Austin WE Loadstar 5 ton tipper 1956

Gday

I got this

It has the straight six 4.0l engine. I can't find many specs on the internet so I am wondering if someone has a link for info on timing, dwell etc. Does anyone know of a supplier for basic things like oil filters etc. I got a manifold gasket which I am replacing. I need to do brakes on it and some other stuff like the opinion seal. If anyone knows of someone with one of these, in Western Victoria, pls let me know who they are.

If anyone has a cheap manual for it pls let me know.

I am selling my 1980 acco tipper soon so I just wanted a truck for odd work around the property.

Cheers

Santa came early, you look oike you have scored very well, there are lots of these all over the place, many were CFA trucks, mate has similar vintage and he gets filters off the shelf. The diff will be a bit slow, but a truck like this does not need to hurry these days.

Is this the same one you spotted this time last year??? Well done on posting your photo too.

good luck.

Thanks mate. Yeah same one. I built the new place and been doing the cars etc, but now doing a bit on this ole girl. I got it cos i like the look of it. Got it for 800 bucks (500 for truck, 300 for transport on semi from memory) :huh: and it runs but needs new wheel cylinders etc. She doesn't have much rust. Too good for scrap. Came with a big grain bin and rear schute and is dropside long wheelbase.

This is how it came in the barn lol.

Here's my 1980 acco. Doesn't seem vintage to me yet.

The missus wasn't real happy cos I got FE and FC Holden projects on the go too. Does anyone know if 1938 odd Chevy utes with a ute styleside tub are very rare or sought after? My neighbour has one sitting in the paddock. It's a shame really. Nice looking ute.

Hi Deano, that WE Austin looks great and brings back a few memories...........................

I got my New Zealand HT licence in one of those in 1957. 18 years old and borrowed it from a trusting neighbour.

Fast forward a few years and I spent some time lorry-driving in the UK, then in 1965 got married there and we had a honeymoon in Wales before I brought my new wife back to NZ.

On the second day the lady who owned the farm where we were to stay said "I've just had a disaster, my driver who drives my horse float has broken his leg and I can't get my prize horses to the show tomorrow".

I said "I can drive it for you, what sort is it?"

She replied "That's it outside", and there in all its glory was a WE Austin horse float.

I said, "I'll drive the truck as long as someone else looks after the horses" and that's what happened.

My only two experiences of WE Austins, I wish you luck with yours. Cheers, Vic

Cool story. I'm 39 but I like 50's and some 40's trucks and cars. I like push out and split type windows. The FE is a custom and I've toyed with the idea of making push out windows for the windscreen. It would be cool hearing the v8 and intake sound lol. I do have a 327 engine here in pieces but this one is too good to change I think. I'll just appreciate it for what it is. I would appreciate if someone could point me to the timing specs etc or could photocopy the specs out of a manual. I wish I lived in the 50's. Seems like a good period to have been raised.

DeanoM, IT seems you have moved the photos on Photo bucket
Colin

I cleaned up my bucket and lost the link. Back up again. Did you miss admiring the Austin :lol:

I think the Austin was a K2 whereas it was the Morris that was the WE. The engine will be the same as in the big Austin/Morris cars. These trucks went by a number of badges ie Austin, Morris, BMC, and finally Leyland. Having a split screen makes yours an early one. Later they went to one piece screen and long doors (WF model). Wouldn't hurt top get a copy of the 'BMC Experience' magazine which will have the contacts you need.

Sure I've got some info somewhere on these, I'll have a look tomorrow

Your 1956 Austin 5 tonner is a Model 5K.WE.3/. Released in February 1955. They were commonly known in Australia as a 503 or the Series 3. It is not a Loadstar, it is a Roadchief. Loadstar ran from 1949-1955. The WEK and WFK is the English numbering system (e.g. WFK 60 = 338N). Going by the Parts Book, both Austin and Morris were WE and WF. Also, it was the WF that had the short doors.