Post by grumpynorthener on Mar 20, 2024 7:00:13 GMT
I was keen to get the underbody protection applied to the wings these were various shades of primer and with the van being displayed it needed to look the part
With the van up on stands / masked off & wheels removed Dinitrol underbody wax was applied - its filthy job but very much worthwhile
It takes the appearance of a factory finish too
Now back on its feet and ready for trailer collection this morning - I'll be applying a cavity wax to the rest of the underside / drivetrain areas when the van returns from the show for the final jobs / commissioning - Right then rest of my ramblings for yesterday are in Restoration Show thread in The Paddock Section
Post by grumpynorthener on Mar 31, 2024 20:56:17 GMT
Back from the Restoration Show - I'll now work my through the remaining jobs prior to handover
What little fuel that was remaining in the tank was drained - Its been there a few years and will be stale
The toolbox panel has been removed - whilst to the original pattern it unfortunately prevents the drivers seat coming back far enough to suit Trevor who owns the van
New toolbox panel fabricated with a rebate that allows the seat to be adjusted further back
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 3, 2024 8:01:25 GMT
Paul our club registrar for the Bradford model has been on the hunt amongst his collection of spares and came up with a pair of original grab handles for the front doors along with the outer collar for the steering column - All covered in surface rust but would clean back ok - then treated with Hydrate 80
Toolbox panel, handles & collar now treated / prepped & ready for primer
Many owners work on the assumption that the fitting of new screen / glass rubbers alone will prevent water ingress
In the vast majority of cases rubber glazed vehicles will be subjected to water leaks if a propriety sealer is not used on both sides of the rubber
It also needs to be the correct sealer - Urethane (Tiger seal / Sikaflex) will not work - nor will any silicone based sealers or any other over priced wonder / miracle cure found on the shelves of certain motorist discount centres - Only a non setting oil based sealer is suitable for rubber glazed vehicles
Its a messy process - You will find the application easier if you warm the sealer tube up first on a radiator - I clean the excess off with a plastic non marking body filler spreader - followed by spirit wipe / panel wipe and a fine plastic non marking trim tool
Then ideally leave for a few days just whilst the sealer air dries a little then clean up again
Off to get some primer on the loose prepped parts then - more soon
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 8, 2024 7:08:56 GMT
I've connected the battery and started to check through the systems
Sidelamps front
And rear are operational
Headlamps dipped & main beam are ok
Reversing lamp
Brake lights (also illuminate when the handbrake is applied)
Interior light has an integral switch but I've also wired it into the ignition switch so it cant be left on by mistake
Panel lights also ok but aren't that bright (they never were) Horn works & the starter engages ok - I have other circuits to check out today - namely the ignition by checking I have a spark at the points & plugs - Indicator circuit along with the trafficators require checking and the wiper motor is also on the list - more later
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 9, 2024 9:57:29 GMT
Spent most of yesterday tracing electrical faults that weren't of my own making
Nearside rear indicator
Traced to a broken lead on the bulb holder - really annoying as this is new - was expensive but in reality its untested / built cheaply probably in some far away country - Huge problem here is that there is little alternative on the market - jobs like this can eat in to time schedules and I've always found it very difficult / uncomfortable / awkward to onward charge clients for this type of fault
Both front indicators again new had broken insulation in the fittings causing them to earth out - eventually resolved - Yes I could take them off and return them to the supplier but by the time I've fault traced / diagnosed - its quicker for me to resolve the issue than wait around for several days whilst new units are delivered and even then there is no guarantee that the replaced units would be supplied without the same faults
Indicators are on temporary relays - I have a new pair due for delivery in the next 24 hours - There's a LED repeater lamp on the dashboard as the switch is non self cancelling
Reversing lamp which is a manually switched also has a warning lamp on the dashboard
Trafficators work on a separate switched circuit to that of the indicators - I' have dashboard mounted LED warning lights on order for the circuit
Nearside trafficator was sticking when switched - further investigation found a broken lens stalk
I keep some spares so I was in a position to resolve the issue
The ignition circuit has been checked so I'll add some fuel to the tank today and see if I can get the engine started
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 10, 2024 5:57:55 GMT
Fuel tank filled and I attempted to draw fuel to the pump but got nowhere
With the top removed from the pump I filled the pump housing in order to prime it but then noticed fuel leaking from the flexible connection at both ends hence the pump was drawing air rather than fuel
After several attempts at getting the flexible connector to seal at either end and failing I removed it and made my own flexible connector up
Fuel up to the carburettor
Along with a proven working fuel gauge
A couple of failed attempts on starting the engine initially - I went through and checked everything on the ignition side - removed and cleaned the plugs which were a little sooty - once the plugs were refitted the engine started straight up - oil pressure at 40 lb which is good for one of these and the charging light out confirming that the dynamo & regulator box were working - I have a video of the running engine that I'll upload later when I get back in from a road trip that I'm just heading out on
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 12, 2024 7:05:13 GMT
Battery has now been fully fitted along with its strap
And the passenger seat fitted which is hinged but not adjustable - drivers seat I refitted on new adjustable seat guides which I have now tweaked to ease the operation - Delivery date for the van is now in the diary in order to work around the owners holiday / other commitments
Trevor fully intends to get the van out & about - he resides in Devon in a small village and in order to get the van out to shows that are further afield he expressed an interest in a trailer to facilitate this - we took some measurements along to Woodford Trailers (who built my trailer) They had a stand at the NEC Restoration Show - They had the perfect trailer size on display and a deal was done - Its now ready for collection from the factory
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 17, 2024 7:49:17 GMT
I've had a grease around all the nipples but there's also a lot of clevis pins & yolks in the braking system I always like to grease these to prevent them from seizing / wear
Rolled outside into the sun
Whilst the front door handles were painted in Old English White
And the new toolbox panel in black
Along with the correct steering column bracket - Off to investigate the seized clutch plate which appears to have bonded its self to the flywheel face through standing
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 18, 2024 7:31:07 GMT
With the rear axle raised on to axle stands
And the clutch depressed I left the van running in gear to warm up - the trick once warm is to blip the throttle a few times and hopefully the clutch should break free - Well it didn't in first gear nor second gear but in with third gear engaged a quick blip and it did the trick
Trafficator warning lamps arrived and they were fitted to the dashboard
The new indicator relays also arrived and were fitted resulting in the indicators on both sides operating at the same speeds rather than the wayward speeds that they were at on the temporary relays - Under dash wiring could now be grouped and fastened up
And the correct steering column bracket fitted to the dashboard
Revised toolbox panel fitted and the lid shortened
Which now allows the drivers seat to come much further back
Correct door handles now fitted to the front doors
Trafficator warning lamps checked for operation
Still have the finishing touches to sort alongside a paint issue that I'm not happy with on the drivers door - road test and valet - However I'm very nearly there
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 19, 2024 10:15:06 GMT
The chassis & drivetrain was built by previous owners - It would appear to be to largely acceptable standards with exception of the quality of the paint on the drive train & chassis - I adjusted the brakes which is a rod system operated through front & rear mechanical compensators - the system needs to be kept in balance to ensure brake efficiency
Offside front door I wasn't happy with and this has been repainted - Off now to give it a flat & polish
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 20, 2024 8:40:48 GMT
Paint on the offside front door was flatted & polished
Then fitted back up with the door mirror & handle
Trade plates on and then out on road test - It handles completely different than any modern with steering that has mind of its own which requires concentration espeically with the state of our roads currently
Oil pressure drops slightly when hot but to a quite acceptable 35 psi
Now back in the workshop and up on stands / masking cover applied for the underbody / chassis cavity wax to be applied
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 21, 2024 9:02:13 GMT
3 litres of Dinitrols finest cavity wax protection was applied to the underside / drive train / suspension areas
It gets everywhere so its good idea to mask everything up - even the workshop floor
Liberally applied - its transparent so no thick black goo to chip through if you want to access anything - it dries to a soft shell cover so just wipe the area clean that you wish to access
Once back on its wheels the smaller surface areas on the upper body were treated with a different product applied by aerosol
Around the bulkhead area along with the bonnet hinges
Around the door hinges too
Along with the flange where the wheel rim joins the centre - these are riveted together and form the prefect rust trap
The paint has now received a third stage polish & the glass has been cleaned
Just a light interior valet and its ready for loading to the trailer
Post by grumpynorthener on Apr 21, 2024 20:15:16 GMT
With the interior valet done I applied a paint protection polymer to the external paint finishes
This is a product called Supagard - applied direct from the sponge - the polymer is encapsulated within the sponge you just have to pierce the sachet and damp the sponge - apply over the paint and leave to dry to a haze - then simply wipe off the haze - job done and offers great protection against everyday road use
I applied the cavity wax to the inner rolled edge of the hubcaps - then fitted the caps for the photo's
Trundled the van down the lane for the pics
And there it is - all done - Not everybody's cup of tea, and it wont be breaking any speed records but its whatever you personally enjoy - I have a strong feeling that Trevor who owns it will be very happy and will obtain lots of use out of it
