So I bought a RHD 1970 Westy!

[Bushoarder]

I found this little bus on Facebook after looking on and off for years.... I had a very good 70 in the late 90s and loved it and ever since I stupidly sold it I wanted another!!

This bus is a rhd rot free westy from South Africa. It needs a lot of tlc, mainly refreshing mechanicals and tidying the interior - a nice rolling project unlike my other ongoing project:

Here is the new bus:

We've had the bus 3 weeks now and I'm gradually sorting the issues / bodges out as we go. Have given it a service and tune up as well as new fuel hoses although it runs well it has a rattle - not sure what but it's worse when warm. I suspect it's knackered

Yesterday I mounted some gauges, fitted led dash bulbs, tidied wiring up as per Bentley manual, made an electric push button washer switch and mounted the electric washer pump.

I need to wire in the gauges next and am sorting the shocking steering tomorrow with another drag link and a centre pin (idler) repair. Steering box is not great so I'll adjust it up for now.

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[Bushoarder]

The clutch cable has been shimmed a lot - I think this is probably not helping the clutch feel good; it's at the top of travel for bite so either worn out or some other issue....

Spot the m8 stud in the engine sump... that was an interesting find when changing the oil!!

Pic of new washer bottle mod:

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[Matt84]

Congratulations on your purchase!!

I also have a RHD westy from SA - we are a rare breed!

Do you have much history from your bus?

Do you have the buddy seat with the interior? It's one of my favourite parts of my bus. Looks like you're getting on well with it all anyway, keep the pics coming!

Matt

 

[Bushoarder]

Hi Matt

I didn't get any history no buddy seat as mines a non walk through and most of the interior is missing!

Will probably retire the westy interior in favour of something more modern and useable.

Tonight I eventually wired in the gauges so I now have volts, revs and temp. Just need a pressure sender and all good.

Last week I replaced the drag link, tie rods, centre swivel pin, wheel bearings and adjusted up the brakes. Drives horribly now, lurching a bit so I'm getting it tracked tomorrow then loosen off the steering box as I think it's been tightened up too much - very stiff through straight ahead.

Costing cash all over just now but I am getting there. Next job is to sort the engine situation, fix up the rattling type 1 or stick in new type 4


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[Bushoarder]

Update time..

I've been tinkering with a few bits on the bus and Friday I pulled the type 1 motor out to look for the rattle. I found broken barrels, shockingly welded up heads and small ends with massive piston pin rock. That coupled with a flickering oil light at tickover the day I drove it to the workshop sealed its fate. To top it off, when I replaced the plugs one metal insert pulled in the head.

I could have fitted new heads and some good used b&p I have in stock, but the bottom end is too clapped I think.

So I bit the bullet and....

Started to fit an upright 1800 type 4. Rush is on to get done before ebi so we can take if I'm happy with it.


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[Bushoarder]

After spending a small fortune the type 4 is now test fitted in the bus....

Long list of things to do now to get it running, but the tinware and bulk of the job is done.


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[Bushoarder]

Update time...

So I got the engine running the day before EBI but not well enough to take.

Since found the issues to be to do with the idle jet size on one carb - it's integrated with the electromagnetic cut off valve and vewee parts etc don't stock the right one.

Now bus engine is in and ready for test firing again...

Still lots of bits to do but it's almost ready for the road!!


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[Bushoarder]

Webers and fuel system plumbed in. Now I have to sort coil location and the ignition system location.

I now have a snail balancer I borrowed from my good mate so almost set to go. 5.6mm fuel hose from stock pump to the regulator and 1/4" from there to carbs. Will be going with braided at some point soon with an fittings but for now I want it mobile!!

Slowly getting on the road!!


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