Testing BRAND NEW Chevrolet Engines in our WWII M5 Stuart Light Tank!

Want a RIDE in the M5 Stuart Light Tank when it's ready? →
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Follow the progress of our restorations every Workshop Wednesday! A must watch for students of history, engineering, mechanics and metalworking! 🧐🛠️
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[@charlesemerson6763]

So in essence Ryan has built himself a hotrod. Should get it out on the captain cook and see what he can get out of it. Well done boys.

[@aussievaliant4949]

Resto mod 😂

[@paulorchard7960]

Drag racing on the main drag in Cairns Saturday night! 🤣

[@zaneseibert]

Never thought I 'd see an LS swap on a tank.

[@TheDoug9901]

Small block not LS best possible decision SB has more torque.

[@paulorchard7960]

@@TheDoug9901 More forgiving and more durable, yep, small block was the correct replacement!

[@stephengunnell5048]

My mum was a truck driver at 5 Base Ordnance Depot in Nungarin W.A.. Women were not supposed to drive the tanks but a few of them managed to wangle drives of the Honeys. Her memory of it was "Lovely gearbox, far better than anything we had on the trucks".

[@KaitlynnUK]

What a lovely memory, her comment made me smile.

[@jmw1513]

What an absolute legend your mum was, Stephen.

[@cmdredstrakerofshado1159]

Another good thing with the 37mm Canon was it also fired a canister round firing about 100 steel balls turning it into a giant shot gun which was devastating against Japanese human wave Banzai charges.

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@@cmdredstrakerofshado1159 Wow a 37 mm shotgun! I wonder what the spread was, but as you say it would be good against banzais!

[@Sion_Revan]

Also used to "sweep" enemy troops off friendly tanks without harming the crew, the tank being swarmed called for "scratch my back"

[@shedwork]

@@Sion_Revan It should of been called the "mincer"!

[@Birdy890]

It wasn't exactly the Banzai charges it was used against, but rather the foliage hiding the Japanese. Banzai charges were very rare, people need to realize that and stop getting their history from Hollywood.

[@fnqhkgts620]

as an old Gunner (Royal Australian Artillery, 1982-1989, 131 Div Loc Bty.) your comment reminds me of the splintex, or fleshette round that was available for the 105mm guns. During my time in there were still quite a few Vietnam Veterans serving, and very infrequently, usually after a few sherbets at private location, one may open up and mention some of their experiences in Vietnam. I don't recall the gentleman's name, where or when the story was told, but it is quite significant. I believe it may have occurred at Firebase Coral, one of the gun emplacements was overrun by VC/NVA. As any Aussie Gunner would know, the Guns are sacred: the Colours, something that you just don't give up. The story goes that the VC/NVA were in the process of turning the M2A2 Howitzer around to use it against the Aussie Gunners and Grunts (To all past present and future infantry, I use the term Grunt with the utmost respect), and possibly US soldiers also. I don't know if an order was given, or whether it was just good old Aussie initiative: however the story is that a neighboring gun has loaded a "splintex" round, and set the fuse for "barrel burst". The splintex round is basically a shotgun shell, but instead of lead balls. has a cubic f***load of dart like nails approximately 2-3" long, with very small fins one end and a point on the other end. Its not hard to imagine the devastation a 105mm shotgun would have on anything in its path.. The enemy were cleared from the gun they captured, the gun was reclaimed (albeit with significant damage I believe) and the fierce fighting continued. To all Vietnam Veterans: Thank you for your service. What so many of you endured and were subject to on your return home was utterly disgraceful and should never have happened, I pray it never occurs to Veterans ever again.

[@gusgone4527]

New engines in old vehicles is the way to go. There could be many more runners, with the old engines on display and properly cared for.

[@blazeiscrazy8737]

I mean with vehicles like this one I imagine the old engine was treated great and had routine maintenance... But I do see your point, I'd much rather have historical engines like these relaxing in an exhibit displaying all sorts of tank engines, you know?

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@blazeiscrazy8737 - Well, these 350 Chevy motors are nearly ubiquitous worldwide, and can easily be modded for extra power, so this tank will really be a runner, which is the way the Stuarts were originally. Also, the boys in the shop have got their own Hot Rod tank, now - did you check out those shiny aluminum fan pulleys and other goodies(on those motors)? As a plus, parts for them will be easy to get, a well.

[@blazeiscrazy8737]

@@DavidSmith-ss1cg I know, they're modern Chevy engines.i was referring to the old engine/s

[@SealofPerfection]

Yep, I'd like to see the original engines out and on a stand, maybe fired up once in awhile, and put some newer engines in the tanks that still get driven a lot.

[@Birdy890]

Agreed, though it would be nice if they could keep engines with similar power so the vehicle's performance isn't completely changed from the original.

[@P-J-W-777]

Wondering how much more performance you get with the added horsepower. Also love that you guys fly Old Glory on the tank. Much Respect and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. The tank looks amazing, y’all have done an absolute wonderful job as always. Cheers 🇺🇸🇦🇺

[@1967davethewave]

The engines definitely have more horsepower but the added rpm range will likely make this as fast as an M18. The original Caddy flathead V8s' would only turn just over 3k rpms while the 350's should easily turn 5500.

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

​@@1967davethewavegood point

[@bobkohl6779]

Well done lads, the 350s are a lot easier to work on than Continental (M-3). My knuckles still have scars!

[@roberthocking9138]

A hot rod tank with 2 V8s, with 660 HP !!! you gotta love that. Great work 💪👍 I can’t wait to get there to see this tank

[@davidbooth8492]

I fanally got to visit the museum last week and I was blown away by the size of the collection. Especially the German vehicles, you can,t see a collection like that anywhere in the southern hemisphere. Cheers David.

[@neillawson4493]

All I can say is absolutely brilliant! When the engines were sitting on the floor I thought "no way" but here it is. Congratulations!

[@cmdredstrakerofshado1159]

BTW love how you stayed with GM engines going with twin 350 V8s 👍❤👍😃👍.

[@pattonpending7390]

Gotta love a tank with a speedometer in it that goes to 80MPH. Let's see some high speed runs!

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

I thought it was 80 kph, not mph. The final drive ratio and the tracks flying off are going to be the limiting factors now. I bet it might do 60mph in a straight line, but the second you turn it, probably gonna shed a track, especially without the rubber pads. Originally, the M5 Stuart had a top speed of around 42mph, pretty quick for a tank, acceleration from 0-15mph is more important than top speed, it's what allows you to quickly duck behind a building or dive into a ditch or other hard cover when coming under fire.

[@davidbutterfield2949]

I’ll bet you can’t wipe the smile of Ryan’s face! Nice job 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@MatSpeedle]

Cracking job lads, that is going fly with all that extra power. Sounds awesome!

[@jefferydraper4019]

220 horsepower to 600. That thing must fly now. I think the fastest I ever rode in my old M1A1 was around 50 on a march on the autobahn in 1991. It doesnt sound l9ke much in a car, but in a tank, its kind of scary. I would love to visit this museum.

[@eTraxx]

From the driver's position seems faster as you are basically driving a very large go kart .. at least it seems like that!@

[@LasOrveloz]

I'd be worried about the transmission if going full send. It'd be quick tho.

[@eTraxx]

@@LasOrveloz Yeah .. good point. I think it was the transmission that caused problems with some of the larger German tanks

[@RigepFroggit]

72mph that's the fastest anybody I know has ever gotten an M1. But you'd better not have to turn while you're doing it.

[@jefferydraper4019]

@@RigepFroggit I watched the M1 in front of me snap a track at 50 mph. Went through the concrete barrier between the autobahn lanes and spun around 180 degrees. A good friend and classmate from Texas Tech was the TC. They were unhurt, but it definitely was a mess.

[@jeffdayman8183]

Those 350's sound great. The M5 will cruise nicely with those - Ryan's ready to go down to the malt shop or drive-in movies now! Great to see, liked the video. Cheers!

[@aserta]

Man, dual engine harmonics are sooo so sweet on the ear.

[@arthurhucksake2665]

My God that Stuart sounds great- love it!

[@boomerdiorama]

Say what you want, but I love the look of the "Chevron" track links over the rubber. The Stuart sounds awesome as well.😁

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

That metal can wreak havoc on infrastructure though, especially asphalt. But yeah, they look great....like a proper tank.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

600+ HP.... Can you drift her now? 😁

[@Evilroco]

Great work guys , I hope that keeps the old girl going for several more decades at least !

[@PDInfantryman]

Ryan, why didn't you put the spurs to it? 666HP...she'll probably do 80mph if you don't throw a track! She sounds amazing. I'm calling it the M5A4 "Aussie Special" aka the SSS - Stuart Super Sport. ;)

[@vinnywelsh]

I really would have liked to have a tank museum next door to my primary school :D

[@dukeallen432]

Teachers would get no attention. Ha

[@agskytter8977]

Lt. Gruber would have been green with envy. 600hp+ to get out of throuble fast 🙂

[@timcope6685]

Listening to those Small Block V8 fire up brings back memories of my youth! Building the SB Chevy engines were easy and parts were plentiful. The short stroke 327 ci engine crank was great to put into the 350ci block for a backyard stroker engine......lol memories... Awesome job Ryan!! Now the Museum has the fastest Stewie ever made!!!

[@johnviney7919]

Chevrolet small block engines are installed in everything it seems!! Good choice and working great! 😀

[@RobertLewis-el9ub]

A friday drop - woot woot!

[@NesconProductions]

A 660+ hp Stuart 😳! What happens when a WW2 light tank meets Mad Max 😁. Well done by all involved kudos 😘!

[@stevem3605]

Nice video. Going to be awful hard to beat the last three for sure. Now back to our regular programming Curt and the boys. Thanks.

[@stuartandrews4344]

A souped up Stuart, loved the sound...

[@henryleach671]

My Grandfather Henry Hunter, having grown up as a Yorkshire farm boy, emigrated to the US in 1911, became a stationary engineer and was chief of the powerhouse at the Cadillac factory in Detroit where some of the M5 Stuart's were made (don't know if that includes this one) from 1921 until 1950 when he retired. The powerhouse provided steam, electricity and heat for the entire manufacturing complex including the foundry where the 341 cubic inch engines were produced. The 341 was replaced in 1949 by the overhead valve 331 and the 350 Chevrolet engines installed in this video are direct decedents of that 1949 Cadillac engine.

[@DeliveryDemon]

I just became a certified auto technicians apprentice (United States, here). And this just... brings me IMMENSE joy to see.

[@Hagmire]

Nothing like some open header small block Chevy's, you Aussies know what's good

[@PitFriend1]

Going from 200 to 600 HP is quite a jump! I’m amazed the transmission can take it. Though somehow I don’t think those colored lights for the gauges are period correct.

[@brettbuck7362]

They built stuff pretty tough back then. Plus, how many miles is it going to get driven?

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Those colored gauge lights are dope af...I love 'em! I mean, the original bulbs probably burned out decades ago, might as well customize them, no permanent harm done.

[@stevemcintyre4398]

Restomod M5, be the boys back then would have loved triple the horsepower.

[@mtnbound2764]

so bascially a hot rod tank! sounds great!

[@megadeuz6148]

Great job guys! Sounds wonderful, just wish I could be there to see it in person. But due to the fact that I live on the other side of the planet, that's not possible. Have a wonderful event this year, I'll watch the video on KZbin.

[@stulynn2005]

As a kid the Jeb Stuart was my favorite tank for years

[@williamconner9407]

My dad who commanded a platoon in the 20th armored division in WW2 rode one of these. He would be very proud with your work - thank you!

[@mecha6292]

Nice video

[@Jordy120]

I'm not a military person or have a thing for Tanks, but I watched thanks to the guy talking and the camera work. Cheers!

[@garywayne6083]

NJ USA here - there's an M5 outside a veterans hall as a static display that i have seen sitting there all my life. So great to see this one running with some badazz power woohoo! Keep the chrome and display it proudly!

[@LukeBunyip]

6:57 Unfortunately, this M113 has been naughty, so it's out here in the dog house...

[@jefferydraper4019]

not a 113. It has support rollers. M113 had dead track. At first glance I also thought it was one with the FSV turret, but no they do have a 113 with a saladin turret on the inside. It kind of looks like an FV432 with a turret but not quite.

[@StuSaville]

@@jefferydraper4019 It may be one of the early prototype FV432's that were tested by the Australian Army in the 60's?

[@gehlen52]

The Salvadoran military used these tanks quite effectively in clearing narrow alleyways during the civil war 1980 - 1992, their arsenal also had P-51's and Corsair's.

[@billyponsonby]

3:39 an interesting pic with a ‘Cullin’ hedgerow device fitted so presumably Normandy ‘44.

[@kiwifruit27]

Looks and sounds awesome

[@chuck10088]

Good job Ryan. Those Chev engines sound mean.

[@tedstrikertwa800]

Great looking and especially great sounding tank. Going to have to make a pilgrimage to AusArmourFest one day.

[@54mgtf22]

Love your work, AusArmour 👍

[@jimm6673]

That is so cool, especially with the twin 350 cubic inch engine conversion.

[@MaskHysteria]

I love to see old tanks with as much of the original equipment as possible but better to give the old girl some new life with new technology so she can get outside and roam around like she's supposed to. Good on you all for taking such good care of her.

[@Jimbo65203]

I have a photo of my father in a M3A3 Stuart Tank during WWII while training at Fort Knox with a buddy standing together in the turret.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Me...scrolling through random videos and seeing the thumbnail: wait, did someone seriously do an LS Swap on an M5 Stuart!?!? Love the upgrades to the gauge cluster, the colors look better than most modern cars digital gauges. Guess I'd better view, thumbs up, and sub now. 👍🖖🇺🇸🇭🇲

[@quentinstacy35]

Only found your channel recently. You guys are awesome.

[@harpomarx7777]

Chevy small blocks are an excellent choice for the tank. I think perhaps they might have been painted olive drab and chrome accessories replaced with standard parts ... pulleys and such ... before installation so they don't stand out so much. But the installation works great and the automatic transmissions seem up to the job. Looks like that Stuart will be a show-off at the next tank fest with it's speed and agility.

[@travisturbeville1341]

Awesome job guys. Love the Stuart tank bet it really scoots with triple the power.

[@corpnut2906]

what a hot rod love it. one of my top 5 tanks. 1. Sherman all variants 2. Centurian series 3. M3/M5 Stuart series 4. Tiger 1 series 5. MK IV medium tank

[@peterpenberthy2918]

That would have to be the Coolest primary school in the the world!

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

This dude knows his tanks in detail.....Very nice!

[@dukeallen432]

One could paint/remove chrome/silver from engines. Paint as the caddies came out. Having aftermarket bright shiny Chevy engines detracts a bit. Well done video and presentation.

[@christopherandersch1299]

Well you you doubled the horsepower by about 100%, and raised the coolness factor by 100000%, spot on!!!!, great job!!!!!

[@joesanchez979]

Thanks to everyone great video like always ✌️🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@jeffthompson9622]

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate this introduction to your channel.

[@rb67mustang]

6:08, OMG, it sounds like your M5 has been Hotrodded with the new twin GM 350's. I think this sounds much better than a diesel conversion. I'll bet the GM 350's dropped in as easy as two reconditioned Caddy motors would have, and so much easier that a diesel swap.

[@praetorxian]

Resto-Mod Stuart. Nice.

[@THERESISTANCE762]

Thats is the coolest sounding tank ever!

[@phoenixrising011]

You know what you don't have? A Stuart with dual superchargers and top fuel air scoops. Tell the boss it's a snorkel system and just put it right on there. It's fine. We're fine. 😎👍🏼

[@PabloEugenioSiostrzonek]

I really enjoy each and everyone of the videos. Amazing job you do there!!!

[@petercliff4023]

Really enjoyed that, there's just some thing about tanks and mud..

[@SlinkyT82]

Listen to those engines purr! Great work guys, thanks for sharing.

[@drewwhite2228]

looks like a fun little tank

[@josephkerley363]

That's the best part of restorations, driving them!

[@Jeales12]

Good job Ryan, amazing work as usual 👏

[@shedwork]

Ryan says "i build, I drive it!" Great work by the team.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

In Ilfracoombe, Qld, there's a roadside display of dozens of tractors & old farm machinery. There's a Stuart tank which was bought after the war & had a home made blade fitted, converting it to use for land clearing.

[@Beniah107]

You’re a great narrator. Very good work, you make all your discussions interesting.

[@Happenedin62]

GM Bowtie to the rescue!!! Great job mate... Now all you need is some headers and a couple blowers and your ready for the quarter mile! All seriousness outstanding job!!

[@subvet694]

I have got to get there in my lifetime

[@mralmnthwyfemnin5783]

Great vid. Thanks !

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Be proud. Your crew has done well.

[@nevillegoddard4966]

Excellent! 220 to 660 Hp though? Torque is gonna be 6 or 700 foot/pounds. What torque would a pair of those cadillac engines have? Hopefully gearbox & drive train will cope. Probly good to fit rubber tracks on it & keep plenty of spares. It'll probly burn rubber I'm guessing? What, 70 miles an hour?

[@jballew2239]

The originals would have been the 346 Caddy, you were looking at ~150 BHP @3800RPM, with 283Lb/Ft @ 1600. The military engines were slightly de-rated, so expect a bit less. Of note, some parts used in the prewar and postwar Caddy flathead eights were not at all the same as what was used in the Stuarts and Chaffees, so that scarcity of parts likely also helped drive the decision to convert.

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@@jballew2239 Oh right thanks! So this Stuarts got more than double the horsepower, & 25% more torque. Yippie!

[@NinjaKittyBonks]

Hard to beat a good ol' Chevy 350! Great work all ❤

[@norsehall309]

G'day Boys well done your efforts will pay off with a lot of smiles when the public rides on it back, cheers, Neil 🤠.

[@rogerdeacon5878]

I love the Stuart and the Chaffee

[@craigmoore7521]

That's freaking awesome!!!

[@pvtmalo3217]

Lovely little tank. Been thinking about getting a 1:35 model to build in the future.

[@whotknots]

Sounds so sweet!

[@davidbarnsley8486]

So looking forward to getting there in august 👍👍

[@markstone5597]

Very nice job of it mates!

[@robertmorey4104]

Stuart is so cool! Sounds great 👍

[@babuzzard6470]

Sounds awesome boys, another great job👍🇦🇺

[@PadraigTomas]

It's a mother beautiful tank.

[@treadheadpete4770]

Sounds magnificent!

[@mikemerritt1756]

Nice work!

[@kenbetthauser4226]

Looks easy enough to drive 😅. Sounds great BTW.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Great stuff!

[@iangascoigne8231]

Impressive looking instruments.

[@jimnunn9232]

Back in the mid 50's a local park had a M5 and a M1917 tank for us kids to play on. There was a General Motors Plant in the town and these two tanks were said to be the last of each one built in this plant. Apparently when the park was renovated the tanks ended up in a scrap metal yard.

[@ravenblack7552]

That is a beautiful example of a Stuart!! Just awesome! And I bet she really flies now with those improved engines giving about triple the HP. Any idea of the top speed now?

[@DusterNutbar]

What a sweet engine swap

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Contender for world title: "Best LS swap in the world". Very nice indeed, gentlemen, very nice.