Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

Darrin Wright · #1 18-10-14, 06:05

Last couple of days have been small jobs in preparation for putting the tracks on.

A friend offered to assist, so this morning (Saturday) we moved the tracks out onto the concrete and laided them out and aligned them with the road wheels.
Used the Dodge this time to tow the BGC out of the workshop and onto the tracks.

Working on the left side first due to position of the hull on the tracks, man-handled the tracks over the road wheels to the sprocket. With a small crowbar we levered the track down/over the sprocket so that we were in a position to connect the track winch to both ends of the track.
Wound the track winch up and brought the 2 sections of track together. Connected them by inserting 1 link into each side of track.

Repeated this for the other side.

Paint marked the join in the track so that I can lead plug it later. But I anticipate having to break track again to adjust brakes and tension track as it wears in & stretches. However, the front stub axles are all the way to the rear, so have plenty of adjustment left as required.

Darrin Wright · #2 18-10-14, 06:07

More action pics as I know people love pictures.

I do.

Darrin Wright · #3 18-10-14, 06:15

Once we had the track on, gentle test drive back & forth on the concrete to ensure all links were pivoting and that no track horns/teeth were fouling. Just had to make sure all was good.
Then it was off down the drive way (40m distance) in 1st gear, testing the track displacement steering and braking.
Had my doubts about the brakes, but they worked. Obviously not in race car style, but they did stop it.
Conducted a RH pivot/brake turn and returned back to the workshop.

Surprisingly light on the steering and turning, which surprised me. Its been 10 years since I have driven a BGC any great distance.

Have found several teething issues that I will have to resolve before more driving can be done.

It is parked in the workshop, on carpet so as not to tear up the painted floor.

Darrin Wright · #4 18-10-14, 06:19

I also fabricated a battery hold down clamp, similar to the drawing in the parts book. Just have to get a sheet metal cover made for the top, to protect the battery clamps & posts.

Working on finishing the fuel tanks; however, my soldering skills have somewhat deteriorated over time so may have to take the tanks to a radiator shop to be finished.

Darrin Wright · #5 22-10-14, 22:16

After placing the tracks on and running it the short distance, without the fan running, a small crack on the seam of the top radiator tank appeared. So out with the radiator and off to the radiator repair shop.
This also gives me the opportunity to fix up the gear lever play and position, this has been in & out 4 times to get right. It is possible to remove and install this with the power pack installed- bugger of a job.

Due to necessity I have had BGC mirror arms and mount brackets manufactured. I have never come across a useable assembly.
Euan loaned me an original, so had this drawn up in CAD and manufactured on a CNC machine. Collected today.
They are currently listed in the "For sale" section, so hopefully will sell them.

The pic shows the items(s) and the hex bolt (in tapered hole) is just to hold item in position for pic.

I am more than happy with the quality and finish.

Darrin Wright · #6 23-10-14, 11:34

Had the battery cables re-made as I was not happy with the previous cables as they were too short and too thick.
Had the earth cable made to length and covered in a cloth braided cover, looks the part now and it is modern.
Cables now installed into the hull & engine bay.

Replaced the starter motor back onto the engine.

All this electrical work has forced me to start on the wiring and installation of the conduit.
Pre-wired some of it on the bench, then installed it and slowly working through it installing wiring that was already in place.

I think if I had to do this again, it would be easier to make a frame out of the hull, assemble the conduit into place loose, run the wires, connect/tighten the conduit, then install it into the hull from the rear. This would mean having to do this before the RHR suspension unit went on, before fuel tank brackets in & before air scoop went back in (if you have the luxury of having a removable air scoop).

Pics show todays progress, manufactured a Bakelite spacer and mounted the horn button in place and wired it up (as much as possible).
Installed the NOS horn.
Pic of conduit on floor half assembled.
Mess in back of hull as I slowly work through running wires in conduit.

Dale Jordan · #7 23-10-14, 11:59

This post is good timing for me Darrin . As I'm at that stage now . Yes I can understand how hard it must be for you now . Not much room down there , as it's hard enough for me without the engine and air scoop in the hull . Great photos and info for other carrier owners on the MLU . Once my wiring loom turns up I'll follow your lead and run it through the conduit and install it early in the build .. keep the photos coming . P.S I have seen a photo somewhere showing a joint in the 3/4 inch conduit that goes under the RHS station just in front of it , which makes sense as it would be hard to get it all together in one peace underneath that station support I've tried that when I did a dry fit last week . Dale