Building "Thor"
Discussion
No new pictures to show but a brief update of progress.
The chassis is now completely stripped down to it's component parts ready for rust removal, blasting and a coat of primer.
I still have a little work to do on the axles, removing the remaining bearings and stub axle, prior to blasting and primer.
I have stripped down a scrap (read - parts donor) engine removing magnetos and plug leads, water pump and pipes, carbs and cooling system. With the starter still connected I took the engine, my auto gearbox, flex plate and a few other odds and ends to Charlie Broomfield so that he can manufacture the gearbox mounting plate, engine/gearbox coupling and bearings.
The starter allows the engine to be hand cranked to check for clearances of the output drive.
So some progress even though no updates. I may get a bit more done over Christmas but as the chassis blasting will be done outside, the weather needs to dry up a bit.
As everywhere seems to shut down for 2 weeks over the holiday period work on my business move and expansion will be on hold so I may do a bit more on the engine intake manifold.
I will take a few pictures as things move forward.
Paul
The chassis is now completely stripped down to it's component parts ready for rust removal, blasting and a coat of primer.
I still have a little work to do on the axles, removing the remaining bearings and stub axle, prior to blasting and primer.
I have stripped down a scrap (read - parts donor) engine removing magnetos and plug leads, water pump and pipes, carbs and cooling system. With the starter still connected I took the engine, my auto gearbox, flex plate and a few other odds and ends to Charlie Broomfield so that he can manufacture the gearbox mounting plate, engine/gearbox coupling and bearings.
The starter allows the engine to be hand cranked to check for clearances of the output drive.
So some progress even though no updates. I may get a bit more done over Christmas but as the chassis blasting will be done outside, the weather needs to dry up a bit.
As everywhere seems to shut down for 2 weeks over the holiday period work on my business move and expansion will be on hold so I may do a bit more on the engine intake manifold.
I will take a few pictures as things move forward.
Paul
Lefty said:
Hi Storer, did you ever consider a manual box? These torque figures from your v12 can't be that uncommon in modern diesel truck engines? I'm guessing you must have done, just wondering what the downsides were?
Really happy to see progress on this, these. Interesting build threads like this are the best part of ph
Briefly considered a manual but the thought of the heavy engineering required to get one to work was quickly dismissed. Most of the Meteor builds use an auto. They do make life easier.Really happy to see progress on this, these. Interesting build threads like this are the best part of ph
The Meteor engine has nowhere to mount a gearbox to or a plate on the end of the crank to bolt a flywheel onto.
The crank has a female spline which is inside the crank case, which takes a male 'floating' spline that then protrudes. This male spline is normally direct coupled to the Centurion gearbox/clutch pack.
If the auto box struggles at 300/350rpm then 500rpm is a possibility so we have some flexibility.
Paul
That Merritt Brown transmission is also quite lardy at over 1 tonne!!!
I love the fact that this thread is generating all sorts of information and comment.
Sorry there is nothing to update the thread with, but business and domestic stuff is now filling my days (apart from when I am pheasant shooting, or something similar!).
Business will be coming first for the next 6 to 12 months but there may well be a nice new workshop available at the end!!
Paul
I love the fact that this thread is generating all sorts of information and comment.
Sorry there is nothing to update the thread with, but business and domestic stuff is now filling my days (apart from when I am pheasant shooting, or something similar!).
Business will be coming first for the next 6 to 12 months but there may well be a nice new workshop available at the end!!
Paul
what's the fastest tracked thing on the road?
This is a bit off topic, but to show some doubters that I am busy doing other things, here is today's acquisition.
This is the first stage of a project that will lead to a new workshop as well as a new base for both of my businesses.
It has a lot of work to do over the next few months once it has been serviced and had 4 track roller replaced.
Next week I am visiting a show to decide on the manufacturer of the building(s) that will form my new workshop and store.
One of the things I like is that most of what I am purchasing is UK made. Excavator, gates, fence, concrete, buildings and even down to the tree/hedge species and plants.
The next year or so is going to be a bit busy (read exciting) but hopefully there will still be some 'Thor' progress.
Paul
This is the first stage of a project that will lead to a new workshop as well as a new base for both of my businesses.
It has a lot of work to do over the next few months once it has been serviced and had 4 track roller replaced.
Next week I am visiting a show to decide on the manufacturer of the building(s) that will form my new workshop and store.
One of the things I like is that most of what I am purchasing is UK made. Excavator, gates, fence, concrete, buildings and even down to the tree/hedge species and plants.
The next year or so is going to be a bit busy (read exciting) but hopefully there will still be some 'Thor' progress.
Paul
Hydraulic drives are very inefficient unless they are very complex and computer controlled. They also generate a lot of heat too.
Clive has gone very quiet! Hope he is OK.
I have vastly more soil to move than his project and I decided I wanted a reliable (hopefully), modern machine.
I will consider a thread for my project. Didn't think about doing one until your posts.
Not sure I want to put too much info of it's whereabouts on a public forum for security reasons.
Paul
Clive has gone very quiet! Hope he is OK.
I have vastly more soil to move than his project and I decided I wanted a reliable (hopefully), modern machine.
I will consider a thread for my project. Didn't think about doing one until your posts.
Not sure I want to put too much info of it's whereabouts on a public forum for security reasons.
Paul
For those of you with Sky TV, Discovery HD has got Wheeler Dealers on at present (21.30 Monday 16th January 2017).
Rattle-can Ed is working on the first V8 Cadillac to do the Peking Paris Rally in.
At last he is using new bolts and looks to be doing things properly.
So much of the car is reminding me of my project and the vast amount of work I have to do!!
A Wheeler Dealers episode worth a look at last.
Paul
Rattle-can Ed is working on the first V8 Cadillac to do the Peking Paris Rally in.
At last he is using new bolts and looks to be doing things properly.
So much of the car is reminding me of my project and the vast amount of work I have to do!!
A Wheeler Dealers episode worth a look at last.
Paul
I am sorry to disappoint but no progress due to other commitments.
I have spent the last 12 months moving both of my businesses to a new green field site. It is a major project (for me) including 6000sqm concrete!
This includes a 5000sqft barn which is almost completed and a 2700sqft workshop, for which I have planning now, and hope to have built before the middle of this summer. It will include a 900sqft mezzanine so I can have an office/relaxing area and more storage space. The building will also be fully insulated.
I have also started acquiring additional/fresh/extra kit for the new shop. These include a new 3ph plasma cutter, 12" band saw (currently nearing complete refurbishment in my old workshop), 4ft radial arm drill (awaiting it's refurbishment) and a Colchester Mascot 1600 lathe (also waiting) with DRO. The drill is additional and the others are replacements for older kit.
Most of my engineering kit is to go under the mezzanine, so I want it in the best order I can get it before it is installed!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime project which will be part of a business Trust for my children that they can rent out when I'm gone!
Once this is complete I hope to restart 'Project Thor' and run it alongside my Cerbera rebuild.
It, however, is not completely at a standstill. Charlie has completed the engine/transmission connection and starter mount. It is currently sitting in his workshop but hopefully will soon be fitted to the engine.......
I have spent the last 12 months moving both of my businesses to a new green field site. It is a major project (for me) including 6000sqm concrete!
This includes a 5000sqft barn which is almost completed and a 2700sqft workshop, for which I have planning now, and hope to have built before the middle of this summer. It will include a 900sqft mezzanine so I can have an office/relaxing area and more storage space. The building will also be fully insulated.
I have also started acquiring additional/fresh/extra kit for the new shop. These include a new 3ph plasma cutter, 12" band saw (currently nearing complete refurbishment in my old workshop), 4ft radial arm drill (awaiting it's refurbishment) and a Colchester Mascot 1600 lathe (also waiting) with DRO. The drill is additional and the others are replacements for older kit.
Most of my engineering kit is to go under the mezzanine, so I want it in the best order I can get it before it is installed!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime project which will be part of a business Trust for my children that they can rent out when I'm gone!
Once this is complete I hope to restart 'Project Thor' and run it alongside my Cerbera rebuild.
It, however, is not completely at a standstill. Charlie has completed the engine/transmission connection and starter mount. It is currently sitting in his workshop but hopefully will soon be fitted to the engine.......
Interesting build. Is that a P2 or P3 chassis. P2 is the normal one to use as easier and less complex.
I love the garage/workshop, are real man space.
Why did I change chassis?
I felt guilty chopping up a Rolls Royce after joining the owners club (members definitely frown on it too) and the parts cost to refurbish it to be safe at 100mph+ (and stop) were another factor.
With my current plan I will not need to increase the engine speed as the lorry chassis/transmission is designed for similar revs. I will remove the hub reduction gears and with 40" diameter tyres I will be running at about 80mph at 1000rpm. The whole drive system from the gearbox back is built to take the rough and tumble of a 20+ tonne vehicle. The gearbox is rated to take more power and torque than the engine produces and as it is an auto there is no clutch.
Another major reason is that I wanted to make something different. Something nobody else has done.
I love the garage/workshop, are real man space.
Why did I change chassis?
I felt guilty chopping up a Rolls Royce after joining the owners club (members definitely frown on it too) and the parts cost to refurbish it to be safe at 100mph+ (and stop) were another factor.
With my current plan I will not need to increase the engine speed as the lorry chassis/transmission is designed for similar revs. I will remove the hub reduction gears and with 40" diameter tyres I will be running at about 80mph at 1000rpm. The whole drive system from the gearbox back is built to take the rough and tumble of a 20+ tonne vehicle. The gearbox is rated to take more power and torque than the engine produces and as it is an auto there is no clutch.
Another major reason is that I wanted to make something different. Something nobody else has done.
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