Congratulations are due to Michael Barton and Simon Charlesworth as Aero Dynamic has just won the Octane Magazine historic motoring awards Publication of the Year, a well deserved result for the publisher and author for a very compelling and special book.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
* Denotes concours service only.
Carburetters are now re-assembled using all new wearing components, i.e.:
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.
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.
Dave Dale and John Lawley both place great faith in Castrol Classic XL 20/50.
John Lawley, BODA technical officer, has more recently been using another oil also developed especially for classic cars. If you go to http://www.commaoil.co.uk/productsguide you will see 3 versions: a combined winter/summer oil, a dedicated winter oil and a dedicated summer oil. I use the combined version and have been very satisfied with it.
The only reason for the change is that my current motor factor does not stock the Castrol oil only obtaining it to order. However, they stock the Comma oil so I thought I would give it a try.
This company can supply any of the Bristol key patterns, either as a duplicate or to a code. The code can be found on the barrel of the lock. This does entail removing the barrel from the lock.
Wilco Direct
Unit D1/D2, Pinetrees Road, Pinetrees Business Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 9BB