Humber FV1600 - ARN 105-819 - Restoration moves forward.

[Dave Mills]

Have been toiling away at the B60 for about 2 two months on and off and here is the end result. Motor overhauled, bearing caps in perfect condition compressions all at 110PSI, bores great, a little wear in the valve guides but i like a bit of extra oil in this area with this new unleaded fuel. Had the cylinder head reconditioned by the local engine reconditioner who did his apprenticship on the B60 & B40 motors which helped no end.

Thanks to Russell Altman who supplied a NOS carby, Fuel pump and what you cannot see are all of the original gaskets including head gasket. Clutch plate religned and flywheel machined along with the transmission being serviced. Manufactured the mobile engine stand myself and it has proved to be a valuable piece of kit with a power unit of this size. A few parts from Roy Elvis in the UK a coat of paint and the job is done.

As time goes on and i master getting photos onto the site i will share more if people wish.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Tony Wheeler]

Nice work Dave, you've certainly made some rapid progress. Motor looks fabulous, I'm glad it turned out to be in good nick apart from the blown head gasket. Cheers, Tony.

[Dave Mills]

Some shots of the humber tray under restoration. Have rebuilt at least 80% of the metal sides and seat boxes and completely rebuilt the Tray chassis. I and am now in the process of preparing for the undercoat and top coat.

Yes, i did toil away in our 45 degree days, served by plenty of ice cold stubbies and a very supportive wife who by the way loves this restoration stuff.

The first photo shows the tray chassis once removed from the vehicle, it made it an easy decision to rebuild instead of repair.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Robin Craig]

Did you take the plunge and fit electronic ignition to it as well?

Robin

[Dave Mills]

Hello Robin I have got electronic ignition fitted to the B60. I purchased it from Jolley Engineering in the UK, I also have my two Austin Champs fitted with the Jolley Electronic ignition and have had no problems at all. Richard Coutts-Smith also has the same electronic ignition fitted to his Humber and has for a long time also without problems.

Certainly moved away from the twin point set up and unreliable condensers ASAP.

Do you own a Humber?

Dave.

[Robin Craig]

we own Ferrets

R

[Dave Mills]

A little more progress with the Humber tub, only need to place the floor decking in and fit and wire up the rear lights. Now ready to remove the cab and start on the running gear and chassis.

Dave.

[Glen Cairncross]

Originally Posted by Dave Mills

Have been toiling away at the B60 for about 2 two months on and off and here is the end result. Motor overhauled, bearing caps in perfect condition compressions all at 110PSI, bores great, a little wear in the valve guides but i like a bit of extra oil in this area with this new unleaded fuel. Had the cylinder head reconditioned by the local engine reconditioner who did his apprenticship on the B60 & B40 motors which helped no end.

Thanks to Russell Altman who supplied a NOS carby, Fuel pump and what you cannot see are all of the original gaskets including head gasket. Clutch plate religned and flywheel machined along with the transmission being serviced. Manufactured the mobile engine stand myself and it has proved to be a valuable piece of kit with a power unit of this size. A few parts from Roy Elvis in the UK a coat of paint and the job is done.

As time goes on and i master getting photos onto the site i will share more if people wish.

Cheers,

Dave.

Hi Dave have mistaken your Humber for Richards I have recently purchased a Humber 1 ton and love your information what a great job. There are so many questions I would like to ask, here are some.
Do you have the paint code for that two pack finish you got.?
Is there any new or NOS wiring looms available.
Will send a picture when I learnhow to do it on this site.
Cheers Glenn
Perentie GS
Bedford QL
Humber 1 ton FFW and GS

[Dave Mills]

PM sent.

Dave.

[Dave Mills]

At last, after much designing and building we have a Recovery trailer to carry an Austin Champ and completed a successful test run in and around Seymour. A long time coming, however, to meet Victorian registration requirements it takes a lot of engineering to tow anything with a gross weight over 2 tonnes.

Tows well and handles very well, the Humber pulled it well, handles the flat well and holds its speed to most inclines. Small troubles with the B60 rotor button kicking in occasionally (Governed). A learning experience to drive with weight towed behind but all good and very happy.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Dave Mills

Small troubles with the B60 rotor button kicking in occasionally (Governed). A learning experience to drive with weight towed behind but all good and very happy.

hi Dave,
Good work, looks a nice outfit. regarding the rotor arm governer kicking in, do what the soldiers used to do with the Ferrets, wedge a matchstick in. You are not going to over rev intentionally, just the odd occasion when you want the umph uphill I suspect.

[pauldavies]

Hi Dave and a great looking rig you have there, I towed my champ from Hervey Bay to Corowa last month with my Patrol 4.2 Turbo and it was a journey and a half but well worth it. My trailer is a big one and well able to take the weight, I did get stopped on the QLD/NSW border by the Cops and Transport Nazi's but they give me the all clear. Glad the 1 Tonner is going well, I bumped into Rich Couts-Smith while there. Hope to do 2020 Champ Camp.
Paul Davies

[Dave Mills]

After a little bit of head scratching i have overcome the miss/hesitation in the B60. First i dismantled the spark plugs and cleaned the carbon deposit from the ceramic insulator. After i have raised the compression ratio from 6.4 to 7.1 with a motor overall it is pushing carbon past the internal seal. Took it for a drive a little better but not fixed. Second, i removed the screw connector in the coil high tension lead and spotted a lot of carbon dust in the thread and around the internal contact - blew out with air, cleaned and refitted, test drive, better again but not fixed. Finally i rechecked the spark plug gap as it is opened out as i have electronic ignition fitted. Readjusted gap by eye making it slightly smaller. Test drove and i have a new truck - all fixed.

I believe it was a series of symptoms causing the problem with the main culprit being to wide a plug gap. Under pressure and torque i think that the spark was partially extinguished across the larger gap by the increased compression.

Well, that's my theory for the problem.

Dave.