Hello i'm new.... my '75' Devon is Not!!

Hello everybody..... I'm Paul and I joined a few days ago after being a reader for a long time now

I'm a car mechanic by trade, starting at a Ford dealership in 1989, then off to a breakdown company working for the AA, RAC GreenFlag etc both in the workshop and out on the road. During my time here I've have had quite a lot of experience of VW breakdowns due to being situated just off the A303 (run to the sun route and very nr Glastonbury festival)
In 1998 I left top go back into a dealership (Subaru, Isuzu and Hyundai) and then left the tools in 1999 (promoted to service Manager) Left the trade in 2004 and now in the marine business.

Enough about me - here is my Bus.... Elsy. She is late bay Devon Popup converted at first registration 01.08.1975 and has just been completed after a 4 year restoration, she is unmolested in the fact that it has been restored back to original, except the camper interior (Vanwurx) Where possible the best available parts have been used, and in most cases good genuine original items have been carefully selected (not patent copies)

List of work that has been done:

Body:

The van was stripped and all welding repairs made, using where possible new genuine repair panels (inner / outer sills, front steps and front panel.)

Some of the doors were replaced with second hand rust free genuine examples.

Once welded and repaired, the van was sent off to be professionally prepared, primed and re-sprayed keeping the original two tone colour in a low bake oven. (Vehicle never been another colour)

On return the van was carefully re-assembled – The re-assembly is the process that takes the greatest amount of time as everything is checked, tested and repaired as necessary.

New seals, window scrapers and gaskets were used and a new laminated front windscreen was fitted.

New old stock rear light units and lamps fitted with halogen and later model front lights fitted also.

The elevating roof is the original and in excellent condition for its age. Replacement shock cord has been installed and the elevating mechanism has been overhauled.

The wheels has been shot blasted and re finished in pastel white, and new Goodyear van tyres are fitted all round.

The van is fully undersealed and wax-oiled

All locks and ignition use the same key of which there is a spare


Interior:

The dash was removed and repairs made to radio hole. It was repainted and re-installed. All wiring and dash lights etc were thoroughly checked and repaired and re-routed at this time.

Near side Hammock still present (Off side removed for kitchen units / storage)
Curtain rails reconditioned and new fully lined curtains including front screen wrap around fitted
The interior lights work as intended.
New seat belts were fitted front and rear.
Front seats are the original with original coverings

In March 2014 the vans interior was installed by vanwurks Ltd where the complete camper interior has been professionally fitted which include:

· Kitchen unit
· 2x burner gas hob with Piezo ignition and flush fitting easy to clean glass lid
· Stainless steel sink with single foldaway tap and flush fitting easy to clean glass lid
· 'Domestic' RM123 30 litre 3 way fridge complete with matching front panel
· Installation of all gas and water connections, inc water carrier with immersion pump
· Table kit and storage
· Storage cupboards, towel rail, cutlery drawer,
· 3/4 width rock and roll bed complete with matching kick panel
· 12v and 240v Electrical distribution pack
· 3-Piece, 3/4 width foam cushion set (upholstered)
· Lighting shelf/storage unit
· Additional buddy seat

Sound deadening and insulation was fitted at the same time.
Front headlining replaced.
Spare wheel now lives on the re furbished roof rack as the bed replaces is standard location.
The front door cards are original


Electrical:

An electric windscreen washer has been added.
The vans main battery and leisure battery are new
New Horn
New radio/cd Player and speakers
In the engine bay is a split charger and leisure battery.
The 240 hook up connection is in the engine bay and allows the fridge to be used 3 ways.


Mechanical:

The fuel tank has been inspected and all new breather hoses and fuel lines replaced. Fuel sender unit and gauge functions correctly.
Wiper motor and mechanism all refurbished.
Heater control cables replaced


Drivetrain:

The Van runs at standard height on the suspension and not been modified

New shock absorbers fitted front and rear.
New steering damper and bump stops have been replaced on the front suspension.

The braking system has be overhauled. New brake calipers, pads, hoses and wheel bearings have been fitted on the front. Rear wheel cylinders, hoses and shoes fitted to the rear. All new brake pipes fitted along with master cylinder and new brake fluid.

Clutch cable replaced.
New 3 piece clutch fitted

The gearbox has been fully reconditioned
Overhauled the gear linkage and bushing


Engine:

The 1600 engine has been fully rebuilt, along with a few upgrade modifications/ improvements to cope with modern driving, making a more reliable and stronger engine that is easily maintained

· The crankcase has been align bored and quality steel backed bearings fitted.
· The crank and flywheel have been balanced.
· The camshaft has been changed to Engle 100 to give the van more pull.
· The heads are new castings with slightly heavier springs a 3 angle valve job and a tidy up of the ports along with a small increase in compression has made this engine run well. It has a 1-1.25 ratio rockers fitted.
· Cylinders and pistons are forged standard 1600 so have good wall thickness.
· New exhaust and heat exchangers fitted to help, the generally poor, camper heating
· Throttle cables replaced
· All tinware is present and correctly fitted and has been refurbished and painted.
· The original alternator has been rebuilt
· An old stock 009 distributer used.
· The starter has been reconditioned.

 

Ver nice , enjoy the forum

 

Welcome to the Asylum. Good to see a nice clean engine bay as well.

 

lovely colour warm welcome to you from medway in kent

 

Thank you, I've always wanted a Orange camper, since I first saw one when I was about 19 years old!

 

Now that looks a nice straight bus.

 

Nice bus....just need to fill it with beer & food and go camping!

 

hello, welcome

 

Thanks.... I do clean inside the engine bay regularly... sad I know!!

 

Yes.... when the spring arrives will be our first camping trip with the kids. Also thinking about doing some VW festivals. can you recommend any?

 

camperjam 2011.

 

Very nice van

Camperjam 2013,2014 too - probably 2015 will be good

 

Welcome from West Lancashire - wish I could get my engine bay as clean as that!

 

Thanks - here is 2 more photo's. I also think that having twin carbs keeps things looking simple and less complicated (although in reality it not)

 

Hi nice Van we have a 79 Devon which has also had the O/S hammock removed and cupboards fitted instead . The Vanwurks interior looks cool and doesn't look out of place at all so extra bonus points there too . This is our first year as well so welcome from another newbie. SE London/NW Kent. It seems lots of smileys is always appropriate as well.

 

Welcome nice van but far to clean,
Steve,

 

she's purdy - very nice - welcome from Essexshire

 

Hello & Welcome from The Colonial Contingent