On the Carrier learning curve

meduffer · #1 09-11-11, 02:44

Hello,

My buddy and I bought a Mk 1* Carrier about two years ago and we've been sort of in the background of the MLU Forum reading the posts - new and old - and generally getting a handle on what we've got ourselves into. We had been hunting all over the place for a project for some time. Like a lot of you, we stumbled onto someone who knew someone, etc. who directed us back to a gent that lives a few km from my house. It ends up that he lives on the road that I've been trained on for about twenty years. All those times I'd been running past his property admiring his rusty stuff and just over a little hill...

The numbers that I have are 1942 Serial 10038 / Hull 9061 (according to the aluminum builders tag on a loose piece of plate) , 1942 Hull 8677 (according to the driver's armour plate) and the serial # at the rear of the engine compartment can't be read (acid?). So really, since the previous owner had three carriers over the years and he stripped them, we're not sure which one we have.

Well suddenly I have some time on my hands and we're going to start the process of stripping, repairing and rebuilding that you folks know so well - just at a nice slow pace. An MLU'er at the Acton, Ontario MV show last month hsuggested that we make official introductions and share some pictures (everyone likes pictures). So here we go...

meduffer · #2 09-11-11, 03:06

A few more... and a quick question if you don't mind. Does anyone happen to know the width and length of the slot for that brake component CTL 4050. I can reference it from the rusted out piece.

Opps. Forgot something...

Cheers,
Mike Snetsinger and Randy Croke
Whitby, Ontario

colin jones · #3 09-11-11, 03:40

Welcome and well done, very good start you've got and good luck with your carrier.
Oh and keep those pictures coming.
Colin. (Aust)

Michael R. · #4 09-11-11, 06:25

1 5/8th inch by 5/16th inch

Check with MLU member BCA, (Brian Asbury, Acton, Ontario, Canada) who may have this NOS part for sale.

D Ellery · #5 09-11-11, 07:23

Cool another carrier fruitcake. Well done, looks like a good project, please keep us informed of your progress. Lots of pics please.

Lynn Eades · #6 09-11-11, 07:52

In a straight line, from the nearest side of the round hole, 271mm.
From the same point to the far end of the slot,310mm. The slot from end to end is 41mm long. The top slot is 10mm further in than the pin slots, and the bottom edges of the channel is chamfered.
You have a terminal disease! (which means you usually die with it)
On that cheerful note.... Welcome aboard!

shaun · #7 09-11-11, 08:50

Looks good, most of the important parts seem to be there, Im just amazed how many carriers keep turning up in Canada ! And they are all cut about to the same degree. I will watch with interest its progress - good luck and dont give up, they are well worth the pleasuer at the end restoration.

eddy8men · #8 09-11-11, 09:57

well done fella's that's another little piece of history that will be restored to it's former glory, i'll give you just one word of advice. if the old guy that sold the carrier to you has anymore parts, no matter how small grab them while you can even if you don't need them, somebody will and parts swapping is the currency of restoration and not only that but you'll be helping somebody else with their resto which is what it's all about.

all the best

rick

RichardT10829 · #9 09-11-11, 10:23

well done... brings me back to when i first got mine.... keep taking little steps and before you know it she will be all but done !

meduffer · #10 10-11-11, 05:48

Thanks very much for the encouragement. Like I told one of the MLU'ers out there - it's going to be fun dusting off some of the old high school industrial arts skills and learning new ones (looking forward to riveting). Partly because it's so close to November 11th, it feels kinda important to be fixing something like our UC - an honest to goodness piece of history. Speaking of which, I have gone back and had a good visit with the gent who owned it and found...

Cheers,
Mike

Dave Schindel · #11 10-11-11, 06:34

Hi Mike,good score!
And rule # 1 : DON"T THROW ANYTHING AWAY !! (seriously)

I hope you got the parts in the pile beside the carrier?
By the time this is over, you will know carriers like the back of your hand.A great learning experience it is.
Good luck and have fun!
Dave

Jordan Baker · #12 10-11-11, 06:52

Mike, it was great to meet you at the last OMVA show. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer to chat more. You've got a similar start to what mine was like when I got it. Have fun with it. Sometimes things will go slow or even backwards but keep going and doing each piece really well. In the end it pays off. As I always say, whats another hour or two once you have spent a couple of hundred hours on it.

meduffer · #13 24-03-15, 15:30

Wow! Time flies when you're having fun. With the help of an MLU'er we upgraded to a much more complete Mk 1*. We're finished pulling her apart and now the task of rebuilding begins. There's loads of pictures scattered on three iphones and a computer, lots of labels and heavy ziplock baggies. We have some of the front armour (looking for or making more). Phase two begins...

jeff davis · #14 24-03-15, 15:43

New Carrier looks great

meduffer · #15 24-03-15, 15:56

I recently discovered that there's just enough room in the garage to do a 360. Makes things a lot easier. I'll post a few more pics when I upgrade my picture resizing skills.

meduffer · #16 24-03-15, 16:06

For those who are in the know the hull number is 10474.

Ryan · #17 26-03-15, 05:02

well done and good luck.

meduffer · #18 15-07-15, 16:07

Hi,

My son helped me set up a decent molasses de-rusting (chooching) tank made from an IBC plastic tote. It's parked in the back yard under a tree that has a very convenient limb for the chain hoist. Forfunately I haven't received any "lingering stench" complaints from the adjoining neighbours. This first batch we're soaking comprises of half of the seized track and a raft of other rusted pieces. I'm very interested in seeing the results. One of the pieces is this 2" angle. It has the Ford stamp but the part number is obscured. Can someone identify it for me?

Thanks muchly,
Mike

Lynn Eades · #19 15-07-15, 21:13

Mike, it is one of the angle irons that a rubber rest mounts on at the top edge of the hull. there is one on the back and one on the right side, each with 3 bolt holes, but different lengths.

RichardT10829 · #20 15-07-15, 21:37

It is the inner rear rifle rest mount, the outer most one has a 45deg cut on it, the only other short rifle rest is mounted on the drivers side armour just behind the bulkhead (in front of the pintle mount bracket, but that has four rivet holes rather than three

meduffer · #21 15-07-15, 22:47

Ah-huh!!! Got it. When it comes out of the tank it will get an updated label wired on.

Thanks gents,
Mike

Lynn Eades · #22 15-07-15, 23:27

Richard, you should put those tracks you're selling, on that carrier

RichardT10829 · #23 16-07-15, 11:09

Got a brand new set Lynn.... Never used...

Lynn Eades · #24 16-07-15, 12:29

Excellent Richard! Can't be better than that can it!

meduffer · #25 13-08-15, 14:28

Hi,
I'm taking a stab at repairing a bunch of the lighter gauge rusted out carrier chunks. Sometime in its history, it looks like someone used a cold chisel to hack out a piece above the access hatch. Is there supposed to be a hole in this location to lubercate the drivers side cross tube roller?
Thanks in advance,
Mike

Lynn Eades · #26 13-08-15, 20:28

Hi Michael, yes there is a hole for access to a grease nipple.

meduffer · #27 13-08-15, 23:52

Thank you sir. I'll go with the assumption that a war time driver got cheesed off with little hole and simply made it bigger. I'll leave well enough alone.