This week’s work summary is once again focused on the offside frame. The panel to the immediate rear of the front wheelarch was removed to enable frame repairs to continue; this included the step ironwork for the cab entry. All the side-rod lower extensions have been removed, a small amount of heat being required to release the the through bolts that pass through the ends of the floor bearers. Exposed metalwork above the floor line had been treated with Vactan. A removable section of the frame around the fuel tank filler has been unbolted to allow access to other parts that needed to be replaced and to allow easier removal of the fuel tank.
All of the window verticals and the waist rail have now been dowelled and all rust screws and nails hopefully removed. The horizontal rail above the windows remains to be finished and painted. The new woodwork of the wheelarch frame has been painted, along the with the sections of the frame joints that are awaiting new flitch plates. The remaining flitch plates, including the wheelarch reinforcement have been made this week and are in the process of being painted ready for fitting. I also removed the beading above the (incorrect) cab mudwing. I had hoped to save this and reuse it but at first sight it appears too far gone.
I can’t believe it’s a month since I last recorded any progress. However, there has been progress; lots of rusty screws have been winkled out of the offside framing, several rust-eaten flitch plates have been removed and the first three replacements manufactured. The emergency door hinges have been freed up, de-rusted and prepared for painting. The frame around the emergency door opening has had all the rusty screw and nail remains removed and the holes dowelled. A new steel plate for the top right corner of the door opening has been manufactured and is ready for installation.
More lower side panels have been removed and the fuel tank exposed, this will need to be dropped and cleaned ready for treating any rust and repainting.
Most recent work (today and yesterday) has been cutting out rotten timber framing above windows 3 and 4 apertures. I cut some Iroko this afternoon in preparation for repairing this section.
Heavily-corroded flitch plate at joint between wast rail and cab door frame vertical.
This morning’s progress was slow, mostly spent cleaning up under the back of the bus following the recent demolition work. I did manage to drill the holes for the through bolts in the repaired corner pillar, these bolt through the steel curved corner reinforcement, both gusset plates (one either side of the pillar) and the pillar itself.
Later int he day I cut three gusset flitch plates from the remaining 2mm Zintec steel, one pair for the corner pillar and the third for the pillar that has the boot closing panel attached to it.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
