The Dark Wob

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.

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 In order to put it in the halfshafts need to be withdrawn, the rest is easy.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. 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.

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. 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.

Old motors are just like kids and pets - as soon as you try and take a picture they play up.

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. 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. 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. *Details in 'random shit.'

Now I'm in the tank I'll investigate why the low fuel warning light always says low fuel. (Original sender had dissolved) The float is only buoyant in water, that would do it.

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

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.

. Gravel and diesel, Now block up you bastard.

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