Last minute van-in problems............

If you'd have asked me 48hrs ago would i be bringing my van to the van-in i would have given myself 40%.

Started with extractors on engine firing. YES
Next moved the distributor to make timing better, (MISTAKE 1) half a work day later finally got it firing again. Checked rest of exhaust it was knackered that joined the existing ones.
Found another complete exhaust in my wrecking yard out the back, then removed & put on the new headers, all good for the morning run to exhaust shop.

Up early Friday, engine fired, went too select Drive NOTHING..... checked under bonnet linkages were hitting new extractors....... NOOOOO.
Pulled everything out, moved linkages rewelded them up got motor into gear, will adjust properly later.
Drove it down too exhaust place, transmission slipping heaps, with straight headers was an interesting drive in 9am peak traffic.
Pulled in steam streaming from under bonnet, oil Dribble out of the rear transmission seal..... This day cannot get any worse.
Helped fit up exhaust, there was a few pieces missing, possibly now won't get completed today due to new bits needing to be bent up.

Picked up later that night, exhaust all completed (Yes something good today) topped up transmission fluid looked a bit milky too, bolted on a fan (that's why she overheated)
started the drive home.
Selector felt bit funny gears still slipping, then accidently i found R Reverse, four wheel skid van sideways on main road. A little bit of wee came out!!!
Limped van home, could'nt get past second gear..... Put it in the shed and kissed the chances of the van-in Goodbye.

Had Saturday off van, worked all day.......did'nt want too even look at it.

Up early Sunday, thanks for the extra hour Daylight saving finished.
Pulled out linkages, moved a few brackets rewelded again, this time everything lining up nicely.
Jacked car, decide to drain transmission completely, pulled off pan cleaned filter and start again.
Pulled out springs dropped in the 2" pedders lowering springs, everything went in smoothly.
Dropped van filled up transmission fluid few test in driveway, then hit the road, everything working beautifullly. Just need a new rear seal for tomorrow.


Hard too believe how one day of really banging ya head against a wall, still not losing sight of getting everything completed.
A day just to let everything, settle & regain some foresight.
Then BAZINGA it all slots together.

Anybody else struggling or achiving there van-in dream, not long now lads.......BRING IT ON.

Cheers Al.

Good to see you got it all soughted mate.looking forward to meeting you at the van in and yes not long to go

Regards Tony.

"leave em"wanting more!

My heart was in my throat reading that Al!

I was thinking; NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

What a nightmare of a day!

And what a monster effort to turn all that around! A lesser man would of sworn, downed tools, admited defeat, and drowned his sorrows thinking about what might have been...

Never cross a man with the determination to get where he wants to go!

Well done mate it will make the trip to Albury all the more satisfying.

Great effort Al, you da man!

I've got work to do on the WB, it's still got it's mystery symptoms that makes it carry on like it's got a blown headgasket sometimes and runs normal others.

My theory is check all levels, fit some new minor bits, cross fingers and drive to Van In, as long as it gets there, lasts the weekend and limps home I dont care if it hangs 3 rods out the block when I get home it can just sit in the carport than until I get excited again!

Needs new paint and panel after Easter anyway so might as well add new motor, brakes, diff and interior to the list.

A Huge Sigh of Relief from me Al.

I'm doing this while reading your post:

Then this:

Result!

WOW that was a massive crazy set of events! glad you have sorted it all out now though full steam ahead

I had one of those w/ends.i put new tyres on van for the trip .Now have a tyre rubbing and they are the same size?????? The replaced speedo drive gear with correct color to make speedo read right still reads the same so now have no idea .went towreckersfor a few bits .closed said he was open ! Got the Woopsie decided To go to flemington for muscle cars friggin javelin wouldn't start battery us 5 months old ggggrrrrr ! Rode in bosses car and just enjoyed the day .i have a list a mile long but will do my best. See you all Sunday

i glad im not the only one with last min problems

good to hear to hear your back on the road

ive been speending every after noon for the last week doing littel thing s to bulEJay to get her redy
on the weekend i have her fresh oil and filters
WELL IT MUST HAVE TASTED BAD BECAUSE SHE SPAT IT ALL OUT BOTH ENDS

i gess thats what happens when i change oil that is as old as the fossils that its made off for fresh and clean and expensive high grade oil


long story short im taking her to work tomoro to see how she is fealling if she can keep her fluids down
i think we are THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!!!

PS thats why i havnt beent o active the last week to much time down the garage... no.. no. scratch that
just been busy
cant spend to much time down the garage

Nice work Al, I've had many a day like that so I now how you feel. Like the time I drove Ice Pike to Robs just after I finished it and the only part I didn't replace in the rebuild sh!t it self halfway

Not out of the woods yet.....

Took van for first 100km/h spin watching the temp gauge
Slowly on the rise, then it happened!
It spiked I pulled over and worse case scenario - the thermostat housing decided to detanate.
The dodgy bolts pulled straight out of the manifold!
Let's just say the freshly painted engine/bay aint fresh anymore, under bonnet award is not gunna get
a look in now!!!!!

Got it sorted now new housing, thermostat and radiator on the cards today....
I'll be pushing it to Albury... But I'll be there.

Cheers Al.

Rhino wrote:Nice work Al, I've had many a day like that so I now how you feel. Like the time I drove Ice Pike to Robs just after I finished it and the only part I didn't replace in the rebuild sh!t it self halfway

Lucky we had a spare in the stash!!!!!

After a meeting at work today had a chance to play van a bit, couple of new bits and see what she'll do.

Trying to sort it's "hammering" temp issue out, did the timing, new radiator cap, let idle in driveway for 20 minutes got the temp gauge up to 83 degrees, time for a test run!
Pick up Andrew (work mate and Kronik Photography) and cruise at 110kmh to Junama Dam which is about 40km's away, temp sat on 76 until we got to some hills and I loaded it up, crept up to 85 still happy.............got to sweeping left hander......temp gauge shoots to 125!!! Than back down to 85, pull up at Dam wall and turn off and pop the bonnet.

No steam, no bubbles everything normal! Problem diagnosed!! Sh1tty temp gauge! Well I think so, no hammering, minimal run on!
It's only got to last the weekend out, it can die once I get home from the van in.

So took some pics with the phone while I was there!!



And of course Andrew took some too! But he likes photography a lot more than me and it shows even in a quick phone snapshot!

Funny , I seem to remember seeing a light blue wb van in a picture taken at around the same spot a long time ago. lol

Well I'm in the last throws of getting the old girl cleaned up a bit more .the boss and I are looking forward to meeting every one .we are coming up Sunday morning so if there is anyone needing anything pm me and will try to help out .i got home from work last night at 8 and decided to just tinker a bit 3 hours later finally got the one bolt in that held up the whole job .one bolt!!!!!!!! At least the rest at work today will make up for it .dont forget the Easter nats are on at winton so all have safe drive see you there cheers Jon