Winnie - Our 1970 Bay

[matty74]

We were out and about this weekend, our 2nd trip this year. Stayed on the Rhuallt Country Park in Wales (just at the bottom of the big hill before Rhyl)
It’s a lovely site, highly recommend it.

We ventured out on Saturday to Llandudno West Shore Beach and had a great day there. On the way something happened with the gear change when shifting to 3rd (had to go a lot further forward to get it in) ... then when we came to leave the beach, I had no reverse [emoji85]

Fanny’d about for a while with the shifter (I’ve got an Empi Hurst type) but no matter where I put it reverse was just not happening. Had a look underneath and everything was moving, muff coupling intact (just wanted to get fanny ‘d and muff in the same paragraph [emoji23]) Incidentally we’d reversed off the pitch that morning no problem.

I’m thinking, it’s either something with the Shifter itself or the Front Rod, as there’s a lot of play all of a sudden, so I’ve ordered both from JK.

Managed to get home with all 4 forward gears no problem, but we’re 2 trips and 2 issues (after the stub axle problem on the last trip) so far this year [emoji85] I guess not knowing the full history of the vehicle will always throw up these kind of things and until things have been replaced, you will never know when they were last replaced etc.

Anyway, we had a fab time regardless of that, and it all adds to the excitement [emoji106] that’s my philosophy anyway [emoji23]

Couple at the beach on the last day, I’d cheekily rolled back into position due to the lack of reverse [emoji12]

Think we saw Jack Sparrow’s T4 at the beach on Saturday [emoji23]

Don’t try one of those new fangled air filled lounging cushions after a few beers ... or this happens !!

The journey home ... who needs reverse gear anyway ... actually me, it gets reversed into the garage [emoji85]

Does he care? I very much doubt it [emoji23]

So she’s back in the garage and won’t be coming out of there until she’s fixed ... literally, as I’ve had to drive in forwards [emoji85]


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[Bluesnailman]

love the photos..... and the jokes....

They can be right pain in the necks, and brill the next moment.

I've had dirt in the idle circuit of the carb again!!!! arggghh. Anyway, hoping that your gear problems are just a loose coupling (i think thats the best you might hope for, after that it gets more and more involved)

 

[matty74]

Pleased to say that I managed to get my gear issues sorted, so I won’t be having to push Winnie out of the garage [emoji28]

The Culprit was the rear selector coupling thingy ... the rubbers had completely gone, so it’s fair to say we’d done pretty well to get back from Wales last weekend.

Here’s the offending item along with the necessary tools.

And here’s the New Empi Polyurethane one in place ... hopefully a little more robust than the last one, although I have no idea how long it’s actually been on the Van.

Next job, front wheel bearings ... love working on the Van, even numpties like me can fix things [emoji23][emoji85][emoji106]

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[Fernando Palmela]

This gearbox cardan does not fit puts everything in stainless steel is much better these are very fragile..............
Stainless steel

 

[matty74]

Been busy this week getting some jobs boxed off on Winnie before next weekends trip to Anglesey.

I’ve had to start a list on my phone as every time I go round to the garage (not at my house) I forget where I’m up to regarding what needs sorting next [emoji85] in layman terms, I’m getting old [emoji23].

So the gears are now sorted (sorry Fernando I can’t afford a Stainless Steel Coupling from Lime Bug) but I still had a bit of an issue with the reverse lockout plate on the Empi shifter, because of that pathetic spring that you can’t replace once broken. I quite like the shifter and up until the spring and the coupling failures, it had served me well.
I managed to sort the spring problem with a bit of garden shed technology using a couple of compression springs off 2 clothes pegs and 2 x 5mm bolts.
Works a treat and cost £1.68 for 10 pegs, so enough pegs left to hang out my undies [emoji106]

Next was front wheel bearings (OS was goosed), courtesy of some good ole Hillbilly technology, Wheel and hub off complete, makes it easy to drift out both inside and outside races. Tippy Tappy Tap new races in, pack new bearings, wheel back on ... job done[emoji106].

Next Rear OS Stub axle ... the one with the dodgy sized thread. It had worked loose again after the last trip because the splines on the brake drum were the thickness of an After Eight Mint on the inside (New CSP Drums were ordered as a result). When I stripped it all down the Rear Bearing wasn’t that great so decided to replace that too with a Febi one from Schofield’s ... I was lucky to drift out and in the races in-situ.

Anyway back to the stub axle, I noticed there were no spreader plates on any of the CV joints and 3 rounded off bolts, luckily a 12mm socket wedges nicely and snuggly over the top so managed to get them all out. At this point I decided that new drive shafts would be nice, the outside OS CV wasn’t great and the NS Inside CV joint had swarf inside so, probably justified my decision. The NS outside bolts were all loose too.

While at it I’m also replacing the rear shoes and refurbishing the brakes, as the adjusters were partially seized.

It’s been a fair chunk a of work, but totally satisfying, knowing that all these things are being found and rectified.

Just ordered spreader plates, bolts and washers for all 4 CV joints from Butty’s Bits ... great price [emoji106].

So a few things to box off before next Friday, It’s no more than the Old girl deserves [emoji106]


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[matty74]

Buttys Bits came to the rescue today

Really can’t fault that for service ... bolts, washers and spreader plates for all CV joints delivered already [emoji106]

Pre-greased drive shafts thanks to Schofield’s

All torqued up and ready to go.

Just need to finish off the nearside Drum and Brakes before Friday ... we’re well on track [emoji106]


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[matty74]

The wheels are well and truly On [emoji106]

She’s out of the garage tomorrow for a test drive, need to have the mother of all tidy ups (tools everywhere) then clean her up, possibly readjust the brakes but the best news is we’re good to go [emoji106]

Happy Days [emoji3]


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[Bundy]

that spring idea is just genius!!

 

[matty74]

Thanks for that ... it really does work a treat

Just set up in Anglesey and have to say the drive down was the quietest (van noise related) we’ve ever had ... pleased that all the graft of last few weeks has paid dividends [emoji106] and what I thought was a gearbox groan was obviously a bearing or CV joint. She drove fantastic [emoji106]


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[matty74]

Base Camp Winnie ... Overlooking Lake Bassenthwaite ... apparently the only real Lake in the Lake District according to Trivial Pursuits

Under a blood red sky

Brew with a view

I’m Spartacus

Lighting Tree

We love these weekend breaks ... thanks Winnie

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[Myvanway]

awesome pics. especially the blood red sky one. 8)

 

[mike202]

Great pics looks like a nice quiet campsite.[emoji41]

Good work on the brakes and CV joints[emoji106]


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[matty74]

Thanks for the nice comments, yes it was definitely our kind of site.

Irton House Farm Bassenthwaite ... quiet, great views and walks, good areas for dogs. It was a working farm, really nice people, they’re improving the facilities bit by bit, it’s in need of a covered washing area etc but other than that a great place to stay, really good reviews on PitchUp [emoji106].

As for working on the van, I’m a complete novice to air-cooled and I couldn’t of done half the stuff I’ve done without the help of EarlyBay [emoji106]

We’re loving the journey we are on [emoji3]


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[mike202]

Sounds like a campsite I would like [emoji1]
I’ll have to look it up thanks for sharing


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[matty74]

We’re up in Scotland near Oban on Winnie’s latest travels

We didn’t set off until 5pm Saturday (work) so decided to do an overnight stay Near Loch Lomond.

The site was available from 11:00am Highfield Holiday site in Benderloch
(About 10 miles north of Oban)

It’s a lovely quiet site, 5 minute walk to a sandy beach, lots of amenities in the village and some really good walks. We’re staying for 6 nights, only downside is, no washing up facilities, otherwise I’d give it 10 on pitch up.

Frankie having fun on the Beach, weather’s been a bit indifferent to say the least, but it’s outdoors and that’s how we like it.

Bought the hammock prior to the trip off eBay, really pleased with it (especially the colour) great for storage too. What I would say though is use better screws than the provided ones,
They’re really poor quality self tappers.

Frankie’s got his own Penthouse Apartment now too, TV’s hung off some coat peg brackets.

Also bought the under dash shelves, these are also a brilliant addition. Had to drop mine down 35mm due to where I’d mounted my fusebox, but some plastic spacers sorted that out. They’re great for storage on the go.

Altered my spring mod for the Empi shifter. The original wasn’t quite perfect, think the spring was too compressed resulting in it not staying attached to the reverse lock out plate. So I’ve shortened the springs by about 3mm and then drilled through with 3mm holes to secure the springs. Works perfect now [emoji106].

Some shots from our travels ...
Winnie clocked up 87,000 on the way back from Fort William and the Mrs drove 10 miles back down the A82 ... Happy Days [emoji106]

This wasn’t her driving with Frankie on her lap btw [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Winnie’s a rhd [emoji6]


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[JohnS]

You’ve been spotted! Last Saturday just after 1pm you were heading south between Dumbarton and the Erskine Bridge. I was on the opposite carriageway heading home and the first thing that caught my eye wasn’t the bus but the fluorescent straps on your awning bag! I see you’ve been up in my neck of the woods, hope the trip went well.

 

[matty74]

You’ve been spotted! Last Saturday just after 1pm you were heading south between Dumbarton and the Erskine Bridge. I was on the opposite carriageway heading home and the first thing that caught my eye wasn’t the bus but the fluorescent straps on your awning bag! I see you’ve been up in my neck of the woods, hope the trip went well.

That’s our first spot on here ... brilliant [emoji106] ... Were you in your van? If so, I’m gutted that we missed seeing you. I’m normally good at spotting them. We saw 4 all week, 2 x Lotus White 1 Orange and a Purple one too.

What a lovely part of the world, we had a great time and will definitely be back for more. Went to the Castle at Kilmartin one day, fab that you can just have a mooch around inside.

Yep those Kayam green handles are unmissable [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] ... we were on the long journey home when you saw us.
7hrs inc 3 stops ... didn’t think that was at all bad ... Van was flawless all week [emoji3]


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[JohnS]

Were you in your van? If so, I’m gutted that we missed seeing you. I’m normally good at spotting them. We saw 4 all week, 2 x Lotus White 1 Orange and a Purple one too.

What a lovely part of the world, we had a great time and will definitely be back for more. Went to the Castle at Kilmartin one day, fab that you can just have a mooch around inside.

No mate, I was in my Saab 900 having just picked it up from the garage. Last of the proper Saab’s before GM ruined them. I’m just south of Oban on the Isle of Seil - did you come down this way on your travels? You would’ve passed the road end on your way down to Kilmartin.

 

[matty74]

Classic Saab [emoji106] ... yep GM did that with Alfa Romeo ... luckily Alfa are making their own engines again.
Yep we came down the A861 from Oban ... blimey that’s some road if you’re not familiar with it [emoji85][emoji23]. Luckily I use Nav to preempt any big bends [emoji106]


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[JohnS]

Well next time you’re up this way Matty pop in for a cuppa. Did you make it over to Mull? There’s a great site at Fidden Farm overlooking the Sound of Iona. If you like whisky there’s always Islay - 9 distilleries to keep you busy.