Me Van

Talk about your cars etc here. Keep it sort of sensible and on topic please.
Post Reply
Crooner
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:26 am
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: Me Van

Post by Crooner »

Miles nicer to see a van in 'working' condition than an over restored show pony. A set of old wooden ladders on top of it somehow would also increase its 'wob-points' for me.
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

Finally I've found a 4.6 :1 diff for the Bedford which will make the gearing a bit more suitable for keeping up with the rest of the world. In order to put it in the halfshafts need to be withdrawn, the rest is easy.
The rear hubs on these are on a taper, same as Ford Pops and, I think, VWs. I don't like this arrangement, but that's how it is, and with the puller screwed to the threaded hub, a few whacks and it falls off. The wheel can stay bolted to the hub; after working on modern stuff recently it still surprises just how quick old vehicles are to fix.
IMG_20200117_162752393.jpg
IMG_20200117_162752393.jpg (330.35 KiB) Viewed 4774 times
IMG_20200117_162850169.jpg
IMG_20200117_162850169.jpg (52.96 KiB) Viewed 4774 times
Just four bolts to remove the brake backplate then the halfshaft slides out.
The new diff is quickly bolted in and the old oil reused. In the past I would have used new, so Greta Thunberg will be happy. No she won't, she's got vinegar in her final drive.

PS, Forgot to mention, the diff from Malta was not the same size, and another I obtained was damaged.
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

I went for a test drive last night and the gearing now feels about right. I took a celebratory picture on the bridge over the poetically-named 40 foot drain when the engine stopped which rather spoiled the moment.
IMG_20200119_164445862.jpg
IMG_20200119_164445862.jpg (303.08 KiB) Viewed 4730 times
Fuel was reaching the carb, but doesn't seem to be getting into the engine. As I was only a mile from home my wife was only too pleased to search for a towrope and come to rescue me. I'm hoping for something simple like a blocked float needle.
Last edited by cros on Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
mercrocker
Numb3rP14t3Fun
Posts: 16793
Joined: Fri May 17, 2019 2:53 pm
Has thanked: 12082 times
Been thanked: 8520 times

Re: Me Van

Post by mercrocker »

Old motors are just like kids and pets - as soon as you try and take a picture they play up.
There's a great long bar in Rock & Roll heaven.......
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

IMG_20200121_090613413_1.jpg
IMG_20200121_090613413_1.jpg (54.31 KiB) Viewed 4695 times
Took the top off the carb and there's only a dribble of petrol in the float chamber which explains why the van came to a halt.
IMG_20200120_163110873.jpg
IMG_20200120_163110873.jpg (332.94 KiB) Viewed 4695 times
When I pulled the pipe off the carb the electric pump appeared to be working, but not a healthy spurt. I put a container under the pipe and the flow soon ceased. This was traced back to a blockage in the tank. I've blown through the pipe on previous occasions and the tank looks clean inside so I suspect the dip tube is corroded and has collapsed. This is annoying because it's soldered in and is all nicely piped in copper.
IMG_20200121_090545626.jpg
IMG_20200121_090545626.jpg (38.04 KiB) Viewed 4695 times
Will have a look with the arse camera in when I've drained the tank. And removed the poxy floor...
Yet another malfunction is the acceleration jet- the van hesitates when you put your foot down. I had the same problem on an early CF 45 years ago*, and now I've seen this simple device not working maybe that was what was going on back then. There's a tiny ball in the bottom of the pump chamber, but it's free.
IMG_20200121_090856001_1.jpg
IMG_20200121_090856001_1.jpg (28.4 KiB) Viewed 4695 times
*Details in 'random shit.'
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

IMG_20200121_120333709.jpg
IMG_20200121_120333709.jpg (28.8 KiB) Viewed 4690 times
Now I'm in the tank I'll investigate why the low fuel warning light always says low fuel. (Original sender had dissolved)
IMG_20200121_120516692.jpg
IMG_20200121_120516692.jpg (37.54 KiB) Viewed 4690 times
The float is only buoyant in water, that would do it.
User avatar
fried onions
Posts: 3316
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:29 pm
Location: In my safe space (the garage).
Has thanked: 1449 times
Been thanked: 2372 times

Re: Me Van

Post by fried onions »

Low fuel warning light? That's quite a gadget for the time.
Squire Dawson


HUMBER - built stronger to last longer.
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

fried onions wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2020 4:44 pm Low fuel warning light? That's quite a gadget for the time.
Its not original, the fuel gauge was smashed and the sender was rusted away. I've used these stainless fish tank water level switches before, they've always been ok in petrol, but this one only floats in water.
The tank looked rust free, but after a colonoscopy barnacles have been sighted on the other side of the baffle which is what blocked up the fuel pipe. Tomorrow I need to fire up my special tank cleaning machine.
User avatar
cros
The Elastrator
Posts: 5704
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:58 am
Has thanked: 1897 times
Been thanked: 2113 times

Re: Me Van

Post by cros »

IMG_20200122_155348006.jpg
IMG_20200122_155348006.jpg (387.89 KiB) Viewed 4647 times
. Gravel and diesel,
IMG_20200122_160931667.jpg
IMG_20200122_160931667.jpg (60.13 KiB) Viewed 4647 times
Now block up you bastard.
DodgeRover
Posts: 13610
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:24 pm
Has thanked: 1813 times
Been thanked: 2668 times

Re: Me Van

Post by DodgeRover »

Did you work out why the float didn't float?
Post Reply