The Ultimate FC

@Ron 101

Hi Ron,

Thank you for the above info you provided. I had a little time this past weekend. I pulled all the plugs, lubricated the cylinders, let it set for a day. Installed new batteries and the mighty beast powered up. The engine turned over easily by starter motor or at least it seemed to. I did not have an extra hand so I was unable to tell if it had ignition spark or not. Correct me if I am wrong, but you stated that civilian wires and plugs are the way to go, for a hotter, better spark. Would you suggest I do this right away or just get it running first? Also, should I invest in the electronic ignition before messing around to much?

Thank you

Chad

Just get thing running as is ,and learn about the vehicle.
Chase the electronic ignition at a later date.
Sparkplug condition is very important with the standard supressed ignition system.
Electronic ignition doesn't have 50 year old condenser's that fail and a points system that must be set up with a special tool and procedure.
Electronic throws a better spark, especially if you remove the suppressed HT leads and go for much, much Cheaper civie sparkplugs available with self cleaning protruded nose and different heat ranges.
Saying that the points set up worked for the army for 30 years.
The B81 Rolls will start straight up from cold easily without choke unless it is sub zero temps ,if all is well.
Don't pump the accelerator, too much or run the engine too rich with the points set up as the suppressed plugs will foul up and not self clean.
The B81 likes to run hard under load and not idle around too much.
The starter motor will turn the motor over very easily as it is very well built and you would have noticed the slight delay in the engagement of the starter after pressing the starter button...…….reason is superior Rolls Royce /army design as the starting is a Three step operation, first a slow turn and throw out of the starter pinion ( to gently engage it without force)and then full turning force and once the engine is running quick over run retraction of the starter pinion...……...all designed to give very long starter ring gear and pinion life.

I was just going through photos on my computer. Took this in June 2014.

As I always said in this part of the country the Stalwart gets photograghed or a whole lot of curious cars following it......
It is always reported back to me someone said they had seen the stalwart running around on the road somewhere.. ...not thats been happening much lately.
Not much going on with the Stalwart due to a busted foot which has stopped any activity for a while, both pleasure and work.

Bugger. You could limp around and shine up a few bits couldnt you??? [emoji41][emoji41]

just a quick up date.

Nothing has been progressing with the Stalwart and I have lost interest in it.
I am having personal health issues which I am not going to cover here, which is limiting what I can do.
All my effort is going to just my normal job which pays the bills.
I have done a little bit on the trailer for the stalwart.
I am not going anywhere this X mas break ,so I should be able to progress and play with the Stalwart with my time off work during X mas.
The Stalwart badly needs a good run to keep the batteries up and everything in good order.
There is a army truck run/camp out near by in about six months time...…….may be I could work towards getting the stalwart ready for that.
Will report again in the new year
Ron

Get well soon Ron. Hope all will be ok soon

Well its the new year.
I have got the back LHS top corner of the stalwart temporarily bolted back in place and the cooling system header tank and pipes all back in place and working.
I gave the Stalwart a short run, but though lack of use some of the jets appear to be blocked up in the carburettor again so it was parked up for later.
The Stalwart is not under cover and the weather has been too hot to work on it.
The plant trailer for the Stalwart I have been able to fit the front part of it in the work shop at work out of the sun and so that is the thing which has been worked on.
A new draw bar has been fabricated and fitted.
The landing leg has had new bushes and shafts made for it in my lathe at home and fitted.
A period alloy tool box fitted and the whole thing is being set up so different voltage, pintle or Bartlett ball and hitch heights can be accommodated.
My foot and other problems are not going away....but should improve slowly.
A Ex Australian army Mack would be a good tow vehicle for the Stalwart and trailer, and in time if I sell something and save my pennies, it could happen.
( in the mean time I can find mates with suitable tow vehicles)
Towing the stalwart around saves the need to regear the thing for road use ,wear and tear on its drive train and delays the need for inter wheel drive disconnects.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/...b2507679ec.jpgrockwell tilt trailer draw bar for stalwart by john smith, on Flickr

The below are air fitting adaptors....again for towing behind completely different vehicles without too much trouble.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4815/...40ea33991e.jpgGlad hand adaptor air brake fittings by john smith, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/...6b7a51cbb6.jpgtrailer draw bar welding by john smith, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/...ae359ab81d.jpgRockwell trailer tilted...12 degree angle by john smith, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7846/...a98d9469e8.jpgNew draw bar and box box fitted. by john smith, on Flickr

I have done some painting to the stalwart and fixing a few little things.
I am going to go all out to get the Stalwart to a club run in Kangaroo Valley in about 6 months time, if it drives there or gets part of the way on a tilt tray time will tell.
When the weather cools a bit in a few months.
I am going to sort the stalwart for this run.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4883/...02ed26ca1c.jpgStalwart FV623 aquadic steering relay arm LHS by john smith, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/...d62caea0a1.jpgstalwart aquadic steering arm with new bush and grease nipple by john smith, on Flickr

As mentioned a lot of pages back many years ago a stalwart was to circumnavigate the Island of Wight in Britain.
You tube of this has been posted recently.
the Stalwart involved now lives in a poor state in Canada .
It failed to completely do the trip due to a fuel problem.
The Stalwart is fitted with a Rolls Royce K60 two stroke opposed piston multi fuel diesel and why it blows so much smoke and makes noise.
The same stalwart has manually operated inter wheel drive disconnects.
What is also so interesting in some of the YouTube links a Landrover centur half track was a support vehicle.
The centur tried pulling the Stalwart up a beach when it had its fuel problem, and started to loose a track when a rock fell between the track wheels.

You may need to skip though it as some of it is long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqKZRiRFL6g&t=350s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebo6xT9iuk8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdT3DdEvr6w

Ron

There is discussion on REMLR concerning the crashed Stalwart

glenrowan crash

You do not need to be a member to read the text but the pics will not be visible - reproduced are the pics taken from the link.

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