Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

I went ahead and drained the oil as we have had to send away for another distributor . This is just pics really, as you can see the oil was pretty bad god knows what the pickup screen is like.. Did seem like there was a very small amount of coolant in it, ahhh see what happens. Still don't know how they crossed oceans in this thing. My daughter is about 5'8" as you can see there is so little room the area she's sitting on is 59" x 29" sleeping must have been a nightmare.. We even found the toilet ewww...

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Hi Everyone,

For those who missed part one, here it is: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...light=starting

Here's a pretty good telling of the story. There are pictures and videos taken during the trip.

https://read.atavist.com/half-safe?no-overlay&preview

In the second video you can see the "sleeping" arrangements.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Thanks for Jeff. I couldn't see the videos? Can you do a separate link?

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

I Read nearly all of it and watched a couple of clips. Really enjoyed it.
A bit of a sad story really.
Thanks for posting Jeff.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Thanks for posting the link - incredible what they did.

Mart.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Hi Everyone, Talkwrench, Sadly no, I can't post a separate link. The videos are embedded in the article in such a way they don't have a separate URL/address.

When you see a picture in the article, click it.

One additional comment, the inside of that beast looks like there are all kinds of sharp corners that could really get you busted up if you bounced around inside there, as you would in open ocean storms. Complete insanity was the rule for the whole trip from what I've learned.

Maybe I should try to find those two books by Carlin.

I also found this 10 minute TV segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Gqi-RlbO0

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

I've had the first book for years, but always wondered about the rest of the trip after the refit in the U.K (about where the first one ends)
Life would have been tough, working around Kalgoorlie (unless he was in town?) in the 1930s. Probably quite the loner from the start, and WA would have toughened him for the task.
Now I wonder about Elinore and what she did with the rest of her life?

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Now for the record. Didn't dumping that old black oil out give you a good feeling?

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Hi Everyone,

Great comment:Epic Photo! Just the best!

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Hi All, I guess our hero, Also Know As "Dip-Shit," figured being on the open seas with a camo-colored vehicle wasn't an optimal idea. So how does the whole thing including the BOTTOM of it get painted yellow?

Cool story!!!

Please describe how this crankcase drain plug was insulated from sea water? Thanks for turning me on to the whole story/adventure.

P.S. Talkwrench, Talking about a different example, don't leave the keys in that commercial vehicle where I'm anywhere nearby. I just love the way it looks here!

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Ahhh I can see the videos are part of the story now I'm on another device, sadly still not working. Anyway thanks for putting up that other link Jeff.
Yes getting rid of that old oil did feel good, Ive just left it to drain and will head back shortly to "top her up". How does it seal? well the sump plug that I'm holding goes inside the hole you see. There is a right angle tube from the sump [pan] ,it should be inline with this hole but of course wasn't and was a bit of a drama. the large hole is a bung and should have a sealing cap that screws in it to keep it water tight.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Not much to report: Just went back to put the oil in. Have to sit tight until the new dizzy turns up. Think I found the oil filter [see pics] however it was not connected..?
Anyway some more pics for those interested..

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Hi Everyone, Here's a page with a very brief mention of the Stream-Line filter. Seems RAF from 1939?

https://archive.org/stream/airforcel...9grea_djvu.txt

"Advertisements"

"EFFICIENT OIL PURIFICATION Good Oil does not Wear Out 10,000 users of Stream- line Filters include numerous operators of aircraft and their manufacturers. Used lubricating oil after passage through the Stream-line Filter is equal to new in lubricating value and may be re-used for its original purpose . The plant will pay for it - self out of savings in a few months"

"Particulars from STREAM-LINE FILTERS LTD. HELE-SHAW WORKS • INGATE PLACE • LONDON • S.W.8"

Is the Half-Safe resting on it's wheels? If not, I'd be ready for it to tumble off those brick-stacks, resting on bricks, on top of gravel. See photo 11 from post 12. (Can you see the truck in that photo?)

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Jeff it is sitting on the bricks...The tyres are almost touching the ground. Its not the safest. We'll have to address it when we move it :rolleyes:

I take it that the oil filter is like one of those dunny roll types?

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

TalkWrench, any idea of the fuel capacity on it? 'Wondering about the range and how it was able to cross oceans.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

200 gallons I believe , at some point it had a detatchable tank underneath too.. But you can see the one that makes the bow..

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Pretty interesting what they did to that WWII amphibious Jeep.

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

So when are you going to drive it to Hawaii?:eek:

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

I love an adventure but I wouldn't even go in the river in that thing!!

Re: Starting an old engine "The Half Safe ' part 2
 

Had to be one really crazy bastard to think about going across the ocean in that thing - let alone even a sizable lake.

One has to wonder how the hell he ever made it and didn't just get swamped and end up on the bottom of the ocean . . . only to make future archaeologists wonder what the heck this 'species' of man was up too! LOL