Well its been something like Two years since I have done any work on the Stalwart.
I think I have now owned it for something like Ten years and its still not finished.
The Two year gap is because I have been doing other projects and finishing them.
The other reasons is if there has not been bush fires, there's been flood and COVID or health issues.
The final reason was the Stalwart lost its power steering.
Ten tonnes and wide low pressure tyres twin steer arrangement is not a good option by trying to steer by muscle power alone..............but it can be done so I have learnt.
Today I decided to revisit the Stalwart.
During the lay up the stalwart has been out in the weather with just a tarp over it.
The weather has knocked around the paint work and much of it will have to be done again at a later date. ( at least all the chipping back and sanding of the original paint work was done.)
With the Stalwart out in the weather means the weather gods have to be on side for me to work on it, or other wise its a forced work ethic , rather than a hobby enjoyment type ethic.
When fuel was about 80cents a litre I took the opportunity to buy petrol and store it for a rain day in the Stalwarts 500 litre fuel tank which I think is near full.
I will have start figuring out how to retrieve that fuel and use it in other vehicles as the Stalwart will not be doing any miles yet.
Today the old Stalwart started up straight away like if nothing has happened..............it always starts first short press of the starter button ............no choke..........perfect idle stone cold.
I was planning to drain the hydraulic oil tank into a empty 205 litre drum and check the power steering pump strainer which is usually a problem if blocked on the FV623 limber Stalwart.
I quickly found the problem.........no hydraulic oil.
I threw in 30 litres just to get things going again................steering works.
The question is how could about 60 litres of hydraulic oil leak out into hull and not be noticed ??????????
Time should give me an answer.
I took the Stalwart for a short drive on private property just to keep things lubed and working.
Its running well.
I have a hull full of ash from the fires of a few years back and the normal oil/water mix in the bottom too................what fun to get that out.
I need to finish the stalwart as the way I am going I will be too old to climb in and out over the top of it.
My other projects have been the Wiles cooker Junior which is in a thread on Military trailers here at AULRO.
I have also been sorting out a Austin Champ which has a 4 cylinder version of the straight 8 engine in the Stalwart.
All I can say the 4 cylinder and the 8 cylinder are like chalk and cheese.........the 8 is silky smooth and just delivers the power brillantly.
The champ has a different style carburetor, needs choke and to warm up.....the champ feels restricted breathing wise......the Stalwart is happy to run on its red line all day.
I also have a GS400 Suzuki MPs army bike as another on going project also taking my time.
I have to see how its all going to fit in time wise.
Ron
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