The last couple of days were spent continuing the reconstruction of the wheelarch frame. First, I completed all the sections to make up the repair for the lower siderod aft of the wheelarch. The following day I fitted the side rod vertical aft of the wheelarch which required a lap joint with the good part of the original side rod. Then I was able start to build the wheelarch timbering down to the side rod, which took quite a lot of trial fitting and adjustment using the wheelarch moulding to ensure the final shape was correct. Almost all the parts have been made and assembly should be completed tomorrow.
The completed the NSR wheelarch timbering , which job included shaping the aft vertical.
Yesterday and today were spend manufacturing a rather complex shaped piece of timber to repair the siderod just aft of the NSR wheelarch. This needs to provide location for the boot floor perimeter rail and the lower perimeter rail along the rear of the bus. This piece is about ready to be installed but requires a little more adjustment and cutting to suit the body tumblehome.
The last couple of days were spent in further demolition removing the last vestiges of a steel plate that links a boot crossmember with a siderod at the forward edge of the boot.
I also ground back any proud screw remains from the timbering of the boot front in preparation for replacing the steel boot front stress panel.
Further demolition included removal of the boot floor perimeter rail – full of woodworm – on the nearside rear.
Next job was replacing the lower section of the second side rod rearwards from the wheelarch. I spliced this in with a simple lap-joint below the boot floor level and mortised it to the lower floor bearer. I did this before the replacing the siderod behind the wheelarch in order to maintain a datum point for the bottom rail and lower edge of the wheelarch.
Restoration diary of a 70-year old AEC single-deck bus and the trials, tribulations and adventures of our 1966 Bristol bus.
