Norms Restoration - 31 Seater Projects

1952 AEC Regal III [2547]

2019

Mechanical May

Norman Julian 23 May
I'm back working on the front wheel assembly cleaning and checking wheel bearings and brake shoes etc.
The bearings don't have any pits or burn marks on them so they will be repacked and go back on.
Originally I was going to skim a little off the drum but the shoes look good so unless I find any nasties they will be cleaned and I will go over them with emery or wet and dry and that will suffice.
The badges on the hubs are metal and look very ordinary, so they will be remade in plastic and glued on.
This one was rivited on.
Originally they were screwed on.
On this bus some are screwed and rivited.
In any case they aren't up to scratch so new ones are in order.






Garry Macoid Hydrajaw in the UK sell brand new enamelled Aec hub badges, I got them to royal mail post some to NZ as ups was very expensive. Price was good and a very nice reproduction. Norman Julian Garry Macoid Thanks Garry
Norman Julian 24th May
Todays effort!
I cleaned the brake shoe bodies up and inspected the wear on the shoes.
I couldn't see any gouging or scoring marks and there is plenty of wear left which is good.
As I said yesterday the bearings are fine.
I have cleaned and sanded off all the surface rust and dirt on the dust cover and rust treated it over night and today gave it 2 primers and top coat for protection.
I also painted the hub.
They were black on this bus.
I believe in a clean work area and that includes the vehicle as well.
When the time comes to put the brakes back together, she will be clean and pleasant to work on.








Bryce Pender
One trick I use is to use Marine Grease for wheel bearing, less chance of it building up moisture if parked a long time.
Norman Julian
This is what I'm using.
John Clarke
Looks great Norman.
Norman Julian Thanks John!
Charles Shipway
NORM how’s the knee reacting at the moment ?
I hope it’s behaving it’s self It sounds like all is well with the brake rebuild so far ?
Norman Julian
Sorry Charles but it is my hip.
It's OK thanks.
Anton Frank
Hope your wearing a mask my friend.
Those old shoes are more than likely made with asbestos.
Norman Julian
Yeah it did occur to me.
I just held my breath.
Norman Julian 25th May
This drum has come up well.
No pitting inside just smooth as a baby's bottom.
That can be fixed.
Just one major bit to go.





Norman Julian 25th May
I just noticed this!
Can anyone else.
Not sure whether this is normal or not for these vehicles
Bryce Pender
I know it is the brake shoes but may I ask wha has you concerned?
Paul Melling
Different shape?
Norman Julian
It has been a while since I have worked on drum brakes and a first on something like this.
I have lots of car linings here and not one has worn like this.
Both sides have worn exactly the same so for this it must be normal.
No wonder the brakes on these old things are just very average.
In saying that they don't go fast enough to worry about brakes.
Paul Melling
They were probably good for the day as things didn't go as fast.
Having said that drum brakes are pretty bloody efficient.
James Webb
It's normal to wear on the actuator end.
Norman Julian
James Webb it's worn in the middle.
It is worn on the actuator end but more worn in the centre.
Chris Dempsey
I know the bus museum when it was at Tempe had work cards on all buses that were maintained or worked on they might have something on 2547 history and brakes
Alan Routh
That will last its life time
Norman Julian
Thanks everyone!
Alan Routh more or less said it that it will last as long as I have it.
It wont be working hard at all.
I was just curious as to what's normal and what isn't.
Norman Julian 26 May
Last thing to clean on this wheel.
There is a slight scratch/gouge on one of the bearing cups.
I think that this newly painted piece and this other section were once married together.
I wont speculate how this came to be but I can guess.




David Meddows
A lot of work.
Looking good
Norman Julian
David Meddows yeah.
I'm doing this for a few reasons.
The most important is because it probably hasn't been touched in at least 40 years and the other is I get a better understanding on how it works.
David Meddows
I have fond memories of all these Government buses.
Maxwell Mcroberts
you mean you love pulling things apart?
Norman Julian
You would think that wouldn't you. LOL
Maxwell Mcroberts
I wonder how you work Norm bus routes or time tablllless but its more messy than that is it?
David Meddows
A lot of work.
Looking good
Norman Julian 30 May
I had a mini disaster this evening.
When I was cleaning the bearings, drum and other bits and pieces on the weekend, I used unleaded fuel and when I finished I filtered out all the old grease and dirt from it using a series of filters so I could reuse it.
It was late in the afternoon so I was going to action it the next day and so I left it in a 9 litre bucket I have here. Because of what happend to me on Sunday night I never had the chance to put the fuel back in an old fuel can I have here for used fuel.
Tonight we noticed a strong smell and when I went in the shed the fuel had eaten through the bucket and spread along the bench and soaked into everything I had on there.
Needless to say there was a big mess.
Some of the things I had painted over the weekend was standing in it and it reacted and are now ruined.
Lesson to be learned I guess.
Norman Julian
Yes Andrew I have one of those but not here.
Greg Gibson
Andrew Blacklock you cant use fuel in those parts washers
Andrew Blacklock
Greg Gibson they wash anything with the chemical in them or add kero
Charles Shipway
Norm I’ve done similar at times no one is infallible These things happen
Norman Julian
Yeah Charles.
It"s just one of those things.
James Leonard Garrod
What & how ruined?
Like, ratshit ruined or just all the work you'd put in? (Sorry, either way).
Norman Julian
James Leonard Garrod which part?
The painted parts have to be repainted.
James Leonard
Garrod Norman Julian
As long as nothing was 'written off'.
Phillip Hall
ummmm didn't you just get out of hospital?
Norman Julian
Certainly did.
Phil Steele
Hi Norman, hope this setback won't make you lose heart with your great work, put it down to experience, remember it so you don't do the same mistake.
There are lots of us out there urging you on as we like to be informed of your progress ��
Norman Julian
The mini disaster is just bad luck.
The hip though is another story.
I'm very wary at the moment!
Laurence Glenn Bowmaker
PET plastic is resistant to most fuels.
As long as there aren't kids around to get into trouble.
I try to re-use and recycle my cleaning fluids when possible.
I filter it back into old soft drink bottles and pack them into the soft drink crates.
They can then sit to let ulta fine dirt and contaminants settle out. After a while I get clean fluid, ready to re-use.
Garth Taylor
Oh bother!! Really has not been your week Norm.
May the future weeks be much more positive for you Norm.
Last updated
May 2019
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