Original AEC engine and semi-auto

The AEC AH760 engine and 5sp semi-automatic gearbox

This was a very popular engine-box combination with bus companies around the globe. The AEC engines were a reliable old workhorse, often clocking up millions of miles, and the pneumo-cyclic self changing gears boxes were virtually bullet-proof if driven correctly.

Most gearbox problems occured with drivers "flat-changing" gears instead of driving it like changing a road-ranger without using the clutch.

AEC AH760 rear-mounted engine and transmission

AEC AH760 rear-mounted engine

5sp Wilson semi-automatic pneumo-cyclic self changing gears

5sp Wilson semi-automatic pneumo-cyclic self changing gears

The bus was purchased with an overheating problem, which we tracked down to a leaking injector housing tube which was allowing cylinder compression to enter the cooling system. This was a comparatively easy repair, but like all things Leyland, bloody expensive.

Naturally nothing is "cut and dried" when it comes to a Leyland or AEC, as you can see by the rusted through injector stud that naturally snapped as we went to undo it!

AEC Injector and tube ready to refit

AEC Injector stud broken

In all, the engine performed admirably, until it self destructed without warning. Although re-buildable, we elected to graft a more modern alternative in to the bus.

AEC Rear Mount Engine