M2A1 Halftrack restoration-- dialup beware

[alpaca andy]

[Peter Laidler]

When you see it in its stripped down form, you can appreciate how short the gearbox to drixe axle is AND how safe it is, out of harms way. GREAT work Andy. Now that you've found that extended family, get one of them to work on formulating that book..........

Incidentally, any problems using such a track laying vehicle on the road in Canada?

[alpaca andy]

Currently there are some that are road registered in canada,, alot more in other countries. Problem is there are only a handful of halftracks in private and museums within canada. Since the tracks are like a giant elastic band they will not damage any surface

On another note was at macine shop and they got the rear crabs apart with no damage. Should have them back next week

When you see it in its stripped down form, you can appreciate how short the gearbox to drixe axle is AND how safe it is, out of harms way. GREAT work Andy. Now that you've found that extended family, get one of them to work on formulating that book..........

Incidentally, any problems using such a track laying vehicle on the road in Canada?

[Claven2]

Update time yet?

[alpaca andy]

Here is what I had been waiting for from the machine shop. That is the crab assembly. That rusty pitted shaft had to be pressed out, and it didnt go easy. I had NOS shafts and bushings to go in, that was the easy part.










And this is the drive sprocket apart. Exactly like a tank drive sprocket. They wear at the front of the tooth, and they can be reversed after too much wear. The ones that came with my halftrack are perfect on one side so i will use these sprockets I got out of Ca;California with my rings

[Claven2]

Still looking great! Will a track go on soon?

[Peter Laidler]

Just one quick question Andy. Apart from the siezed in bushes and bearings that you have to press out, was there any problem with the nuts and bolts part of the strip-down. They all seem to look OK where shown and you're certainly using a good proportion again. Great progress and not far to go now..........

[alpaca andy]

I hope to start installing the tracks in the next few weeks

Most nuts and bolts/studs were fine, but some had torch marks from previous owners that im sure would work fine but looked like crap, so i got new ones of same style to replace

[Claven2]

By the way, have you done anything with the old winch yet?

[alpaca andy]

Sorry guys been a while. Farm and shop work has kept me busy. Since the cold weather has returned I have put the burner on to finish up prep and paint of as many parts as i can. Pics soon. Also waiting on another parts shipment with more suspension stuff.
BTW Claven, I did send then resend pics of the gas tanks test fit. As usual it wasnt a easy go, hole on drain at bottom was of on both by 1/4 inch lol, so out with the plasma cutter to open up the hole on the track armor where the drain hole drains from. Then grinding, repriming and repaint the painted area lol

Andy