rusty old nail to sow's ear

[sparkywig]

Yes, we were there on Saturday. Dennis Cove was full, so didn't stop over.
We're doing a mini tour of Cornwall as well. Liskeard, Polperro, Looe, Padstow and now Bude.

 

[budbay6]

Hi we've been bed time reading your tour and posts like the idea of your fan belt upgrade where did you source ? Size ? Refferance I'd like to replace ours with same Sparky,
Cheers Bud Happy travels

 

[sparkywig]

I get my belts from the Bearing Shop.
I measured the length by using a piece of wire wrapped around both pulleys, and then ordered a few different size belts around that measurement.
The one that suits me is a SPA 900, but bear in mind that drive belts are measured on the internal length and are wider while the alternator fan belt supplied uses the external dimension.

 

[budbay6]

Cheers dude thanks for info update , must get me Mrs tights out for a spare

 

[gas1man]

With any luck this might work. J

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[sparkywig]

After hitting a massive pothole during our recent Cornish trip and wearing the inner edges of both front tyres in a couple of hundred miles, I took the bus down the yard to get the tracking sorted.

From 30 degrees of toe out to 15 degrees of toe in, sorted just in time for the trip to SkegVegas. Then Nick says the immortal words "Well, that went well..."

Twang!
Bollocks, no clutch. No worries, it's only Tuesday and I'm working near JK at the moment, so I'll drop in for a clutch cable on Wednesday morning and swap it in the evening when I get home.
Changing the cable up on jacks in the corner of the yard was a bit of a struggle, but finally accomplished.

Oh bollocks, still no clutch. Looks like it's more serious now.
Engine out time.

Snapped clutch cross shaft, bugger, and too late to order a new one. Looks like the chances of making Skeg are dwindling now...
First thing Thursday morning ordered a new HD cross shaft, and specified overnight pre 12 delivery along with the additional carriage costs of course.

 

[sparkywig]

OK, now it's Friday afternoon, the package still hasn't been delivered, it's pissing down and I'm fed up.

It finally arrived, and after a very wet 30 minutes got the cross shaft in, the engine bolted back onto the gearbox and the bus pushed into the workshop out of the rain.

Saturday midday, and finally home.

 

[mike202]

Wow glad you got it fixed, I’ve not heard of those breaking before, any ideas why it broke?

 

[sparkywig]

Wow glad you got it fixed, I’ve not heard of those breaking before, any ideas why it broke?

Maybe a combination of poor design, 150 lb/ft torque, stage 1 clutch, and a heavy right foot? :|

 

[mike202]

Ah yea, I see [emoji23]


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[K@rlos]

Glad you got it sorted, we did all miss you at the weekend though

Mike, I’ve had this happen to my own bus and a customers that’s I maintain but both my own and Darren’s bus have big stroker motors with heavy duty clutches. Whenever I fit a powerful engine with an uprated clutch I also always fit a HD cross shaft kit, now my bus has gone from a stage 1 to a stage 2 clutch I’ve even added more welding and gusseted the clutch arm.

 

[sparkywig]

Bit late posting this, went away for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Hmm, that balloon's a bit low....

:lol:

 

[gas1man]

Looked nice and peaceful, where did you end up going. We went down to Dartmouth area...........
NEVER again , the noise and the children screaming :lol: :lol:
We also screamed at the cricket though. :lol: :lol:
Hopefully somewhere quite next time on a bank holiday. Your site looked very chilled.

J & P

 

[sparkywig]

It was very chilled Jonathan, there's only a water tap, chemical disposal point and two portaloos there.
And less than a mile from a very nice pub.

 

[thejinx]

Quick 2 questions. You fitted butty’s bits tinware for J tubes. Did the van run cooler and are they easy to fit. Cheers

 

[sparkywig]

Quick 2 questions. You fitted butty’s bits tinware for J tubes. Did the van run cooler and are they easy to fit. Cheers

With the earz and butty's tin fitted the oil temp was a consistent 100 degrees at 65ish down the M5/Haldon Hill/A38.
Around Cornish roads and town it did climb to 105 degrees occasionally.
So yes, they definitely helped, bearing in mind most of the driving was done with air temps around the mid 20's.

 

[sparkywig]

Alternative Brighton Breeze weekend.
Stayed at Housedean Farm Campsite just outside Brighton.
First there again.

Burger Bros. burgers are gert lush.

 

[sparkywig]

First run out of the year.

#bemorekinky

 

[gninnam]

Looking good Si

 

[sparkywig]

Pre-Ninove fettling, part I.
New front tyres