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(DIR) Return to: Restorations
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#Post#: 12314--------------------------------------------------
Wilesco Roller rebuild
By: John Besley Date: July 22, 2019, 3:18 pm
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Just to keep this project in one place on this site... the below
is a short version of the work as this has already been loaded
to another site we all know
This project started when I located a tired looking Roller for
sale – having brought another one some months before this one
fitted the bill as I needed to build one for myself and test out
the fitting of the new Roller smokebox and headstock I had been
working on for a couple of months. This has been designed to
allow for a certain amount of sideways movement, which the
Wilesco original is lacking in addition, will be a much more
prototypical length as the Wilesco version is too short.
Once the master had been made and in due course the castings
arrived a start was made on the rebuild, in the meantime the
complete engine was stripped down and a new tender made from my
supply of old emergency light boxes, a spare Mamod canopy was
cut down and put to good use for the rebuild (requiring canopy
supports building)
The usual enhancements where fitted from Uskin – cylinder detail
kit, steering wheel, fire irons, road lamp, and of course the
new smokebox and headstock.
The Wilesco gear shift required slight modification so it would
bolt through the firebox sides.
The front roll carriage required modification with an extension
shaft radiused on the end so it would rotate sideways as well as
turn neatly. The extension was fairly visible so a couple of
additional plates fitted to the roll carriage hid this neatly.
Rear wheels where improved by fitting Mamod rear TE wheels
inside these where bushed to accept the Wilesco axle first.
A gas tank was fitted in the bunker and a gas burner mount made
to bolt onto the firebox to hold the ceramic burner.
A regulator was fabricated and fitted to the top of the firebox
sheet
Finally the boiler was lagged with ceramic insulation paper and
then lagged with cladding sheets
#Post#: 12316--------------------------------------------------
Re: Wilesco Roller rebuild
By: Stoker Date: July 22, 2019, 3:31 pm
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Impressively done. Certainly it still has features recognizable
from its origins, but it is so far beyond the Old Smokey that it
started from that you have to look thrice to really see what you
are looking at!
Well done turning a sow's ear into a nice silk purse!!!
ps: Don't get me wrong on calling a Wilesco Old Smokey a sow's
ear, as I have one that is completely stock, and I enjoy it
thoroughly and consider it a fine and fun engine as built. But
this thread's modifications certainly take it to the next level
and beyond!
#Post#: 12363--------------------------------------------------
Re: Wilesco Roller rebuild
By: txlabman Date: July 23, 2019, 6:45 am
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John:
If you are going to sell the Roller, I am interested!
Charlie
#Post#: 12369--------------------------------------------------
Re: Wilesco Roller rebuild
By: Roscoe Date: July 23, 2019, 7:58 am
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Wow, what a nice job you’ve done John. Very impressive rebuild.
#Post#: 12380--------------------------------------------------
Re: Wilesco Roller rebuild
By: John Besley Date: July 23, 2019, 3:45 pm
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[quote author=txlabman link=topic=1278.msg12363#msg12363
date=1563882349]
John:
If you are going to sell the Roller, I am interested!
Charlie
[/quote]
I need to raise funds for the Garrett steam tractor- so will be
for sale, email me for more info on johnbesley59@gmail.com
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