Not a Alfa Italian or even a car

[Simonsud]

Been looking for a old job for a few years I did want a late 70s 3c mk3 but this 3d mk2 came up locally so had to have it
My dad has always been a digger driver and as a kid I spent most of my school holidays in the back of a digger or at the yard digging holes in 3c mk3 hence the resone I wanted one

[junior]

And will you race it ?

Have fun restoring it, one of my friends drove to France in one delivering it. On to the ferry and off down the lanes. French customs did have a few words, but mainly what the heck are you doing?

He always said it was something he will remember for a long time so if you don't race it you could take it to the new Alfa museum.

Good luck when you take it apart.

[Simonsud]

No racing just digging random holes then fill them back in
It doesn't need to much doing its all running and complete just a stuck clutch, split hydraulic hose and rusty cab
So plan it to free off clutch fix some wiring so it starts on the key instead of a screw driver on the starter then when that's all done unbolt cab and weld it all up and a repaint

[KevJTD]

mega purchase, absolutely love it.

if I had a field i'd rescue old diggers and tractors then when the mood felt just go buggering about on them, priceless!

[Simonsud]

Some things crossed of the list today new ignition switch fitted so it starts on the key all gauges even work and it got 1/2 a tank of fuel and a stop cable fitted so it starts and stops from inside the cab
My dad then came down to help I wanted to free the clutch by trying to drive it but we have started to take the clutch out which could be a long job if bolts don't come undone but fingers crossed it will be ok
And Kev I also have a old tractor a leyland 154 that I Bugger about on .

[KevJTD]

top man

[Simonsud]

Bit done at the weekend exhaust fitted just had to drill out two snapped bolts bit of a pain as no power were its parked so have to take a generator . And started to do clutch everything has come undone so far didn't get to much removed as had to move it so farmer can put silage bales were it was parked I have to start it in gear with rear jacks down then raise them up and it's away then lower jacks when you want to stop all good fun driving 6 1/2 ton of run away digger . When clutch is done its cominghome for some welding so not to much different from a Alfa

[KevJTD]

loving the story of the build Simon, best I've heard of for some time.

surprised the clutch doesn't free itself off with the drop starts, must be a great way of getting going though....hope the hydraulics don't fail or you'll have to keep circulating until you run out of diesel

[Simonsud]

You would have thought clutch would free but it's been up against a oak tree and all it did was wheel spin big ruts and they snapped gear lever as it ran away across a field when they started it in gear and in a panick they snapped lever trying to get it out of gear
That's why my first job was a stop lever and ignition switch so I can start it and stop it from inside the cab I'am sure clutch would free if I took it up the road in top gear but it's so low geared that all it wants to do is wheel spin or knock what ever is in its way over

[KevJTD]

you must take it round mcdonalds car park and clear a few mobile disco's off the road

[Fluffyduff]

Love it, my brother has ine just like it!

[Simonsud]

Not photos as phone full will take some soon has the afternoon on jcb and got all floors and bellhousing cover off there was a inch of water and mud in the bell housing so no wonder clutch is stuck on . Nearly got clutch out all bolts for pressure plate are off and clutch looks like it will go again I just need to get some heat on the sliding shaft as it only moves about 1mm because of all the rust once that's done it will slide out of the clutch and all can be removed would be easier to explain with pictures just need to free some memory on my phone .

[KevJTD]

makes sense now Simon, clutch plate fused itself to the input shaft, or whatever design it has, rather than just stuck to the face of the flywheel.

looking forward to seeing the pics

[Simonsud]

Yes I think that's what's happened just hope it's not siezed in spigot bearing

[Simonsud]

Clutch finally out didn't get to do anything over the weekend as I was riding the southdowns way Eastbourne to Goodwood circuit there was a rich boys track day with plenty of porches and Ferrari 's being driven slowly .and Sunday I was st a family party mostly drinking beer
Also got a new phone so plenty of photos to come

[Simonsud]

Clutch and input shaft

[KevJTD]

lot of pivot points there awaiting to seize up!

bet it's nice to have some big stuff to work on though

[Simonsud]

Big is not the word when I left school I wanted to be a plant fitter (be carful what you wish for) it's good fun just bigger hammers and spanners
Clutch all cleaned up knew I might need a centre plate and found plenty for the tractor it's based on but mines got the heavy duty 13 inch sinster paddle clutch 150 + vat common 11 inch plate is only £50

[Simonsud]

Next job weld gear lever last person to have a go told me it's strange metal and it wouldn't weld !!!
I hope I can do a better job

[Simonsud]

Floors and bell housing painted and ready to fit when I find a clutch note grease pipe for release bearing don't think it will ever wear out clutch is Borg & beck but jcb grind of the name so they can sell them for twice the price . I keep looking for something with the same clutch pressure plate is easy to get but most centres aren't solid and have damper springs and standard friction material which will fit fine and be less grabby but not sure if it will last

[Simonsud]

Gear lever butt welded sleved and welded so hopefully it won't snap again

[Simonsud]

Been down to jcb today gearbox top all back on and all gears present. Fitted old clutch and had a test drive all gears and drive good so will order new centre plate and brakes

[KevJTD]

loving it, big engineering

interestingly, and something i'd forgotten about, i'm off to the jcb factory on a tour in a week or two, mrs had booked it for rob and me. turns out rob can't get time off from his new job at Suzuki so our sarah wants to go...looking forward to it greatly

[Simonsud]

I need a ram for the rear bucket and a front wheel if you can sneak them out

[KevJTD]

I need a ram for the rear bucket and a front wheel if you can sneak them out

i'll do my best

[Kegsti66]

That will take a very big lunch box Kev.

[Sud 145]

Sounds like a Jonny Cash Song.

[Simonsud]

Sunday's work remove brakes all look a mess but are brand new just surface rust from standing and linkages and clevis pins all siezed good job I didn't keep driving it to clean brakes as rust would have ripped linings to bits

[Simonsud]

Brakes all cleaned up and ready to go back in

[Simonsud]

Log book arrived yesterday was expecting it to be a hassle as its been off the road at the previous owners place for 30 years but it can through in 3 weeks I did send off photos of digger with number plate and chassis plate so that must have helped . Also serviced engined last weekend with my 13 year old daughter as she need a project over the holidays for scouts and week before put all brakes back on so getting there . Only set back is air in diesel after filter change as filter housing bleed screw thread is worn out so needs tapping out .