SABRE on Drive

SABRE looking good on our Drive.

Just the Turret Basket, Seats etc to fit now and she's finished !!

Rear Track Idler Wheels Replaced With Latest Type

Rear Track Idler Wheels Replaced With Latest Type.

These 2 Piece per side Wheels do not wear like the older one piece Wheel.

Removed Fuel Tank Access Plate

Removed the access plate to the fuel tank to clean out any sediment etc that might have been lurking in there... infact it was better than I thought with just a small layer of crap on base of the rubber bag. The fuel sender / float assembly is a big bugger !!

I had not noticed before that the little viewing window had a level reading behind it.... was mystified at first as to why the numbers were reversed and upside down !! .... but I guess as the window is in a position where direct viewing is impossible....there is a small mirror which flips out.... then, through the mirror, the numbers look right... very clever !

Also the numbers show how many litres are required to fill the tank.... not how much is left in.... also very sensible.

                                      

Rotary Switch for Indicator Panel

Basic , Simple Technology....

A 18 way rotary switch which I will adapt to provide Gear position.

This was purchased brand new (EBay)...  but interestingly it was produced in 1953 !!   came wrapped in protective paper.... and the box shows date preserved as Feb that year ....  over 63 years ago !!!

Replacement Gearbox -

Replacement Gearbox in Primer.   The currently installed box has a "strange noise" which requires investigation.   It seems to work OK but does not inspire confidence.

Top Coat of paint tomorrow.

Video of Gearbox Noise.....

Radiator Restored !!

At last....  got it finished  !!

New Core, New Gaskets, Stainless Steel Nuts & Bolts

Old Radiator Stripped, Primed and Painted !

Old Radiator Stripped, Primed and Painted !

Ready for the Re-Build.

Stripped

Primed

Painted

At Last..... Radiator Refurb Begins.... !!!

Not had chance to do any work on the Sabre for many months......   but at last some progress.

Stripped the old "Donor"  Radiator....  56 stubborn nuts and bolts ...  but pretty straight forward.

New Nuts & Bolts will be fitted along with the new core.

Donor Radiator

                                              Stripped Down

Tracks Replaced !

Phew that was a job....   but looking good  !

Back to it !!

Not done much over the last 2 or 3 months..... so time for a big push now !!

Vehicle is now road registered after a 3 month "Review" by DVLA Swansea....  I really thought, at one point, that they were going to decline to register it...  big relief !

No real challenges now before its first road run......  just some repetitive and a slightly tedious jobs to do.

Currently working my way through checking and painting the Swinging arms and wheel hubs (including changing the oil in all 12 wheel /idler hubs).... and replacing any rough roadwheels with good ones.

4 arms / hubs done.....  6 to go !!

One damper fitted....  the other three now checked and painted... ready to fit.

Once this task is completed just the actual tracks to replace... not difficult but very heavy work.

All Engine Covers Fitted

Its been a while since I have posted anything.....  mainly due to work, yet again, getting in the way !!

The Sabre is looking pretty good.....  I am just starting to fit the Messier dampers.  At the same time I will replace any dubious looking road wheels and change the oil in all of the wheel hubs.

Rarden Cannon Installed (Main Gun)

The Dummy gun was fitted this evening. 

The main components were manufactured entirely by Andrew Jeffery (He has a Saracen, Saladin & CVRT Samson) ...  incredible skills !!

None of the original gun was available and indeed there is nothing currently inside the turret.  Externally the barrel is a piece of steel water pipe.

I just have to make a dummy "flash hider" for the end of the barrel.

The name, RARDEN,  is a contraction of the Royal Armament, Research and Development Establishment and Enfield.

The Barrel Trough had to be made by Andrew... he cast this one using an original one as a pattern.... brilliant !!

This is a large steel Bung, which slides into the mantlet, with a barrel clamp in the centre... again made by Andrew Jeffery !

Ditto

The Barrel clamped in position

Another important step completed !

Engine goes in !!!

J60 Engine Installed.

Also Handbrake Lever Assembly overhauled and refitted.

Engine Bay Prior to Engine going in

Engine on its way !

Before

Handbrake Lever installed