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Bogged.
This remarkably complete Mk.I* carrier was found on a country property
in southern Ontario. It had been used as a plaything by the children of
the family, until one of them bellied into a soft spot at the base of a
hill. After it had been sitting for almost 15 years, we discovered it through
word-of-mouth and made a deal... |
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The
challenge was to get it out without destroying too much of the owner's
turf. We first broke the tracks, then applied about three days of shovelling
and beer to the problem; no go. As you see it here, it was free from its
prison, but utterly immobile due to the softness of the surrounding ground.
Interestingly
enough, that portion of track which had been buried in mud was really good,
while the rest, exposed to many seasons of air, rain and snow, was seized
solid. |
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A
revelation! Amazing what a winch can do. We hired a guy with a tilt 'n
load to back into the site. He left disconcerting deep ruts in the owner's
lawn, but there was no choice. Imagine our feelings on seeing it start
to move again, after 15 years of being entombed. |
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Up
the ramp. Wow. We knew at that instant that this old warhorse would ride
again. All roadwheels rolled freely, but the steering was locked solid.
Who cares!!?? |
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Re-tracked
and awaiting restoration. Beside it sits a Mk.II* subsequently sold to
finance this restoration. |
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Packed
up and ready to move to its new locale. Note the interim paint job; we
have to dream, even if we can't restore at that moment! And Tremclad works
wonders... |
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Down
and dirty. Garaged and stripped, the carrier some years later is in the
process of restoration. Everything was stripped out of the hull, the hull
sandblasted, and all reassembled a bit at a time. While shortcuts in the
process are possible, this vehicle deserved no less than a complete rebuild.
On completion it was basically factory-new. |
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The
driver's compartment halfway through the process. Once the steering gear
and its attendant bearings and yokes are in, all else can be added a piece
at a time. Restoration is invariably a slow process, but infinitely satisfying
to anyone with an eye for detail. The key is to be well-prepared in advance,
and to follow your action plan. Don't cut any corners unless you have no
choice! |
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The
original engine has been rebuilt and is finally installed. Canadian Ford
engines are very tricky, in that they have a unique bearing arrangement.
Much better to convert to the period American flathead crank, rods and
bearings. All exterior components are either available or rebuildable. |
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How
NOT to ship your freshly-rebuilt Universal Carrier.
In advance
of a military parade, a local military unit had sent over a float; unfortunately,
once the carrier was driven ON to the float, it started to slide. The roadbed
was slightly angled. What you see here was the result. No damage except
to ego, a cracked generator bracket and some fouled plugs.
Two things
come to mind... first, it's damned lucky it didn't roll over all the way
- Bruce was in the driver's seat the whole time. Secondly, it would have
made for an interesting scenario had it landed on the hydrant... |
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Despair.
All that work... and a lesson learned. Beware steel track! Not only is
it deadly on canted float decks, but also on concrete or asphalt. |
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On
its way down. What a sobering experience! After a few hours of maintenance
and reflection, the carrier was rolling again, in support of a veterans'
parade and display. Please see here
for more pics of this restored-and-operational carrier. |
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13 Feb 00 |
Back to Restorations |
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A/C |
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| Copyright ©
Geoff
Winnington-Ball , 1999 - All Rights Reserved |
