expeatfarmer 591 #126 Posted December 21, 2015 Lots of small jobs today, made a replica of the Vokes air filter pipe, fitted fan belt, I have used a joinable belt on the basis that to replace the belt you have to remove the engine or at least slide it out of its mounting. Fitted the patent flash at the back which is 1/16 of an inch bigger than later ones of which I have a stock so Chris at Vintage Brass plates scaled one up for me.Timing chain cover fitted and logo painted. Bought some cycle chain for the starter mechanism only to find I had such a thickness of paint and filler on the sprockets that I had to file them all down to get the chain to sit properly. And Finally I have sprayed a topcoat on the engine cowl which has taken hours and hours of bashing,brazing,filling and sanding to get it to look as it should. 5 Stormin, Alan, nigel and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #127 Posted December 21, 2015 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #128 Posted December 21, 2015 That cover looks like new now, Jonathan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #129 Posted December 22, 2015 Had a day off today for Christmas shopping. Meant to say that I found a brilliant product for filling rust pits, it's called Motip cellulose putty, you spread it with a plastic spatula, it is so fine that you can literally fill the individual pits and leave virtually no surplus to sand off, dries hard in minutes ready to paint. You can use it after topcoat spray to fill any minor imperfections. I used it to recover the paint I cocked up with my masking tape mistake. I tube was enough to fill all the pits on the tub. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #130 Posted December 22, 2015 Had a day off today for Christmas shopping. Meant to say that I found a brilliant product for filling rust pits, it's called Motip cellulose putty, you spread it with a plastic spatula, it is so fine that you can literally fill the individual pits and leave virtually no surplus to sand off, dries hard in minutes ready to paint. You can use it after topcoat spray to fill any minor imperfections. I used it to recover the paint I cocked up with my masking tape mistake. I tube was enough to fill all the pits on the tub. If that's the secret to your awesome paint jobs, then I'm going to have to try some! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #131 Posted December 22, 2015 Good stuff Mark. I've seen the results with my own eyes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wristpin 400 #132 Posted December 22, 2015 Sounds as though its a more workable take on Holts Knifing Putty which tends to go off rather too quickly for my liking. Will be giving it a try. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #133 Posted December 23, 2015 Very similar to Holts but much finer like toothpaste .You can literally fill one coat of paint depth and very fine scratches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #134 Posted December 23, 2015 Final painting today apart from touch up of scratches when I fit tracks. Fitted the starter chain today one of the chain tensioner links snapped so will have to make a new one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #135 Posted December 24, 2015 Hook thick sheets of cardboard over the side and behind the drive wheels to protect the paint when fitting the tracks, as they are bad for springing. Not sure how bad yours will be if you've not fully tightened them yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #136 Posted December 24, 2015 Quite surprised at just how many differences there are between 137 and later machines, I have been studying the photos of 151 ,the cowling is different, exhaust, floor, mudguards, once you get to 252 even more changes were applied. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #137 Posted December 30, 2015 Made a bit more progress over the last two days, cowling fitted, decompressor lever set up, exhaust fitted, main wheels and load rollers fitted. Next job will be to fit the tracks and then fill up all the oils. 2 Stormin and nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #138 Posted December 30, 2015 Soon be ready for a test run then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #139 Posted December 31, 2015 Have to wait until next year now! 6 hpearce, Cub Cadet, Alan and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #140 Posted January 2, 2016 Today was track fitting and lubricating hubs,final drives and track rollers. The arduous task of tensioning both tracks was also finalised 29 track pads per side, two bolts per track , 116 bolts to tighten to achieve a spacing between track plate faces of 21/16". Boring and laborious but has to be done, planet rock on the radio a glove on the right hand and get stuck in! two hours later ,job done! Using a ratchet spanner on one side and a long spanner on the other makes it bearable. Both tracks set for pitch and then tensioned to 1 1/2" below load roller for correct track tension. I used three clamps to hold the tracks in position whilst I made the join. Tomorrow I will top up the engine and main gearbox oil and then fingers crossed start the engine, no idea how long it is since this engine ran but I hope I have everything at optimum to achieve a good start without breaking my wrists as these engines are notorious for doing. I have a secret weapon which I hope will make it both easier and safer. Final jobs are to make up floorboard sections, front bumper and then final touch up. And finally to apply the two decals to each side which are the only Ransomes reference on the whole machine. Over it's life 137 was serviced by a main dealer and had a number of later fitments such as a tool box and track mudguards but my ideal has been to restore it to a condition in which I believe it left the factory some time in February 1936. 5 Cub Cadet, nigel, meadowfield and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #141 Posted January 2, 2016 That looks the dogs whatsits, Jonathan. I may pop up in the afternoon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #142 Posted January 2, 2016 Thanks Norman quite special, the old guy that approached me to restore it had seen my digger and asked if I would take it on, I said yes without knowing what I was in for. I just hope he is pleased with what I have done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #143 Posted January 2, 2016 Thats the muts nuts Jon Be affraid to get it dirty!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diggerjames 543 #145 Posted January 2, 2016 Just caught up on this Jonathan wow it looks amazing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #146 Posted January 2, 2016 Did 137 never have a fish tail exhaust? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #147 Posted January 3, 2016 I ordered a complete stainless exhaust with fish tail and then discovered from the mounting points and photos that no fish tail was fitted so Neil made me a one off long pipe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #148 Posted January 3, 2016 It'll sound good then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #149 Posted January 3, 2016 Looks really good. I would have a photo or two, but I've left my camera at Jonathans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #150 Posted January 3, 2016 I wish it did sound good, spent hours trying to get it to fire but combination of ignition and fuel is screwing things up plus it is an absolute pig to turn over a real arm muscle ripper.Have left it to think to itself that it better behave in the morning.The lucas mag has been rebuilt by a specialist so that should be ok I have used the jets that were fitted to the carb but not sure if they are the right size ,not even had a bang out of it yet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
