New Bloke - Help me find my bits!

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourselves' started by Dougal73, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Hello All,

    Been tampering with my 1973 Bay Window for about 18 months now but just come up for air and thought I would jump into the Late Bay community. Pleased to be here are virtually meet you all!

    So, a little bit about my bus -

    I bought a 1973 bay window in February 2020 as a quick fixer-upper with a view to getting it on the road that summer (the purchase was pre-lockdown). I was realistic and always subscribe to the old adage that you get what you pay for, so knew there was “a bit” of work to be done. A bit turned into a lot and a lot turned into a full restoration. My wallet my never recover.

    Dougal, the name given by the previous owner, sits there at the moment wanting for the camper fit out (the cabin is done) and few few annoying jobs in and around the engine. Pictures of progress below: E4CD5D4A-3480-4E51-BEE0-26E454693980.jpeg DD2E9D85-2104-42A8-A184-1112C2DA84F3.jpeg 9FDF77D7-704A-4945-9E86-F2B2A30EDF70.jpeg

    It is booked in for an interior installation in a few weeks, so I am in the final throes of what my own skills can cope with (I have done everything myself, save for the paint job). BUT and it’s becoming a big BUT - I am struggling to find some of the parts I need to put a lid on my tasks (at least for the time being).

    I am now in quite desperate need of a set of stainless steel J Pipes for the heat exchanger delete and the circular “biscuit tin” panel for the opening on the RH side of the engine bay. I have tried Just Kampers, Heritage Parts, E-bay and a good old general Google search for these bits. The J-Pipes seem to be on back order everywhere but I can’t even find anywhere selling the biscuit tin (would probably help if I knew the real name for it!!). Can anyone help please - does anyone have a good reliable website with well maintained stock levels?

    Also - a general question on the heat exchanger delete - How for do you go? After experiencing some fume intrusion into the cabin, following a run-out, I am tempted to loose all of the heater pipe work and bung up the holes. Has anyone got any experience of doing this? Is it wise? Is it worth it? We are having a Propex heater installed, as part of the interior fit-out and the front vents still work well for a bit of ‘cool’ air.

    All help and advise greatly appreciated.

    Glad to be part of the community.

    G.
     
    scrooge95, Coda and bernjb56 like this.
  2. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Welcome along :hattip:
     
  3. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    I fitted repro heat exchangers and all associated bits and found the heater pathetic and smelly.
    I gave up and put the propex between the seats ( in the walkway ) and use it to take the chill off when driving.
    The biscuit tin lids " proper " name is a paint tin lid..... but proper only in owner circles.
     
    art b likes this.
  4. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Keep the heating system if you can, just get some decent hxchangers and refurb the rest of the system it’s easy enough
     
  5. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    repro HX’s are pants
     
  6. Perfect - thank you.
     
  7. Thanks. It’s not so much the work I am trying to avoid. I have always been led to believe that the stock heating system is pretty useless and surplus to requirements. Do you think a refurb could get it to a point it actually provides decent heat?
     
  8. Another newbie question - how do I change my user name?
     
  9. Most people call it a paint tin lid.
    Any reason you can’t just use the heat exchangers?
    They are just manifolds with extra bits wrapped round them even if they’re not connected to the heating system they still work as exhaust manifolds!
    Plenty of people have removed the main front to back heater tube and retro fitted various aftermarket heaters and plumbed them in to the front section only so you still get demist and footwell heat via the totem pole.
     
  10. Thanks - secondtimearound sent me in the right direction for the PAINT Tin Lid. Much appreciated!

    In terms of the heat exchangers - they are just shot. There are holes all over them and I suspect at some point have been a warm little home for some rodents, because every time I knock them nut shells fall out. They are in an appalling state and generally letting the rest of the quite clean van down.

    What you describe, in terms of removing the front to back tube, is exactly what I had in mind.
     
  11. Learning all the time! Thanks.
     
    Betty the Bay likes this.
  12. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    PM me the details and I’ll sort it.
     
  13. Can somebody with J tubes tell me what happens with the under tins as the heat exchanger forms part of that ?
     
  14. From what I can see, they just screw off and follow the knackered heat exchangers to the bin.
     
  15. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    @davidoft is good for parts as is parts emporium or mega bug. Ebay if you have too.

    Who’s doing your interior?
     
    davidoft likes this.
  16. Dougal73 likes this.
  17. VanWurks.
     
  18. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Welcome to the forum buddy, enjoy your bus!
     
    Dougal73 likes this.
  19. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    If you have original heat exchangers and the system is sealed properly it works very well. If you don’t sort out all the the leaks in the system and don’t insulate it all properly then it doesn’t work so well as it’s a long way for the air to travel and won’t stay warm or even get to the front sometimes no matter how good the exchangers are.

    https://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/get-your-campers-heating-ready-for-winter.15596/
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2021
    Dougal73 likes this.

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