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| The Cornwall Area of the Military Vehicle Trust Members Projects page 3 |
This particular FFR had stood in a field neglected for
many years when we decided it had to be rescued.
The first tasks were to free up the hand brake and
then get the gearstick into neutral, this was done with
a few gentle taps and a chain and tractor. The
steering seemed ok and the foot brake sort of
worked, a bit more off than on, but she was still
brought home.
The Land Rover of RN origins was fitted with a white
hardtop any canvas being long gone, pop riveted
sheet aluminum made up the side panels and front
wing tops, probably an early MOT modification.
When I showed up with a couple of charged batteries
and some spanners, it was a chance for Vyvyan to
try to get it going again.
The doors came off, more brown ventilation than
panel, the hood came off and the engine
compartment exposed so that the driver could see
what was happening, it didn't matter as there wasn't
much at the front anyway.
many years when we decided it had to be rescued.
The first tasks were to free up the hand brake and
then get the gearstick into neutral, this was done with
a few gentle taps and a chain and tractor. The
steering seemed ok and the foot brake sort of
worked, a bit more off than on, but she was still
brought home.
The Land Rover of RN origins was fitted with a white
hardtop any canvas being long gone, pop riveted
sheet aluminum made up the side panels and front
wing tops, probably an early MOT modification.
When I showed up with a couple of charged batteries
and some spanners, it was a chance for Vyvyan to
try to get it going again.
The doors came off, more brown ventilation than
panel, the hood came off and the engine
compartment exposed so that the driver could see
what was happening, it didn't matter as there wasn't
much at the front anyway.
Fun with a Lightweight by G Greenaway
A starting handle was found, actually in the right place under the hood – surprise – a few turns with the handle showed the engine was free, not
seized, there was even some compression too!
Next the batteries were connected, whoops, sparks, there was current leaking somewhere, then someone shouted “hey the lights work” a bit of
fiddling with the light switch solved that problem. The key was inserted into the ignition – what optimists – turning the key brought one solitary oil
warning light to life, but no starter solenoid, after all it was only a crumbling cable loom holding the bulkhead together – maybe the ignition works?.
seized, there was even some compression too!
Next the batteries were connected, whoops, sparks, there was current leaking somewhere, then someone shouted “hey the lights work” a bit of
fiddling with the light switch solved that problem. The key was inserted into the ignition – what optimists – turning the key brought one solitary oil
warning light to life, but no starter solenoid, after all it was only a crumbling cable loom holding the bulkhead together – maybe the ignition works?.
A discussion ensued as to who was going to crank it
and who was going to sit behind the wheel, this was
quickly resolved by bringing out the tractor and tow
chain, now we'll turn the engine over!
The fuel tanks were checked, yep there's something in
the tank where the selector is, don't know what it is but
it smells a bit like petrol, there's oil in the sump and
some water in the radiator, so lets go.
The Lightweight was towed out into an open field, third
gear was selected, we think, the key turned to where
the oil light came on, and off we went, Vyvyan on the
tractor, me standing in the cab so that the fan could be
seen. No luck, the fan didn't move, the rear wheels just
dragged along leaving a trail of chewed up grass.
Four wheel drive was selected, the yellow knob going
down like a dream, that solved the problem, now the
engine was turning over great, I could even sit down,
the choke was out but she didn't fire up. Another
discussion, checking the engine after the choke had
been out for a few hundred yards we expected to find
a smell of petrol, but nothing.
and who was going to sit behind the wheel, this was
quickly resolved by bringing out the tractor and tow
chain, now we'll turn the engine over!
The fuel tanks were checked, yep there's something in
the tank where the selector is, don't know what it is but
it smells a bit like petrol, there's oil in the sump and
some water in the radiator, so lets go.
The Lightweight was towed out into an open field, third
gear was selected, we think, the key turned to where
the oil light came on, and off we went, Vyvyan on the
tractor, me standing in the cab so that the fan could be
seen. No luck, the fan didn't move, the rear wheels just
dragged along leaving a trail of chewed up grass.
Four wheel drive was selected, the yellow knob going
down like a dream, that solved the problem, now the
engine was turning over great, I could even sit down,
the choke was out but she didn't fire up. Another
discussion, checking the engine after the choke had
been out for a few hundred yards we expected to find
a smell of petrol, but nothing.
I,ll soon fix that Vyvyan had said returning with a can of petrol, about a cupful was poured straight into the manifold through the now open carb.
Off we went again, a few yards, bang a 6ft flame shot out of the top of the carburetter. Did you see that yelled Vyvyan from the tractor with a
great grin, at least we've got a spark somewhere!
Now we are beginning to wise up, Vyvyan poured the rest of petrol from the can into the tank while I manually primmed the fuel system from
under the pump.
Another go, and after a few yards she fired up and in third gear the throttle was stuck open, the Land Rover was now going faster than the
tractor, Stomping on the clutch and brake brought the FFR to a stop inches from the rear of the tractor.
There was an oil pressure gauge which had been added some time in its life showed a healthy reading! carefully selecting neutral before
jumping out, the engine revving but sounding good, manipulation of the throttle linkage brought the rev's under control and Vyvyan could now
take his hand off the top of the carburetter.
Off we went again, a few yards, bang a 6ft flame shot out of the top of the carburetter. Did you see that yelled Vyvyan from the tractor with a
great grin, at least we've got a spark somewhere!
Now we are beginning to wise up, Vyvyan poured the rest of petrol from the can into the tank while I manually primmed the fuel system from
under the pump.
Another go, and after a few yards she fired up and in third gear the throttle was stuck open, the Land Rover was now going faster than the
tractor, Stomping on the clutch and brake brought the FFR to a stop inches from the rear of the tractor.
There was an oil pressure gauge which had been added some time in its life showed a healthy reading! carefully selecting neutral before
jumping out, the engine revving but sounding good, manipulation of the throttle linkage brought the rev's under control and Vyvyan could now
take his hand off the top of the carburetter.
Smiles all round, we now replaced the air filter hose,
unhooked the tow chain and drove around the field
checking all the gears, she was going great, no problems,
the brake servo even worked.
We controlled the throttle pedal by either pressing it down
or placing a toe under the pedal and lifting, the bulkhead
couldn't support the hand throttle. Even our ladies came
out to have a look after we discovered the horn still
worked.
After driving her back to the shed Vyvyan removed a
cover from the starter motor while I hooked up a jump lead
from the starter motor to the batteries, now we could start
her, hand priming the fuel and stabbing the jump lead on
the batteries worked every time. A quick check with a
multimeter showed power on the radio supply terminals
too.
Delighted we took her out once more for a longer drive,
avoiding any large bumps as we didn't want to re-arrange
the suspension mountings and also taking a few pictures
along the way. This Land Rover now has the best spot in
the shed, I can hear the professionals screaming “that not
the way to do it” but hell we had a lot of fun.
unhooked the tow chain and drove around the field
checking all the gears, she was going great, no problems,
the brake servo even worked.
We controlled the throttle pedal by either pressing it down
or placing a toe under the pedal and lifting, the bulkhead
couldn't support the hand throttle. Even our ladies came
out to have a look after we discovered the horn still
worked.
After driving her back to the shed Vyvyan removed a
cover from the starter motor while I hooked up a jump lead
from the starter motor to the batteries, now we could start
her, hand priming the fuel and stabbing the jump lead on
the batteries worked every time. A quick check with a
multimeter showed power on the radio supply terminals
too.
Delighted we took her out once more for a longer drive,
avoiding any large bumps as we didn't want to re-arrange
the suspension mountings and also taking a few pictures
along the way. This Land Rover now has the best spot in
the shed, I can hear the professionals screaming “that not
the way to do it” but hell we had a lot of fun.
Replacement Chassis and Bulkhead.
Watch This Space
Watch This Space
