Buddy the bus: 69 Dormobile

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So, not updated this in a while, but since last time I got the new stub axle on, unfortunately the brake drum was also worn so needed to be replaced....
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And then some fresh blood...
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And then built a bar for my summerhouse from pallets...
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Made a washing machine drum into a fire...
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And then it was time for Oh So Retro, a one day show around 45 minutes away from me in Margate. Good mix of motors, anything pre-1990 from memory. A good turn out despite a couple of showers...
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This attracted a lot of attention...
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Asked my nipper to choose his favourite motor of the show, and he chose this...
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...a bloody Capri! Free to a good home: 7 year old boy with terrible taste in cars.



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I always used to use the VR 1 oil but valvoline changed the formula and it no longer has the same amount of ZDDP in it which it critical for longevity in a flat tappet engine.

All the engine we build and fit now we use Lucas 20/50 hot rod racing oil. Quite expensive but your lifters and cam will thank you.
 
K@rlos said:
I always used to use the VR 1 oil but valvoline changed the formula and it no longer has the same amount of ZDDP in it which it critical for longevity in a flat tappet engine.

All the engine we build and fit now we use Lucas 20/50 hot rod racing oil. Quite expensive but your lifters and cam will thank you.

Thanks for the heads-up, it'll only be in there for a few thousand miles but I'll look at the Lucas for the next change. Funny how manufacturers change specifications down and don't feel obliged to publicise it like they do when they "improve", same as the Fram spin-off filters, always used to be good but they are hit and miss now so I've switched out of these too.
 
Bluesnailman said:
!!! The son you always promised yourself !!!

(Pretty sure u wouldn't have chosen a VW van myself at that age, Maserati - now there's a name for a car)

There were so many awesome motors there, the photos only capture a few of what was there, I would have been happy with so many others he could have chosen. That said, at least he enjoys walking around and looking a cars, and knows what he likes.
 
SiDev said:
K@rlos said:
I always used to use the VR 1 oil but valvoline changed the formula and it no longer has the same amount of ZDDP in it which it critical for longevity in a flat tappet engine.

All the engine we build and fit now we use Lucas 20/50 hot rod racing oil. Quite expensive but your lifters and cam will thank you.

Thanks for the heads-up, it'll only be in there for a few thousand miles but I'll look at the Lucas for the next change. Funny how manufacturers change specifications down and don't feel obliged to publicise it like they do when they "improve", same as the Fram spin-off filters, always used to be good but they are hit and miss now so I've switched out of these too.

I’ve never had an issue with Fram filters. Used them on VW’s for years and never had a failure which was the filters fault. Seen the seals pop out when the engine has had excessive oil pressure due a poorly thought out oil system or stuck pressure relief plungers.
 
Well like most people, not a lot has happened this year, by now we would normally have done about 4-5 shows and been away for 6-7 weekends, but no cigar.
We did manage a holiday though, went up to stay with friends in Norfolk, spent a week there and had our own, socially distanced, festival in their garden...
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Facilities included a hot tub...
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One of our friends did henna for the kids, and then the Dads once we were pissed...
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Spent a day out on the Broads in a dinghy...
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Had a great week and then headed down to Harwich for the overnight ferry to the Hook of Holland...
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My nippers first time on a ferry, he was chuffed...
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We then had a very hot drive for nearly 2 hours down to our campsite in Zeeland, cracking site just 1 mile from a lovely town full of decent restaurants and a few bars, and very close to a huge sand beach...
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Turned the van off after the long drive while we checked in, came back out minutes later and it wouldn’t even turn over, rocking it in gear did nothing so got under and tapped the starter motor solenoid with a spanner and it started on the button, hasn’t done it before or again since so won’t worry about it for now, my second bay did it quite often which was a pain.
Cooked on the Cobb most nights as the sun went down...
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Plenty of cycling, beach time, beach bars and hanging out as a family, it’s what life’s about right?

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The government added the Netherlands to the quarantine list just before we came back, so we came back to being house-bound for 2 weeks, but it was worth it for a 2 week break. The last show I’ve got a space at not to cancelled yet is Oh So Retro, so fingers crossed that’s still on.
Got a list of jobs I want to do on the bus over the autumn and winter, so I’ll get it booked in and done ready for (hopefully) a more normal year in 2021.


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Good shout Si, I’ll get it in the air at some point this week and have a look.


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mike202 said:
Great pics you picked a nice week. [emoji3][emoji274]

I’m getting hungry looking at your bbq [emoji23]


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Thanks Mike, really very lucky with the weather both here and in Holland, perfect for the barbie...


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mike202 said:
Great pics you picked a nice week. [emoji3][emoji274]

I’m getting hungry looking at your bbq [emoji23]


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+1
 
Perfect, just perfect 8) I usually get the opposite. Great weather forecasts and the weather crumbles in front of my very eyes as I get the van out of the garage :lol:
Looks like everyone had a great time too.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,thanks for the great pics :mrgreen:
 
Well, long time no update, but it has been a funny old year, eh?
I’ve had a rolling list of things that I have wanted doing for a while now, and having written this years camping trips off I made a start.
First up was the new alloys, bought these a couple of years ago from Heritage and planned to change the wheels when I needed new tyres. I opened one up when they arrived to check they were the right ones in the right colour and then stuck them in the loft. Took them in to have tyres fitted last week and when unboxing them the fitter found one was damaged. F*ck!
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Called Heritage and they said it shouldn’t be an issue as I had only just opened them, but then they back-tracked on email and said they would only give me a small discount on a new one that wouldn’t be in stock for 2 months. I was a bit p*ssed off to say the least. Maybe I should have checked them all when they arrived, then again maybe they should have checked them before they were shipped. Anyway, Machine7 to the rescue and a new one is on its way. I’ve always found Heritage quality to be hit and miss anyway, so will stick to Machine7, Limebug and Cool Air from now on.
So, shopping list was new fuel tank and sender along with the rubber tube that runs from the filler to the tank. I’ve had a stutter at low revs and although the 009 dizzy could be responsible, I also think some crap from the bottom of the tank has been getting through...
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CSP breather box, new heat exchanger...
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Stage 1 clutch, main oil seal and oil cooler seals and Wix spin-on oil filter (a mate had a Fram one fail on him) from RJ Volks Performance, who were great and well priced with quick delivery....
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Valvoline VR1 to keep things wet and cool, and for now 3 alloys with tyres...
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And a splash of paint going on the new engine tin with the pre-heat deletes...
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Everything is now boxed up and ready for dropping off on Wednesday, should have it back for the weekend hopefully running like a top.


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Richie and Jo at RJ are superb, use them for lots of performance parts on both my own and customers buses
 
K@rlos said:
Richie and Jo at RJ are superb, use them for lots of performance parts on both my own and customers buses
They came highly recommended but unfortunately forgot to send my clutch disk, luckily the garage had something suitable. No big deal, people make mistakes.


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