Adjusting The Tappets On A Massive 9.6 Litre London Double Decker Bus Diesel Engine.

What does it take to restore a London double-decker bus and keep it on the road?
In this episode we adjust the tappets on AEC AV590 engine from a vintage London double decker bus.
Built in the 1960's our AEC Routemaster London buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a London Routemaster bus on the road then make sure you check-out all our London Bus maintenance and restoration videos here on KZbin.
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
In this episode we send RM765's injectors away for overhaul and at the same time we adjust the tappets on her AEC AV590 engine.
Also don't forget to check-out all our AEC Routemaster London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
We are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #routemaster #routemaster4hire

[@peterseatherton1819]

You do a great job keeping these lovely buses on the road, just one thing, I was always taught to use a ring spanner on the locking nuts as an open ended can slip off and those rockers attract knuckles.

[@rolanddunk5054]

Exactly my thought…not keen on knuckle rash 😖😖.

[@christopherhulse8385]

That's what I always used, a ring spanner, and I held the adjustment in place whilst I locked up with my spanner so the adjustment didn't move, although I know everyone does it slightly differently, but as long as the end result is the same!

[@davidwolff8903]

Yep exactly. Also reduces risk of damage to nut.

[@briangentle5515]

You make it all look so easy! Seriously, I wouldn't dream of even trying but being an armchair watcher is great fun. Your knowledge and skill is a pleasure to behold. And that engine just sounds so "real Routemaster" too and reminds me of my childhood! Thanks again

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Wow, thank you, glad you enjoyed the video and that AEC engine sound.

[@johnkenyon1532]

Another great video to watch, you can't beat regular maintenance. Any reason why that oil seemed slow getting to the rockers ?

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

@@Routemaster4Hire I AM NEW TO THE CHANNEL

[@rolanddunk5054]

I love a thoroughly mechanical engine ,no electronics to mess with…just hammer and spanner’s.

[@DanCOYS19202]

As said in comments, always better to leave the screw driver in (nowadays it’s usually an Allen key) as it will turn unless held in position, good video though guys, I haven’t worked on old vehicles like RM’s but these were still very popular when he started in engineering on the buses

[@oc2phish07]

I really don't think I have ever seen such a dedicated team before. You all seem to get on with each other famously, you enjoy what you do and you have a great skill set between you. I love these videos. And I loved Tim's Rule of 7 for working out which cylinder to adjust the tappets on next.

[@andyclark1426]

1st rule of heavy vehicle workshops.... kettle is ALWAYS on!!, good old rule of 7, the way I was brought up on straight 6’s (153624 is etched in my brain 😂), thank you for another great video

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Andy. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@warweezil2802]

Not forgetting no1 on Jaguars is the rearward cylinder, have seen that catch out the unwary back in the days of rusty mk2s being runnon a shoestring. I Recently had to set up a BMC A series from scratch watched by a kid who is supposed to be a diesel whizz, he admitted he’d struggle working all that out, a product of the diagnostic computer age sadly. He said “you’re in your element with that” ... he was right.

[@davidbassett4577]

Another very interesting video Dave & Tim; fascinating to see the time and effort you put in to maintain the lovely old AEC engine … the purring sound once Tim had turned the fuel back on (lol!🤣) was a joy to my ears and took me straight back to 1966 .. when I was 8 yrs old, and first got to ride in High Wycombe [HE] Garage’s then brand new RML’s on Route 326. Several of those have been preserved including RML2440; which I get to ride in quite regularly; but she no longer has an AEC engine … so it’s wonderful that yours do and you share the sights and sounds with us. Thank you

[@Routemaster4Hire]

We would only have AEC engined buses in the fleet, in my opinion they were ruined when they were re-engined. Although I understand why they did it and appreciate most operators only want the referbs we find the AEC's are still very reliable as long as you look after them.

[@warrenedgar3158]

Very good to watch

[@sarto7bellys]

Use a ring spanner and keep the screwdriver in the slot to stop the adjuster moving when you tighten it up

[@luislealsantos]

Like adjusting an precious old clock, knowledge and skill.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Luis

[@waynetetley584]

That tickover is wonderful - a joy to hear👍

[@mikecollings6889]

Lovely to here the old AEC engine,no sensors or black boxes....just straight forward engineering.

[@tombailey6342]

Tip. Always lean on the pushrod side of the rocker, this will take out the slack in the train, giving better results.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Another great video, thank you. 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Michael.

[@superbran2008]

Big fan of your page i appreciate the videos keep them coming

[@markmawson1]

They are such a beautiful and elegant piece of Machinery.

[@sixspeeddeath]

I love these videos. I work on German cars (90's and newer) and it always gives me a laugh that a German diesel would have a specific temperature to be at and special tools to set the valves, as well as a several calibration procedures particularly on newer vehicles. It appears that with british iron, you just need a feeler guage, some basic tools, and a guy who knows "what she should feel like" and they run strong. Good stuff!

[@kevinwoodruff7377]

Another great video so fascinating to watch I could watch them all day I'm so glued to your videos. the AEC engine sounds fantastic 👍👌

[@tonyfreeman5048]

That's is a really simple design engine. It would be nice if all diesel engines were this simple. The new engines have so much stuff on them I don't know how they even run

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Exactly Tony, that's why they are a pleasure to work on.

[@ianmaddams9577]

Great footwork Dave 🤣 and don’t forget to turn on the fuel lol excellent

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Ian, they don’t call me twinkle toes for nothing.🤣🤣

[@petersmith4455]

hi there again. you are doing a great job keeping the AECs going, as before regular oil changes are top of the pops,

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks, will do!

[@warweezil2802]

Always a pleasure to hear the sweet sound of an AEC lump in an RM. memories of many happy miles...if only I had been shorter, they didn’t allow 6’4” RM drivers apparently

[@Big.Al.3]

Enjoyed watching this video. Well done lads. 👍

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi I really injoyed this video thankyou take care 😊👍🏻

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Well, if you have a spare headlight switch that would be handy 😁

[@kbrickell4732]

I do tappets on buses on opposites : inlet fully open adj exhaust , exhaust open adjust inlet.

[@garyhardwick8489]

Lovely buses, and in such great condition too! I have been lucky enough to drive RM 1449 on a few occasions on account of being friends with the owner. But who was the Plonker who forgot to turn the fuel on?😆

[@geneva760]

HA - I have to laugh a bit at the term "...Massive 9.6 litre..." - I have 10.3 litre//632.0 cu in Chevrolet engines in some of my cars, HA - although I think that bus engine may have a lot more low down grunt- HA - albeit somewhat slower. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@cjmillsnun]

Before the arrow pointed at the fuel cock, I said out loud "try turning the fuel on"

[@dufus7396]

Wear in the rocker shafts and rockers...sometimes shafts can be rotated.90*.and rockers rebushed

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

Are these AEC AV590 engines in the bus the same as the AEC AV590 engines in the Mercury and Marshall trucks of the 60/70s

[@kbrickell4732]

It is best to time at the injector opening when engine is timed rather than the timing mark on the pump !!..Time the engine after running it disconnect 5 injector pipes at the injector or fuel pump but keep no.1 injector pipe still connected., Then turn the injector pump in its direction of rotation (some injector pumps run in opposite direction to the engine) until it lock up (becomes very stiff, (this means it is starting to open No. 1 injector re connect the injection bump and all the other injectors pipes, (you will most likely see a different position on the injector pump mark. showing that the injector pump mark was out. the engine will run sweet ,(also adjust the tappets to a tight feeler gauge)

[@geoffreycharlton8875]

is there no stairs in the front of them buses i remember when i was a kid in the 50s&6os we used to wait at the top of the stairs at the back of the bus & when the conductor came up the front stairs we went down the back ones & jumped of the bus & saved ourselves 3ld

[@smurf302]

the injectors are not tightened?

[@articeddie5494]

Did any AEC engines remain in service ? I seem to remember RML 2760 was left totally original as she was the last one

[@Routemaster4Hire]

As far as I know all the ones they kept in service past the late 90's were re-engined.

[@kurtolsson9557]

AEC.

[@jacksugden8190]

Would you ever buy and restore a 1962 London Transport Green Line RMC into its original condition please?.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Jack. Would love an RMC in green, but they don’t often come up for sale unfortunately.

[@jacksugden8190]

@@Routemaster4Hire I enjoyed this video, as as informative and entertaining as usual, always hits the like button 👍.

[@kelvinrf]

I take it there is an airbox with a filter on the end of that air intake tube.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

No, there was never an air filter fitted on these engines.

[@markwhitfield5412]

huk me that took u long enough to notice a soft battery lol.

[@kbrickell4732]

should be oil spurting everywhere with the covers off !!!

[@captaintoyota3171]

Hmm very british

[@john1703]

You appear to be doing the right thing, but not describing it. The adjustment is on the cylinder whose tappets are fully slack, or valves fully closed, by their springs. The complementary cylinder's valves are fully open, or the tappets are fully depressed, against their springs.