doors off and seats out

Doors removed and seats out last evening. Nothing major springing out but it looks like I will need to do the drivers side dog leg as it has been repaired at some point but not very well. Apeture around the door isn't great so it will need to be pulled together when welding back up. Otherwise, it is pretty sound. Measured up the IRS set up in the back and it is a complete mess. When removing the shocks and slackening off the gearbox, the whole thing was stressed, to the point of being quite dangerous if driven. The nearside spring plate in particular was being pushed outwards by the stress of the drive shaft. Glad I haven't run it on the road as it had the potential to do some serious damaged. Waiting for news on a body roller from a bloke on the SSVC website. If it isn't a goer, then I will just start the body work in situ. Want to pull the gearbox first though and get the gearbox supports out and new ones in. They are on order from Creative Engineering and should be with me by the end of the weekend. Hopefully the finished product will look something like the photo:

Up on stands

Managed to get the bus up on stands this afternoon. Fancy trying to get a hold of a body roller for it as it will make my life a lot easier when it comes to doing a few floor patches and painting the underside. There's a chap on the SSVC forum that is selling one off. Have droped him a line so will wait and see how it goes.
Anyways, still no idea about why the engine is offset. No obvious accident damage on the rear near side and the chassis seems to be straigth. Going to go out this evening with my measuring tape and double check. It might simply be the wrong parts that have been used and they were putting a strain on one side. We will see. Front beam not looking to great but I will pull it off and give it a good going over.

Engine out this evening

Managed a few hours this evening, taking some bits off the bus. Dropgates off. All three have bows in them so I need to have a think about how to straighten them out to make them perfect. There are dents and dings in them as well so I will need to spend a bit of time preping them down the line. Engine also out. Can't see at the moment why there should be an offset with the gearbox but I'll need to pull it first to get an idea of what issues there are with the geometry. It might be that the gearbox is sitting in wrong.... These flat fours don't have weight a lot, especially when you are trying to pull it on your own with a small trolley jack!

More space now

Dougal went this afternoon after being with us for 3 years. Plenty space now to get Floyd up on stands and get cracking on a strip down. Also, looking for a change of name by deed pole! Reg plate has come through: EST136D

Work has started!

Removed the crew door. Difficulty taking it off the hinges but eventually got it off. Crew door has seen better days although it has been patched up. Probably get another for it just for my own peace of mind.