Universal Carrier Restoration help ?

there is the speedo cable, and the positive terminal wire which run along the track guard under the dash it then passes behind you the positive wire then drops down to the battery and the speedo cable runs along the lower side plate of the tub to the diff housing.

 

OK, Thanks Richard

 

Hi guys, just thought I would do an update. I'm working on the small parts in my shop and leaving the hull til spring,I don't enjoy winter like I used to! Got the starter together and working,fixed a couple rust holes in the oil pan,been sand blasting a few small parts and welding/grinding on some of the heavy parts. The engine builders say the motor look good and should be done by the end of the month. I've got everything I need for the trans. except for the cluster gear.A friend who runs a tranny shop happened to have a complete trany that I robbed a few good parts from.Another friend happened to have a coil so now I have all the ignition stuff.
Making good progress but a long way to go!
Cheers

Dave

 

hi dave
good luck with the restoration, i'm sure you'll be driving it soon. i'm also restoring a canadian mk1 so i can sympathise with your struggle but they are definately worth it.

all the best

rick

 

Rick. Were are you located ? its always nice to know were fellow carrier owners are

 

don't go getting excited richie, it's me eddy, i used eddy as my name on the mlu forum as eddy 8 men was my old army nickname but it gets too confusing when i meet or talk to people as to which name they know me by so i just used my real name on here. but you can call me anything you like as long as it's not dick

rick

 

HAHAHAAHHA and i been calling you Eddy for ages mate !.....

 

Rick, thanks for the encouragement! I don't know how long it will be before I get to drive it, but it will definitely be worth it!
Just a question for all the carrier guys, Does anyone have the part #'s for the transmission tower lever and the 2 guide brackets that are bolted to the trans? This is a MKII.
Once I get the parts manual I won't have to ask.
Thanks and good luck with your carrier,Rick

 

Glad to see the info exchange going on so well!
Dave, be glad to see any more photos when you get a chance

Mike

 

Hi Mike, I've cut off some of the stuff that was welded on later, so I'll take some pics tomorrow.Also working on the trans which is just about done.
Cheers
Dave

 

i have the flat plate and the thin tin strap, its circa 5mm steel i may even be able to make one up for you. if not i can certainly make a pattern from mine for you

 

Thanks for the offer,Rich. I have more looking to do here but I will keep you in mind.

 

Well, I'm making progress! I've finished rebuilding the trans., and the Distributor. A lot of the small parts that I can work on in my shop are fixed,sandblasted and primed. The clutch is ready to go,and I should get the engine back soon.Can't wait! I'm going to paint the engine Ford dark green,as that looks like what it had in the beginning.
Today I worked on getting the tracks turning(real nice weather today). I went to the farm and got a tractor to pull it with(one of the guys on here suggested that before I try to take the tracks off,to pull it around to get them loosened up a bit)and one side turned right away but the other was seized. I made a wrench to back off the brakes,whacked the backing plate with a hammer and tried again. Success!Now I can get the tracks off and work on the bogies.I have two track adjuster wheels that are OK,and four bogies that are good,just need 2 more.
Hopefully the weather will hold and I can get more done outside.I have made a Carrier " carrier" so I can transport it up to the shop if I want without any running gear.I found an old truck frame and wheels to make a trailer, should work good.
I also took some lights off the carrier that are not the right carrier lights, but they look military, so I will post pics and see if anyone can tell me what they are off of.
Cheers,Dave

 

good stuff keep up the good work. a good idea for your tracks if storing then...along with keeping them off the floor you can spray them over with thinned down bitumen spray. I have rebuilt my trans but have to do the full engine as yet... lots and lots on mine to get done

 

Yep, big job, Richard. The engine re-builders have all the parts,just need time to assemble.I found out that the old mushroom style valves are replaceable with the new style straight stem valves with one piece guides and adjustable lifters. Good to know.
I saw the pic of your trans, very, uh..."nice"
I think I will paint mine same as the engine.Not quite as fancy as some.
What stage are you at Richard?Last pics I saw it looked pretty good!
Good to hear from you.

 

Just got back from Italy so have only just got your PM's my engine will be the same as my gearbox. i am finalising the armour then the hull can be painted and re assembled. engine needs built one bit at a time as they say.

 

Hi All,
Just been poking around Zillebeke bear Ypres and a farmer has shown me some road wheels for a Carrier that was left in his yard in 1940 by the retreating Seaforth's on the 27th May.
They were going to be used as wheelbarrow wheels, but were too heavy!!

He was wondering if there is a market for them?

 

there's plenty of guys looking for carrier wheels, as long as they have good rubber on them they will sell. the trouble is they are too heavy to post so aren't really a viable option for someone in the uk unless they happen to be passing through belgium but there are plenty of carrier owners on the continent, if he wants to sell then ebay would be his best bet. tell him to use the words "universal bren carrier wheels "then the carrier guys will pick it up on a search.

rick

 

Are you familiar with Nigel Watson's 3 Vol hefty tomes on the Universal Carrier...

Universal Bren Carrier Book


Vols 1 & 2 have been out for a few years now whilst Vol 3 has suffered a few delays. However, I have been told my Nigel himself that Vol 3 is to be launched at this years War & Peace show, thereafter it (like Vols 1 & 2) will be available via Nigel Watson's web site.

I have Vols 2 & 3 and whilst I wish the layout was a wee bit better I can honestly say that they are chock full of information!

You should also be able to buy stowage sketches etc. direct from the Bovington Tank Museum, Libray and Archives dept.

And finally, there's a chap in Holland wo does Military reprints and I'm pretty sure he'll be able to get you good quality reprints of various wartime maintenance manuals for the Carrier...

Search | Rob van Meel - Re-Print Military Literature

Good luck with the restoration!

 

Dave,

Have you found the WD census number on any of the bodywork?
And as the Old Git above says get Nigel Watson's books.

Cheers
Kevin