Bob K's HINO RB

[bobk]

Yes, I get it Dot, from my understanding excess boost and high egt is the supposed killer of many a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine that has had an aftermarket turbo fitted to it. And this is why our old Troopy (God love it) still has its original donk and no turbo. (Pardon the sooking noises) The big grey aeroplanes that live near us use exhaust gas temp information and TIT (turbine inlet temperature) information in their engine management systems and that is where my limited knowledge comes from. Exhaust temperatures of 1010 and 1077 degrees are in the back of my head but what they mean isn't.
BobK

[Dot]

Bugger me you are not just a pretty face

[bobk]

Well there is a tiny step. When I picked up the bus I pointed out one of the shortcomings in it's roadworthiness ie, the windscreens were quite starred and pitted. They suggested that a $500 price reduction was possible so I took up the offer. I have a friend who was a body builder for the STA and later Torrens Transit so yesterday I rang for advice about the window replacements. He advised that the companies he had worked for, at one time, each did their own window repairs but eventually found that the work and cost was more sensibly placed with Windscreens O'brien and therefore ceased the activity. I approached W O'b and was advised that they had a procurement group who could find part numbers, sizes etc. Remember this is a PMC bodied bus and they folded some time ago. Anyway phone call later in the day to let me know the fitted cost would be $1500. It's a lot of money but with the $500 reduction I reckon I'm pretty happy with the deal. The only fly in the ointment is the unknown condition of the mounting rubber and that W O'b believe that the profile is no longer available. That will perhaps be another large expense or difficulty.
Looking at where to mount the gas bottles, I reckon new openings immediately aft of the rear wheel arches on each side is the only possibility. Just enough space between the forward edge of the 'boot' and the rear mud flaps. I need a look at the current standards to assure myself before commitment to cutting holes. Not sure if standards are available at libraries, we'll see.
BobK

[Dot]

So Mr Bobk what has been happening in your bus world ????

[Busman]

That is very expensive for a couple of windscreens.
We had secured new rubber for VP front windscreens but the metal around the screens was rusty, so when we redid that the shape was changed slightly
Spoke to my local windscreen guy and we decided to cut some new screens and bond them in, I had to paint a black area around where the bonding stuff went and they put the stuff in and pushed the screens onto it.
He did mention at the time that if they had been curved he could handle that as well, seems it is not that hard to bend glass.
Does away for the need for rubber completely.

[Lance]

Bob, from what I've read elsewhere the 'Standards' you need are AS5601.
Apparently it's not easy to obtain a copy of those as they are intended only for use by RegisteredLicenced gas fitters and those in the trade, also very expensive for those tradies to purchase I believe.
I did read somewhere that University students can acess AS5601 through their library network.
Do you know any current University students ?

[bobk]

Hello all, just an update on our project. After a lot of procrastinating and worrying that the project was going nowhere and realising that was because I was not doing anything I finally got my A into G and had the (main) windscreens replaced by Windscreens O'brien. The expectation was that they would order the main glass part from Sydney somewhere and if necessary, cut the 'wing' glasses from stock 'if needed'. The parts were received and I was duly notified: however, while waiting I removed the drivers' seat because it didn't 'feel right'. I discovered that a couple of cross arms in the seat were exceptionally worn to the point that if some fat person hat sat on it, the seat would have collapsed. I took the seat to N V Picton in Wingfield who specialise in truck seats and they repaired the seat and re-covered the seat base. A good and necessary job costing $480. I also replaced the retracting lap seat belt $160. Anyway as the seat was out, the windscreen was delayed and the parts were stored. Last Wednesday I organised an unregistered vehicle permit for 3 days, took the vehicle in for the window job and surprise, the glass was curved and would fit a mini bus. Any way long story short, they cut the new windows from stock flat glass, decided that the wing pieces were ok and with fitting the job cost $960 as against the original quote of $1520. Ya gotta be happy with that.
Friday morning saw me at Regency Park for the Identity Check (interstate vehicle and change of owner) and passed that (it wasn't stolen, written off or whatever else) but the inspector noticed that the seating did not conform (I had removed all seats except 2 rows of 2 seats). He said I needed an engineers certificate, that I should cancel the appointment I had made for later in the day for the roadworhty inspection and I would save money because the way it was, the bus would immediately fail. I also had not filled the bolt holes from the removed seats and he advised me to get some plastic bungs to seal the holes. I actually had the original bolts in the boot so I just reinstalled them.
Anyway, off to the Vehicle Inspection Centre to cancel the appointment. The lady at the counter listened to my story, asked me to wait while she went to the chief inspector to see if things could be done differently. And 'he' said that assuming the vehicle passed the roadworthy the seat issue would be fixed by them. Fantastic. Unfortunately the clouds covered the sun just after that because the inspectors wrote up four issues. 1, cracks in the front brake line hoses, 2, worn front spring shackle rubbers and possibly the shackles themselves, 3, oil leaking from the steering box (power steering fluid I think), and 4, the chassis reinforcing plates that are installed aft of the rear axle where the chassis is extended for the bus body had vacant bolt holes, possibly from new. The problem with the last item is that some rust or at least dirt and grit is between the plate and the chassis so simply putting appropriate grade bolts in is not an option. The plates are rivetted on and will need to be removed to clean the mating surfaces. I have shown the bus to Hancock and Just at Wingfield and they will contact me Monday with a quote. Not having a pit to work in leaves me no choice but to get somebody else to do the work, so as I said previously, just have to bite that bullet.
I must say that my dealings with the inspectors and others were great. I was treated with respect, friendliness and humour and assisted admirably to achieve my goals, even to the lady on the front counter who went to see the chief inspector. I was somehow expecting to be written up for frivolous items but the four items that were written up were definite problems and I am pleased that they even invited me into the pit to see what they were talking about.
Now let's see what the H&J quote brings up.
BobK

[Dot]

You will be pleased with H&J. Spoke to Shane today and his medical issues have put an end to his business so we are also after a good diesel mechanic but I doubt we shall find another like Shane.. In the meantime Bob do as much as you can to the buggy before winter gets here..

[bobk]

Hello Dot, I spoke with Shane a few weeks ago and he was still cleaning out his shed. About that time I had just pulled the drivers' seat out and the repair cost looked prohibitive then. I apologised to him for messing him around as I had decided to just let the Regency Park mob do their worst and get on with it. And I really didn't want to pay twice for the same service, if you understand. As it turned out I need not have been too concerned (damn this negative attitude of mine, glass half empty etc,) as you have read. I have actually used H&J before, when they looked at our 60 series Landcruiser. They couldn't fix it but I was happy they tried. Hopefully things will move along now, glacially but still moving I hope. Mrs K house sitting at Gawler at the moment and plenty of other stuff in the wind. And thank you for the email, a big read not finished yet.
BobK

[bobk]

I have neglected to mention another problem with the bus engine ie, I have discovered two exhaust manifold studs missing sheared off at the head surface and another with several threads showing between the nut and the manifold (it is probably in the process of falling out). So a bit of work ahead to do that repair. It will be awkward as the engine is below floor level and I have not done this task before. I am hoping that the studs are mild steel and can be drilled for the removal tool that I have, (not an ezy-out but square and tapped into a sized, pre-drilled hole). I am thinking of cutting a bolt off where the thread ends, drilling through the bolt in a lathe so the hole is central, perhaps centre popping the shank of the bolt to give it extra body and tapping the billet into the manifold hole, up against the broken stud, and then drilling through the billet into the broken stud. This is assuming nothing is in the way and I can use a right-angle drill head. This should give me a true, central hole in the stud. Hopefully. Any suggestions welcome.
BobK