The final countdown....

Well, in a fit of pre-first show energy, a quick visit to 326 this afternoon to do a few jobs...

Ever since I got 326, the passenger side of the cab has an empty, forlorn looking modern fire extinguisher bracket bolted to it. Checking the Fresco kit list on RSOLES, it confirmed that this was a 2kg (probably dry powder) extinguisher. Thinking that carrying a working extinguisher was probably a good idea, a quick search on eBay resulted in a suitable replacement which is now fitted:

I also fitted an empty vintage extinguisher to the underside of the crew bench at the back of the cab, date-stamped 1959, so very green goddess era!

A box of parts arrived from Rhys in sunny west Wales today - a few bits to further complete the work on 326. It's all original GG spares, so it's in the 1950s / 1960s paper packaging! A joy to behold and almost a shame to unwrap....

There's a replacement part loom that runs from the original regulator position under the bonnet to the cab near the drivers seat. The insulation on the original is getting crunchy so I'll try this - it might be as crunchy or not!

 There's also the pump dials for the rear as the paint is flaking on mine after over five decades:

 Also, as a bonus, there was an original pump operating instruction book and a replacement glove compartment knob!

Rock on Sunday and the Belvoir Castle Steam Festival and Country Fair!!

Because you're gorgeous.....

Well, 326 returned from it's hols in Shropshire yesterday and what a difference! The guys at Fire Engine Services have done a super job! Such a nice drive home, much more pleasant to drive! I sat at 40 but my foot was a lot further off the floor than previously, I did have a quick push to 45 with no dramas.

So what's been done? The brakes have been rebuilt (only one was fully working!) and the fluid changed, also the clutch was replaced and then the underside was blasted clean and sealed:

The front wings and cheek panels were also repainted but not before they were stripped and the corrosion removed before priming. The joints between the wings and cheeks were sealed before painting for good measure.

Once back today, I polished the newly-painted bits and then began the massive job of t-cutting then polishing the rest! Well, having started at 11, I knocked off at 7.30 with the right hand aside behind the cab still to do! There's always tomorrow I guess..... I then refitted the badge and also a transfer with the old Branston fleet number on (G57):

I also managed today to fit the new tax disc holder - a stuck-to-the-windscreen just didn't seem right, so now there is a 'much more commercial vehicle' style holder inside on the windscreen pillar:

The roof was also stripped and recovered whilst it was away, with all the components repainted:

Anyway, the results of today's polishing session.....

The polish I used  - Collinite 476s Super Doublecoat Wax - was made in the USA and styles itself as detergent proof (so make sure you it's the last thing you do to the paintwork!!) and lasting a year. We'll see, but really, really easy to put on and leaves a great shine!

I can move, move, move any mountain....

Well - here's the rejuvenated PGW 326 climbing the wash ramps today before a good blast prior to having the underside painted tomorrow. Very impressive! Here's the washing in progress.

Looks amazing - they've done an awesome job! Rebuilt brakes, new clutch, new roof, the front repainted and corrosion-proofed and the timing and mixture sorted out.

Can't wait to get it back!!

A badge of honour....

Well, after several coats of Smoothrite to protect the back and several layers of Autosol Liquid Chrome Polish, it was time to put the bonnet badge back together! I must say, it looks very good - see what you think!

After:

Before:

Work in progress....

Well Ron and the team at Fire Engine Services are cracking on apace with the work on 326. The brakes have been stripped and are being rebuilt - new wheel cylinders fitted today. The roof was completed last week, Just the front repaint and fuel mixture and engine timing to do now, then it can come home!

Progress pictures from the  Fire Engine Services Flickr stream.

I'm in pieces...

Well, Ron and the Fire Engine Services guys have been busy in the last few days and found a number of faults to fix!

The brakes were a priority and they found a few issues both front and back. The rears were leaking fluid onto the drums and the front cylinders were rusty and seized, if not totally, so not too much braking efficiency there! They've also replaced the rear hub seals.

Plus, they have also traced the reason for it bucking in 1st and reverse - two blocked drain holes near to the clutch letting oil onto the clutch plates, so hopefully that will improve the drive somewhat!

Next week will see those done and a start on the roof....

Pictures from the Fire Engine Services Flickr stream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68501405@N07/


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We're all going on a spring holiday....

Well, 326 is now on its hols in deepest Shropshire having been entrusted to the capable hands of Fire Engine Services for some much-needed work. The run across was uneventful with no problems at all, other than the A50 being the most boring road in the UK!! Crucially, the charging problem seems to have been sorted although you can tell that the plugs are sooting up yet again.....

First on the menu is a check of the brakes to see that they're OK then some new brake fluid. Then, a check of the clutch to try and sort out the 'bucking' in first and reverse. Then, time for a new rear roof so any summer showers can be repelled and so that the roof structure remains in good condition. After that - who knows, more likely let's see how much money is left!!


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