I am looking to help someone in the restoration of one of these very soon. I was talking to an old guy over the weekend about the Commer 'Knocker' engine as they were called - did you know that running them even a few hundred RPM over their 2400 limit generally caused them to fail. In the old days drivers who over ran these engines downhill generally took a blown up truck back to the depot and were promptly shown the door !!
Allways had a soft spot for these compared to a tk bedford they were luxury. Hang a 12 ton trailer on the back and you never really had too many problems with excess power or speed - the speed limit for trucks when these were current was only 40 mph so the low gearing was needed to cope with the weights.
@VolksDragon People weren't big on overdrives in the 50s, very few motorways or good straight long distance roads, more emphasis on using trains rather than trucks for trunk work. And complex multi-speed gearboxes were both bleeding-edge, and expensive. So the emphasis was more on low speed flexibility with a limited number of ratios. You see the same thing with old cars. Take them on a freeway type road and floor the accelerator in top gear and you'll find the valves start to bounce... at 100k!
What company manufactured the Commer Knocker? What layout was it (inline, flat four, etc)? What displacement was it" 2-stroke or 4-stroke? Turbocharged or N/A?
Hi Mr Magoo, Made by Rootes Group, it is a 105hp flat 3 horizontally opposed two stroke diesel with a supercharger, no turbo. First came out late 1954 (England), mine is a 1957 model and they finished about 1971 when Chrysler took the Rootes Group over. Cheers
@ts3cunningstunt The company was Commer cars. PB 1500/2500 panel van/chassis cab etc available till about 1982 latest varients were badged as Dodge. Many used as tow trucks, Post office vans for local mail pick up and delivery and telephone.. Also saw them as cash carrying security vans and general workabout town. This is all in UK. BT (PO telephones) was still using them in 1985 but I think this large order had ceased, so ending the Commer line. Reliable if you did ALL the servicing.
My dad used to drive an artic 28 tons gross if I recall correctly and also if I recall correctly the reg LNV (827?) E - saw the other comment about flames from the exhaust- its true!!!! I have seen it going through an unlit village (flat out I guess) and then letting it overrun (of course I was only 4 or 5 at the time and didn't know what overrun was). Happiest days of my life travelling all over with him from the age of about 2 and a half until I went to school then every holiday and weekend
Wonderful memories, i used to drive TS3 for a living, the exhaust box was on the front though.! sounds good as usual screaming away and getting no where lol, used to have a plastic bottle of water,slow down put my arm out the window to wash the screen..... them were the days...many thanks for the videos.
No robotic whirring and whining or digital beeps here. If you get it wrong, she'll let you know and it would serve you right for not driving by the seat of your pants and listening to the engine note. Gotta take my hat of to any driver in the Aussie summer sitting in a cab with no insulation either. Sort of like a big Land-Rover in the nicest possible sense (a no-bullshit machine that is!).
Good to see a bit of "The Way We Were" - obviously in good hands !
@ts3cunningstunt Wouldnt matter if it had another gear or not, id rather it rev at 2400 at 80 ks just to hear the sexy sound! Love old diesels! Simply awesome!
Geez, that old Knocker is going faster than any Knocker I ever knew! Don't break or wear out anything in that motor - parts for them no longer exist! I drove one from Geelong to Norseman in Dec 1995, delivering it to the buyer. Man, what a trip that was!! The old girl had no lights, a battery that wouldn't start her when she was hot, and it used 4 litres of oil, and 4 litres of water a day! Then, I got to Caiguna, and the compressor crapped itself - so I drove the last 400 kms with no brakes!
fastest one i ever knew was owned by pete horne of witney owner driver for d bird of bugbrooke 1968 maxiload 6 speed eaton 2 speed axle ameys agent couldn't catch him going down east isley bypass A34 IN A MK1 FORD ESCORT.
I'm too young to know these trucks personally, but have heard many stories from older truck drivers. Drivers today whine if the air conditioning isn't cold enough for them, but these trucks could wear you out early by comparison. I've driven Japanese trucks in the far north of WA, which are uncomfortable compared to the likes of Macks and Kenworths. But still good to see not all these antiques are dead
This takes me back - 40 years in an instant. Our school bus had a TS3 engine. Ours didn't burst into tears on a hill thouugh: one morning, it simply burst. So we all walked back home.
I spent many days with my Dad in TS3 Commers in the 50's/60's delivering car to the docks all over the UK, only wish i had a camera then, great sound, nice to here one again.
Thanks for reply. I have a 1970 Dodge KT900 6-wheeler with 2 x 16500 Eaton 2-speeds on Hendrickson suspension and 5-speed Rootes box. A V8-510 Perkins supplies the sound effects. Nearly finished restoring her.
I'm up in Brisbane and would love to get hold of one of these to restore. As I'm up in the hills north of Brisbane I'm sure my neighbours would love the noise of a TS3 working hard...
You'd get no complaints from me if I lived near you. Hell, I'd be hanging out the bedroom window shouting to you to go past again so I can listen to it! lol...
I happen to know this man and his amazing truck very well - never heard it running till now! The earplugs are definitely not for show with any 2 stroke diesel - especially the Detroits!! LOL
Further about my comment last night: holy hell, no-one would get complaints if a Commer, espcially this old girl, coming past my bedroom window at all times!
Kogvos, if you would like to get in touch with me by email at howarddotpettigrewatxtradotcodotnz I may be able to put you in touch with a few Commers. There are a number at Price's Truck yard at Dalby, Not sure of price or availabillity
That is awsome, and your somewhere in Vic by the look of it. I am just buying a similiar one, but it will take time to get it fully running. Am also in Melbourne. You just have to love that sound. How about a pic from the front.
You are on the wrong side of the road. Loved the video, thanks.
ebu97 1 month ago
I am looking to help someone in the restoration of one of these very soon. I was talking to an old guy over the weekend about the Commer 'Knocker' engine as they were called - did you know that running them even a few hundred RPM over their 2400 limit generally caused them to fail. In the old days drivers who over ran these engines downhill generally took a blown up truck back to the depot and were promptly shown the door !!
brantwinter 1 month ago
Allways had a soft spot for these compared to a tk bedford they were luxury. Hang a 12 ton trailer on the back and you never really had too many problems with excess power or speed - the speed limit for trucks when these were current was only 40 mph so the low gearing was needed to cope with the weights.
shuttleman47 2 months ago
Sweet reminder of a time when you DROVE the truck. Love it much.
4tracktruck 3 months ago
That's a BEAST! Good on you for running it.
taxus750 4 months ago
Rev that bastard! Love it !!
Draxindustries1 4 months ago
Needs more gears? :)
VolksDragon 1 year ago
@VolksDragon People weren't big on overdrives in the 50s, very few motorways or good straight long distance roads, more emphasis on using trains rather than trucks for trunk work. And complex multi-speed gearboxes were both bleeding-edge, and expensive. So the emphasis was more on low speed flexibility with a limited number of ratios. You see the same thing with old cars. Take them on a freeway type road and floor the accelerator in top gear and you'll find the valves start to bounce... at 100k!
TahreyUK 4 months ago
@TahreyUK Thanks for the explanation! (And you got me to watch this again)
VolksDragon 4 months ago
Shift, shift, shift!
huerdon 1 year ago
What company manufactured the Commer Knocker? What layout was it (inline, flat four, etc)? What displacement was it" 2-stroke or 4-stroke? Turbocharged or N/A?
Thanks.
JGMagoo 1 year ago
Hi Mr Magoo, Made by Rootes Group, it is a 105hp flat 3 horizontally opposed two stroke diesel with a supercharger, no turbo. First came out late 1954 (England), mine is a 1957 model and they finished about 1971 when Chrysler took the Rootes Group over. Cheers
ts3cunningstunt 1 year ago
@ts3cunningstunt The company was Commer cars. PB 1500/2500 panel van/chassis cab etc available till about 1982 latest varients were badged as Dodge. Many used as tow trucks, Post office vans for local mail pick up and delivery and telephone.. Also saw them as cash carrying security vans and general workabout town. This is all in UK. BT (PO telephones) was still using them in 1985 but I think this large order had ceased, so ending the Commer line. Reliable if you did ALL the servicing.
TheBeebopper 1 year ago
@ts3cunningstunt
Not normal horizontally opposed (boxer) but opposed piston.
3 cylinders , 6 pistons.
boo66 4 months ago
@JGMagoo 3 cyl 6piston horizontally opposed 2 stroke....
discocreator76 5 months ago
wow 3 cylinders
nrajcoomar 1 year ago
A TS3 in a coach was good for 18 mpg so I've been told. Not bad for a 41 seater.
Stemax1960 1 year ago
My dad used to drive an artic 28 tons gross if I recall correctly and also if I recall correctly the reg LNV (827?) E - saw the other comment about flames from the exhaust- its true!!!! I have seen it going through an unlit village (flat out I guess) and then letting it overrun (of course I was only 4 or 5 at the time and didn't know what overrun was). Happiest days of my life travelling all over with him from the age of about 2 and a half until I went to school then every holiday and weekend
1964markl 1 year ago
Wonderful memories, i used to drive TS3 for a living, the exhaust box was on the front though.! sounds good as usual screaming away and getting no where lol, used to have a plastic bottle of water,slow down put my arm out the window to wash the screen..... them were the days...many thanks for the videos.
Greetings, Tom
GAVIOLITOM 1 year ago
I dont quite hear the knock, but I do hear the screaming sound just like one of our detroits.
maddkraut03 1 year ago
Wow, that's awsome sounding.. loud for sure. Like the 2 stroke Detroit's here, seem to be getting slim.
Sonic149 1 year ago
Love it, love it, love it !!!
No robotic whirring and whining or digital beeps here. If you get it wrong, she'll let you know and it would serve you right for not driving by the seat of your pants and listening to the engine note. Gotta take my hat of to any driver in the Aussie summer sitting in a cab with no insulation either. Sort of like a big Land-Rover in the nicest possible sense (a no-bullshit machine that is!).
Good to see a bit of "The Way We Were" - obviously in good hands !
dieselpuppy74 1 year ago
lovely sound
skodas 1 year ago
Seemed to have been holding out on the gear towards the end...couldnt you have gone higher?
farrodread 2 years ago
That's all she had mate, 2400 revs at 80km/h
ts3cunningstunt 2 years ago 3
@ts3cunningstunt Wouldnt matter if it had another gear or not, id rather it rev at 2400 at 80 ks just to hear the sexy sound! Love old diesels! Simply awesome!
LiLMackaELi6 1 year ago
She sounds great...
farrodread 2 years ago
Geez, that old Knocker is going faster than any Knocker I ever knew! Don't break or wear out anything in that motor - parts for them no longer exist! I drove one from Geelong to Norseman in Dec 1995, delivering it to the buyer. Man, what a trip that was!! The old girl had no lights, a battery that wouldn't start her when she was hot, and it used 4 litres of oil, and 4 litres of water a day! Then, I got to Caiguna, and the compressor crapped itself - so I drove the last 400 kms with no brakes!
D375 2 years ago
fastest one i ever knew was owned by pete horne of witney owner driver for d bird of bugbrooke 1968 maxiload 6 speed eaton 2 speed axle ameys agent couldn't catch him going down east isley bypass A34 IN A MK1 FORD ESCORT.
pantzz23 2 years ago
1.000.000.000.000.000 stars :)
MegaZsolti 2 years ago
haha ear plugs , But hey you have to understand why , as it just sounds great .
kawa7900 2 years ago
in my day we never had bloody earplugs you all should have been in southland in the 60's they were men
cessna207 2 years ago
I'm too young to know these trucks personally, but have heard many stories from older truck drivers. Drivers today whine if the air conditioning isn't cold enough for them, but these trucks could wear you out early by comparison. I've driven Japanese trucks in the far north of WA, which are uncomfortable compared to the likes of Macks and Kenworths. But still good to see not all these antiques are dead
Mechknight73 2 years ago
Takes me back. Good to see the old girl still revving as freeely (and noisily) as ever.
bebajoro77 2 years ago
Didnt these put flames out of the exhaust ?
bigjagjim 2 years ago
yes, I heard that- on the over run they would de-carbonise themselves throwing out all bits of glowing soot
mrspivvy 2 years ago
fantastic 10 stars
tstoakley 2 years ago
hi a friend here in uk has 3 for sale in wrecked state one a very rear 1964 artic cab unit if any one interested could put you in touch .
honda4004 2 years ago
considering a project myself always remember the sound of the 2 stroke,would be interested to know more
k8ehx 2 years ago
oh bugger
opihg65 2 years ago
when are u going to slip it into topgear nancyboy
erdcgd 2 years ago
Hey John Turton, long time no hear!!!
ts3cunningstunt 2 years ago
when are u going to slip it into top gear nancyboy
erdcgd 2 years ago
This takes me back - 40 years in an instant. Our school bus had a TS3 engine. Ours didn't burst into tears on a hill thouugh: one morning, it simply burst. So we all walked back home.
brython2 2 years ago
I spent many days with my Dad in TS3 Commers in the 50's/60's delivering car to the docks all over the UK, only wish i had a camera then, great sound, nice to here one again.
Dieseldog6 2 years ago
Thanks, glad you like it. It is totally unique to drive and good fun
ts3cunningstunt 2 years ago
my mate had one of these back in the '60s, said it went like stink on the flat, but burst into tears on the hills
mrspivvy 2 years ago
That's a coincidence - so does mine!! Thanks for the comment.
ts3cunningstunt 2 years ago
Thanks for reply. I have a 1970 Dodge KT900 6-wheeler with 2 x 16500 Eaton 2-speeds on Hendrickson suspension and 5-speed Rootes box. A V8-510 Perkins supplies the sound effects. Nearly finished restoring her.
normken 2 years ago
Hi great video mate! Do you have an Eaton 2-speed or similar in her? Thanks.
normken 2 years ago
Hi Normy
It has an early number 4 Eaton with a 2 speed, g/box is a 4 speed synchro soon to be replaced with an original 5 speed crash box. Glad you like it.
ts3cunningstunt 2 years ago
A very distinct sound....... nice
Bevoin1970 3 years ago
I'm up in Brisbane and would love to get hold of one of these to restore. As I'm up in the hills north of Brisbane I'm sure my neighbours would love the noise of a TS3 working hard...
kogvos 3 years ago
You'd get no complaints from me if I lived near you. Hell, I'd be hanging out the bedroom window shouting to you to go past again so I can listen to it! lol...
GingerPhilG 3 years ago
Hey Phil,
I happen to know this man and his amazing truck very well - never heard it running till now! The earplugs are definitely not for show with any 2 stroke diesel - especially the Detroits!! LOL
Joe
huppypuppy 2 years ago
Phil,
Further about my comment last night: holy hell, no-one would get complaints if a Commer, espcially this old girl, coming past my bedroom window at all times!
Joe
huppypuppy 2 years ago
Kogvos, if you would like to get in touch with me by email at howarddotpettigrewatxtradotcodotnz I may be able to put you in touch with a few Commers. There are a number at Price's Truck yard at Dalby, Not sure of price or availabillity
CommKarr45 2 years ago
That is awsome, and your somewhere in Vic by the look of it. I am just buying a similiar one, but it will take time to get it fully running. Am also in Melbourne. You just have to love that sound. How about a pic from the front.
phantomrose1999 3 years ago