Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
beefing up the centre boss will give clearance for the connecting rod to pass the rivet at the joint.
I have cast connecting rods from two different sources here. Both are shaped so clearing the knuckle rivet ought not be a problem. I hope.
This morning's fun and games will be working out what I’ve got for cylinders and slidebars, and out of that what will be kept for use.
Let’s assess the various items I have, leaving aside the originally-designed etched construction.
This is the set of cast parts from the JLTRT 44/45xx super detailing kit. Cast crossheads are conspicuous by their absence, but on past history that’s no bad thing. Apart from the vacuum pump and bracket, and the slide bars, it strikes me most of this is far too chunky to be used on a dainty as-built 3107.
This is a set of bits from PR Components. Very tidy. Yes, I’ll have to add all the oil pots and bits to the slidebars, but the latter do actually fit in the cast crossheads before I’ve even fettled them. The motion brackets are much finer, too. There are also parts for the valve linkage, though precious little of this is really visible in the photos I’ve looked at.
I think, based on what I’ve got here, the PRC parts will be used, plus the JLTRT vac pump and bracket. The various plates and glands round the cylinders themselves will be made from the kit etch. The real thing, even late in service, was apparently very tidy with plates and covers, albeit covered in grease and grime at the end.
Time for some further studying of the photos, drawings and parts, accompanied by a coffee.