Bristol.
Page 39
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Single-deck Saloon Bus. 4-ton Chassis.
STAND No. 88. _
rIPHE BRISTOL exhibit, consisting, as
'it -does, eof .a new chassis and a saloon bus of particularly interesting construction, is receiving much attention from visitors.
The four ton chassis was designed as a result of many years' experience gained in the construclion of omnibuses to run on thnBristhl services. It is not being shown to the public without a full test, as the first chassis built has run a distance of 178,000 miles without an involuntary atop, and certain parts from this chassis will be shown with the vehicle. These inelude the clutch, the single plate and friction matezial of 'which are so-well preserved that the wear cart barely be measured.
The Bristol was described in detail in our issue dated September 14th, but it will be as well for us to aumma,rize its chief features. The power 'unit has a four-cylindered engine with a bore and /stroke of 41 ins. by 51. ins., with the
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L-headed cylinders cast n pairs. After a great deal of experimenting, the de -signers have produced a therrno-syphonic cooling system which is giving every satisfaction, even on the most hilly routes; possibly this is partly due to the fact that the circulating pipes have a bore of 3J, ins. The radiator is of the cast-aluminium header and bottom tank type, and is spring mounted in such a manner as to isolate it from frame torsion. Cooling is assisted by a three. bladed cast-aluminium fan. The 21 in. nickel-steel crankshaft, provided with three bearings, is strong enough to prevent any crankshaft whip. A Remold silent chain is employed for driving the timing gears. • Three-point suspension is employed for the engine, which is slung
from is stamped steel engine bearer at the front end; this bearer forms part of the engine unit and is removed with it when necessary. A particularly neat type of fool-proof governor is provided.
The clutch consists of a saw steel centre gripped between two Ferodo rings, and the pressure required on the pedal to declutch is under 35 lb. The clutch shaft has a rounded spline universal joint at one end and a laminated steel joint at the other. Four speeds forward and a reverse are provided by the gearbox, which consists of a steel
casting split horizontally. From the gearbox the drive is taken to an overhead worm-driven rear axle through the medium of a tubular propeller shaft provided with two leather disc universal joints. A powerful foot brake, with external-contracting shoes, is positioned behind the gearbox. A novel feature is that the change-speed and hand-brake controls are centrally positioned.
Steering is by worm and quadrant gear, the qtr.drant shaft being mounted in eccentric bushes, which are also adjustable endways, and thus can compensate foiV wear in every direction. The stub axles are jawed, and. the swivel pins.are carried in phophor-bronze bushes.
An interesting point in the design is that all the wheels, which, -incidentally, are of the cat-sieel, hollow-spoked type, run on double raw ball bearings; these have given extremely satisfactory service over many thousands of miles. The drive to the wheels is taken through the medium of spatted shafts and. splined hub caps.
Little need be said about the springing, this, in conformation with the rest of the chassis, being thoroughly well designed.
The fine 29-seater saloon omnibus body was constructed at the Filton Aeroplane Works, where the famous " Bristol Fighters" were produced, and it em bodies the great experience obtained in the construction of these aeroplanes. All the stanchions are strengthened by steel
inserts, which pass completely round the body, whilst the panels are beaten from lead-coated plate, every part being made to templet. The total weight of this body ise24. cwt.