Bristol Handbooks & Manuals
In order to improve accessibility we have now put all the manuals (Instruction Manuals, Spares Handbooks and Workshop Manuals) into a password-protected dedicated area in the Archive under Bristol Manuals.
Note: You have be logged in to access this area.
Glove box lock
Glove box locks can be obtained from AH Spares for £88 each but reported to be very good quality
Click Lock to order
Cylinder Head Gaskets for 6 Cylinder Engines
Your first port of call for these is of course Pegasus Parts
Other suppliers are:
- Bristol Cars Services Ltd – contact Graham Payne – services@bristolcars.co.uk – +44 (0)208 5603300 ext 2
- Oliver Penney Engineering Ltd – contact Oliver Penney – info@oliverpenney.com – +44 (0)7867 635993
- Spencer Lane Jones Ltd – contact Peter Campbell – office@spencer-lj.com – +44 (0)1985 847133
- Johnson Gaskets – contact Robert (Bob ) Johnson – +44 (0)1274 682298
- INRacing – info@inracing.co.uk – +44 (0)115 978 0663
Dashboards
There are some wonderfully glossy dashboards around on some early Bristol’s but probably few if any came out of the factory like that, the same being true for a lot on other quality cars of that period but they do look rather nice so if that is what you fancy go for it.
If you want a more toned down finish however Antique Oil produces very good results especially if you give it five or six coats applied with a soft cloth, it gives more of a satin finish and is very easy to refresh every few years.
If you want to go the gloss route some of the finishes designed for boats are very durable and easy to apply.
(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)
Alfin Brake drums
If you wish to improve the brakes on your 400, 401 or 403 by fitting Alfin drums then this company can supply
Typecast Engineering Ltd
Unit 9 Leeside
Merrylees Industrial Estate
Merrylees
Leicestershire
LE9 9FS
T: +44 (0) 1455 822440
F: +44 (0) 1455 822191
E: admin@brakedrum.co.uk
(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)
Wiper upgrade on 2-litre cars
The problem with existing systems is often the poor state of the rack and wheel boxes as well as a tired motor. Modern wiper systems for kit cars are readily available and transform the original system on the 2-litre cars. Stick with the existing wipers or, if you are serious, fit a modern system.
Such a system comes from Stafford Vehicle Components. It can be adapted to use modified original wheel boxes so no changes to the holes in the scuttle. A fair amount of fettling required. It’s not a direct swap. Once set up it is superb.
Holden’s and J&L Spares who recondition wiper motors may offer alternative approaches.
On the other hand, just disassembling, degreasing and re-greasing the various parts of the Lucas system will often speed things up and make the mechanism more vigorous. Motors also often need their commutators polished and the grooves between commutator segments deepened so the brushes make good contact with the brass segments. Relubrication of the motor bearings almost always helps speed them up.
Useful information on the Lucas DR1 and DR3 wiper motors as installed on the 2-litre and Jaguar XK 140 cars is contained here.
Steve Hunt often has reconditioned motors and parts for sale. He has a shop on ebay and his contact details are
Telefon:07885186111
E-Mail:stevehuntwipermotors@gmail.com
Lever arm shock absorbers
A company which reconditions these shock absorbers is;
Stevson Motors Ltd (Specialist classic car hydraulic component manufacturers and recoditioners of lever arm and telescopic shock absorbers)
Unit 1, 2a Harrow Road
Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7DN
Tel: 0121 472 1702
Email: stevsonmotors1@aol.com
Wheel Bearings
Manufacturers do not want to make replacement from other sources that easy, regularly mixing two standard bearings into one assembly, although I doubt that Bristols went this far.
Take off one complete set of bearings (2 sets of bearings per hub; the inner bearing is usually larger than the outer; both will be tapered roller bearings) and find yourself a local machine tool service company. Take your bearings in and they will measure them while you wait (about 5 minutes). There are 3 grades of bearings used classed A, B and C. The tolerances in manufacture are, of course, extremely tight so they employ an automatic grading system – A being the best and that’s what you want. C are the poorest and probably go into washing machines and the like. I think the classification system may have changed possibly 1 – 3. If the numbers on the bearings are visible you should be able to quote these to any bearing company and avoid the need to go to a machine tool service company.
Valid at time of writing in October 2016:
There are a number of good bearing suppliers eg Seager Bearings, Kings Heath, Birmingham (0121 444 5391) who will supply at trade prices.