WW2 Vehicle Restoration: SCORE! Unobtanium Weasel Tracks!
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- #studebakerweasel #ww2history
Sometimes the hardest part of WW2 vehicle restoration is finding that "unobtanium part". Well, a set of incredible rare 15" wide tracks - only used on the experimental T24 Weasel (the M29 Weasel had improved 20" inch tracks), fell into my lap. Huge win! Side is going on tomorrow. Happy #WeaselWednesday!
If you haven't caught all the episodes on the restoration of the T-24 Weasel, there are hours and hours (maybe even days now) of restoration videos here: • Studebaker T24 Weasel ...
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Thanks for watching!
Patrick
©2020 Portrayal Press LLC
I have a farmer friend that rebuilt two Stearman biplanes, he said it's like eating an elephant....one bit at a time. Your process is very inspiring, your projects are impressive.
Thank you for the kind words - you made my day! What a fun project a Stearman would be! Simple machines with a surprising number of parts - and unlike the Weasel....big problems if something breaks. Thanks again!
Wow! Probably one of the largest collections of Weasels around!
Ok Patrick. I know that you have your business and family to care for but it may be time to add a television show to the list! I can’t get enough of these videos. I’ve gone back and watched all the Jeep and mule installments and can’t wait for your next project. Please keep them coming, and I wasn’t kidding about the “speed channel” , “motortrend”, “overhauling” type program. Our hobby has needed a shot in the arm like these videos have been! BTW where was that T-15 in the early shot located?
Thank you so much John for the encouragement. What a great Wednesday "pick me up"! I am all ears about ways to improve the "show" and expand the reach. Questions..... how long should the videos be? More narration? Less narration and more captions? More topics? More detail about process & technique? Split them up into a "show" and maybe a "how to"? What about platform? Do you think we should try and get it on cable - the local cable franchise is always looking for original content. CZcams is huge but there is a lot of content so the process of building a channel here takes a lot of time and patience. Anyway - if you have thoughts (or anyone else reading) - I would love the input! You can also send me contact information at sales@portrayal.com and we can get on the phone. Many thanks again!
Very nice score! Glad you got them. Appreciate you keeping us on track! Liked the little lesson and now I have “learned something new today”.
Thanks Mac! "keeping us on track"...LOL! Very excited...and made some great progress yesterday too....video on Sunday....thanks again!
Hi from Norway!
Greetings- you live in the land of the Weasel!!!😍😂😎
Hello Patrick, great video as always, nice to see you my friend.
Appreciate it Nikola! Heading out to weld on the side today - huge milestone. Pics later!
Very unique project, wonder what one of these Weasels is worth now days?
Super nice, restored with a new set of tracks...up to about $40k - most will trade for around $15-$20K - tracks are everything. There was a company making new tracks...they are worth about $14k new. Expensive, but the difference between having a reliable machine and worrying about breaking a track every time you drive the machine.
I have recently bought a weasel in need of some advice thank you
Congrats! Head over to www.studebakerweasel.org and introduce yourself. Lots of knowledgeable folks there, uncensored.....and check out www.portrayal.tv....we continue to post weekly videos there with lots of Weasel info!
Thanks for all of the comments folks. Hit that Subscribe button for more Weasel (and other vehicle) restoration videos!
Any reason why the original T-15s had canted roadwheels? Was it for track alignment issues or component fitment? I just found it an odd design choice, but I'm sure at the time there was some reasoning behind it...
Greetings Pine! Interesting question.... I don't know the exact reasoning for the road wheel design on the T15. BF Goodrich was one of the designers of the track system on the project and they made all of the various Weasel bogie wheels (as far as I know). I will ask a couple of friends who have T15's and report back. I do know that the track design on the T15 did not perform particularly well - they would throw tracks and T15's drive better uphill backwards than forwards...prompting several changes on the T24.
@@Portrayalpress I remember watching that OSS briefing film stating on the T-15 that the tracks were designed to shed off to limit track breakage during rough turning. I'm sure the design intention was good, but I found it a humorous solution which as you explained they fixed for production units. Did the weasel share the same tracks as the allis chalmers snow tractor? They look similar in design, maybe bf goodrich produced them both?
@@Portrayalpress So I stumbled upon the development report from the head engineer of the weasel program on accident today. The cambered bogie wheels on the M28s were to allow the track to flex side to side without interference between the track guides and the bogie wheels. Just following up for those that may have had the same question.
Do the tracks need restoration also or can they go right onto the trucks
Greetings Bill. They are somewhere in between. I am pretty sure I can run them as is with a little lubrication on the chain. That being said, there are road pads missing and if I run them hard, I will knock off more. The cosmetic appearance is not great - so a good pressure wash and coat of pain would make them look great. The chain is an OK solution but conveyor belt material might be better. Lots of decisions here my friend.
@@Portrayalpress Onward friend!
Get that thing done so you can drive it to my place and help me finish the '44. The way I see it, based on the average speed of the Weasel, it will take you about 75 days to make it to my place. I'm in no rush.
Now that I have tracks...I am just an engine/transmission rebuild away from starting the epic cross country Weasel trip! It is a cargo carrier after all, so I will load up my tools and head West. Hell, I need to bring my guitar for the journey because I am sure there is a song in that too!
Hope you are well my friend.