Winnie the poo - our new van has arrived.......

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by Grazzer, May 9, 2013.

  1. Baybug - I guess as it's a US van and has the VIN in the window it shouldn't be a problem. I could stamp the number on with metal number stamps/punches as there is nothing left of the original number - it's all rusted away... But then it's going to look suspicious. As I say, it has the OG silver vin sticker, the window vin, and not forgetting the M plate under the dash, so I'm not that concerned. This won't be the first van to have it's vin rusted away..... :)
     
    Baybug likes this.
  2. This gonne be one stunning bay,,,like a lot :thumbsup:
     
    Grazzer likes this.
  3. Haven't looked at the thread for just over a week - can't believe how much the bus has changed sine then! Keep up the good work!
     
    Grazzer likes this.
  4. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    it looked worse before you blasted it - not as bad now, its gonna be interesting watching here, keep the pics coming!
     
    Grazzer likes this.
  5. Just listed a few wants on Marketplace - if anyone can help:)

    Now starting to collate all the difficult bits. Have scored all the interior trim bar the front seats from Dolly Day Dream who was having a clear out. Need to order some bed foam - anyone recommend a good supplier?
    Seats are going to Newtrim in Oxford on Monday morning, and we will use what's left of our upstairs bed trim to do these, we also have some nice new brown TMI door cards coming from Scofields (Cheers Rick :hattip:) I'm also going to order some white textured wood walboarding to make a new headlining and some 2/3mm birch ply for the interior panels - this will be stained dark and generally looks good, although not OG - have looked at ReproWesty.com, but it's soooo expensive.

    The big want is for a nice rear wardrobe, so if anyone can help that would be great!
     
  6. Grazzer likes this.
  7. Thanks for that, seen some on ebay with memory foam for about £150, which I agree is a lot - so Mrs is going to have a look in Lancashire when she goes home next week - offcuts etc....
     
  8. Doesnet look all that bad after the blasting dude:thumbsup:
     
    Grazzer likes this.
  9. Hi mate
    Still here fella .... Just been a bit busy with my Ghia and welding other people's vans etc . My engine bay is brown I've had 4 Westy champagnes and all the same if that helps ?
    Cheers steve
     
    Grazzer likes this.
  10. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    Hi Steve glad you're all ok, as we said in my van post a while ago mine is deffo the odd one with it's white engine bay.... mystery will never be known but all others are indeed brown, mine is obviously a ringer :lol:
     
  11. The 'rat toilet' bed covers have just been through a boil wash and amazingly all stains have gone and they smell divine! As they are damaged on the edges by rodent teeth we can't re-use them on the bed but they are perfect donor material for the front seats. £100 saved!
     
    paradox likes this.
  12. So here's progress so far..... Scotty is due to start the welding on Wednesday, as he has had a few jobs to complete first, but we are on schedule. As soon as he's finished it's paintwork:)
    This weekend I have some time, so going to start work on freshening up the engine and cleaning the windows and chrome.
    Does anyone know where I can get the engine bay sound deadening trim panel - this is the roof of engine bay card panel with loads of round holes in it that holds the sound deadening in place? It was for sale on eBay but I can't find it now?
     
  13. Are you in need of the insulation too? I have a spare set of insulation, but not the trim panel that holds it in. Could do with a replacement panel myself!
     
  14. I'm sure there was someone selling it on eBay....
     
  15. It's been another busy day on Winnie. Today I have stripped off the tinware from the replacement engine, cleaned down the block etc and done a general assessment of what's needed. It's pretty much all there, but I think one of the heat exchangers is perhaps beyond it's useful life and I may need one more but of tinware. The exhaust is shot, so I'll order another one of those this week. [​IMG]

    I went out today and bought some Gunk, I can't remember the last time I used this product but it still as good as ever - engine block has come up nicely. I'm going to send the tinware to the shot blaster and then I'm going to paint it with VHT wrinkle paint - love love thus stuff - it makes an engine look really good!

    Also discovered my front engine mounts are shot...

    My engine has one of these single Weber twin choke carbs and I know these aren't the best but I think it will do for the moment. A question though, it has four rubber boots on the inlet manifold that look the same as the ones fitted to a twin port Beetle engine - are they the same as mine are perished.

    [​IMG]

    Very very pleased with Winnie's bumpers. Today I have cleaned, polished and painted the front bumper - it has come up like new, and I hate to think how much it would have cost to buy a new one!! [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
  16. Kruger

    Kruger Sponsor

    That bumper has come up really well, and was probably chromed at the same place all the original decent hubcaps were done!

    The backend doesnt look too bad after the blasting, nicely isolated to where it was BBQ'd, there's far worse on here! just a thought, probably worth checking the fuel breathers on top of the fuel tank whilst the engines out.

    You're going well, keep it up. :thumbsup:
     
  17. So today wasn't so good....

    On inspection of my lovely supposedly rebuilt Laurie Pettit engine I discover a dropped valve guide on number 4 ..... :(

    Also decided that the heat exchangers are not great and one has been blowing at one of the exhaust port joints for a fair while, and these are the not so easy to find heat exchangers for the 79-80 bay.....

    So, I have stripped the original engine hoping to us the original exchangers from that, but they are California spec with a cat and egr. And they are the earlier type flanges ..... Grrr

    Some good news though. Further stripping revealed the original engine had a decent set of heads which will fit my CJ engine so... I'm going to strip these heads, clean up the ports, check the guides, lap the valves back in and fit them to the LP engine. On inspection it looks like this engine had just been serviced before the fire, the plugs look new! Whilst this will be extra work I guess at least I'll know the engine is OK. My "rebuilt" engine does have the correct amount of end float, so hopefully it should be ok.

    I'm going to use the Cali spec exhaust / heat exchanger system from Winnie's original engine as her heads will match up with it. I think you can buy an Empi exhaust for these 3 bolt flange systems so that's the route I'll go - hope fully I'll still be able to use the towbar with this exhaust, otherwise I'll have to make an one.

    Nothing's easy is it?!
     
  18. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Dont buy the Empi exhaust until you actually need it, as it'll be rusty as hell within 3 weeks. Be a shame for it to rot before you use the bus!
    I'd personally look for an alternative.
     
  19. Yes, I know, Empi exhausts are utter Marmitee, but it should last a season hopefully until I can find a longer lasting alternative....
     
  20. Had a spare couple of hours today so stripped and cleaned one of Winnie's heads..... All good :)
    [​IMG]

    Here's the original towbar which I really like and will refit.[​IMG]
     
    bekyip likes this.

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