London Buses | Changing The Engine On A Routemaster London Bus.

What does it take to keep a Routemaster London double-decker bus on the road?
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 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 have no choice but to take the engine out of RM1783 our open-topper. An urgent sump replacement is needed.
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 #double-decker bus

[@mariofabrizi5050]

I was amazed to see everything is done with sockets and wrenches. Almost every engine vid I watch the blokes always are using power tools. Only in Britain. Luv from NZ

[@Routemaster4Hire]

We have had lots of comments about not using power tools - we do have them and do occasionally use them, I guess we just prefer to old fashioned way.

[@stearmaster6.756]

@@Routemaster4Hire Impower tools can mess up the thread (matters in preservation)

[@rkelsey3341]

Bloke can't afford a new pair of trousers...obviously can't afford power tools!

[@stearmaster6.756]

@@rkelsey3341 dumb comment lmao

[@owenjacobs8315]

@@rkelsey3341 projecting

[@stevelambert6689]

Always remember seeing a video with a garage manager comparing the Routemaster and rear engine vehicles, with the comment "a Routemaster could do an early morning/peak come in at 09:30 for an engine change and be back out on the road for the evening peak. Modern buses three day job" 😀😁😂 Interesting video to watch 👍

[@tafajjolhossain2965]

ijkkom llmzz z z uv. gvjv mn.

[@garethonthetube]

That's from the BBC series "Perpetual Motion".

[@eddieselman8942]

My old man used to drive these for London Transport. He said it was the best job he ever had.

[@jonathangriffin1120]

" 'E knew where 'e belonged!" RIP Ian Dury.

[@nomayor1]

Great to see a new engine going into this. Now it will even be able to accelerate up to the fantastic speed of 10mph.

[@George-vf7ss]

😁

[@davidwolff8903]

Yeah the old Gardner would be flat nacker.

[@trone32]

Used to work at Chiswick & Aldenham nice see the engine change again.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, always good to hear from time-served men (and women) who worked on these buses for LT back in the day.

[@Tom-kw6km]

I appreciate those who not only maintain older commercial vehicles but also keep them working. I'm currently repairing an old 1953 International RC-160 that was used a hay hauler then abandoned in a field for decades. It was basically a junk yard on wheels. This thing needs everything worked on! Today I sculpted a new pitman arm ball stud from a newer ball joint assembly by using a grinder and multiple grits of sandpaper. You have to do what you have to do when the parts are unavailable.

[@mrbigstuff1966]

Done that a few times as a Trainee Mechanic at Shepherds Bush Bush Garage 1982. We use to use a small electric fork lift to take them out. Fantastic buses to work on much better than the DMS or Metro's.

[@davidbassett4577]

Another great Video Dave .. hats off to you, Tim, Lord Barrington & whole team keeping these iconic buses on the road.

[@user-ct7be5kf3k]

my greetings for the nice nice video , from argostoli kefalonia greece .

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much!

[@harveysmith100]

One of my favourite all time vehicles. Lovely to see you guys taking care of one. I remember seeing a documentary about how they designed it and built purpose made workshops just for the Routemaster.

[@frankdenardo8684]

In San Francisco and Victoria Canada, they use them as tourist buses. I did ride this bus on a trip to Victoria, Canada.

[@jacquelineodwyer7688]

Myself and son got rides on the London routemaster buses in the year 2006. Holiday in Kent UK. We stayed a week only. Brilliant stuff.

[@ianmaddams9577]

Always a pleasure to watch you work and maintain these old buses . Hope to get a ride on one in the future. Great work all the team 👍🏻

[@johnmichaeldorienjohn467]

It's amazing the work you do on these buses! Well done to all involved! Another great Video!

[@jacksugden8190]

Some deliberate errors on one the them with chrome bits here and there which would have been red, apart from that, saw one witter LTE ownership on the side.

[@Ampex196]

Quote: .."fill the engine with oil". I remember a workshop incident where an apprentice mechanic was told to "fill that engine up with oil" and that's EXACTLY what he did - all the way up to the top of the rocker box. Such fun!

[@miksal26]

From the other side of the world, this is probably among the top 10 things to enjoy and experience when ,at last,a trip to London is finally undertaken. We have had repeated trips since 1996 . Cheers from Downunder. 🇦🇺🇬🇧👍😷😷😷 stay safe

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, unfortunately next time you come to London you won't be able to ride a Routemaster as all the services are now operated by modern buses. The only way to ride a Routemaster now is on an afternoon tea tour of a ghost bus tour.

[@miksal26]

@@Routemaster4Hire I thought that ghost buses were triple deckers. No worries, any excuse to visit London again.👍

[@johngraves2755]

By Eck cutting gaskets with a hammer, takes me back to when I first started in the 'trade'. Only seems like a handful of years ago, in reality 55.....

[@GenMaster124]

First time I’ve ever watch a Routemaster repair video ….you’ve got me hooked, thanks for sharing 👏🏻👏🏻 My last Routemaster ride as a teenager was the 94 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed the video, there’s plenty of our previous videos for you to enjoy and a new one out this weekend too. Enough to keep you quiet for a good few hours. 😉 👍🏻

[@BobSmith-ui4qu]

Funny, I was just about to say the same thing as the fellow from NZ. Hello from Canada.

[@johnsutcliffe171]

amazing. how ever did they keep all the buses going in the 20. 30. 40. 50s years. thanks for a great video. ***.

[@andrewsnoozy]

I just found your channel, so I subscribed. I love the old British buses, the AEC's, Leyland's, Albion's, Bristol's. Many Leyland's were used here in Australia. It magnificent to see you guys keeping these beautiful old buses running and obviously enjoying the challenges that doing that would present.

[@frankish5314]

Nice job! I grew up in the East End of London in the early 60"s and always assumed these engines could be swapped out really easy to get them back on the road.. Maybe if you had a group of mechanics replacing an engine every day you could..:). Fortunatly these days aluminum is much easier to weld using an AC TIG welder. These welders have become pretty affordable thanks to the Chinese. My 200A unit cost about 800 quid plus argon gas cylinder and would weld that sump very well. The only problem is getting the oil contamination out of porous aluminium castings before you weld them.. Acetone is your friend!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Frank, yes in LT days they could swap an engine in a couple of hours. But bear in mind they wouldn't have had to swap any bits as they had complete units ready and waiting. We have since found out that the sump is actually magnesium. Its hasn't been repaired yet but will do a follow-up video when it is repaired.

[@frankish5314]

@@Routemaster4Hire Ooh magnesium.. I have never welded that.. sounds like it could all kinds of "explosive" fun..:)

[@markdavis2475]

The Fabrication Channel on YT did a good episode on welding "aloominum!" They heated the area with a blow torch to help drive off any oil residues.

[@markdavis2475]

@@Routemaster4Hire Magnesium, sounds (unnecessarily?) exotic!

[@ianjack8334]

Another excellent video and I liked the graphics explaining what was happening. I recollect that Colin Curtis, Engineering Manager at LT, stated when the RM’s were being introduced a benefit of was that any major item could be replaced within an engineer’s 8 hour shift. Well the team proved that wasn’t possible!

[@cjmillsnun]

Had that been an LT crew, that would've been done much quicker. They would've just swapped the engines. Nowadays people take their time as there isn't a need to get these busses out every day.

[@briangentle5515]

@@cjmillsnun I expect that the LT crews also had specialist lifting and handling tools to make engine removal and replacement quicker. Interesting to see that there seems to be a special eye on the engine to attach the lift hoist to. Thanks for another fascinating video.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

Half a day for an engine change at my old garage Westbourne Park. Of course they had all the equipment necessary to hand and many years experience of whipping them in and out.

[@trone32]

Colin got me my job in 79! 😉

[@stonyrerootkit8922]

Check out the Lack of power tools and equpment! 💩👹😈🎈A Hampster with a Dull Penknife could have done it Faster!!😵👻⌛🍀⚓🚂

[@greyjay9202]

Old school problem-solving. Impressive. You were wondering how the Brits, a small island nation, ended up ruling most of the world for a time? Carry on through difficulties, and stop for tea. Take note of the blown out knee in his pants, and the field conversion to cut-off shorts. Make do, and keep going. Well done, gents.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, we run on 'tea power' here, its highly recommended but you must make it properly - in a tea pot.

[@BillnBen1]

I've only just discovered your channel, but I subscribed straight away. Thanks for keeping these old girls on the road, I can remember when they were first introduced Sixty odd years ago when I was just a kid. Thankyou.

[@warweezil2802]

Did I spot four paws jumping on the platform expecting a ride around 17.15? Love the sound of an AEC engine, ever since I washed trucks for a local firm on Saturday mornings as a 13 year old... taught myself to drive in them too.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

You sure did spot four paws jumping on the bus - she does it every time we start an engine!!

[@MrAvant123]

These things are maintained better than a lot of aircraft !

[@jonathansmith7400]

Good to see the chuffa chuffa hasn't been replaced by a cummins. :)

[@Big.Al.3]

Yet again a very interesting film. Job well done lads. 👍 Remember it not day but the number of tea breaks you have. ☕☕☕

[@bigsmoke6189]

What a very clean shiny engine !

[@skookapalooza2016]

Fascinating!

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi all what a great video thank you 😊

[@simonbertioli4696]

Lovely to see our London bus history continuing. I love these old buses. Remember going to school on them..green line too. 👍Simon a brit 🇬🇧 in Spain 🇪🇦

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Simon, glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@dinsdaleseven1627]

Just a bit of friendly advice. Instead of tugging on the engine hoist in an attempt to get it moving, just take a 1x4 in piece of lumber about a meter long, wedge it under a wheel and lift. Gets it moving and you can make small, precise moves when necessary.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, will try that next time.

[@mrkhokhar4895]

Wonderful work blutiful job performance job

[@billbabbs3871]

Great work guys, I haven't seen anyone for a long time make a gasket by hand, I used to make gaskets that way too. LOL didn't see anybody using any power tools, now days it makes the jobs so much easier, keep up the great work..

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Bill. We do use power tools on larger bolts but find they have a tendency to strip threads on 60yr old metal, so we avoid this if we can. We prefer to keep as much of the bus as original as possible including the nuts and bolts so to protect them we do most jobs by hand.

[@protectnor]

Why was he using a hammer like that? He couldn't just cut the material?

[@colinwhite5355]

Frightens the life out of me seeing all that enormous weight being suspended on a single eye held by a single thread on a single bolt. Great video - wish all the engines in my old cars looked as clean as that.

[@scottwhitley3392]

Wait till your working under a 180,000 ton cruise ship that’s suspended in wooden stilts 🤣

[@anthonywilliams6764]

Well done everyone, especially the glove wearing lady in shorts, protecting her nail polish I guess? Keep up the good work.

[@andyclark1426]

Done like a real bus garage job, hung out it for a few days 😂😂, all kidding aside, that’s a good job and bus back in traffic well done all involved

[@timbarrington3607]

Thought you was going to say with all the piss taking 🤣

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@petersmith4455]

hi there.sorry to hear about the sump problems,i remember woking on sumps in engine assembly during 1971 as an apprentice at that time it was for the av505 and av 760 engines, great to see new oil going in, is it anti- freezed up as well ? Peter smith ex AEC LTD.

[@tamar5261]

Somehow I was expecting that engine removel to be simple. You did a great job 😊

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you!

[@lostlullo]

Go Tim go!!!

[@oc2phish07]

Great video. I remember helping a friend to refit the engine into an AEC Bridgemaster. Gets installed at an angle due to the route the propshaft takes. What a nightmare.

[@BOBSYMACK]

Great video. We have an engine crane where I work like the one you are using and they are a right pain as there are castors on all wheels and it goes everywhere but where you want it to go.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

They're a right pain in the arse, made worse by our floor which is very uneven.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Yet another great video, lot of hard work, but well worth it.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Michael.

[@sitdox]

Love your work guys when I retire would like to work with you for the pure pleasure on such beautiful engineering masterpieces Boys keep them beauties alive Thank you for the job you do All the best from south east coast

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, such lovely comments. We will do our best and if you are ever in the area make sure you pop in for a cuppa.

[@sitdox]

@@Routemaster4Hire thank you for the invite I’d love to and you’ll never know might one day The trouble is I’m too busy with my customers joys of being self employed Barely can leave my little workshop here in Hastings But yes thank you and a happy new year to all you guys and a very best at that 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@davidellis279]

Made hard work of moving that engine crane trying to push it,I used to change AEC AV690 engines on the cobbled floor of a stable,support the engine with the engine crane and pushed the tractor unit away from the engine with long crow bars and wooden blocks leavering under the tyres,did the same refitting the engine after overhauling.

[@tyymclarenfan]

Well done dereck Mansfield of GSR recovery for flawless lift of the routemaster

[@4192362]

you can say that again

[@stephenwright8103]

Good job done "Get that Bus out Butler"😂

[@kristinajendesen7111]

My old garage, Westbourne Park (X), said that they could change an RM engine in half a day compared with 2 days for a Metro or Titan.

[@mrkhokhar4895]

Waoooo great restoration

[@PE3FS]

nice video again guys

[@colinmiles1052]

My first visit. Like it. Will be following up!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mrkhokhar4895]

One thing notice i engine found very neat n cleaned well maintained, superb

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you.

[@kobirelf97]

Brighton and Hove busses have a AEC routemaster but it's got a Scania engine in it and bloody hell does it sound amazing

[@dinsdaleseven1627]

If asked to speculate on the front springs, I would have confidently guessed leaf springs. Amazing. Coils under that thing.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yep Coils front and back.

[@TA-lb5wl]

Hey guys! Well, you're just devils in mechanics. Nice job!

[@redroutemaster]

Tims 2nd home...in a Routemaster engine bay 😁.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

It would be his first home if he had his way 🤣🤣. Good to see you the other week btw, thanks for the tea. 🫖 👍🏻

[@collihill]

worked on them in gordon st . paisley scotland , best part was taking them for mot down to greenoch it was best part of my day. pottery st.

[@johnalexander4356]

I would highly recommend that you get an engine boost that is rated for the load of those big engines. The boost you used is great for the average auto engine but not for the big and heavy industrial diesel!

[@BITTYBOY121]

I'm completely stunned by how clean that engine was ! Those Routemaster London busses are from something like 1966 and after 55 years + in the end of 2021 the engine still almost looks like new !! Great video by the way - Well done guys ! 👍👍👍

[@Johann52005]

Engine was repainted not more than a couple years back, easy to tell

[@BITTYBOY121]

@@Johann52005 Really ? I was thinking it may have been sand blasted recently perhaps ?

[@Johann52005]

@@BITTYBOY121 it's paint, there are areas where it's comming off

[@BITTYBOY121]

@@Johann52005 Okay. Thanks for confirming !

[@montedaestrada3563]

First visit to your channel guys and very enjoyable the video was too. I remember the excitement when we found out that Routemasters were coming to route 65 and Chessington way back. The bus is a jewel!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Awesome! Thank you, have you checked out our other videos yet?

[@montedaestrada3563]

@@Routemaster4Hire I intend to go through them all. :)

[@jfro5867]

Never thought they had coil front springs and struts, thought it would have been a beam axle. Interesting vid 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@admiralsouthdown485]

I worked with 1783 at Western Greyhound. Would love to see her again.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Make sure you pop in if you are ever up in North Wales. The Kettle is always on!!

[@peterwood5558]

I worked as an engineer making jigs and fixtures and machine tools I was an apprentice a fantastic bus at the time it as lasted well p wood

[@davidvivian596]

Was the problem you experienced on RM 1783 a common fault on RMs of that age? Very interesting and enjoyable video btw. Thank goodness you are taking care of these lovely vehicles.

[@donwright3427]

Good stuff

[@grahammillar8012]

would have been a great adventure learning all the hand skills back in the day to maintain and overhaul these treasures . whilst I learnt trains and locomotives I can see so many of the parts on these buses where hand made from fenders to grills to doors . the door locks seating . basically everything on them and can picture them being manufactured from scratch by a very skilled workforce. back in a time where everything was made to last . not like today's throwaway flat pack assembly line rubbish that forever breaks down . loved the video cheers fella's keep up the great work .

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you are enjoying the videos, couldn't agree more - these were built to last by skilled dedicated people. Not like the modern rubbish on the roads today.

[@craigstaggs8597]

I hope you've had those lift posts inspected recently as I've seen two shear in 8 years , I was under a wagon when one of them let go !

[@Finglesham]

I am surprised at the lack of power tools, still manual tools keep you fit. What a job , well done.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you glad you enjoyed the video. We have had lots of comments about using power tools and we do have them and do occasionally use them, I guess we just prefer to old fashioned way.

[@imthelastone]

nice video but holy moly you put ALOT of faith in that small engine hoist , glad it worked but it looked way to sketchy for me

[@SunnybraeCroft]

When I was a youngster I visited the Aldenham bus works and saw these beautiful buses go in as tired old lady’s and come out as spring chickens having been stripped and rebuilt. Who said recycling was new!

[@robertcobb9026]

A great channel love the hummar so interesting

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Robert.

[@gorcer7600]

I was amazed that the bus of it's size , sporting coil sprung , double wishbone suspension as opposed to I-beam leaf spring set up !

[@jamesfrench7299]

It's a like a giant car in layout.

[@stevelambert6689]

Must have missed this one when it was first shown (10 months late) Always remember seeing the various Routemaster documentaries on TV on one with the engineering manager saying how easy an engin exchange was. A bus could operate the morning peak, come in for an exchange and be out to cover the evening peak. Obviously a slight bit of exaggeration there.

[@woodthorpe100]

Amazing to see independant front suspesnsion

[@didgitt1]

curiosity question. What kind of transmission do these buss's use? I see a live shaft going back from the engine but nothing further back or any kind of clutch arrangement.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

All ours are semi automatic, they were fully auto when new.

[@mwinner101]

There’s a Bristol double decker (maybe a 1960?) in town that needs help. It’s been parked for years. I just need to talk the owner into selling it. These videos will help with the restoration.

[@metamorphosis9793]

Sounds like a Bristol VR

[@mwinner101]

@@metamorphosis9793 Looking further online, I’m thinking it’s the Bristol Omnibus FLF Lodekka (HHY 186D). Going by the front entrance, grill style and upper deck vents. Still not sure if the exact year.

[@michellejones3076]

We love your videos informative and entertaining, could you tell me what the music is called please that you use. Keep up the good work see you in the summer 😎

[@alconk7129]

What are you guys manually turning ratchets? Don’t you guys have impacts ect?

[@andrewsewell9179]

Nice 😊job fella’s

[@camperp195]

Passed my then psv test in one 1989!

[@tonyfreeman5048]

What transmission are in those busses

[@mrkhokhar4895]

Restoring the history special engines

[@richardbourne6743]

I spent a few years driving these out of Merton garage which was close to Colliers Wood station, I believe that Merton garage is now gone.

[@PeterWTaylor]

I just read the estimated annual mileage of a Routemaster was about 100,000 miles, so an early 60's one could have clocked up 4-5 million miles, that's right round the world 200 times, and it only needed a new sump!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Plus a few engine rebuilds and overhauls along the way.

[@PeterWTaylor]

@@Routemaster4Hire I should hope so too. I wonder how many present day buses will go that distance.

[@markdavis2475]

Is the flywheel always exposed or does a cover fit over it?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

No its exposed.

[@globaleye8]

Very well made video, so quiet and hardly any expletives ! You have my sympathies, I had a hand in restoring 3 RLHs some 12 years ago in USA - very much a love hate relationship 😁

[@ArneRagnarsson]

13:23 "Take verry carefull". Nice friend. He doesn't trust you.

[@jb9652]

Understandable caution, don't you think? So much damage to happen so easily.

[@ncut5547]

So is that a AEC diesel engine in there just wondering...I felt like bringing my impacts round to speed the taking apart and putting together but nice to see the hand tools in action lol thks for the video guys ..

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes its an AEC AV590 Diesel engine.

[@tonysheerness2427]

How many miles is one of those engines good for?

[@craigstaggs8597]

Looks like that hoist is boarderline for the task in hand to say the least !

[@angelsone-five7912]

I loved my three years driving Routemasters in London. Trouble was our fleet all had p**y 5.9 litre Iveco boat engines some of which couldn`t pull the skin off a rice pudding.

[@technopassion83]

Salut , je suis tombé sur votre chaîne par hasard et étant passionné également de restauration et autres je me suis régalé en regardant la vidéo et du coup je m'abonne !! à bientôt .

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you for subscribing, I hope you enjoy our future episodes.

[@papabits5721]

Great video, they make some great battery tools these days, just saying

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you glad you enjoyed the video. We have had lots of comments about using power tools and we do have them and do occasionally use them, I guess we just prefer to old fashioned way.

[@martinbarker7500]

Jesus, how high is the roof in that garage ?! 😀

[@monfrig6959]

my favorite way to make a gasket..........i build brit bikes and a Certified BSA mechanic

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, glad you appreciate it, if you have read some previous comments, some people can't believe we don't just spread a load a silicone!!

[@billrimmer5596]

U guys need some electric tools. Ratchets and impacts. Cool buses. Really cool shop

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Bill. We do use power tools on larger bolts but find they have a tendency to strip threads on 60yr old metal, so we avoid this if we can. We prefer to keep as much of the bus as original as possible including the nuts and bolts so to protect them we do most jobs by hand.

[@mrsockyman]

This is an amazing process, I'm curious though, would you ever consider changing the engine to something modern? I'm sure thats sacrilegious to think of in terms of authenticity but I'm curious of what would be suitable for size and power requirements

[@jaysmith1408]

Given the size of the engines, you may be able to squeak in an ISL-9, mind you the transmission would likely need an update to handle the additional hundred some horsepower and massive torque. ISB seems the more common replacement (if the ISB is one thing, it’s common), little smaller, little lighter, less power. But then you’re barking up the tree of emissions, unless you can find a pre emissions crate motor (good luck with that).

[@CosgroveNotts]

I worked on crap like this for living. I don't miss it. Kept me I work 7 days a week.

[@musicismytherapy4936]

3:10 if this was me I would definitely smack myself in the face with the rachet!