Decided to face the music & dig a little deeper around the vent & cut out the rusty steel. But at the same time, trying to keep the integrity of the vent as I can't find replacements. Also cut off the internal vent housing as it was really rusty where the water had come in & seeped through the bottom. Have patched up with plastic & gaffer tape until I can get some gas on Friday to attempt welding some fresh steel in. Not entirely sure what to do on the inside... whether to fix up the vent housing & re-attach or leave off. Then weld some seals at the bottom of the vents. I'm just not sure what would be best.
Did some primer painting on the rest of the internal roof tonight, but too dark for photos when I was done. Starting to think about insulation.
Hey Lousie, we have all been in this situation, keep at it, been cutting the rust out of mine and replacing the panels, now into year 7 told the wife was only gonna be a 6 month project. Hopefully back on its wheels this weekend to start the filling and flatting ready for paint.
Took him out for a ride today, went to the petrol station that’s a few miles away. Was cutting out when idle on the way there but didn’t on the last half of the return journey. I’m hoping it’s crap in the carb & it’s pushed through. Who knows. Need him working next week as I’m moving house. Noticed the inner roof has rust forming... even though I sanded it back, did rust treatment & painted with rustoleum primer!!!
is it a stock T1 1600? if so, it could be that the thermostat is missing and will take him a while to warm up. some bugger took mine out of the bug ad I get the same problems on cold, damp short runs. you're work is looking good, I will need a few tips at next techenders
Really struggling to work on Bertie... moves house 2 weeks before Christmas & no longer have a driveway. Not sure what I’m going to do moving forward! With all this rain, he’s rusting quicker than I can fix him!
Not the greatest weather for fixing buses outdoors at the mo. March and April will hopefully be dryer. Spot of sun wouldn’t go amiss either, always good for the motivation! I want to get started on the next batch of welding, in time to make Techenders. I hope you find a solution to the lack of driveway issue.
Wow, it’s been 3 years! I’ve bought a house WITH A DRIVEWAY! Bertie is wrecked… there’s rust EVERYWHERE. All work part finished prior has developed new rust, so was pointless I guess. Don’t really know where to start…
Good to see you back Louise, I saw Bertie pop up on Instagram again recently! Stick some pictures up of the worst bits and I'm sure we can advise.
After removing moss, I discovered windscreen holes - which I’ve avoided this far! Sad times. My partially finished front end had been reversed into, making a mess of the filler & it’s all rusting under there. Sliding door is curling at the corners! Brain is fried. Where oh where to begin?!
Congratulations on your new house with drive Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your bus needs new panels welding in
What's your budget and what are your expectations? If they do not align the usual outcome is two steps forward two steps back until you throw the towel in.
I’m in no rush to finish & I’m not expecting perfection. I just want to start to make headway on him as he’s been sat for too long. Just not sure where to sensibly begin? When you have a whole bus resto, what’s the logical place to start? Or does it not matter, just panel by panel? I just assumed there would be a logical approach not that owning a van is logical in any way shape or form
No point fixing the bottom of the front panel if it’s leaking through the windscreen , same with sills if the roof or gutters are holed! Logic really. Anything that bolts on like doors can be done anytime, the main shell is the key component.
