Spring Valley Bus meets Corvair

Looks Like I have found a work-around on the ongoing belt-slip issues. When the Zig is switched to On-Site thus disconnecting the LB from the MB the alternator puts out 14.4volts without a problem. I did around 230 trouble free miles last weekend, stopped for fuel, moved the van around the site on various occasions each without a problem. This is because the resistance on the 63A alternator when it is under load i.e trying to charge a big leisure battery is to much for the belt to cope with, the original alt in the 60s was only 37amp but are no longer available new, so I will keep an eye open for a chevvy 37amp Delco alt but in the meantime will continue to trickle charge the battery at home.

creationblue said:

Looks Like I have found a work-around on the ongoing belt-slip issues. When the Zig is switched to On-Site thus disconnecting the LB from the MB the alternator puts out 14.4volts without a problem. I did around 230 trouble free miles last weekend, stopped for fuel, moved the van around the site on various occasions each without a problem. This is because the resistance on the 63A alternator when it is under load i.e trying to charge a big leisure battery is to much for the belt to cope with, the original alt in the 60s was only 37amp but are no longer available new, so I will keep an eye open for a chevvy 37amp Delco alt but in the meantime will continue to trickle charge the battery at home.

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Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,glad you’ve put that saga to bed.

I will get the van out this weekend and go for a drive and test my theory some more. The annual trip to Cornwall is looming and it will be a much more enjoyable trip knowing I have put this to bed

Charging is still working so I am confident that it is now under control and feel much happier about jumping in the bus and driving it anywhere.

Decided to swap the Red9 new (2021 purchased) bevel box over the weekend, unbolted everything then remembered why I didn't change it before There is a flange coupling that attaches to the rubber coupler that is bespoke to the Red9 kit and my last attempt to hit it off the old box with a hammer failed, as did this weekends attempt! I will need to get another or take the bevel box to a workshop and use a bearing puller, so that's a job for another time (again!).

New bevel box v old design


The flange that needs to be removed is circled. Will get damaged if hit to hard…


Whilst I was there I changed the rubber coupling, its been on there a number of years so I fully expected the worse, but no, in fact it was perfect! It was identical to the new one other than it had VW stamped on it. I changed it anyway whilst I was there and wished I never bothered as now the steering wheel isn't straight
Whilst the front end was jacked up I noticed that the front NS wheel had some movement in it, the ball joints were good so nipped up the locking nut holding the hub on, the manual says don't do it to tight and that the washer should be able to move with the help of a screwdriver so will give it a week and check again.
Another thing I noticed is that one coilover had lowered itself presumably due to vibration, I had to raise it a full inch on the passenger side to level it up, and whilst I was there I put the dampers on their softest setting, I had in my mind that having them set to firm would stop the tyre hitting the arch on fast undulating roads but recently rethought it and concluded that was the springs job! The ride is now much better!
I will jack up the rear end this week and check the engine/gearbox connecting bolts for tightness, if you remember this time last year they were all loose (one missing) and I have terrible judder in reverse and the box was jumping out of 4th! Will be checking engine mounts and fuel lines at the same time!

I just think you don’t hit it hard enough. I’ve a rather vast selection of hitting things nicely implements at mine should you ever decide to stop faffing about with it and give him a proper nudge.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,hope this rain stops soon.

Had a gear selection issue over the last couple of years, nothing major but the selector was hesitant in getting into 2nd whereas it was always perfect over the years. Now I had a Gene Berg with the Corvair motor and the 6Rib box but it became rattley over time due to a vibration that I couldn’t seem to find so went back to the OG shifter which solved the rattle making long trips more enjoyable.
In investigating a couple of issues over the last few years I’ve changed all the gear link bushes, went to a rebuilt 3rib box and adjusted the shifter plate a few times to compensate but never managed to nail it.
So now that I’ve sorted most of the niggling problems I adjusted the plate again last week only to notice I then lost the reverse lockout lol. So this morning I took the gearstick out, degreased it all and reassembled. Reverse lock is now back and the shifts seem good, mainly as I marked the position of the plate years ago, and it was nowhere near where I had it (couldn’t see the mark until the shifter was out the bus). When reading how to adjust the plate is says something like but the bus in 2nd, loosen the plate and move it up and to the right. My new position is further back than this, will give it a test run later and see for sure how it changes



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This morning I had the horn...........

................in my hand, as it stopped working recently! Seems there is no live feed to the switch which is annoying! The steering wheel horn push must have given up a long time ago as there has been a button on the dash ever since I have owned the bus. So I took the fuse box cover off for the first time in 17years of ownership to check the fuses and all are good. So this means the feed to the horn could come from anywhere! I will see if I can chase back the cable later to find its source and with a bit of luck it will be a dodgy connection rather than a bust horn.

The switched 12V feed goes to the horn, the switch is in the ground side of the circuit.

Cheers for this, more than likely that they stole a live from somewhere under the dash, will check it out

Its that time of year where I load the van up to within an inch of its life and drive the 160 odd miles down the M5. I will empty all the cuttlery/crockery and fill the cupboards with clothes and footware! Suitcases on the roofrack, copious amounts of beauty products (for the girls honestly), even a BMX will get stuffed in the back along with 5 adults and a dog! And get this, I will probably get around 20mpg out of it, well on the downhill sections anyway

creationblue said:

Its that time of year where I load the van up to within an inch of its life and drive the 160 odd miles down the M5. I will empty all the cuttlery/crockery and fill the cupboards with clothes and footware! Suitcases on the roofrack, copious amounts of beauty products (for the girls honestly), even a BMX will get stuffed in the back along with 5 adults and a dog! And get this, I will probably get around 20mpg out of it, well on the downhill sections anyway

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Pic fully loaded....

600 trouble free miles and 25mpg. Ended up going in two cars as the dog crate took up all the room in the van!
Used the bus as the daily whilst we were there and it was a pleasure to drive now everything is working as it should! Even got the stat on the Westy fridge working whilst I was there. Talking of which, the fridge did 9hrs on the leisure battery on Saturday, I had 10.9 volts indicated on the display but the zig red warning light wasn't illuminated and this comes on at 11volts, so it was close. For anyone that is interested the Westy fridge is an absorption type that pulls 5amp @ 12v and the battery is 110Ahr.

I was so impressed I decided to go to Skegvegas this coming weekend, can't wait for the 4hr drive

creationblue said:

600 trouble free miles and 25mpg. Ended up going in two cars as the dog crate took up all the room in the van!
Used the bus as the daily whilst we were there and it was a pleasure to drive now everything is working as it should! Even got the stat on the Westy fridge working whilst I was there. Talking of which, the fridge did 9hrs on the leisure battery on Saturday, I had 10.9 volts indicated on the display but the zig red warning light wasn't illuminated and this comes on at 11volts, so it was close. For anyone that is interested the Westy fridge is an absorption type that pulls 5amp @ 12v and the battery is 110Ahr.

I was so impressed I decided to go to Skegvegas this coming weekend, can't wait for the 4hr drive

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Might be a bit longer than four hours on a summer time Friday bud. It’ll be fine.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,nearly here.

ozziedog said:

Might be a bit longer than four hours on a summer time Friday bud. It’ll be fine.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,nearly here.

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Took us the best part of 6 1/2 hours last year.

creationblue said:

600 trouble free miles and 25mpg. Ended up going in two cars as the dog crate took up all the room in the van!
Used the bus as the daily whilst we were there and it was a pleasure to drive now everything is working as it should! Even got the stat on the Westy fridge working whilst I was there. Talking of which, the fridge did 9hrs on the leisure battery on Saturday, I had 10.9 volts indicated on the display but the zig red warning light wasn't illuminated and this comes on at 11volts, so it was close. For anyone that is interested the Westy fridge is an absorption type that pulls 5amp @ 12v and the battery is 110Ahr.

I was so impressed I decided to go to Skegvegas this coming weekend, can't wait for the 4hr drive

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Took me 4 hrs last year from Suffolk

We’re leaving at 10.30 so no rush lads

Came up with an idea of seeing if I can fit the Waeco compressor cool box in the housing of the Westy Berlin fridge. I have an electric fridge in the van but it uses 5amp per hour whereas the Waeco uses 0.64amp (at ambient 32deg C)
I dug out the non-electric spare unit I had in the shed and early rough measurements look like the complete Waeco will fit in the Westy carcass if I strip out the interior. Even the vent lines up, would have to figure out a way of extending the thermostat/power controls which sit on the bottom side panel but shouldn’t be to difficult.

Will look into it further when I get some time

Whilst looking to see a picture of the CB radio I have in the garage as I will be installing it again as @ozziedog recons he can tune the aerial at get it working, I discovered that I've had the Corvair motor in the bus for 10 freaking years!!!!
I honestly can't believe it has been that long!

Ok so these arrived today. Can finally loose the adaptors on the rear and give the rear brakes some overdue love

creationblue said:

Ok so these arrived today. Can finally loose the adaptors on the rear and give the rear brakes some overdue love

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Very nice. Are you keeping same wheels or on the hunt for some new wheels.