is an option , if available.
There will be other ideas.

shaun · #5 14-06-09, 13:55

Hi Richie,
The nuts were probably damaged by a fitter in the field.

as for removing the rivets, try gas cutting gear. the rivet is softer than the armour so you cane blow it away very cleanly. cut the head off the punch the rest out.
with regards to the hull numbers never assume anything. lots of people know a lot about carriers - but not everything ! keep an open mind !

TTFN
Shaun

RichardT10829 · #6 14-06-09, 18:06

sure will. i have a photo in black and white of you giving me a quick lesson in your wagon, i have put it on the wall in the garage to keep me inspired. my imagination was running wild when i saw the nuts, "Its 1942/43 Tunisia or perhaps Qum, as you say a field mechanic may have had to quickly improvise......... dead easy, Reme lad is busy servicing the carrier, a couple of the RSF lads come over for a chit chat, "fancy coming into town tonight with the lads if we get free passout ????" the spanner is on the ground, sand gets kicked over it and its lost Improvise Adapt Overcome

and iam not saying REME lads are heathens.... far from it...... but you should see the state of the nut hahahaha. great stuff iam loving every minute i get to work on her.

RichardT10829 · #7 14-06-09, 22:27

Right managed to get the rivets out, i used a wafer thin cutting disc and took the heads off the rivets from the inside, they punched straight out no problems, and through patience and a steady hand i might add

there is no marks left behind from the grinder. i had tried for over an hour with a new drill set but the rivets although mild steel were killing the drill bits off in minutes despite slow speed drilling and with oil.

whilst working on the tub i noticed loads of holes, wondering what they were all for ?
thought i would post them up see what you think.

anyway here is the brake shoes and gubbins for the gunners side.

and the holes..... there are a load on the gunners side, but as all my tools were there i will get photos soon.

drivers cockpit

drivers side rear part of tub (looking from front backover)

drivers side rear part of tub (looking from the rear forwards)

and finally the rear drivers side track guard sits over the sprocket

i know holes could be drilled for any number of reasons and by anyone, just trying to figure what if anything she has been fitted with. i know she has had the radio as the rear armour plate i have left has the holes and evidence of the battery box .

just plodding on bit by bit, will get the axel clear and engine out this week, glacis plate removed and hopefully center bulkhead or whats left of it out this week.