FLEETLINE FROLICS - 1
KON311P Leyland Fleetline / MCW
West Midlands PTE 6311 - BaMMOT
During August 2005 the Museum acquired a Leyland-engined London DMS as a donor vehicle for 6311's engine project. Whilst the idea of returning the original Leyland O.680 unit to 6311 has always been intended this was not a priority project. 6311, currently rested from the running fleet, needed a number of engine oil leaks attending to before a return to the road was possible. Carrying out the engine change would not only solve the oil leaks defect, this in turn would provide the Trust with a spare Gardner 6LX engine.
6311 was one of the last Fleetlines to be re-engined; records show this change was carried out in 1986. It was often the case that an aged Gardner unit would be used in place of the O.680. Therefore any engine removed before scrap disposal could find its way into a WMPTE Fleetline of the 6301-6419 batch. Although the modified pump used in the 6LXB gave that extra pulling power, records show 6311 had a 6LX power unit fitted. Everybody assumes that Fleetlines of the era all had 6LXB units, but this is often not the case.
Although the Trust had acquired a Leyland O.680 many years ago (prior to the purchase of 6311), all the engine mountings and other fittings had not been obtained. Therefore the DMS provided a guide to fitting the engine.
In October 2005 John Townshend and his accomplice commenced work on removing the running Leyland O.680 unit from the DMS. The bulkhead area was cleaned and painted silver. Jeremy Price replaced the starter leads, as they are shorter when fitted in a Gardner example, (starter is positioned at the front of the flywheel on an O.680 when looking from the rear). The Leyland unit has been serviced, an oil leak around the flywheel housing has been rectified too. By early November the O.680 engine was fitted and running. Some minor adjustments were required, but all appears well.
James Munro
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
