Wheel Bearings

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.

Bristol 603 Manual

Hi Mike

If you follow the literature tab on this site you’ll find the 603 drivers handbook. The nearest you’ll get to a workshop manual is the one for the 407 but little changed between the 407 and 603.

Best wishes

Michael Barton

 

Hi Everyone

Just wondering if a Bristol 603 manual exists?

If so, can I purchase one, or get one photo copied?

Any information would be appreciated.

Regards

Mike

410 Tie Rods

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An owner reports fitting Austin Healy 3000 tie rods to his 410 on the advice of others and has found them to be a satisfactory match.

 

6 Cylinder Cam Followers/Tappets

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

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.

408/ 409 Tail Lights

The 408 -409 tail lights are Lucas model L694 and are also found on the Hillman Minx and Sunbeam Tiger.

408 Reversing lights

The reversing lights of the 408/ 409 are Lucas Model L595 and were fitted to Jaguar Mk 1 and E-types.

408/ 409 Indicator Lights

The indicator lights on the 408 are Lucas Model L58A and were originally fitted to MG Midgets and Triumph Heralds.

(verified)

400 type facia ashtrays

These ashtrays are 1 1/4 diameter with a knob all moulded in a “Bakerlite” material.

It has been suggested that these can also be found on Riley 1.5 and 2.5 RME saloons.  If you are able to verify this then please contact the web master.

Solex Carburetter refurbishment

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/

solex2

solex1
 

 

 

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.