Peter, I think before the electric tool there was a tool like a manual drill brace that you turned and it rotated the valve and oscillated it in and out to replicate the manual lifting and rotating the valve. I did the engines on an MG TD, Triumph TR4 and in line 6 cylinder Chevrolet with one of these. Could not afford the electric one!
Or those split collets some designs had!
Even worse when you had to take the engine out to get the sump off. My first job as an apprentice mechanic was to change the engine oil and filter on an F type Vauxhall victor, long story short after I’d ripped the sump plug out the foreman and welder worked all night to remove engine, weld up sump and put engine back in, they weren’t best pleased.
lol. I worked at P J Evans in Granville St then after a few years we moved to Essex St. One of the mechanics at Granville street was Lloyd Hibbert another was Bob Johnson....coincidence guys? Two names on this thread!
Ryland Garage was where I started in 1960. Great thing was you were trained in commercial vehicles as well as cars which certainly helped with my future career as a PSV/HGV mechanic.
Yep! I worked there for a short time during the construction phase of the Paintshop for the Jaguar line in 1977 and again about 1979. Quite an impressive feat turning an old spitfire aircraft hanger into a two storey building.
Did you work for Otto Durr, or Wesley shire, I had to spend hours standing by in case of fires during welding operations, in paint shops SD1, north works, east block , block 38, and others dotted around the two sites.
The original install to the SD1 paintshop was by Carrier Engineering (not to be confused with Carrier air conditioning of America). They had been bought out by Haden Young in about 1970, who did not know anything about the industrial side of industry. I worked direct for Carriers for seven years before transferring to Hadens for two years. I then went to work for Otto Durr for the following six years where I trebled my take home pay compared to Haden Young (sounds good but still only about average wage for the time). I did come back to SD1 with Otto Durr early 1982 but did not go inside the paintshop although there were welders working in there, a bunch of lads that travelled every day from Gloucester/Cheltenham. I then moved onto the Ford plant at Halewood to weld up there stainless steel pre-treatment tunnel, miles of Argon arc welding, but thats another story!
I worked in one of the test hangers doing engine endurance testing, such as a 2000 rally car engine fitted with twin SU carbs and had to be run at 6,000 rpm for 100 hours.
Forgot about Carriers, I more than likely met you then.
I can remember the gas turbine artic lorry units coming in and out the factory , I think one was in BP oil livery.
I gave up working in industrial construction in late 1982 due to the long hours, lack of holidays and also because I had got married and my daughter was born in the November. Commercial construction was a bit more laid back and the demands were a lot less. I eventually had to give up welding about 1995 because I developed Asthma. I then stepped up to start supervising projects, developing Method Statements, risk assessments & Inspection & Test plans. And yes, I have come across those situations with diamonds drillers that I have had to control. I have been on so many H&S courses, seminars & Talks that by the time I reached the age 66 (yes I worked an extra year) I left work exhausted. Now when I take the dog for a walk along the South Wales coast every day, I cringe at the window cleaner hanging off a tiple extension ladder, builders walking along roof replacing tiles, etc
The Rover gas turbine went to Leyland Trucks.
It Was Shell Mex & BP that had one with Esso, BRS and I think Mobil. They were based on the Leyland Marathon with a permanent Leyland/Lucas engineer in the passenger seat monitoring all the test equipment. They were only allowed to carry fuel oil when operated by the oil companies as the twin exhaust stacks were mounted vertically rear of the cab. The Shell Mex & BP vehicle was based in Ellesmere port (Stanlow Terminal) and also picked up product from the Warley distribution Terminal. When they required bunkers they would also call in at Kingsbury terminal where I was based but were not allowed under the loading gantries as Shell Mex & BP Kingsbury was white oil only.
