[BODA]Bristol Owners and Drivers Association

401/403 Wooden support frame for rear window

18 December 2018/0 Comments/in 401, 403, Body/by Richard

These are now available made to order from Dave Ralls who is based in West Wales. They are being made on a jig produced from an original frame purchased from Bristol cars many years ago.

The original frames were made oversize on their external and internal faces, more so on the latter where there can be significant variations in not only size but shape of the alloy trim finisher which sits inside this frame. There are also variations between cars in the shape and size of the actual external opening in the roof but not as much as there was on the alloy trim finishers, obviously being hand built it is necessary to hand finish the wood frame to the individual car. To make this task a bit easier the frames will be made with the last internal lamination separate from the rest of the frame to be used or not as the case may be. The price of the frames (12/2017) is £110 each plus post and packing, they will be made to order and if you are interested give Dave a ring on 07786 942106 or drop him an email to rallsdc@gmail.com .
Dave also does leather work from repairs to partial re-trims.

(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)

Dashboards

18 December 2018/0 Comments/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 6 cylinder cars, Interior/by Richard

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

18 December 2018/0 Comments/in 400, 401, 402, 403, Brakes/by Richard

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

29 November 2018/1 Comment/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 6 cylinder cars, Electrical, Misc/by Richard

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

Stephen Hunt

15 Southam Close

Hall Green

Birmingham

West Midlands

B28 0AE

United Kingdom

Telefon:07885186111

E-Mail:stevehuntwipermotors@gmail.com

Lever arm shock absorbers

7 November 2018/0 Comments/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, Suspension/by Richard

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

25 October 2016/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 450, 6 cylinder cars, 603, Beaufighter, Beaufort, Blenheim, Brigand, Britannia, Fighter, Other Bristols, Parts & Advice, Speedster, V10 Cars, V8 cars/by BristolODA

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.

6 Cylinder Cam Followers/Tappets

5 May 2014/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 450, 6 cylinder cars, Other Bristols/by BristolODA

Six Cylinder Cam Followers/Tappets are available from:-

Arrow Precision Ltd
12 Barleyfield Services
Hinckley Fields Industrial Estate
Hinckley
Leicestershire LE10 1YE
UK

Tel: 0044 1455 234200

http://www.arrowprecision.com

Available on-line under Part No. CF124. However the prices have risen sharply but if sets [only availble in sets of 12] are ordered through Pegasus, we can supply at a better price.

Also available are racing cam followers which have a special diamond coating but see comment above.

By the way, the tappets for the 406 are a larger diameter. Bristol cars used to supply but it is not known if they still do. Arrow do not make them.

Door boot seals & draught excluder

5 May 2014/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 450, 6 cylinder cars, 603, Beaufighter, Beaufort, Blenheim, Body, Brigand, Britannia, Fighter, Interior, Other Bristols, Parts & Advice, Speedster, V10 Cars, V8 cars/by BristolODA

Please find contact details of the Furflex/draught excluder supplier:-

William Marston Ltd
70 Fazeley Street
Birmingham
B5 5RD
UK

Tel: 0044 121 643 0852 or 0044 121 643 0372

email: info@williammarstonltd.co.uk
website: http://www.williammarstonltd.co.uk

The boot seals can possibly be obtained from:-

Phoenix Supplies
Unit c1a Langlands Business Park
Uffculme
Cullompton
Devon EX15 3D4
UK
Contacts: Nigel or Kaye Coles

Tel: 0044 1884 849294

email: phoenixsupplies@hotmail.com
website: http://www.phoenixclassictrim.com

or –

Woolies (I & C Woolstenholmes Ltd)
Whitley Way
Northfields Industrial Estate
Market Deeping
Peterborough
PE6 8AR
UK

Tel: 01778 347347

email@ info@woolies-trim.co.uk
website: http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk

Both of these companies carry a large range of extruded sections and just may be able to help with boot and door sections.

Solex Carburetter refurbishment

13 October 2013/0 Comments/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 450, 6 cylinder cars, Fuel Systems, Other Bristols, Parts & Advice/by BristolODA

I had all three of my carbs rebuilt last year by:

Carburetter Exchange
28f High St, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EA, Tel 01525 371369

http://www.carbex.demon.co.uk/

They did an excellent job and the cost was £250-300 for all three – not cheap but kit now like new. They quoted 6-12 weeks for work to be done.

Mike Say

Ed. Extract of services provided pasted below as taken from their website Oct 2013

Over the past 80 years or so there have been innumerable carburetter designs by many different manufacturers, and it would be impossible for us to compile a detailed rebuild procedure for each one. However, all carburetters tend to follow the same principles of design, enabling us to give an indication of the various processes involved.

Carburetters are completely stripped.
Components are subjected to a four part chemical cleaning process which is the only effective way to remove dirt and corrosion from the internal circuitry as well as restoring the castings to their original appearance.
Castings are polished to a high standard, or stove enamelled. *
Mating faces are re-machined to ensure flatness.
The throttle spindle housing is re-bushed using P.T.F.E. lined glacier type bushes and line reamed to correct tolerance.
Steel components are de-rusted and inhibited.
Steel components are re-plated. *
Brass components are chemically brightened.
Brass components are polished. *

* Denotes concours service only.

Carburetters are now re-assembled using all new wearing components, i.e.:

Throttle spindle
Float needle valve
Throttle plate
Volume/Air screw
Throttle plate screws
Diaphragms
Metering needle
Seals and washers
Jet Ancillaries
Gaskets

Any other components found to be faulty will be replaced. All internal components are adjusted and set as per manufacturer’s specification. Carburetters are then engine tested to ensure correct functioning of the following:-

Fuel level, Idle circuit, Choke mechanism, By-pass circuit, Pull down and fast-idle operation, Progression circuit, Correct throttle operation, Main circuit, Correct response to mixture adjustment, Pump circuit.

(Upon re-fitting to vehicle, normal adjustments will be necessary)

Carburetters are given a final inspection and guaranteed for 12 months.

Car Audio – New world tech, old world charm

31 August 2013/0 Comments/in 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 450, 6 cylinder cars, Electrical, Interior, Parts & Advice, V8 cars/by BristolODA

The age old question for classic car owners is whether to fit a modern audio system that pleases the ear or a period radio that pleases the eye. Stuart Risebrow has attempted to “have his cake and eat it” by fitting a modern audio system with period looks.

This unit, manufactured by “Retrosound”, a USA company, was found to be perfect for the job. You have a range of period bezels and knobs to choose from that replicate the look of classic radios such as radio mobile and Phillips. However, the two rotating switches are detachable, allowing bespoke placement as well.

You will see that Stuart chose to make up a plywood insert to fit the mounting whole in the dash which he then veneered himself in walnut before adding a polished lacquer finish.

The “Retrosound” radio also comes with a small auxiliary unit that is wired to the rear of the radio and located remotely. This allows you to plug in an SD memory card, USB storage device or 3.5mm audio jack. The SD card allows you to store 1000’s of songs which is perfect for all those 60’s hits and Glen Miller tracks! Stuart placed my remote unit just inside the glove box. You would hardly know it was there.

The radio itself has an inbuilt amp that provides plenty of “oomph” and has all the expected outputs for larger amps, aux players or an electric ariel.