The fuel gauge has been reassembled and is now installed, some difficulty was encountered with the mounting studs tending to screw in but that was overcome. The previously refurbished windscreen wiper motor was found to have oil seeping from the gearbox so I removed the top cover and made a new paper gasket and used Hylomar on the joint. I was able to spray paint the cover matt black whilst it was off which had improved its appearance.
Work has continued from the previous entry in the cab area with the removal of the windscreen for glass replacement and general refurbishment, and to provide access to the cab steelwork. Power-wire-brushing of the rear of the dash panel has enabled that to be treated with Vactan though this is not yet totally complete. I have treated the dash front and the area under the windscreen where there is steel rather than aluminium. Some paint has been removed around the cab window frame.
The panel that curves around from the door to the headlamp/dash panel above the O/S front wheelarch has been removed. I deliberated over this for a while but in the end I decided it was so rotten I should make a new one. I was afraid it would be difficult to remove because it slides under the steel window frame overlap but in the end it came out quite easily. This neccesitated removing several pieces of beading which should be reusable and the steel draught excluder for the cab door,
Some small bits and pieces being prepared for painting. The drivers’ mirror has been, stripped it apart and along with its mounting brackets it has been prepared it for painting.
The fuel tank is now installed, this required a new tie-rod to be made and the replacement of the insulating material on the support brackets which took some time to sort out, also refitting the support brackets to the chassis. I used a self-adhesive close-cell neoprene foam strip for this with bifurcated rivets through the original holes to add a bit of security.
The fuel gauge has been unseized and is now working, I polished the brass rim and carefully preserved the screen-printed face by painting a thin layer of clear varnish over it. A new rubber gasket has been made ready to install the gauge in the tank and a replacement face glass is ready to be fitted. I’m just waiting for a 52 mm O-ring to arrive so I can reassemble the gauge and install it.
Other work since the last entry: The dynamo field winding wiring has been installed and awaits the fitting of the terminals at both ends; the removed sections of the cab floor have been derusted, treated with Vactan and a coat of red primer. They await top-coat and refitting. The cab front/dash has been stripped of paint, the spring cover has been bent back into approximately the correct position. I welded up the split in it and the hole in the forward edge has been patched. This section is awaiting attention from the grinding disc to get it ready for primer.
Work has continues down the offside with cleaning and oxiding the chassis as far as the cab. The fuel tank has gone away to Hartlepool Radiators for refurbishing and most of the cab fitting and sections of the floor have been removed in preparation for repair and for painting the cab. Two new dynamo output cables have been installed and just await the terminals soldering so the dynamo can be reconnected.
The windscreen wiper motor has been removed and serviced and is ready for a new coat of paint.
The access door for the destination box proved impossible to remove without a lot of effort and in fact all it needed was a bit sanding off the frame to ensure it could be fastened closed.
Work this week has been concentrated on the chassis under the cab, painstakingly cleaning of hardened and congealed grease and filth. The chassis as far as the shock absorber has been treated with Vactan and is ready read oxide, as is the lower part of the cab rear bulkhead. Hopefully by the end of the week I should be able to spray silver onto the chassis.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
