1971 Deluxe Import - A blank canvas

[georgeyv]

Have no clue if this will work... Bought a random universal washer pump
And drilled a hole in the original bottle to feed the new hose through. Didn't trust the old feed to provide enough liquid without the pressure from pumping it up...

Just need to modify the switch to make
It electric then it'll be ready to test...

 

[georgeyv]

Had to rethink the previous attempt at a washer motor, it was a pretty poor effort and was not powerful enough, especially as I had placed it so high up. Without being underneath the washer bottle with gravity on its side it didn't stand a chance of doing the job. I had another that I'd bought from JK for about £13 so I gave that a bash. Much more powerful - also had lugs so it could be fitted without the dodgy jubilee clip.

I installed and tested - ended up soaking the floor behind the van as the motor is powerful and the washer jets were badly aimed!

Also took the opportunity while things were in bits to modify the washer switch to run an electric button. Such a cracking swap. Took about 20 mins including soldering a couple of little tails on so I could fit proper spade connectors.

Cost nothing as I already had all the bits lying around.

[photobucket]http://vid1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/GeoVdub/C4B844CE-6BC8-4318-BEBA-6610ECEC89AF_zpsykfjs6gi.mp4[/photobucket]

 

[georgeyv]

Well...

The MOT was an interesting one - my record of a total of 18 fail points got smashed out of the ballpark this time round.

32 fail points.

Lots of them braking related
Steering coupling knackered
Little bit of welding
No horn, hazard lights, front indicator, full beam...
4 Ball joints
Steering joints

On the plus side...

It drove well! I drove it about 3 miles to the test centre - made sure everything was pretty well operational first and it was pretty good - brakes were crap but worked, engine went really nicely but a blowy exhaust and a carb that needs setting up made it a little bit sluggish up the hills.

I had a great morning either way, even with the fail list as it was - it needed to be at the garage for some of the jobs so it was two birds with one stone. Will crack on and get it sorted now ready for a re-test an registered on the road! Hopefully...

 

[admwllms]

Great to see it out on the road, shame about the MOT failures but if it drives well I reckon that's half the battle! I had the same issue with the electrics/lights but couldn't do it myself so asked that Iain Aircooled Elec from Wigan to sort it for me, he was great.

 

[georgeyv]

Cheers dude will give him a shout if I get chance.

Are you over in Spain now? Hope alls well with you and the family!

 

[admwllms]

Yeah we're here now and all doing great, thanks mate!

 

[StinkBomber]

32 fails is an impressive total!
Good, fun death-ride i reckon :mrgreen:
You'll be sorted and legal in no time

 

[georgeyv]

I gave in and let the garage tackle the fail list.

Most of it was actually pretty trivial. It needed a new servo and a massive brakes overhaul which I was expecting - I knew if I took it back to continue the work myself I wouldn't have it registered before winter and my plan is to be able to drive it to and from work so I can work on it in our unit and keep dry!

It drove great, first gear is a pain in the arse. The carb seems to stick on fast idle but think that's an accelerator cable problem (kinked really bad and snagging in the tube through the fan shroud)

Need to crack the polish out and get on with it properly now!

I got it back to work and used our jetwash to clean a little bit of muck out of the doors (there was a good couple of kilos of damp sand/mud in the door bottoms and knew that would spell trouble over winter so just blasted it out)

 

[gvee]

Rad 8)

Is the other seat welded in there?

 

[georgeyv]

Not yet! Just chucked it in for now - need to get someone to weld it in and do a proper job on the drivers side!

 

[gvee]

I'm sure we can manage that!
I did get assistance welding mine in, but I did do a fair amount of it myself. Come inspect the work some time if you want

 

[Webbaldo]

Looking good mate!

Im doing the opposite, replacing, reconditioning all the mechanics then get an MOT and see what I messed up

 

[georgeyv]

Just had a few hours fettling the bus, nothing too major but gave the dash another scrub. I'll need to do it a few more times to get it to clean up proper but it looks better already.

Fitted new heater levers and glove box - I have a new handbrake handle to fit but struggling to get the pin out. No amount of hammering was getting it out so will try find a G clamp to squeeze it out instead. Looks a total piece of dump until I sort it though!!

New glovebox from JK fitted absolutely no problem. Was expecting to have to trim to fit but popped in no problems.

New levers looking swish - another JK 'preservation parts' purchase. Very pleased.

Handbrake handle looking a bit ridiculous.

 

[georgeyv]

A great day today - Log book arrived. Just need to go to the post office to 'tax' the van.

A few other bits arrived too including my absolutely gourmet top of the range head unit*

*that's a lie. needed something dirt cheap so I didn't get too told off by my pregnant other half.

Should be able to plug the iphone into it and keep it all hidden away in a buddy box or under the dash - not quite decided yet.

Also re-considering my interior. Currently have a campmobile interior but may have to go full width due to the current addition to the family being half way here. We would've happily slept 3 with a cab bunk but this is going to make 4 so will be difficult.

 

[StinkBomber]

Cool reg!
Nunber plate time :mrgreen:

 

[slammed72]

Hey bud if you decide to sell the interior let me know ???

 

[georgeyv]

Number plates done, just trying to decide if I should double sided tape them on or screw them on... The front panel is too bent for it to be stuck on so that might have to go on the dashboard till I find the right bracket for the front bumper!

Also, as much as I'd like to, I can't call the van BIG J - My better half Jemma would be more than a touch offended!

 

[slammed72]

I work at Landy, when I come over I will bring some of our sticky fixers over.

Holds my plate a treat and my front panel is a tad wonky to say the least !!!

 

[gvee]

She can just be referred to as "Little J" then

Must catch up with you soon, pal!

 

[georgeyv]

Got the passenger side seat rails welded in today - had to remove the old brackets which was fairly straightforward but then welding isn't my strong point so it looks pretty ropey - it's nice and strong though! Will be painting the seat rails soon to get me by until I respray the full cab floor/seat tubs.