Tango Van - 1972 westy..

Looks really good mate

This is how it used to look before the resto!! (2005)

Broke fanbelt twice on way back from Volksworld show so had to replace it, and needed new springs for carbs, so got parts from retrodubs when down at Easter.
Where's it gone...

Oh there it is, inside the fan!

The damage..


Also had to remove old ignition switch and steering lock to pass this years mot. But first had to remove original (but knackered) steering wheel...
Made my own puller...

Which didn't work.. Even heated up the old wheel, and 'tapped' it with a mallet to try and free it.. Still no luck, so found a more persuasive way

Removed old lock etc.. Fitted my vowo new wheel on

Top thread was damaged on steering column by previous owner sometime, so took a while longer to fit the new wheel, as had to cut in a new thread (cheers wizpop for your help)

has the alternator adjuster bracket snapped?

Road Rage wrote:

has the alternator adjuster bracket snapped?

nope, checked that.. and made sure it wasn't twisted/out of alignment with the fan. It was freezing on the way back, so may of over tightened it at the roadside.. and it came off the first time due to too much slack in the belt..

I like the homemade tools!

Those wheels were show bargains...

homemade steering wheel puller! had to put 12mm bolts in place of the smaller ones in the pic... also more clips, as snapped them twice!

Made me laugh those steering wheels.

Ex-display special offer

Me and Tango were stood there and he got 3 more out of the box and out there with the same 'Ex-Display' tag on them......

Just goes to show what a big mark up they normally have on them

Bargain..

normall rrp:
wheel £160.80
boss £32.11
postage £7.66
Total: £200.57!!

show price: wheel inc boss £120

'ex display' not a scratch on them, out of the same box as the 'new' ones!

wheel: £60
boss £30 (free pp sent on monday after the show! )


so saved £110!
not a hard choice!

Wired the main beam and windscreen wipers back in today at Vanwest (as it started raining ..)
Put another years free road tax on the bus.
Ready for Mot this week.

Passed MOT today

Some bits to do for next year under new regs..
Tidy wiring under dash and any aux batt wires that run under the bus ...
Need to make sure I've got birth cert from VW to prove manufacturing date: for black/silver plates and klaxon horn
Need to look at treating chassis with some fresh underseal

Oh and need to service it before summer trip to France.
Engine oil/plugs/valve clearances/tune carbs
Gearbox oil change due
Check brake system.. Full bleed and servo check. Adjust handbrake and rear shoes.

So that should keep me out of trouble for a while..

All parts and fluids bought for above service.
Valve clearances first, the. Engine oil change and filter.

Clearances done last night. And new NGK plugs.





Engine oil change done.

Gearbox oil change done.. That was evil stuff that came out.. And broke a ratchet spanner removing the drain plug
It was all frothy ...


As engine lid hinge broke.. Needed to secure wiring to be able to drive it..
Wizpop was in his element!

Before:

Looks much cleaner now..


And the view from the cars behind on the dual carriageway


Cheers to wizpop for all his help today

new replacement engine lid hinges arrived!

Will fit them tomorrow night, just no time to get pain on them..

update:
engine lid hinges replaced, and Griff sorted a new thread on the nuts that were drilled out

All wiring under van now in a nice loom to keep MOT man happy.

Hand Brake adjusted, but really need to replace rear drums/shoes etc..

Steering box broke.. no left turns.. new recon on it's way from JK for mid week. So removed old box in readiness!

Just finished fitting new steering box. big thanks to wizbiz for his help and torque wrenches.

we have go pro footage of install !

All sorted. Engine checked and carbs tuned. All new oils:) new steering box in. Ready for a 1500 mile trip around France

have a blast dude!

Roof fixed too!

Have a great holiday mate, see ya when you get back

Steering box swap. (And gopro attempt)
Audio track by students at work
https://www.youtube.com/v/dc3RKeug_PA

Music made me larf!

Right. Well attempted a full brake bleed today.

not happening, as rear bleed nipples were worn out on the brake cylinders. one sheared off and the other has no hex fitting left on it. so that wasn't happening.

took the rear drum off, and all needs replacing really: shoes and fittings/springs etc, prob also do the rear backing plates etc. Might go for all new rear brakes and flexible hoses etc..

Fronts however are fine. loads of brake pad left, no wear on the discs.

Just means it will miss the mot date for this year...

might also pop some adjustable rear spring plates on at the same time...

Right then.. Rear Brake fun.


one worn out rusty drum




worn shoes and seized star adjusters, damaged cylinder





Shoes removed, springs were brittle and snapped. had to clean out loads of brake dust, rust and spiders



brake line unions were seized on, had to apply some heat to it and the main bolt to remove cylinder. ended up cutting the brake line off as was twisted



New parts from JK




nice new drums




drums painted (1st coat)


new cylinder and shoes fitted. massive thanks to Wizpop for help






new star adjusters and pins. and copper slip added where needed

don't worry that handbrake cable was attached! (a right pain to do)



New drum fitted and new brake pipes made up (wizpop)




Also replaced torsion plate cover as it was rusted through




noted it needs new drive shaft gators again... only lasted 6 years.