Marked holes and drilled the steel work for the entrance step bay so that it can be bolted back to the body frame. Did a trial fit to establish the correct position for the step frame so that the grab rails will be in the right position. It is clear that the steps need to be face with lino so some will have to be sourced.
The frame needs to sit in the bay with the top stop approximately 8″ below the top of the bay.
Removed the new floor boards and left them to soak in preservative for a bit so they can be painted when I return to work next Thursday.
I painted the steel floor plate today with grey as per the body frame on the top and silver Hammerite underneath. As this is galvanised as well it should last the thirty years I need it to.
Finished cutting and fitting the floorboards, I didn’t make the best job of it but it will do as the lino will hide most of the rough bits. Part of the problem was trial fitting the gearbox cover seemed to mislead me as to the position of the boards at the edge of the opening. I think edging the opening with some aluminium angle will be the solution once the lino is on.
Once the boards were screwed to the frame I was able to trial fit the entrance step bay sheet metal work, this is a much better job and also serves to cover up some of the bad cutting of the floorboards.
Trial fit of floor boards.
Tomorrow I should be able to start drilling holes to mount the bay, whilst the floorboards will get a good soaking in preservative ready for painting.
Oxided the floor plate for the entrance this morning. The rest of the day was spent cutting and sanding floor boards to shape for the entrance area. These should be drilled and finished tomorrow ready for a dip in preservative.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
