Thread: The Ultimate FC

I dont have time to make it my self, but I am getting the local marine place to make me a cradle I need to remove the wheel stations accurately and safely.
Two steel special wedges are used to hold up the torsion bar arms while doing this too.

I lubed the suspension for the first time the other day.
You are suppose to use oil in the nipples, but I will in future will be using a semi fluid grease, as it only takes one seal some where to cause the oil to be lost.
Even the shocks and rebound pivots are oil lubicated.
A small brass plugs are also removed to let air out and the oil in.

The Bloke who owns a Stalwart in Qld just like mine( but only better) has been helpful in many ways.
I asked him what a strap and bracket was for in the cabin.......first aid kit.
The next thing I know I have the correct sort of first aid box in the mail.

Thanks Sean.
The good news is he is well on the way to get historic rego for his stalwart.
For my historic rego the club registra inspected the vehicle (NSW) but in Qld it has to go over the pits, and because of the vehicles unusual design he has to work in closely with the inspectors to ensure they know what they are looking at.

I still am at a lost for any british army ID on this vehicle.
The old paint is confusing too.
Some parts of the vehicle has had many coats of paint while other parts just two.
I think the side boards and tail gate have been swapped from another stalwart some time in its life.
The only common thread is the complete lack of mechanical wear and rust though outside storage.
This being a Limber version ( crane with a small compartment near the crane for Four extra crew) would not have been fitted with a cover over the load area in army storage or service.

I have been reading a interesting book called the B Series Engine in National service.
I found many mistakes with information in this book, but it does have good Stalwart photos which I will try and post later.( with copy right)
A couple of interesting things I learnt is the Rolls Royce B series was designed for 300,000 mile between rebuilds and apart of its design spec is to run at full power for One week without wear.
Each new military motor was dyno tested and signed off by a army inspector who placed the canvas paper engine life time records in the sealed tube mounted on the motor.
The Rolls Royce K60 multi fuel motor is a direct replacement for the B81 Rolls Royce Petrol motor , but is about 300 kg heavier.
The K60 multi fuel(diesel) motor could do this as its designed output speed is 3750 rpm and its size........is .the same as the petrol motor for 240 HP.

I think out of the Post WW2 combat vehicle design of the british army the B series motor was the most succesfull thing ,lasting well over forty years in service and giving little trouble.

G'day 101 Ron. Been enjoying the thread thanks
The B series motors are a work of art, the B40 in my Champ has done near on 250,000 miles with the only work done on it being a valve lap. In fact the Champ took me(and mum) to hospital when I was about to be born and that was 40 years ago! Still going strong today, the original spark plugs are getting a bit tired but and she's a bit heavy on fuel by today's standards.
Not as impressive as the straight 8, what a beautiful motor.

Cheers Simon.

I have purchased another Alvis stalwart and had to wait a while for it to be freighted to australia.
It is a early MK 1.
It is extremely good condition with good paint tyres and canopy.
I already tried swimming it and have been disappointed as it very quickly sank and I have been spending a bit of time drying the thing out.
I will post a pic.