just popping to the shops...

just bin for a spin in Jesseca - cool or what?! Asda carpark (the tyre marks aren't mine!). This holiday lark is going to be fun - if a little (a lot) slow. I managed to get a top speed of 60 mph - in a spiral dive!




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Day 2 - We're off

The Commer is going! I spent saturday (all day - 8 hours) replacing the clutch, gearbox, exhaust, slave cylinder etc. etc. and at about 6pm I got her running and off the ramps. I had a major panic as when I got the engine started, the clutch wouldn't disengage after a little head scratching (and sobbing) I realised that the slave cylinder was bolted to the wrong side of the bell housing! 2 bolts later and we had a moving driving, walking talking, living van! Last night didn't allow for a test drive, but today I managed to go for a little spin round the estate, and yup it's slow, and the steering is vague, but I love it!

We had a great afternoon, I took the overspray off the windows and a few other little jobs and the kids drove to Africa, Australia and the Jungle. Lucky them!

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Day 1

Got cracking with the Commer today, I spent a lot of time cleaning things up and generally pottering, I managed to remove the horrid bulkhead dividers and after a lot of huffing and puffing got the gearbox and clutch out so its now on to speedy spares to get a new clutch and a few more toys!

Its bin long day, so just a short post!





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Come(r) Home!

Well she's back! I managed to get the commer back today, all paid for and mine!

My dad came up trumps with the ramps off ebay so we took the opportunity to drag it up onto the ramps to allow me to fix the clutch, however I'm new to this game so I tied the rope in the wrong place...

I'm rather please that all the cars fit on the drive now too!

And dad brought round my birthday prezzie, powdercoated wheels with new tyres! Cool or what?!?

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Some progress on the todo list.

• flat the paint
• install the fuel tank - DONE
  
• install the towbar
• install towbar electrics
• fit the wings x2 - DONE (well not properly)
  
• refit the rear door - DONE
• add lots and lots of soundproofing
• lots and lots and lots of rustproofing
• carpets in
• seats in
• dash bits in
• bonnet on - DONE
• replace the loom - DONE (sticking with the old one for the time being)
  
• get the engine running
  
• stick the back bumper on - DONE

The painting is waiting for a nice day, so it could be a while then.

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Wing Wing ... Wing Wing...

... are you going to answer that?

Today's top todo list included, throw on a couple of wings, wire up the boot (with the grommet to stop the boot filling with water and rusting again), stick the pipe for the tank and the filler in.

It all seemed to happen without incident, that is unless you don't count scraping the paint off the filler opening when I put the filler neck in (and the answer to anyone who wants to do it properly is... wrap it in a piece of paper while you are fitting it)

and I bent the boot floor strengthener while I was wrestling with the wiring grommet.... Its all part of the joy of minoring. I don't really want a perfect car (and I won't be getting one at this rate!)

All this damage to bits and bobs just made me realise that what you really need when restoring a car is SPACE - and lots of it. That's why I have been mostly trying to store the parts on the car!

Some pics of the progress...



The good lady popped into Aldi today and managed so secure a car crawler, I was rather chuffed, only £12 and it keeps me out of the puddles. Actually, it could be a family trait. Don't tell anyone but I spent the evening re-enacting Grease in the garage, that was after I managed to retrieve it from #1 daughter...



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Bin a bit quiet recently what with the Commer shaped excitement, work and the weather, however I hatched a cunning plan today

1. Put Rory down for a nap
2. Explain that Gran should have a nap too
3. Put Peter Pan on for #1 daughter
   
4. Sneak out to the garage!

it worked too. I only got about 30 minutes, but I tend to work best under pressure. I quickly whipped out the fuel tank (it was just in place for effect) swilled some petrol round and then carefully put it back with a seal of DumDum and a few stainless self tappers. Looks good and means I can think about starting the engine. I know the purists don't like the stainless self tappers, but they aren't the ones who will have to undo them again in a few years time.


Speaking of pressure, I should be organising Mr G to pick up the Van next Saturday, so I had better get everything ready. I'm trying to find some ramps so I can fix the clutch and I need insurance.


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