US supplies bus spares
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BUSES operated by London Transport are now using Ameri:a.n piston spares because of the iifficulty of obtaining British ?arts. A shortage of spares led to LT engineers mounting a oforldwide search for suitable alternative sources. As the staff -iewspaper LT News reports his week, the search ended in kmerica.
The items in short supply3ritish manufacturers were :aking up to 15 months to deiver them—were piston rings 'or RT, RM and DMS doubleleek buses. A batch of 6,000 ings for RTs and RMs has alvady arrived and a DMS con;ignment is due soon. In the )ast US rings have been gnored because they are made )f a softer metal than the conrentional British cast iron verdon. Mr D. Gould, assistant iurchasing officer, said that re search had shown that the American rings would be suitable. They were expected to wear faster but cause less wear on the engine. Prices are said to be comparable to UK produced rings even after transport charges have been paid.
Full-scale tests on the new rings are taking place over the next 18 months and road tested examples will be closely examined. First reports indicate no difficulties, however.
The rings have been supplied to LT by Federal Mogul. "If more British operators buy from the same cource, the price should go down," said Mr Gould. Now LT is examining alternative suppliers for pistons and shell bearings, also high on the spares priority list. Companies in Japan, Australia, and South America as well as the USA are being considered.