First job of the week was to finish painting the fuel filter bowl and the cab sliding window upright. I then did some detailed final cleaning of the rear brake servo before putting it away to await the arrival of a new leather cup seal. I then turned my attention back to the cab window, gluing the handle on to the sliding pane with silicon and making a proper job of it this time! I also painted red the outside faces of the frame. Another coat of black to treat the thin areas on the fuel filter bowl and that is ready for a filter when it’s dry. Cleaned the brake rod linkage for the rear brake servo next. I’ve now found a supplier for the leather cup seal and am awaiting its manufacture and arrival. Meanwhile, work continued on the cab sliding window, which is now assembled and just needs cleaning before refitting. Final job of the week was to coat the inside of the filter with gear oil, to prevent rust forming, before the filter is fitted.
I am now able to return to matters bus-related. I started the week by washing out and heat drying the fuel filter bowl which had been pickling in white vinegar for a couple of weeks. This effectively removed all the detritus and rust from within the filter bowl, ready for a coat of thick oil to be applied and a new filter made. Next, I gave it two coats of No.1 rust beater. Work continued on the rear brake servo, which is now fully dismantled, with the exception of the distributor valve which will receive attention later. With the piston removed, it is apparent that the leather seal is worn and needs replacing. The cylinder body itself has been thoroughly cleaned out to remove the thick, solid deposit in the bottom and it is clear that the servo piston has received no lubrication for many years.
Final job of the week was starting to remove the accumulated mud from the chassis behind the servo.
Activity has been zero of late, due to other pressures, but I did manage to clean the rear brake servo and its oil dashpot at the start of the week. As time allowed, I continued work on the servo, removing the two air intake covers which were choked with oily filth.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
