1967 Neptune Blue Deluxe

[gninnam]

It is a bitch of a job but worth it and looking at the pic, not too much damage under there!

 

[sparkywig]

There's a bit of rot in a couple of places where it was sitting on the sand for 40 years, but the chassis is sound.

 

[Graham L]

Sounds similar to ours when we did it back in 2011, it took 3 weeks with it on its side to get rid of the combination of under seal, sand and dirt, we found painting it with diesel softened it up enough to remove and then a wipe down with brake cleaner etc to get rid of the residue

 

[sparkywig]

I bought another '68 bay last week.



It apparently went for media blasting and came back as a collection of parts.
So there will be a few things for sale in the coming weeks, anybody after any RHD cab seats, dash, EMPI 5 copies, etc?

 

[mcvw]

Do you have any of the airbox parts? Gaitor, rod clips, air flap clips etc?

 

[giraffeinbath]

It apparently went for media blasting and came back as a collection of parts....

Oh dear!

Is that a RHD sliding door latch in the box there?
Are the front headlamp reflectors in good condition?

 

[sparkywig]

Oh dear!

Is that a RHD sliding door latch in the box there?
Are the front headlamp reflectors in good condition?

I'm going through all the parts next weekend, all the RHD bits will be surplus to requirements.

 

[mcvw]

£130 of sound deadening later....







Roof holes plugged,



and parts delivery.

**** the bed, that's a lot of sound deadening! A few questions... What brand did you use? Did you cover the entire (or as much of) the surface of each panel? Did you do above the engine/rear hatch and cargo floor areas Approx how many rolls did you need?

 

[sparkywig]

**** the bed, that's a lot of sound deadening! A few questions... What brand did you use? Did you cover the entire (or as much of) the surface of each panel? Did you do above the engine/rear hatch and cargo floor areas Approx how many rolls did you need?

I'm using this, I bought 8 rolls and have used 3 so far.
I'm planning to cover every square inch of exposed panels, including all the cargo floor and engine tray after all the welding has been completed.

 

[mcvw]

I'm using this, I bought 8 rolls and have used 3 so far.
I'm planning to cover every square inch of exposed panels, including all the cargo floor and engine tray after all the welding has been completed.

I was looking at something very similar - Dodo mat DEADN (which is £60 a roll, but is 60cm x 583cm) - I'm not planning to cover every square inch of the bus (maybe 50% of each panel) so perhaps 2 rolls is enough?

 

[sparkywig]

Project "get the deluxe mobile" started today.
Part I; find, rebuild and fit a steering column and bracket.
Found one in my parts haul, stripped and ready for refurb.



It took ages to strip the column bracket and floor shroud of household gloss white. Almost wish I'd never started it, in the end a scraper, cheekpoker 300 and blast cabinet eventually worked.

 

[sparkywig]

Finally tested negative this morning, so off to the lock up and push on with the deluxe.
Steering column outer tube, base and dash bracket etched and painted.



Inner column cleaned and repainted on the factory lines.



Just need to remove the ignition barrel from the housing, and then that can be prepped and painted.

 

[sparkywig]

Ignition housing stripped, etched and painted.



Looks like I'll have to wait a while for the paint to cure before I can reassemble it all, this damp weather isn't helping.

 

[sparkywig]

Another frustrating day. Attempted to assemble the steering column and I'm missing a couple of small items.
Another week or so delay....

 

[sparkywig]

Made a start today.
Well, I did after sorting the lock up and making room first, and then emptying the deluxe of acquired parts.
Out in the fresh air at last.



Steering column jigsaw



All together



And in situ. Stripped all the old loom and operating cables out, and removed the brake and clutch pedals and mechanisms.
Didn't do a very good job of steam cleaning it, there's still loads of accumulated sand under the cab.



Back in it's space ready for next weekend.



Really do need an early lhd steering box now, just to get it mobile.

 

[mike202]

Nice work.

 

[70-CA-Panel]

If you need to borrow a steering box I have a freshly recon unit from 20 years ago. I just haven’t had time to fit it.

 

[sparkywig]

If you need to borrow a steering box I have a freshly recon unit from 20 years ago. I just haven’t had time to fit it.

Thanks, I've got bits like that as well. The years just roll by.....
I just need it to be able to move the bus on and off a trailer so the tubs and notches, etc can be done.
I've got a late box conversion, but obviously that can't be installed until the chassis leg is modded.

 

[sparkywig]

A productive morning at the shop.



Don't know why there's loads of expanding foam around the heater duct,



but it's all gone now.



Pedals removed for refurb, and gearshift rods as well 'cos they're f*cked.



Steering box fitted (I know the nut's missing),





and column installed. Had to lose a piece of wall art though.....





All ready for tubs and notches now.

 

[sparkywig]

Early start today, sorry to the local residents. I don't think there's anything louder than dragging a trolley jack across concrete, although a pressure washer and air compressor running in tandem is up there.





Bit cleaner underneath now, although I have revealed a little additional welding at the bottom of the doglegs.