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

[Dave Mills]

The Humber springs to life. Richard Coutts-Smith trekked down from Barnawatha to Seymour and we began the preparations for start up. Replaced the fuel pump and jerry rigged a make shift fuel tank, replaced the distributor base plate, replaced spark plugs and squirted oil down the bores. Connected the jumper cable between the Austin Champ and the Humber. Rich hit the ignition switch and the old girl fired up spewing smoke, rubbish and rat droppings everywhere; catching us by surprise.
After at least 25 years the mighty B60 sprung to life a testament to the fine manufacturing of a Rolls Royce engine.

Rich did get some footage and hopefully he will add it to this thread. Thanks Rich for your assistance, two heads are better than one.

Dave.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Yes not bad for a truck snatched from the jaws of the scrapper!
For the uninitiated, note black umbilical cable running from the cab, to an Austin Champ out of shot. The Champ provided all the 24v electric required to start and run the Humber. A great bit of original kit .
There was also evidence of a minor water leak...
Rich.

[Keith Webb]

Great to see it running, congratulations!

Was that all that was left of the rear body after a high pressure wash?

[Dave Mills]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Great to see it running, congratulations!

Was that all that was left of the rear body after a high pressure wash?

Almost, removed the body; well, it fell apart. At least made it easier to remove. Only to expose more rust in the chassis, I am afraid that the vehicle is good for parts only, will need to use my other chassis and transfer the parts.

Dave.

[Keith Webb]

At least what's there was fairly unmolested. What's the engine like?

[Dave Mills]

What's the engine like?

Sounds strong and quite, although running rough as time went on. The compression test told me that I have a blown head gasket between pots 1 and 2. Now that I know it runs and what the problem is I can remove the motor and transmission.

[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.

[FV1611A]

Well done guys

I have recently updated my thread on an FV1611A having got her running again after a long lay off.

It was the most exciting thing I have seen and done in years. Even with a holed downpipe she had that sound of an old classic.

I was fortunate to actually get her to move and drive a short distance.

It is great to see more of these fine vehicles getting up an running again.

Keep up the good work chaps.

Now I need to go and measure up some lockers to make new ones from... Where's Clive

[Dave Mills]

Thanks Wayne, like all these restorations a test of patience and passion; will be watching your progress as i am sure you be with mine. Glad to read that your vehicle is pretty well complete, the FV1600 series battle with that dreaded rust and of course once into the vehicle it shows no mercy. I have two cabs and both are beyond help, however, got onto another good cab and will be picking that up in a couple of weeks. Worrying seeing that only 130 ever came into Aus and i have worked my way through 3 of those.

We also own and restore Austin Champs and are off to the Victorian high country (Mansfield) with them along with 26 other Champs and near on 70 Champers for 7 days of 4WDriving, camping, meeting up with the gang again and having a great time of course a few cold beers will be had and a lot of laughs. Leave this Saturday so the preperation and servicing of the Champ have put a stop on the Humber restoration for a bit, blasted brakes and siezed wheel cylinders.

Dave.

[Dianaa]

At least Tim V at Winton still has lots of spares for the B60 engines. They were fitted to Daimler Ferrets.

[FV1611A]

Originally Posted by Dianaa

At least Tim V at Winton still has lots of spares for the B60 engines. They were fitted to Daimler Ferrets.

Sounds promising and I wonder if he would post to UK, if there is an item that is obsolete over here, but he has in stock?

Good to know

[FV1611A]

Dave

Thanks and I guess that I am more fortunate with the armoured hull.

The Achilles heel on the Pig is the wheelarch / lockers, which are essentially 20g plate with some folded edges.

I guess it makes then a little easier to make.

The FV1600 is a beautiful looking truck and I admire your dedication and patience.

Nice to know I have a distant relative over here underneath her armour that was once a FV1600 back in 1953.

I will definitely keep watching your thread.

I notice me neighbour 'Rampant Rivet' who is doing a MW Aero resto has joined the forum. He did a cracking job on his Champ and having been taken for a spin they are indeed a lovely vehicle.

Best wishes

[Dianaa]

Originally Posted by FV1611A

Sounds promising and I wonder if he would post to UK, if there is an item that is obsolete over here, but he has in stock?

Good to know

Worthwhile asking at least: http://www.timvibert.com.au/

you probably already know about Marcus Glenn in the UK http://www.marcusglenn.com/ they are both specialists in Armoured vehicles, but given they also used the common B series engines of the Champs, Ferret, Humber and Saracen/Saladin they still have quantities of difficult to find bits.

[FV1611A]

Yes of course there is Marcus Glenn, but always nice to know of others for retail therapy and cost comparisons.

Thanks

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Maybe Dave will have enough Cab parts and running gear left over to make one of these.
from: http://www.mvtsem.com/11201.html
Rich

[Dave Mills]

What a beast Rich, if I found that I would leave it the way it is. A sensational looking vehicle, however, something I would not do to a Humber even if I had the bits and pieces.

[fv1620]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Maybe Dave will have enough Cab parts and running gear left over to make one of these. Rich

I followed the link & the question was asked "Anyone know where this is now?"

It survives!

I saw it about 2 years ago it has received a replacement body from a Humber with a rotten chassis. I've got some pictures somewhere.

Not many vehicles would survive to have a life beyond that sort of conversion.

Well done Rootes & the new owner!

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Thanks Clive, we had a few Humber owners at Champ Camp over the last few days and least one of the UK contingent knew of it. Love to see some more pics if you get around to digging them up. (We had 6 current owners in one spot, with a few ex owners as well, probably an aussie record.)
Rich.

[Dave Mills]

Have been moving slowly on the resto, but have managed to remove the Cabin in preperation for the next stage. Now that the cabin is removed i can start on the long job of restoring the chassis and running gear. Sourced a third cabin due to the fact that the other two are just non repairable due to rust. The third cab is in great condition apart from being slightly twisted so have it at the local panel shop to be straightened and they will cut and repair a little patch of rust in the roof whilst it is in their hands. Good to have mates in these trades

Cheers,

Dave.

[fv1620]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

http://www.mvtsem.com/11201.html

Here is KTB 112C with its replacement body

[fv1620]

Dave great job going on there. What is between the inner & outer skins, is there any insulation?

[Dave Mills]

Thanks for the support Clive. There is insulation in the roof and rear of the cab, a layered plastic material, my intention is to replace this as the resto continues with a more modern version. My initial call is that this material held the moisture and maybe, just maybe, the rusting started from the inside out hence the roofs seem to be the first to go as it inhibited a good air flow to help dry out the cab. (I will take a few pics and post them later)

Have refurbished the rear cross member that the winch marries up with, it had been ripped by the winch cable; a common problem I think. It has been unbolted along with the tail end of the chassis, removed, repaired, rust treated and refitted. Small steps but every step is one step closer.

Cheers,

Dave.

[fv1620]

Dave that is a good point maybe about trapping the moisture.

As for the rear cross-member, on the Pig it is quite different of course but I was amazed that water could enter from the inside around the Warner socket but had nowhere to escape. None to wonderful for a vehicle that is meant to wade. The photo only shows about half the crud I got out of it.

Is there a similar problem on the 1601?

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Clive , thanks for the up date on KTB 112C, got to say it's lost a little of it's "Presence and Panache" after it's unlikley rebirth. Like the steps next to the tailgate, an item that should have been designed in originally.

Cab insulation is an Isoflex product that looks like a brittle corrugated plastic, without doubt the twin skin is it's own worst enemy in the battle against rust. I remember being told years agp that the insulating medium was caneite, if so the problem may well have been far worse.
Rich.