#bantam4

This blog will continue next week when we have got Bantam 4 to Watford!

Bantam IV left Watford on Thursday and after a problem with water cooling of the engine was fixed, caused by a mistake we made, it got to Widewater Lock. On Friday after an early start in freezing cold conditions everything went very well until we were between West Drayton and Hayes. The engine stopped due to fuel starvation. It looks as if we have two issues. The fuel gauge is faulty and led us to think we had plenty of diesel in the day tank, which feeds the engine. The pump that transfers fuel from the main tank to the day tank doesn't work any more so we are unable to run until this is fixed. We are looking at solutions!

The engine is now back in the engine compartment of Banyam IV and looking really good. However we now need a new prop shaft as the pld one has rusted solid over the winter. More delay alas but se sre in sight of getting the tug back to the museum in July.

The Lister JP2 engine from Bantam IV is now back at the boatyard ready for reinstallation in the tug. It has been painted grey, belived to be the original colour. Almost certainly this was the most major overhaul the engine has ever had since manufacture in 1949. Next step is to crane it back in, then get everything connected.

At long last the Lister JP2 engine of Bantam IV is finished having been given a major overhaul. Rather more work needed to be done than expected but Vintage Diesels at Braunston have done a fine job and the engine can now be returned to the tug.