This is my ride....

18.10.2016

Still unable to remove the steering box so I had been removing underseal from under the van and decided to start on the front suspension componants.
First parts to start with were the steering bits - laborious but when completed very satisfying.
Will have to replace the boots so not too bad.

 

24.10.2016

Worked on the front hubs, disks etc and came up pretty good.
Used 600 wet and dry on the actual disk surfaces and should be OK (gave them a lick of paint also)
Treated all the surefaces with rest convertor also:

 

06.11.2016

Stripping back various bits and bobs and treating with rust converter stuff then applied some etch primer.
Not exciting but still, its progress

Some pics: these are parts of the handbrake system and the brake:



Gearbox Hangar:




Front bumper hangers - already have a set but thought clean these up and eventually offer them to anyone who need a pair:




Couple of the steering rods:


And a few engine tinware bits:


With the nights pulling in and it getting colder, will struggle to get anything major done during the week now.
Cheers.

 

Extra - popped back in the garage and sprayed the hubs and spindles:

 

12.11.2016

The van is still fighting me........

Started to remove the remainder of the brake pipes and also the brake pressure regulator.
Pipes were no problem but both the bolts holding the regulator sheared........

Can I prise the regulator off then try and get the bolts out?

Pics...

 

13.11.2016

Decided to put a cutting disk in the grinder - cut off te easiest to get to then I could swing the regulator and managed to get it off.
Was left with the threaded part of the bolt so screwed on some bolts to see if I could weld these on then look to get them out, but the rain started and also the light was fading so started to clean up the regulator.

The chassis area:


Before:



After:





Need to get the remains of the bolt out but should be ok.

Will give it a full deep clean then a touch of primer.
Then continue to sort out the chassis around that area.

 

27.11.2016

Hurrah - got the steering box out



A massive thanks to Graham at Midland prototype bay for lending me his pitman tool - this worked within a few turns of the socket - this is what I used:



So, a few picks of the box before I tidied it up.


(The seal looks to be in good nick )


(This seal is toast but the main one is looking good underneath it)

The chassis where the steering box was - on the box side it is solid so good news:



On the other side though a hole but not to difficult to fix so not to bad:



The steering box after a bit of TLC:





The oil is full and looks good - what do you guys think:





Will allow me to get on with the cleaning so very happy

 

Any more progress?

 

Nope.
Been to ill plus too cold (having to work outside) and I have the winter blues.
If/when the weather warms up a bit will look to push on.

 

Looking forward to updates, your work and dedication is just wonderful having just read the entire thread I am so envious. Keep up the great work

 

Thanks for your comment.
Will hopefully get back on the van in a few weeks time - need to put a plan together as keep on drifting from one fix to another.....

 

Work on the bus stopped due to issues with my arm (unable to rotate my left shoulder - if I move it to far the pain I get is massive).

Managed to spend a little time on the van.
Decided to check the chassis hole - made it bigger and will weld it up soon.





Small and fiddly it will be.......

Quick question about the wiring - I think this is the diagnostic connector - can I remove it (so I can pull the cable through)??

 

Thanks for answering my question above


No welding for ages and where I need to weld is awkward, especially with my dodgy shoulder so my attempt to night is crap:



Anyway, will grind it back and address anything that needs it - will be strong and pass the MOT.

On another note, going to get it to the rolling stage then sell it as lost interest now........

 

Don't give up! You've done so much work already you're not far away now!

 

Aye - work is currently using up all my spare time so will keep on doing bits when I can and see where I end up!
Thanks folks.

 

Keep the faith dude you will get there in the end

 

Thanks Paradox

 

So - spent a few hours underneath the bus.
Took out the heating tube so I could clean it up and also clean up the underneath and remove any surface rust.
Good news is no repairs are required
Treated it to rust converter stuff so any surface rust is kept at bay.
Will do a few more hours tomorrow also.

Pic of the now cleaned up heater pipe - will get properly painted and protected (and wrapped) before going back in):


A very poor view of underneath:

 

25.06.2017

Bugger - trying to remove two bolts from the chassis which I had to cut the end off to get the brake pressure regulator removed from the chassis. So, just 2 little bits of thread sticking out - found 2 x 13mm nuts and welded them on.

The first bolt came out
The second bolt, the nut came off so cleaned it up again and welded it back on, but had the welder to close and ended up welding up the mig tip - tried to get it out and it snapped so the swan neck is goosed (no pun intended…)

Ordered a replacement from Machine Mart so when that arrives will have another go at removing that bolt then onwards etc…

No pics I’m afraid