A was for Austin, but now B is for Bedford

Having woken early I thought it would be time to update what has been happening around here in my world . . .

All my postage deliveries have now arrived. I have test bent and flared some of my brake tubing with the el cheapo flea-bay flaring kit (pleasantly adequate for my needs) and am ready to move on to the new bundy tubing that I picked up two days ago ($16.60 for 5 metres ). The "magic" Bondic has arrived - "Not a glue" and is waiting for my next sortie onto the bodywork . And the 1/24 scale O Type model has arrived, sitting waiting for the next quiet moment, if it ever happens!?

Also, the rear axle has been cleaned and painted (between the springs at least, so far) and I have rearranged my fleet to increase work space somewhat; it was a days work just doing that in the confined space available and with none of those fancy wheel supports for moving stuff sideways!

The brake master cylinder I was planning to use has been dismantled and I have reamed out the bore with a convenient machine reamer we had in the Heritage Centre collection . I then thought I might as well repeat the process with a second master cylinder I had acquired along the way . . . after a good soaking in brake fluid and with some gradual assistance over the past week this has been most promising and is actually working as it should with the first piston at least (rear brakes) so far.

The Men's shed walls are still waiting for windows to arrive but we are now well into the cladding stage - wet areas in the three toilets thus far, and a start on gyprock (NB the area to the far right was gyprocked inside after I took the picture). Who ever imagined retirement could be so restful? :silly:

Prolonged persistence has finally reaped its rewards with the second brake master cylinder now fully operational AND pumping brake fluid as it was intended from both outlets in sequence.

Tomorrow another trip into Adelaide, Power Brakes for rubber boot between master cylinder/servo unit, and another where the foot pedal pushrod enters the Clayton-Dewandre servo (possibly not available!?). While there I might buy a kit to rebuild the unit I reamed out previously.

In the evening my daughter has requested my attendance at a Quiz and Curry night at Brighton Rugby Club, before I return home again - hopefully by midnight (unlikely, but that's my aim even though she has offered overnight accommodation).

Other than that nothing much has happened beyond cleaning up the mess left from pulling the oil/petrol soaked O type engine apart to find that elusive welsh plug behind the flywheel! :pinch:

Be careful of the Skippy's on the way home.

No point in killing our wildlife and damaging the car.

At least you are making progress PDU. Me, I'm sitting back enjoying myself in 'away mode'.
Like so many things we never know what parts we can still source until you ask.

Zuffen: We only bought the latest tow vehicle last week so I certainly hope not. :huh:

cobbadog: I've always said, Slow progress is better than no progress.

PDU, Overnight at Daughter's place sounds like the way to go. Good cooked breakfast and you do not have to do the washing up but she will probably find a few other jobs for you. (My Daughters always do)

The reason the last time my elder Daughter and toddler Grandson came to see us was so I could go and buy a set of brake pads and fit them to her car. Grandson got in the way and poked a screwdriver through the grill then told Gamma "I help Gampa fix Mummy car." Me being the sucker that I am, I always take either Daughter's car for a "Test Run" to the local service station and fill up with petrol and top up engine oil, brake fluid, replace light globes, etc. It must be a coincidence that their car is always almost out of petrol when they arrive. Partners rarely come because they always have a very important football, cricket or golf day to attend.

PDU, I forgot to ask what towing vehicle did you get? Did you buy the Grizzler 300C?

Home 1:05 am - Now I can have a lie in and listen to Macca before heading to the Heritage Centre for any visitors after lunch.

At the risk of suspension issues later (!? :dry: ) I bought a Ford Territory diesel. It sat on 110 kph all the way down to Adelaide and back at 2000 rpm, with 10 litres per 100 km average showing; can't grumble about that (especially as that was effected by 50 km towing our caravan).

Might even get the master and servo onto the truck once and for all today???

Well that was a long Sunday . . .

. . . it's taken three and a half days :huh: but the brake master cylinder and servo are now all back together and fitted, along with the newly created brake lines (not clipped in place yet).

The El Cheapo bender and flaring kit worked well - although I won't know for sure until the rebuilt slave cylinders are transferred from the M type chassis.

Also I now need to modify the J type gearbox mounting to suit B for's crossmember, so the engine has been lifted (yet again) ready to trial fit. I could use the original O type bellhousing, but the mountings are pretty well stuffed and I can't be bothered removing the clutch and flywheel - even if I could check the hidden welsh plug while I do it! :whistle: IF the J type clutch is no good, or I have a water leak like Pierre, I'll fix it then . . . I suppose I could paint the engine to tidy it up a bit while I'm at it - black, or intended body colour, or something else? :dry:

Sometimes you just can't help being lucky - at the Quiz night I went to last Saturday they had two coin tosses, to win some spirits, and one of the people on our table won them both! Total outlay for him, $6! :ohmy:

Hi,

is the brake tube pictured a few posts back copper or copper-nickel tube?

The reason I am asking is if it is straight copper then it is not legal for use in road vehicles in Australia.

Terry