#vintagediesels

[canalmuseum]

Bantam IV left Watford on Thursday and after a problem with water cooling of the engine was fixed, caused by a mistake we made, it got to Widewater Lock. On Friday after an early start in freezing cold conditions everything went very well until we were between West Drayton and Hayes. The engine stopped due to fuel starvation. It looks as if we have two issues. The fuel gauge is faulty and led us to think we had plenty of diesel in the day tank, which feeds the engine. The pump that transfers fuel from the main tank to the day tank doesn't work any more so we are unable to run until this is fixed. We are looking at solutions!

[canalmuseum]

News about the tug Bantam IV. After a long wait for the manufacture of a new propshaft the tug was put back in the water last week. The engine is installed and electric start fitted snd working. Alas there is a water leak that is letting cooling water into the exhaust. Two possible components that might be the culprits have been sent to Braunston for pressure testing. We should know more soon.

[canalmuseum]

The Lister JP2 engine from Bantam IV is now back at the boatyard ready for reinstallation in the tug. It has been painted grey, belived to be the original colour. Almost certainly this was the most major overhaul the engine has ever had since manufacture in 1949. Next step is to crane it back in, then get everything connected.

[canalmuseum]

At long last the Lister JP2 engine of Bantam IV is finished having been given a major overhaul. Rather more work needed to be done than expected but Vintage Diesels at Braunston have done a fine job and the engine can now be returned to the tug.

[canalmuseum]

The Lister JP2 crank case cover was found to have a crack. Vintage Diesels have found a replacement part, remarkably. We are leaving no stone unturned in this project whilst we have the opportunity to repair anything that needs it. It would be much more costly to make these repairs separately in the future.

[canalmuseum]

We took the decision to have the flywheel of the Lister JP2 engine modified with ring gear so that a starter motor can be fitted. Modification of an artefact is not to be done lightly but the benefits are that we can run the engine more regularly and maintain it better so we judged that to be in the long term best interests of preservation.

[canalmuseum]

Work is coming on well on the engine of Bantam IV. The main parts are reassembled and painted.

[canalmuseum]

The Lister Blackstone gearbox of the Bantam IV tug has been found to have a broken mounting plate that has been repaired by bolting on a piece of metal long in the past. The best way to repair this is being investigated.