Thread: 1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made)

I've not tried out the three electrical plugs at the back. They are all different configurations so that you don't get things mixed up.
A trouble light came with the vehicle that fits one of the plugs so that's one accounted for, no ideas what the other two were used for.

There is a 6V dropper under the bonnet that was used to get 6V radios to work in a 12V car. I haven't traced the wiring but maybe one plug is 6V ?
There was also a surprise when I removed the instrument panel (apart from all the additional wiring) I'll post a picture of that another day.

DSCF4237 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


Colin

Decided at the weekend to get a move on with repairing the main fuel tank.
It's been out of the vehicle for some time, just waiting for the right moment to do the job.....

The size of the fuel filler means you can get your arm in to wire brush the inside, mind you there were a couple of moments when I thought I'd have to wander back to the house with my arm still inside the tank to find the vasoline. After a thorough degreasing I applied Ranex to 'convert' any rust that was left, again an arm in through the filler neck and a torch shining through the fuel sender hole to see where I was painting it.
Before applying a liner system I've started to strip the outside of the tank. To prevent damaging the solder on the joints and the tinned surface of the steel I used paint stripper rather than mechanical paint removal.

DSCN1598 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


Colin

I'd jam a multi meter into the sockets to see what their outputs are.

I had the Series I out to service it yesterday. Considering the petrol is stale it started & drove well although I must sort out the tickover.
Checked and topped up the gearbox, transfer box, swivel hubs and axles. Took it for a short drive and everything is fine (except for a few rattles from some of the parts stored in the back).

Managed to take some more photos of the front part of the bed arrangement.

Here are the poles that fit between the bulkhead behind the seats and the 'dashboard' (OK, the bulkhead/firewall).

DSCN1622 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

You then take the panels down from above the passenger seat and fit into place.

DSCN1624 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN1625 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


I also took some pictures of the drivers door mirror. It's a bit unusual because it swings out to see past a wide load but the mirror stays in perfect alignment throughout it's travel.

DSCN1626 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN1627 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Need to get on with lining the main tank so I can get it re-fitted for next weekend.



Colin

I've been trying to get the main tank repaired in time to go to the Series meeting this weekend. It runs OK on the auxilliary tank but having a deadline makes things happen...

I ended up getting some Redkote (I have a POR10 kit for another tank) and a few litres of Acetone. Read up all the 'how to' stuff and decided to get stuck into it.
Because Redkote can be removed using acetone I decided to insert the tank drain plug while distributing it round the inside then I could remove it to drain any excess and clean the threads up with acetone.
For the fuel sender & pickup connections I pushed some Blu-Tack into the holes to protect the threads (although I have a 2BA tap to clean the threads if needed) and covered the holes with masking tape.

DSCN1671 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

The Redkote, which had been mixed with acetone the night before, was tipped in the filler neck and this was taped up. Then the tank was tipped & turned to make sure the whole inside was coated.
The drain plug was removed and any excess caught as it drained.

DSCN1674 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

There is a warning about leaving puddles of Redkote in the tank because it skins over then when fuel is pured in it can break the skin and you get strings of redkote in the fuel. I chased the remaining redkote around the inside of the tank to spread it out (by now the acetone was evaporating and the Redkote was thickening).
It then started to rain outside and with the change in humidity and the evaporation taking heat from the tank the outside ended up running with water. Luckily the inside was fully coated before this happened.

Here is a view inside the tank.

DSCN1676 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

The masking tape & Blu-Tack were removed and the tank left to dry.

I then etch primed the tank and tonight gave the bottom a coat of satin black, tomorrow night I'll paint the top and hopefully it's ready to go back in on Saturday.
Redkote $77 including delivery, 2 litres of acetone $18 plus paint.....it ends up about 1/5 the cost of a reproduction tank, but it's the original from 1956 !

DSCN1678 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


I have a gasket for the fuel sender and have to make one for the pickup pipe. I just need to decide what to do with the bolts that hold the tank in place. I might just neutralise the rust on them and re-use, I want them to fit in with the general patina of the vehicle.......



Colin

Colin

Do you know if it can be used to line tanks used for potable water?

See you on Sun.

Originally Posted by Brad110

Colin

Do you know if it can be used to line tanks used for potable water?

See you on Sun.

Brad,

On the Damon Industries site (the makers of Redkote) they say specifically not to use it for potable water.

Hopefully the weather holds up for Sunday.


Colin

I managed to get the main tank back in on Saturday. Made the gasket for the fuel pickup and also decided to make one for the sender (despite buying one). I used the rubberised cork gasket material from Super Cheap.

Carefully re-installed using the original bolts but didn't connect it up to the fuel line, decided instead to let the RedKote cure a bit longer.

Took it for a drive to the Series Gathering at Beaconsfield Upper (using the auxilliary tank) and she performed well, I must fiddle with the Holden carby and try to get the tickover more consistent.

Next job is to fire the welder up in anger, the governor pulley was the holdup originally because it was cracked. A re-manufactured pulley has been installed so I don't really have an excuse now.....


Colin