WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: Fitting the Detroit Diesel 8V71T Engine to our WWII Grant Tank

The 8V71T is a really powerful engine and this week, Daryl and Jesse get to work fitting it. Daryl also starts work on the turret basket!
This WWII Grant Tank is part of the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum's restoration program.
Follow the progress of our workshop restorations every Wednesday! A must watch for students of history, engineering, mechanics and metalworking! 🧐🛠️
Subscribe to our channel & hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss an upload! ➡️ bit.ly/ausarmouryt
Keep up to date with the Museum!⬇️⬇️
Facebook ➡️ / ausarmour
Instagram ➡️ / ausarmour
Twitter ➡️ / ausarmour
Website ➡️ ausarmour.com
Email ➡️ [e-mail]

[@eielson1978]

You're Giving Away the Magician's Secrets! "We'll use Modern Day Pop Rivets and a Bit of Car Bond and after a bit of shaping You'll Never Know the Difference!" I Love it!

[@troopy001]

One word guys. Guide bolts. Oh. That's two. Love the vids. Thanks.

[@aserta]

Surprised they don't have a set of lady slipper bolts. Basically long bolts with pointed ends. I have a whole variety pack of sizes and variations on the theme, extremely useful. Probably one of the most used self made tools i own.

[@woody5109]

Even it’s just a typical pickup truck engine here in Canada, it’s nice to see an updated drivetrain. Something more efficient and reliable.

[@Tango11Alpha]

As an ex tankie - Centurion, Chieftain, Challenger - I can really appreciate the level of detail and the quality of the workmanship displayed by Daryl and Jesse (and not forgetting Beau on other projects and all those who help.) Bovington is my spritual home and I wish they they did something like this as their collection is great and I know a lot of hard work goes into their restorations. So, well done Kurt, I wish I could visit but my son lives in Sydney so it's a bit of a stretch = but hey, one day eh! Huzzar.

[@echohunter4199]

As an MV owner, I prefer everything factory/time period correct down to all details however, when it comes to heavy armored vehicles that need to be operable and sustained by a limited amount of mechanics, re-engining it with a modern diesel is what I would do as well. Great work men.

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

It's not really much different to what it had. The cylinders are the same. Just built to turbo spec in the post war era.

[@paulsilva3346]

They are under a time constraint and money constraint. Oh, it is nice to be able to do things as you wish at home... I envy your situation.

[@hammyh1165]

Absolutely agree.

[@scorpionlxvi]

These things where built to be destroyed eventually surprised enough left to rehab to this level

[@hubertsteenbekkers1522]

@@whiskeyinthejar24 cilinders are not the same the had an twin 6/71 and now a V8 /71 a twinn are 6 cil non turbo 165 hp engines

[@jimsweeney]

Wonderful to see the old girl coming back together! Re: Nyloc nuts, the earlier type was the Fiberlock, which used a locking ring of Red Fibre or fabric reinforced Bakelite instead of nylon.

[@autka_me]

I was going to post that it was fiber-bakelite insert nuts. By the way fiber locking nuts are still here used in aircrafts.

[@jimsweeney]

@@autka_me Yes, I used to work in the aircraft industry. I've used the red fibre and bakelite nuts, but we used to replace them with Nyloc when necessary.

[@aserta]

At this point in time, the video represents, the boys have made a hot rod, convertible tank. Let that sink in. :))

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

Nothing beats the sound of a Screaming Detroit.

[@thomasbarker6567]

My Uncle fought in Borneo during WW2 and he used to tell me about his times on Grant tanks. Watching you guys takes me back to him and his exploits in 157 Regt RAC. Keep it coming Guys. I'm riveted every Wednesday!👍

[@xray86delta]

I served on M110A1's in the Army in the late 70s, early 80s. It has been my Misfortune to assist in removing a "pack" a time, or two. You guys are great!

[@johnshoden5199]

Looks great , all those sleepless nights paid off . PS congratulations on the step van looks like another fun project

[@nickraschke4737]

The Detroit will sound incredible. And won’t burn the tank down 😁

[@harpomarx7777]

That "busy" soundtrack music at the end of these videos is just perfect! Thanks for the fix, boys!

[@davidbutterfield2949]

It may not be original but it sure will sound good. Can’t wait to hear it 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@herbemont7627]

Nothing like an old two stroke Detroit at WOT, I have worked on several machines that had them, from 353's to 1671's

[@bigredjeepyj3436]

Automatic or manual......Single engine or twin....a Tank will be coming back to life. Bravo, gents. I look forward to every Tuesday night here in the US.

[@billmarji1840]

I really like your videos on tank restoration thank you for sharing. Bill Joplin Missouri

[@pancernyraffaello]

Another great episode. Greetings from Poland, your faithful viewer !

[@knoppers2171]

Hallo Freunde Grüße aus Deutschland 🇩🇪 Es ist beeindruckend wie ihr euch ins Zeug gelegt 👍Top und das am anderen Ende der Welt. Ich hoffe es geht euch und euren Familien gut. Die Welt, sie dreht sich, egal welcher Irre an der Macht ist. Macht weiter so. Seit ihr mal in Deutschland dann gebe ich ein Bier aus.😉🍺 Gruß J. K.

[@weebtrash6177]

I have no idea what this post says but I see a thumbs up, a smile and a beer emoji. Sounds like it needs a like.

[@ryanhobbs3362]

@@weebtrash6177 My guess (aka Google translate) is "Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 It's impressive how you put yourselves into it 👍 Great and that at the other end of the world. I hope you and your families are doing well. The world, it turns, no matter what lunatic is in power. Keep it up. Since you're in Germany I'll give you a beer.😉🍺 greeting"

[@PanzerPicture]

People always seem to think I have the hots for the Panther, but I can't simply ignore a great Grant restoration. Great tank that's only getting hate for being a crappy tank in games.

[@johnnym1320]

I've been a heavy truck mechanic for over 30 years and I've always cut the heads off bolts then cut a slot in the end and us them for guide studs when installing transmissions.

[@paulprice1994]

As a retired Fitter, whatching what you guys do is incredible. Making the old vehicles run is great. Hope to get up there one day and see your great work in person. One day(sigh) I'm in NSW

[@Nick-rr5cy]

Do it ,I rode up on a motorcycle late last year from Tassie it’s a fantastic museum

[@garrybrischke53]

Well worth the trip , I have been there a couple of times . I take my hat off to these guys especially how they work through the north Qld summer humidity.🥵👍

[@utha2665]

I'm in WA, I haven't been in Cairns since the mid 80s. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make the trip.

[@welshpete12]

Yes, it is fantastic workmanship, and the skills they demonstrate are remarkable l !

[@craigmandall9420]

It's only a few hours on a plane and well worth it

[@timwerner7771]

I have never worked on anything as massive as a tank (only old cars) but I am always happy when I see slots for bolts rather than holes. In my experience things are never built exact enough for bolts to go into perfectly aligned holes

[@petercliff4023]

Just love all the little jobs that need doing to get this beast up and running again. Seats, fire extinguisher and the like, all add to a great restoration. Great stuff.

[@scottcrawford7310]

Another Wednesday fix. Fantastic

[@James_T_Quirk]

All these Videos remind me of how hard repairs would have been in the Field ...

[@Thornbeard]

repairs in the field during WWII full replacement of part was SOP. US supply lines made it so that mechanics had on hand parts at all times. Logistics wins wars.

[@MichalKaczorowski]

Well not exactly. They are put different engine and gearbox. With original M3 during the war the swap was basically "plug and play".

[@dduckman1423]

The US machines were good, plenty of spares. The English machines and German cats complicated.

[@wazza33racer]

She is a late model 8V71.......with the improved cast aluminum rocker covers. Check your injectors are free before starting, or have the air shutoff working. They are crazy when they run away. Using an allison is a good call.........its much more gentle on the final drives and easy to handle when driving, with that combo she could cruise the highways LoL In the 1980's people were pulling 3 trailer road trains grossing 115 tons with 8V71T's.

[@MrOlgrumpy]

For fitting gearboxes,transmissions,I make a couple of guide pins from bolts I cut the heads off and cut a screwdriver slot in the end after tapering the last inch to about 70% of the diameter,make 'em easy to remove. Install these at about 10 and 2 oclock to line up the job. 👍🙃🙃

[@benpattinson2037]

this is a testament to the people who maintained these vehicles in the field of combat. One cannot begin to perceive how hard these vehicles would be to maintain under conditions of war. These are not easy machines to work on. The staff at the Australian armour and artillery museum are brilliant fabricators and mechanics. You are absolutely amazing . I look forward to every video.

[@TheKRU251]

'We' don't drop engines into place. We lower them ! Another great episode of tank 'stuff'. Excellent !!!!! 👍

[@iainking4256]

Great watching Darryl do his work, the Grant is coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing the Museum again, it has been awhile now. Cheers soon

[@highlander147]

Another awesome episode, really starting to look forward to seeing that beast roar into life. Nice work, folks🎉

[@walterkrosch6567]

And you can make the enemy go deaf plus all the bolts will shake loose so it's easier to take apart

[@lukeskywalker7566]

Nylock nut typr was invented around 1936 by sir Oliver Simmons. I love the work of you and your chaps cheers

[@krmould]

It makes a lot of sense to install a modern diesel and transmission if this is going to be a runner. As nice as it would be to reinstall original engines, the lack of spare parts and the fragility of 80 - 90 year old engines don't make sense. I am sure the tankers in 1942 would have loved to have this engine and transmission! Well done guys, these episodes are always too short. I love seeing every detail of the amazing work you do. Have a well deserved holiday Jesse!

[@StanislavDenisenko]

I restore American, English and German motorcycles from World War II. What a pleasure it is to work with German Ribe, NSF, Verbus bolts. Even if the bike is lifted out of the swamp, these bolts and nuts often come off even without preheating! By the way, I'm currently working on a German DKW NZ350-1 from 1943. And the economy of the Germans is visible in all its glory! Instead of aluminum, the crankcase is made of cast iron! After the Germans, no one has yet disassembled it. So it will be exciting..))

[@roycarter6235]

I'm really enjoying the posts. I will have to go cold turkey for two weeks. Jesse and Daryl are both hard workers with great skillsets. Same for the entire crew actually. Keep up the good work.

[@bgdavenport]

Another "riveting" episode! Like so many others, I look forward to my Wednesday fix. AusArmor should consider a promotion with the winner getting to spend a couple of days in the shop "helping" with the restoration of something or another. There are lots of gear heads out here who have some of the skills displayed by Daryl and the crew. It would be a treat, Curt!

[@richardwhite1975]

The good thing is if an original engine and transmission ever becomes available you have a very skilled crew to accomplish that installation. Excellent work!

[@MGB-learning]

Another Outstanding video and presentation.

[@bloodyarch9765]

Love how way the team have to figure out how everything works! There's some amazing engineering involved for the time :)

[@lukefriesenhahn8186]

Im glad its going to be a runner. :)

[@farmersboy]

I'm currently making a 1/35 kit of a Lee, with a completely details interiors (MiniArt) so this series is very useful. Loving it.

[@tre321]

Tanks a lot for the videos

[@stevemcintyre4398]

It'll be a sweet sounding tank when it hits the road!.

[@topturretgunner]

Good morning from Florida. Just viewed my Aus Armor fix. Really good to see the progress you folks are making on the Grant. Outstanding 👍. Thank you for posting this.

[@joesanchez979]

I love workshop Wednesday 🙂

[@vicnoel45662]

Thanks for my weekly fix! Enjoy your vacation, Jesse!

[@shoominati23]

Those contactors make me think of the Central pivot for an excavator. They have about 12 hydraulic hoses going into the top with about 6 different levels sealed off with o-rings where the fluid comes out and makes it able to do all the functions and turn around endlessly without twisitng anything.

[@philipreiffel5077]

I remember seeing john bellfields grant tank, that was made up to resemble a Sherman for a movie prop, it was fitted with a late model Detroit diesel if i remember right, that thing sounded absolutely fantastic!

[@lukeskywalker7566]

Nice job, adapted for todays work excellent

[@chriszanetti9866]

I am so fascinated with your show. I love the fact that you make the tanks to its original settings plus I’m really into the tanks. Do a awesome job. I have the money I fly out to where you’re at to go look at your museum but I’m just down in the USA but keep up the good work

[@chalion8399]

I'm quite impressed with the amount of innovation and adaptation the crew is using to get the Grant back into shape. Nicely done.

[@theeaselrider4032]

I always enjoy watching what you guys do, but the thing that most impressed me the most, was that portable drill ! As a person who loves buying tools ( whether I need them or not ), that looks like a cool item to add to my garage. A pretty safe bet no one else in the neighbourhood would have one.

[@alexandermccarthy]

My favourite part of the week is when these videos get posted!

[@zoltronr6]

ESNA self locking fasteners. Not sure that is the true beginning of locking nuts in the US, but certainly an interesting story. If you're into that sort of thing.

[@boganengineering189]

This thing is going to sound unreal when it’s running

[@RHButler22]

Love these videos. Thanks for sharing them and and a special thanks to everyone involved from the owners of the museum to the people that help find the parts you need for the restorations.

[@USM247]

Another great episode. Interesting to note just how many "modern day fixes" are necessary to renovate these old tanks. Hang in there guys!!

[@davidmarksberry5970]

Its amazing how satisfying and fun it is to watch your guys work, rebuilding the awesome vehicles. Thanks for prodicing this series and sharing the work!! - David; Virginia, U.S.

[@STREETCARCULTURE]

Nice one lads 👍🏾

[@weswright3187]

I really like this show. One of the things I put my finger on today was that the music is a really thoughtful accompaniment. It’s not that fast bam bam drum stuff that’s supposed to keep us all interested. It’s very traditional. It’s really different to most things out there today. Very cool.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Team, another brilliant episode, Cheers

[@Dougprince72]

Looks great My great uncle would be proud

[@alexcken2527]

Вы - настоящие мастера! Браво.

[@mikef.1000]

Another round of wonderful work by the lads at Oz Armour

[@skyraider8793]

This crew is fantastic.

[@willianoliveira3794]

Amazing!!!!!

[@b2dmastersniper]

Awesome series guys, nothing like a decades of sitting outside rusting then injecting sand into every possible nook and cranny to lock up any and all moving components.

[@roberthocking9138]

Beautiful work as usual lads 👍

[@davidlawrencebanks4610]

Very good work as usual. I didn't realise how far the autobox and V8 would intrude in the cabin. I understand that costs are always the problem and availability of original engines and gearboxes. However I would not be honest if I say it doesn't matter, the only reason I say this is the attention to detail and skill you use on the outside of the tank. I'm guessing film work would be a source of income for this tank. Rather than as original museum piece. These updates are great I wouldn't miss one!

[@Tater_Lord]

Even the original engine config would've protruded into the cabin by a significant amount

[@aserta]

12:31 the unit seems pretty complete tbf. All it needs it to be disassembled and cleaned of paint. That's one area where paint probably should've been kept away, because of the contactor plates.

[@donaldbarden5704]

Nylon lock nuts were used a lot in WWIIl, although the substance used might have been an early version of nylon, or a different substance entirely. They were used in aircraft, which were subject to enormous vibration stresses. I was given a lot of them in the early 1950’s by my folk’s landlord who lived behind us and was a Cornwell tool salesman. He was familiar with their use in the War and who told me about them. I helped him clean his tool truck and garage from time to time and he gave me broken wrenches and other tools and misc. items to help him. I still have a few, over 70 years later, and they work just as well as new ones.

[@formerparatrooper]

Marvelous, great video

[@bradleysmith2021]

One of my favorite “shop” channels! Awesome work as always guys!

[@caliber_560]

I’m so excited to see this beautiful machine run!

[@neilfairless4589]

Enjoy your well earned leave Jesse. Kurt, another great update marra.

[@bmwoutlander]

The call on the transmission is good. You are saving ammo for Tiger and King Tiger projects.

[@Reaper1967a]

You all do amazing work. Love this channel and look forward to every Wednesday for a new episode.

[@joaocosta3374]

Two engines? What beast!

[@rjochheim]

Put a come-a-long off the hook and run it down to a soft sling around the output of the transmission.. Helps level things out on the install

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

For static displays original parts should be the norm, if money allows however for mobile displays and actual driving the tank around then non-original/non-standard parts is fine as long as the outside is the same. Costs are costs and its already expensive enough as it is.

[@billynoland7778]

The tank is looking good. Keep up the great work .

[@GERntleMAN]

Well, the right sounds would be the 9 cylinder radial engine. But Detroit 71 engines are very cool. And heavy. 1,1t for this one is just crazy!

[@hattyfarbuckle]

My first car mechanic back in the 70s was a master at "fixing things" efficiently with novel solutions as he had trained between the world wars. I had an old straight 6 Triumph 2000 and the ringgear for the starter engagement was working lose from the flywheel. The official fix is removal of flywheel and ring and fitting a ring by heating to expand and fitting before it cooled and shrank. His fix was to drill a big enough hole in the bellhousing insitu , putting a drift through the hole and knocking the ring back on before securing it with a few welds, again through the hole. Saved days of disassembly/reassembly on a car not worth those labour costs.

[@lastguy8613]

I'm not saying he didn't do it the quickest way possible but those old Triumphs were so easy to work on. Back in the 90s I swapped out the manual box and steering rack on my 1974 2500 for a automatic box and power steering over a weekend working on my brothers lawn with nothing but scissor jack's, crappy old tools, youthful enthusiasm and a Haynes manual.. It all worked perfectly first time except I forgot to tighten the front wheel nuts back up and the car flipped over in its side as I was trundling down the road wondering what that clunking noise was lol. No damage except it looked like someone had ran a huge cheese grater down the side of the car, ran it for several years after that, such cool wagons the old Triumphs

[@The_Jap]

I am really enjoying this series. Great work by these lads.

[@aarondwyer3746]

You've done a beautiful job,Kurt you stand proud, considering what you all started with

[@yattaran1484]

Thank you guys for showing us amazing restoration work as always !. Can't wait to watch another video next Wednesday.😊

[@russwoodward8251]

Fantastic work. Thank you once again, it's great to see just how it's done.

[@CommissarBooks]

Absolutely love this channel! These guys could build a tank from scratch!

[@kiwifruit27]

Looking great 😊

[@ariedekker7350]

Thanks and see you next time from the Netherlands.

[@dougstubbs9637]

GM Detroit Diesel…..once the best sound in trucking, especially when singing through a 15 speed Roadranger. I remember when the tin can cowboys used to unscrew the exhaust diverter tip on the roof of the M113, crowbar mash the muffler internals… You could hear them 6Vss from the other side of Pukka. Nice. Neil Diamond wrote a song about it..”Beautiful Noise’. “ You goin’ to Pukka ?”…..’Na mate, she’s me sister.’

[@paulorchard7960]

6V53 !

[@dougstubbs9637]

I’m goin to Puckapunyal in me Pord Palken with Pour on da Ploor.

[@ray.shoesmith]

@@dougstubbs9637 God my old man used to say that and I'm 53! Only he must have been a bit more upmarket going for the Pord Palcon Pivehundred wif poor on the ploor

[@prevost8686]

Here in the USA thousands upon thousands of motorcoaches were powered by 8V71, 6V92T, and 8V92T engines. Greyhound had buses that ran through the Colorado Rockies equipped with 12V71 engines and 5Spd Fuller transmissions. They sound of the engines could hum passengers to sleep on late night runs.

[@desertmandan123]

Good choice of engine. They're good enough for HET's and HMMTS...and they shift some heavy kit.

[@kittonsmitton]

Well done lads love Workshop Wednesdays, get some great R&R Jess.

[@SPSteve]

Another great episode. The guys are doing great work on the Grant. Using modern power makes good sense. You should do the same with some of the German tank projects, use a modern gas engine and an automatic transmission.

[@thurin84]

yeah itd be great if you could use all original parts every time all the time, but sometimes thats just not feasible 80 years later. as long as an original vehicle is brought back to life and it looks the part. thats what matters. the public seeing it running is whats really going to bring the history alive for them.

[@willbshaw]

Great series. One tip on mating the trans next time is to install 2 or 3 studs in the engine first. Lines up easier. Keep up the great episodes. Wife and I can't wait till Wednesdays ;-)

[@jameswalshjr]

Absolutely fascinating to watch the work on this piece of history. Well done and keep up the good work.

[@MrReaction67]

Very nice work again, my wednesday series. Nice to look at.

[@mudbug212]

In 1936, aircraft designer Sir Oliver Simmonds company produced its first collection of aerospace nuts .

[@chuxxsss]

Never knew you employed the Wiggles . The selector round, lol. I hated fixing the stuff.