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The alcohol container dispenser unit has been removed because it will never be needed in Australia's climate and the fact its broken and I would have a hard time finding a bottle for it.
It also works on the air compressor switch on and off governor air circuit.
Things should be simpler and more reliable.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/10/124.jpgbroken Alvis stalwart alcohol bottle by john smith, on Flickr
The other day I had a close up look at a AEC Regent mk 3 double decker bus.
You know its English by the way things are done......like a mechanical stop sign that pops up with low air pressure, epicyclic, air operated gear box and the shape of the steering wheel etc.
The Stalwart has a very only the British could do it that way thing about it which it shares with MGAs , Jaguar , Rolls Royce and English sold series One Landrovers.( aussie ones didn't get it)
That is the vacuum direction indicator switch.
Below is a reproduction item..........genuine ones are worth $1000.00 aust dollar.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/10/125.jpgDSCN0437 by john smith, on Flickr
The original one for the stalwart broke though old age and sitting in the sun light.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/10/126.jpgDSCN0439 by john smith, on Flickr
The way it works is you flick over the lever and it turns on the direction indicator and it slowly returns to the off position after ...say 20 seconds.
Common sense would think you would use a mechanical egg timer arrangement.( or why even bother)
No it uses a spring loaded piston with leather seal drawing vacuum though a adjustable orifice so the timing can be adjusted.........only the Brits could design it.
Naturally the leather seal dries out and thing has to be readjusted etc.
Ron
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Just another report on my progress which as normal has not been enough.
My plans for the Christmas break was to give the stalwart a long run and get some video of it going though some muds holes I found not far from work where the stalwart is kept.
I didn't want to do this by myself and just the way things happen everyone who was to come baled out though different reasons........the Stalwart is not reliable .......it has not proven itself so , but needs to do short runs to get that reliability and I need other people around encase of trouble.
As I have no shed to work in for the Stalwart ,its been too hot or raining ect....I must work in with the weather..
The back of the Stalwart has been getting more work to rust and rear light housings, even though they are self draining, a small amount of water still sits in side and over 50 years has corroded everything.
A extra small 1/8 BSP drain bung has been added to the housings.
New stainless steel cover access plates made and bushes for the bell cranks for the RHS water jet steering.
The RHS water jet steering was seized up though lack of use and the old bushes had to be cut off and I made new ones in the lathe.
The water jet linkage needed new end float springs made.
Just to get the rear lights out was a big job because of rusted solid UNF threads and the bolts/screws just break of and then the drill out, and retaping etc..
I try to use stainless steel replacements.
Even wiring harness steel support straps are corroded away and I make new ones in Stainless from cutting up old hose clamps.
I have now discovered the bottom of the radiator surround frame is badly corroded and the radiator will have to come out..........this job appears straight forward to do, just I guess it weights about 150 KG , so I think a forklift will be in order to pluck it out, up and over.
The radiator is interesting as it is cross flow and I cannot not think of a vehicle in the 1960s which used a cross flow radiator.
The stalwart was backwards in some ways, but cutting edge in the 1960s in very many others.
The Design of the cooling system using a large header tank with a venturi constant flow and breathers back to it is interesting too.
The Stalwart is designed for operation from -40c to +50c temperature operation and will operate as a boiling water system if needed in a emergency for a while without hurting the motor.
The B81 Rolls Royce in the Stalwart benefits from developments to the cooling system for use of that motor in a German armoured tracked vehicle in the late 1950s
The drivers cabin has large over heat warning light and horn.
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The stalwart has had a wheel alignment on the twin steer and it is not done in the normal way.
You must start out by measuring stuff from the sides of the hull and checking the adjustment of the hydraulic steering ram ball joints .
It turns out my stalwart is not quiet correctly adjusted in side the hull steering ram ball joints and most likely the reason I had much trouble with steering wheels alignment many years ago after doing and the steering tie rod ends.....I have left it that way as it is not worth disturbing stuff that has been working well in the past.
I have compensated for it in other adjustments.
This time around I had all the important information and measurements needed to get it right.
I found some more 14.00 x 20 tyres which are extremely hard to come by these days.
I already have a spare set of new tyres and decided to pass them on to someone else , for the simple reason they are so large and just take up too much room to store under cover.
Below is the new and old auto air tank drainer...new one is now fitted.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/101.jpgReplacement Stalwart Auto Drain valve. by john smith, on Flickr
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To keep things interesting.
On a post a page or two back I mentioned how the Stalwart reminds me of the Thunderbirds and a scene where a vehicle is on the edge of a chasm..........some one has been thinking on the same lines.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/77.jpgrecreated thunder birds by john smith, on Flickr
The picture below is interesting, not because of the photogenic qualities, but note the higher than normal side gates and rear body work to increase free board when swimming loaded......it appears to be professionally done and a extra locking arrangement on the top of the side gate too.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/78.jpgNote high line rear body by john smith, on Flickr
Below is a Stalwart decked out for refuelling........one of its important roles.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/79.jpgstalwart bulk refuelling by john smith, on Flickr
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/80.jpgMK 1 stalwart cut away by john smith, on Flickr
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Thanks for the comprehensive update Ron. Pity I’m not closer - I wouldn’t be that hard to persuade to assist when you wanted to take it for a spin. [emoji106]
