33404 - Engine/Gearbox swap

[AdamH]

33404 has had a gearbox leak for quite a while but unfortunately it's getting worse. Riding back from Buses Festival on Sunday, the driver had to stop as it was so bad it was visible in his mirrors.

Unfortunately it is the gearbox casing that is damaged so there is no easy fix, and they will not buy a new box as the vehicle is now 13-years old and a new gearbox would cost more than the value of the bus. The solution is to swap the engine and gearbox from withdrawn Trident 33039. This will mean that just like 33401 which had a gearbox from 33042, it will only have a 4-speed box and not the original 5-speed box. Hopefully with the 144 service being converted to single-decks when the 59-reg Volvos arrive that shouldn't be an issue, but future bus rallies may be a more sedate affair. The engine from 33404 will then be refurbished and stored as a spare. The gearbox will be scrap.

With this in mind, 31786 has now moved outside (work finished?) and both 33039 and 33404 have moved in doors for the work to start.

[AdamH]

Engine and gearbox are now out of 33039 ready to go into 33404.

Here we have Mechwr26 showing us what an engine looks like!

[Rich82]

so 33039 now possibly be to sold to the scrapman

[AdamH]

It past the point of no return quite some time ago.

[Mechwr26]

And here's the new one, almost ready to go back in Items swapped over include: compressor, hydraulic pump, fuel pumps, engine wiring loom and engine electronic control unit. Plus a steam clean and a lick of paint. Also need to swap the gearbox ECU once its all back in

[AdamH]

33404 was back on the road this morning but I'm sorry to have to report it broke down in Bromsgrove on its first journey.

[DD12]

33404 was back on the road this morning but I'm sorry to have to report it broke down in Bromsgrove on its first journey.

I would love First to refurbish 33401-5 to include RELIABLE Euro 6 engines, and gearboxes that don't crack-up because of grounding knocks ETC.

I believe I heard that some "speed-humps" at the Sixth-Form College, cause such knocks (?), so could service S23 be changed to start and finish on the Spetchley Road instead ?

I've seen the rear overhang of these Tridents looking very low to the ground while in service - even with very few passengers, so could the rear spring arrangement be improved ?

[MattW]

The speed humps in the 6th form grounds are humongous!

[DD12]

The speed humps in the 6th form grounds are humongous!

Thanks Matt

[Peter]

33404 was back on the road this morning but I'm sorry to have to report it broke down in Bromsgrove on its first journey.

It seemed to have broken down at quite an inconvenient place as well, right on Barnsley Hall roundabout iirc!