might be my lack of knowledge but are those silver bits sticking up out of the shoe what the snail cams grab onto and therefore should be on the other side?
 
Original drums, shoes are exactly the same as the ones I took off and I think I've got adjusters right. Only difference is the lack of rust!!
 
Additional plan. I'll fit the old shoes and see if everything slots into place. Then at least I'll know it's something to do with the new ones then. (Alternative thinking is that BritPart shoes are maybe not as good as they could be ???!!!)
 
A morning of fiddle faddling and everything came together eventually. I've trimmed 3mm off the top of the leading shoe which allowed the drum to slot on smoothly. Everything else slotted together nicely so I now have three wheels on and the fourth should go on next weekend!


 
btw, I see a new gaiter in the pic, someone gave me a tip to soak them in a lanolin based leather oil for a couple of weeks, apparently makes them easier to get on and ben to fit all the holes properly, actually had mine soaking for a few months now as I have never quite got round to fitting them :D
 
btw, I see a new gaiter in the pic, someone gave me a tip to soak them in a lanolin based leather oil for a couple of weeks, apparently makes them easier to get on and ben to fit all the holes properly, actually had mine soaking for a few months now as I have never quite got round to fitting them :D

Good tip. I did fight with the one I put on and then realised that I had over stretched it. So it may be coming off for a soaking now!
 
With two cylinders you have two leading shoes did you need to trim both of them?
Some thing really odd when you have to cut 3mm off brake shoes.
How did cutting them affect the adjustment pin location?
 
With two cylinders you have two leading shoes did you need to trim both of them?
Some thing really odd when you have to cut 3mm off brake shoes.
How did cutting them affect the adjustment pin location?
I just trimmed the wider end of the "front" shoe where it slots into the back of the cylinder. The adjustment pin still locates correctly. When I compared to the shoes which I removed the new ones were marginally longer so the trimming matched them up. Everything seems to still sit correctly and the hub/drum turns sweetly. I have noted to double check once I connect all the brake lines up and test everything but that may be in a few months!
 
Other front hub cleaned, seals replaced and sorted today. I then loosely attached all the steering gear (as I'd cleaned it up) which made moving it easier.I now have something that is starting to look like a vehicle and is off bricks for the first time in 18 months!!!




 
OK, so I've got a secure chassis, happy axles, smooth hubs and 4 wheels. I suppose I had better get on with the bit that makes it go! :eek::eek:

Managed to get the engine under cover this morning (rather heavy on my own but just managed it!).
Working my usual method; if it can be unbolted then remove it clean it, read up about it and store I got started.
Dragging it in.

Big bolts holding stuff on.

All the bolts out.

A seal thingy on the end (!)

Timing chain off.

Everything lifted out.

Pistons out.

Most bits off but it's still bloody heavy!!

Not sure what to do next. One of the springy ring things on a piston has broken so that will need replacing I guess.
I have started another thread looking at the state of one of the pistons to see if there are any clues as to the state of my engine!
 
November seems many months ago!
However, getting started again.


Piston rings all replaced and any gunk removed. An old tractor/steam engine guy had a look and said everything looked fine to him so I'm ploughing on.
 
Cleaned off timing chain, tensioner etc, got a sump gasket, refitted the oil pump thing.


Refitted sump to make sure everything was still aligned and put front bit back on. It turns smoothly with a spanner across the dog which gives me some hope.