T16 restoration starts in earnest - Page 8

andrew honychurch · #**211** 22-03-12, 19:19

As we had a superb bit of weather here in Kent today, I tool the opportunity to top coat the T16. Really pleased with the result, but as I am sure you all agree its very tricky to keep it looking nice and new when you are constantly crawling in and out of it. Not a great deal to do to finish it. I have to fit the fuel tanks, and finish the wiring. I am awaiting front side fenders and the rear tool box to be fabricated and then they can be fitted along with the rest of the side track guards. The devil is in the detail and I am not sure I will ever finish it completely but I suspect it will be pretty much done in the next 6 weeks. Hope you like the photos. Andrew

RichardT10829 · #**212** 22-03-12, 19:22

looking great Andrew...you should post a before and after pic, she has scrubbed up real well, are you going to keep her or sell her on ?

andrew honychurch · #**213** 22-03-12, 19:28

Thanks Richie, its taken longer than I thought but I have been involved in other projects as well as the T16. I cannot think that I will sell it, its going to have a bit of use first and I am thinking of trying to get booked in to the Armour and Embarkation this summer which should be a really good test. Anyway, we will have to see , not finished yet so lots of shaking down to do I know. cheers

ajmac · #**214** 23-03-12, 00:30

If you make A&E in the summer I'll see you there, sin Loyd, but hey ho, should be a great time if it is anything like 2010. Your T16 is looking smart, I have really enjoyed following your work.

andrew honychurch · #**215** 23-03-12, 09:02

thanks Alistair, sounds like a great plan. I have a friend who went in his Stuart and he told me 2010 was superb. I would be there in a shot but for the cost of transportation down to Dorset. I know need to make friends with someone with a beaver tail truck that I can borrow and we will be all sorted.

Glad you enjoyed the posts, its been fun doing them. Not quite finished yet though!

eddy8men · #**216** 27-03-12, 23:37

very nice restoration and thanks for all the detailed pics and descriptions they will be an enormous help to me when i start my t16 resto. cheers

rick

andrew honychurch · #**217** 28-03-12, 09:20

thanks Rick, its been fun doing it, although I have not finished yet! The last bits are taking the longest, and some of the fabrication is costing too much. I am having a rear box made and the internal large one on the drivers side, also new front side fenders. I have left these expensive items until last and now the pain!

I have had tremendous help from this forum, and in particular from David Gordon who has backed me up with hundreds of e mails and detailed drawings and information. He really should get a medal for his efforts and knowledge of the T16.

The forum has been a huge help and source of encouragement. Having restored many MVs over the years, this is the first vehicle that I have kept an internet log of and its been great fun and real stimulus to keep the momentum up.

Anyway, I will try to post up the photos of the finished article before it gets covered with the enivatable foot marks and mud!

andrew honychurch · #**218** 09-07-12, 19:24

I thought I was way past posting some update photos so here are some. I still have lots of bits and pieces to do, and a final blow over of paint, but she went on her first tarmac road trip today. Did about 4 miles without too much to worry about, although I did experience a bit of fuel starvation. I switched it onto the other tank and off we went again. Lost a spark plug as well as the cap was loose but soon fixed that. I was slightly surprised just how fast it was, and found myself having to ease off all the time. Steers very nicely and smoothly on the tarmac. Having done the 4 miles today, I am now thinking that 22 miles to War and Peace is a long way!!!!! Hope you like the photos.

horsa · #**219** 09-07-12, 19:58

Updated shots look great and it appears the front fender skirts came out nicer than you'd led on. Good job

I didn't know your carrier had one of the handles welded on in front of the driver spot where the face crash pad is located. I've seen this on a handful of T-16s but hadn't been able to determine if it was a British add-on or a modification done by the Swiss. Since yours never saw Swiss service, it would seem it has to be a British feature. My carrier (Swiss return) and the one we found in the UK within 100 serial numbers of mine that never saw Swiss service don't have the handle.

Ron Pier · #**220** 09-07-12, 21:42

Nice one Andrew. Probably you're not bothered but a simple letter to DVLA could get rid of the V plate. I just did it with an A plate (1963) on my latest Enfield, which was first registered in 42. Although mine did show the date of first registration in the V5, otherwise a dating letter might be required from MVT. It's clearly not an 80's vehicle....or whenever that V relates to. Ron

andrew honychurch · #**221** 09-07-12, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsa

Updated shots look great and it appears the front fender skirts came out nicer than you'd led on. Good job

I didn't know your carrier had one of the handles welded on in front of the driver spot where the face crash pad is located. I've seen this on a handful of T-16s but hadn't been able to determine if it was a British add-on or a modification done by the Swiss. Since yours never saw Swiss service, it would seem it has to be a British feature. My carrier (Swiss return) and the one we found in the UK within 100 serial numbers of mine that never saw Swiss service don't have the handle.

Thanks David, yes the front fenders looked a lot better once they were painted and the problems I had seemed to diminsh once fitted. Interesting about that handle, I had not realised that they were not fitted by the factory as standard. I think, that it is there to encourage the driver to take his hands off the sticks.

Talking of steering, I still have an issue that I am not sure the oil is circulating through the rear axle oil cooler. Its all plumbed in ok, but the feed pipes that drop oil onto the brake bands dont seem to have had any oil in them. The oil cooler is getting warm, but the rear axle is very hot after my run. I know there is a thermostat in the cooler, but dont know whether this stops ALL flow if it is stuck shut. Any one have any experience of this? I dont want to have to disturb it really as its a hell of a job getting the oil cooler out now!

Thanks Ron, glad you like it. I think you may well be right on the registration as it was not registered as HISTORIC and so I had to go to the local DVLA office to get them to tax it for zero. They took the registration documents away and said that they will ammend it. My guess is they may send me a new registratoin mark. Hope not as I just made my plates up! It was first registered out of Pounds in 1980, so you are right with your date guess.

Hanno Spoelstra · #**222** 09-07-12, 22:55

Looking excellent, Andrew!

Hanno

horsa · #**223** 09-07-12, 23:20

You could open the lines at the exit side of the rear end's oil cooler and then rig something up to catch the fluid as is pumps out during a short test run. That would tell you if it is actually circulating via the pump or not. That would be fairly accessible. Other option would be the line outside where the oil is pumped back into the rear end. That would probably actually be better since it would confirm if the entire loop is clear and that the pump is moving fluid.

eddy8men · #**224** 09-07-12, 23:46

looking good andrew. watching your progress makes me want to start mine.
my t16 also has the handle in front of the driver.

RichardT10829 · #**225** 10-07-12, 07:55

awesome stuff, what a transformation !

andrew honychurch · #**226** 10-07-12, 09:37

Thanks Guys, it has taken longer than I thought it would. but thats mainly due to the desire to get all the right bits in there. It would have been impossible without David Gordons help. I have been able to fabricate stuff that I would have had to travel all over the UK to measure up. Thanks David.

Rick, er... you seem to have a lot of work there! Is this one of the ex Kevin Wheatcroft T16s?

Anyway, when you need some bits let me know , I have found some parts and may even know of a crated T16 engine. The man has two, and was thinking of acquiring one for a spare. Hes a bit funny about the idea of selling them not sure why, but can always try for you. Catch me at W and P if you want to chat.

How is your Uni coming on Richard?

eddy8men · #**227** 10-07-12, 09:53

hi andrew
not sure of the origins of this particular t16 but i'm fairly sure it passed thru shaun's hands at some point (not unusual for a uk carrier)

i'm not doing too bad on the spares aquisition as i've managed to find pretty much everything other than the 24 stud engine so if you could have a word with your freind for me i'd be grateful.

cheers

rick

RichardT10829 · #**228** 10-07-12, 19:15

Uni coming along nicely, i have been turning out tank strap turnbuckles which i promised folk.. the carrier is onto the nicer stage of putting restored bits back in which i nice.

carrierbarry · #**229** 11-07-12, 00:12

Rick

Good to see you have finished the T16 !! think you missed a bit.

Baz

eddy8men · #**230** 11-07-12, 00:24

finished to my usual high standards

andrew honychurch · #**231** 18-07-12, 21:45

Well I made it. 22 miles all under her own steam she is now parked up at War and Peace getting rained on. I cannot help but think after what was a mammoth effort to get the T16 there, that I should have left it at home. Basically she ran and drives really well, except when its been running for about 10 minutes it gets fuel starvation and stops. Usually on a corner as this is where I ask for power to turn around and therefore we stop and block the road on a bend. Great! I have a new electruc fuel pump and all new filter and lines, but the original tanks. Both have been throroughly cleaned but still have some dirt getting into the filters. I reckon my problem is that the electric fuel pump maybe too high up to manage to pull the fuel fom the bottom of the tank right the way to the filter next to the driver and then back to the pump and filter king and onto the carb. Of course it could have vaporization issues but I would have thought the electric pump would have overcome this?? All ideas much appreciated, but I will definitely be trailering it home. 22 miles on the road in a Carrier is far enough for me! I felt sure the tracks were visibly wearing down as well.

photo on route with father in the background

carrierbarry · #**232** 18-07-12, 23:53

Well done !!

Go around the stalls and buy a Bren Carrier Drivers badge to put on your jacket.
You have earned it.

Barry

hrpearce · #**233** 19-07-12, 00:33

Andrew Great work.
A simple test to see if the pump is underpreforming is to hang a bottle of fuel about 3 ft. above the carby and take a run, if preformance improves it's the pump if not you have to look further. A drench backpack makes the ideal container. Hope this is of help.

andrew honychurch · #**234** 19-07-12, 08:26

thanks for the thoughts and advice guys. I think I am going to leave working this out until after W and P as I am loading it home and I can fiddle around with it to my hearts content once back here. I reckon it is the head on the pump being too much. I read the instructions again for the Facet cylinder pump and it reckons that the pump needs to be within 12 inches of the tank and as the push rather better than pull I am sure I am asking it to do the impossible. I may yet be coupling up the original spec mechanical AC! I am also wondering about the unions I made for the fuel tank tops. The pick up is a long pipe with just one hole at the bottom. Therefore if there is much in the pipe you will have problems, plus the top of this pick up is an inverted nipple. I had to make union for this by using a straight nipple and braising onto another one as it has to come out at 90 degrees to clear the tool box bracket above. All in all, its back to the drawing board, but I am sure I can fix it. Meanwhile I am off to look for that badge to sew on my jacket!

stephen crowhurst · #**235** 19-07-12, 10:20

Well done Andrew

Sorry I missed you yesterday at the show.
Even though I had done a lot of under 5 mile runs over the years, I found that the first long run I did in my carrier, the tracked streched. I think this was due to all the crap that had built up over the years coming out and hope not to wearing out as after re-ajusting it has been ok.
Have a good show.

Stephen

andrew honychurch · #**236** 19-07-12, 10:52

thanks Stephen. Actually the tracks did loosen up quite a bit over that mileage even though I had tighened them up just before. The whole exercise was most enjoyable and when she was running correctly it was evident that it is well sorted and designed machine. JUst off back up to the rally field now.

eddy8men · #**237** 24-07-12, 20:15

saw the carrier and thought it looked great, a real credit to you. shame we couldn't meet up and have a chat about t16's but there's always next year.

rick

andrew honychurch · #**238** 25-07-12, 09:21

thanks Rick, yes sorry we did not meet as well. There is always so much to do at W and P that to stay close by the vehicle all the time is to miss seeing things.

T16 is looking decidedly second hand now, so I need to tidy a few things up again. Lots to do after my 20 mile run. It seems that the oil cooler for the rear axle is not allowing the oil to flow through. The bottom pipe and lower part of the cooler is hot but the top is cold. There is a thermostat at the top which allows the oil to flow through but perhaps it is stuck closed, or maybe the oil cooler is far more efficient than it would seem.

Oil leak somewhere in the engine bay, quite a lot as it happens so my nice clean floor is covered, at least it wont rust again. And of course I need to sort out the fuel starvation problems.

Anyway, when I can bear to I will get stuck into all that and hopefully she will be properly sorted by Headcorn Combined Ops.

as an aside, thats a nice show if anyone feels like a trip to Kent again!

andrew honychurch · #**239** 26-07-12, 07:46

Slightly upset to discover that my rear axle has managed to pump most of its oil into the gearbox during my recent road trip. I had suspicions that the oil pump for the rear axle was not pumping oil to the oil cooler but cannot at this stage work out how it has managed to fill the gearbox with its oil. Clearly there is a seal on the pinion and another on the rear of the gearbox, but for the oil to have made its way into the gearbox to the point that its coming out of the gear selector lever on the very top is mystifying. Its almost that it has been pumped under pressure through the coupling and into the gearbox. If you look at the level of the back axle it is lower than the level that the oil reached in the gearbox. One for all you technical gurus to ponder upon whilst I ponder on the prospect of removing the axle once more. Ah well, it is meant to be enjoyable this hobby of ours

Richard Farrant · #**240** 26-07-12, 08:56

hi Andrew,
Maybe the axle breather is blocked?