1975 Panel Restoration/Build Camper

[andrewblackwell]

There used to be one of these Swedish railcars exactly like that at a kids farm near us about 20yrs ago. Used & abused as a cafe seating area but now back in use on the Nene valley railway thankfully.
The colour looks well on your bay van, well done.
Personally I’d not do that lower black strip. My dads 1979 bay used to be painted black along its bottom few inches to hide lots of welding scars, but could equally have looked like it was hiding filler & bodges, so I think yours is best left at the stage you’ve reached.

 

[Michael Björk]

There used to be one of these Swedish railcars exactly like that at a kids farm near us about 20yrs ago. Used & abused as a cafe seating area but now back in use on the Nene valley railway thankfully.
The colour looks well on your bay van, well done.
Personally I’d not do that lower black strip. My dads 1979 bay used to be painted black along its bottom few inches to hide lots of welding scars, but could equally have looked like it was hiding filler & bodges, so I think yours is best left at the stage you’ve reached.

You are probably right. I painted the bumper black. The registration plate is a bummer though, but can’t do anything about that..

I am now struggling with the sliding door. New rubber seal, and I cannot close it. Maybe I should have bought the more expensive one? Only it’s close to €200, 4 times tge one I got.

I wonder if one can adjust the locking mechanism in the back end of the door to latch on easier?

Same with the tailgate. It catches on to the new rubber seal at the top and rips it off. If I loosen the 4 bolts it works, but when I tighten them it goes back to doing the same thing again.

Clocking out for today, worn out for now!

 

[matty74]

Looks great

 

[Michael Björk]

There used to be one of these Swedish railcars exactly like that at a kids farm near us about 20yrs ago. Used & abused as a cafe seating area but now back in use on the Nene valley railway thankfully.
The colour looks well on your bay van, well done.
Personally I’d not do that lower black strip. My dads 1979 bay used to be painted black along its bottom few inches to hide lots of welding scars, but could equally have looked like it was hiding filler & bodges, so I think yours is best left at the stage you’ve reached.

Would be very interesting to see a picture of that rail car if possible!

this van actually had that reinforcing/protecting black tape along the whole bottom sides when I started. I have sanded most of it down, but it will show if you look close.

 

[Michael Björk]

So, this is where we are now. Waiting for the glass guy to fit the front and back window with new rubber seals, then it’s time for a test drive in the fog.

I’m happy with it as is now, it’s my first project and I am slightly limited in time, so there will be things to point at, but I’m ok with that.

My goal is to have a functional, sort of nice bus to spend the summer with my son in. Next goal is to spend a few more summers like that, but let’s start with this upcoming one

Being kind of a rookie, and not good at engines (yet!) I feel a bit unsure about taking longer drives, not knowing what shape the engine is in. It starts very easily, sounds good, leaks a little bit of oil (after I changed oil and filter, so that’s on me) and the ignition is a little bit off. It pops and coughs in 3rd gear when accelerating. I need a stroboscope yes.

Supposedly, it’s been “gone thru” by the previous owner, who I trust well. But as I said, I have absolutely no idea what to check more than that.

Is there a crash course on the subject?


/ Mid Life Micke

 

[andrewblackwell]

Hi Michael,

Try this link below. Somebodies Flickr photo of it static at the kids farm near me.

 

[ozziedog]

Hi, you are spot on in your summing up. No, it shouldn’t cough or pop in any gear so it sounds like you’ll need to maybe take it to an air cooled specialist initially to get a decent tune up. This will include setting the timing and points along with adjusting the tappets (valve clearances) and cleaning and gapping your spark plugs. My first thoughts are to the oil which is the life blood of any air cooled motor. If you’ve just changed your oil and filter and now you are leaking, might be best to recheck what you have done and to make sure that all mating surfaces are clean and flat before fitting together. Oil filters usually benefit from a light smear of oil over the seal both sides . When it comes to the oil, check your oil level when the motor is stone cold and before you start him up. Fill to the top level on the stick but not above and only when cold. Do this every single time . When you’ve travelled some, let’s say 20 - 50K , let your engine cool completely before checking the oil as above. If however you are on a longer journey then check the engine when warm but allow for your oil to be slightly down from the full mark when you top up. Don’t be tempted to overfill your motor as you may incur damage. Do this on every journey and soon you will learn how much oil your motor uses. Every motor uses oil and burns oil and all are different depending on the state of the motor, how well tuned it is, and how hard you push that pedal down. Mine needs topping up every few thousand miles but I can use oil every trip if I keep that pedal hard down.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,small steps at first bud