62 replies to this topic

[SAL 821X]

Goodo my man she'll be running sweet as a nut soon then.

[Gadgets]

Hi Matt

 

Van is now at the tuners and goes on the rolling road in the morning.

 

I drove it over there this morning and I was rather impressed by the power, bit noisy though and rather bumpy LOL need to get some miles into them new front rubber cones to get them down a bit.

 

Let you know how van gets on.

Cheers

Garry

[Gadgets]

Back from the rolling road tune up and I have to say wow that is one heck of a difference now! 

 

My van was 44.5 bhp  and is now 63.5 bhp at the flywheel. Worth the money just to get that exhaust note and 1275 engine sound!

[SAL 821X]

Fantastic Garry.

 

The suns coming out too. ;)

[Gadgets]

I have been out and about for first proper drive at lunchtime.  I fitted 12inch wheels with wood & picket arches (new rubber cone suspension on front, rear coil over beam axle on rear with gaz adjustable shocks on back.

 

I have done the rear shocks up as tight as i can get them but i am still rubbing the arch on nearside front and rear. If I raise the front that makes the rear even worse.

 

Any ideas? i am on 165 65 12 tyres, i wondered in  a lower profile tyre was an option?

 

Other than that it flies!

[Gadgets]

Sent rear shocks back to Proshock and the very nice man Kevin made new pistons for me 2" longer and also supplied a new pair of progessive springs 250/175lb , that has now solved the rear wheel clearance and has transfomed the ride comfort, it is surprisingly smooth ride! My half leather Recaro seats were a good choice.

 

Driven my van 200 miles now, a few minor niggles adjustments but it goes like a train!

 

Getting lots of comments (nice) when I park up and lots of thumbs up when on the road.

 

Down here the vans are fairly rare.

 

Fingers crossed I get to Beaulieu mini day on Sunday!

Edited by Gadgets, 06 June 2013 - 06:14 AM.

[minbin 69]

glad to hear you got it sorted..

as you should it's a beautiful van you've done a cracking job

hope to see you sunday then for a closer look

[Teapot]

 

Fingers crossed I get to Beaulieu mini day on Sunday!

Hmmm, nice work. Are you convoying to Beaulieu with your club? See you there hopefully.

[Gadgets]

Thanks chaps, yes fingers crossed convoy at 7am with Yeovil mini mania, van running a bit hot (3/4) so out of desparation I have drilled a couple small holes in the outer edge of thermostat to create a small bypass flow that gets to rad before the stat opens, I reckon someone had problems before as its only a 76c stat. now done 250 miles since going back on the road. It could of course just be my temp gauge or sender.(I checked it in boiling water and it did open, I bought a new stat from Mini spares, it was hotter one, it made it worse so refitted the cooler opening one plus a couple bypass holes.

 

Hey ho , give it a go and plan to go on nice n steady!

 

Air will be cooler that time of morning which also helps.

 

I have fitted a sump guard and a thermostat oil sandwhich oil cooler. That might not of helped!

 

Do pop by and say hello leave your tel and i will call you if I am away shopping!

 

Cheers

Garry

Edited by Gadgets, 06 June 2013 - 09:07 PM.

[Lucas1988]

would definitely like to have a good look round this van sunday, will see you there.

[Gadgets]

Retro Fundraising event was on Sunday 7 July. We had 125 classic & vintage cars, with a total of 45 Mini's!!! We raised £3138 for disabled children in the South West via Martock Charity Event..

 

NEXT EVENT Retro Fundraising 2014   (200+ cars expected) www.retrofundraising.co,uk

Edited by Gadgets, 27 December 2013 - 09:36 AM.

[Gadgets]

And here are a couple of photos of my van back on the road after 20 years!

I hope this gives other van buyers inspiration to get more vans back in use and on the road!

[Gadgets]

I fitted all Smiths matching gauges, here is oil temp that I took a feed through the flat face of the big oil return banjo bolt that goes into the block.

 

I solved the false high water temp reading and I fitted a dual gauge (MGB) for water temp and oil pressure.

Van now runs in the N position or just slightly under with heater running. The thermostat is the lower one for hot countries so I will change it for the normal one and that will get me a better heater LOL.

 

I found a large Smith rev counter at Mini Cooper day for £20 in the jumble, fitted it opposite side to oil temp, looks great and passenger right knee is well away from it, fitted it with a pod easy to do.  I managed to get a 52mm Smith time clock (rare as hens teeth) so that is in the other hole in the walnut dash.

 

Rev counter, time clock, oil temp, and dual water temp and oil pressure. So I am all clocked out now, I am not going to drill into my walnut dash LOL.

 

Edited by Gadgets, 28 December 2013 - 10:53 AM.

[SAL 821X]

Like it! Like it! :0)

[Gadgets]

Full page article of my mini van April edition Mini World Magazine.  (Fame at last)

 

 

Edited by Gadgets, 21 February 2014 - 02:15 PM.