Nice to see a bus that doesnt need welding/grinding/filling/sanding/prepping/painting/polishing/kicking, Really lke what you've done with regards to keeping it in its original guise.
Very nice bus! Even it's arctic military history adds value. All those poseur back yard camouflage paint jobs usually leave a sour taste in my mouth, but yours is very nice. It's the real deal with official military cred, complete with bullet. I would be in military surplus stores all the time looking for accessories. At least pick up a couple olive drab military wool blankets. SO warm! Nice job matching the camo upholstery to the front seat leather too. Just a great bus all around. Have you considered picking up one of those old Westy fridge/sink units that fit behind the passenger seat? Oh, and those Westy foot stools (easy to make) are the perfect height to sit on while cooking & washing dishes. Perfect place for a discreet trash can too.
How strong is the bottom end dude? If the bottom end is not its best a refreshed top end will soon highlight the wear in the bottom end
End float well within spec so decided not to touch the bottom end, dont fix whats not broken and all that.
Big end shells are a tenner a set, you can replace them in less than an hour without splitting the block. Please do at least that and don't be one of the "big ends went on the M3 half-way to Cornwall" gang. BTW the next line is inevitably "I didn't want to stop on the hard shoulder with my wife and kids so carried on to the next junction, totally wrecking the engine in the process".
Thats a bloody good point, hadn't thought about changing them, think i will order a set now, was just about to go and start refitting the barrels and heads but it can wait another day. Nice 1 Zed.
Too late i've just ordered them, its the original engine in the bus so everything so far has been original size, fingers crossed.