Yesterday was spent completing and painting the new gusset plates and the two extra brackets for the replacement OS upright (no.3 in the boot counting from the back). I also cut a piece of hardboard to exactly half the length of the boot steel closing panel so I can use it as a template.
Today the two for upright no.3 were installed. I also cleaned and primed the outer faces of timber that form the frame the boot closing panel is mounted on. Once this is dry they can be painted with aluminium paint then the closing panel can be cut and fitted with screws and coach bolts.
Today I was able to install the pillar repair section I made yesterday. Screwed and glued to both the existing remnant of upright and to the boot floor cross bearer and given a coat of primer.
Whilst that was drying I installed the two new gusset plates for the previous pillar repair and bolted them up to the cross bearer and upright.
Finally I made a couple of brackets to reinforce the joint between today’s new section of pillar and the existing part. These will also connect to the horizontal that joins the vertical at this point.
I now need to make up the gussets for this new piece before I can fix the new perimeter rail section at the bottom of the pillars.
This morning I painted a coat of grey onto the new timber on the RH side of the boot door frame and the steel frame that links this to the corner pillar, ready for the corner timber to be fitted. I also spray painted the two gusset plates for this section so this can all be assembled now.
Whilst the paint was drying I cut away the next rotten pillar down the OS and made a replacement. This is also ready for fitting, probably the first job tomorrow as the rest can be done whilst the glue sets.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
