I have started a petition to the PM asking
for overnight parking spaces for motorhomes be provided in towns,the link to it
is
here.
Looks sound enough here,the
camper van as bought on eBay.Seller had described it fairly,mechanically
the camper van was quite sound and really for a motorhome nearly 30 years
old the bodywork and interior
were half tidy.
The idea was to get the van back
closer to its original condition without spending a fortune.I also fitted
an overdrive gearbox and up rated disc brakes.
With its original drum
brakes,cart springs all round and the often derided 2000cc Ford V4 petrol
engine which was shared by some Ford Corsairs,Capris and Zephyrs, driving
one of the early transits it is like stepping back in time a few
decades,.
The near side door step.Front
wheel and door removed to make life easier,step was loose and rusted
through at the front edge.It was obvious this had been repaired a few
times in the past.
The inner wings on both sides
had been plated previously and a couple of rust holes needed welding, I mig welded bits of
sheet metal from my old mercedes van in here,vorsprung dur technic
etc.
Step cut right out,the chassis
section and sill were also corroded,the wheel arch inside the cab had
rotted and broken away from the floor.I think it's as easy to weld a big
hole as a small one so all weak metal was cut out.The areas round the
hinges were strengthened with the doors jacked up to force the hinges back
into position,both had dropped quite a bit.Doors on old vehicles tend to
sag,as do body parts on old people.
The off side wasn't quite as bad
but the whole step was removed with an angle grinder.The chassis section
in front of the seat was thin with corrosion and replaced.When finished
all the chassis sections were treated with Waxoyl internally,the new
sections painted then undersealed.I was working outside and used a Sealey
gasless welder on these repairs.
Both headlamp bowls had rusted
through at the bottom,using the top half to make a pattern new pieces were
made and welded in.The funny little sidelights on top of the wings were
removed and the mounting holes welded up.The bonnet had been badly patched
with riveted repairs along its front edge,rusted bonnets are a problem
with early transits.I bought a secondhand Mk 1 bonnet in better condition
and repaired it.
The only bit of the alloy body
that needed work was an old repair to the front nearside covered with a
riveted patch.Water had penetrated the wooden framing but
the damage was localised and easily repaired from inside with the old
interior panelling cut back.You never really finish a job like this work
is still going on but the vehicle is now in use.
Both doors were a bit grim,the
bottoms had rotted through along their whole length.I plug welded in long thin
lengths of sheet steel to keep the inner and outer door skins together.To
try and keep the bottoms straight I clamped a piece of angle iron along
the base.Before removing the doors I measured the amount the outer skins
would have to be brought back in by for a reasonable
fit.
The water pump bearing was worn
and I removed the front panel to make replacing it easier.The panels
fixing bolts inside the wheel arches were corroded and the captive nuts
broke loose as soon as they saw a spanner,I cut them all out with an angle
grinder.Corrosion from water running from the wing channels either side of
the bonnet meant the landing panel had six inches missing either end this
was repaired.I later removed all the horrible underseal in the engine bay
and repainted it.
Later the original engine developed piston slap when
cold.It was loud when cold but virtually vanished at running
temperature,testing by removing plug leads,or squirting oil down the bores
etc suggested it came from the two pistons on the left hand bank although
they were no more worn than the other two.It got no worse and probably
would have carried on like it for years but removing the engine also meant
it would be much easier to weld a weak area on the front cross
member.
I rebuilt the engine and when run in
used Molyslip,its no instant cure for an engines ills but should help reduce
wear and it's claimed protects in the event of oil system failure..To overcome
problems with exhaust valve seat recession on unleaded petrol,I've been using
Holts lead substitute I really can't be bothered to fit the cyinder heads with
hardened valve seats.I must have pulled dozens of Ford Essex engines to bits
(usually for head gaskets I seem to remember) but I found a Haynes manual at eBay auctions 'cos I don't know everything.The radiator fan is now electric,controlled
by a datsun switch fitted to the thermostat housing the Essex engines were prone
to blocked waterways and corrosion can be a major problem if no,or poor quality
anti freeze is used.I've fitted Pazon electronic ignition which uses the
conventional points but switching with far less current,it seems to make the
engine run smoother.All of the metal brake pipes were replaced with copper pipes.The rear
suspension was beefed up with a pair of coil over shock absorbers,make unknown
they were bought at an autojumble sale and fitted after a bit of modification.
By changing the mounting,shortening the propshaft and remodelling the exhaust
down pipes,I fitted an overdrive gearbox to try and improve fuel
consumption.High MPG was never the V4's strong point especially in the heavy
Zephyr 4 or transits but I'm reluctant to take the vehicle too far away from
original by changing the engine for a diesel or inline four cylinder OHC pinto
which would involve using a diesel "bullnose" front panel and bonnet.I have
fitted disc brakes using the two pot calipers and solid disks from a Mk2 and a
axle that had been scrapped some years ago.The hydraulic flexible pipes are
different but this is an easy swap.
Originally I didn't notice a big
improvement over the standard twin leading shoe arrangement untill I
changed the original Mk1 servo and master cylinder for one out of a
Mk3.The servo is much larger and greatly reduces pedal pressure.The bonus
is that parts for Mk3 transits are somewhat easier to obtain than the
earlier Mk1 and 2's.
I sealed the rear or the front
wing/scuttle joins,water getting in here rots out the inner wings and door hinge
panels,water ingress under the bonnet was a known transit failing,a shower could
soak the engine and even let water into the inlet manifold via the air cleaner
fixing screws. I welded a plate on top of the air cleaner so this can't
happen.Mk1 and Mk2 transit spares are getting harder to find steel bonnets,wings
and other bodywork are virtually non esistent,although fibreglass panels are
still available.I soon realised that the days when transits,ford corsairs and Mk
1 cortinas were common in scrapyards and car breakers has well and truly gone
for good,and of course in these days of the nanny state you can't find heaps of
old cars to clamber over even if you want to.I'm always interested in buying new
or secondhand spares for the early transits.There are links to part suppliers
etc below.
I have a few transit Mk1 windscreen
rubbers (the type that take a chrome surround) these are now no longer made.£40
each.please e-mail me for details.
A late summer evening at Gt
Yarmouth,a collection of motorhomes parked for the night.Now Yarmouth
council has gone all prissy and banned such wicked activities as sleeping
in motorhomes.Must be all the snoring that disturbed
them.
Gt Yarmouth is a rather tatty
sea side town that says it wants to encourage summer visitors.To be fair
though,it's not the only town obsessed by height barriers,high priced car
parks and petty restrictions.
I found out the hard way even old
camper vans don't escape the attentions of thieves.Luckily an alert neighbour
and quick police action prevented some of the damage.My transit has now been
treated to a state of the art alarm system.
I can still get hold of new track rod
ends,king pin kits,gaskets,shock absorbers,wheel cylinders,flexible hoses and
brake linings etc at sensible prices.I also have a lot of wheel and master
cylinder repair kits for any transit and other early fords
(Classic,Popular,Prefect,Anglia etc).If you're stuck for transit spares mail me
or try the links below.
I am always interested in buying early
transit (Mk 1or 2) and Mercedes 307D van spares.Either new or secondhand. I can
normally arrange collection etc and will not mess about you can E mail me here
Links to other transit sites,spare
part suppliers,clubs etc.I've used some of these, but not all.The comments are
mine,true and accurate.
Transit
repair panels,wings,bonnets etc.
Smith and Deakin , good quality,strong fibreglass wings and bonnets for early transits
and other early cars etc.Have had good reports from customers.
Beever auto panels , (out of date web site shows some items no longer stocked).supply sill
sections,wings (no Mk1's and apparently no Mk2's) door repair panels,bonnets
(again no Mk1's),wheel arches and other repair panels.Slow to answer
e-mails.
Hadrian. No Mk1 wings
but sills,arches and suspension repair plates etc for transits.Helped with my
Mercedes van queries and supplied repair sections for the door steps on my
transit.
Imperial panels.
Steel sills,floor and door sections,repair panels for ford
transits and other vehicles.
Spares
from Germany. German company (old-cars de) supplying spares for Mk1.These
vans (using cologne engines) were used in Germany as fire service support
vehicles.
V4 engines,gearboxes and running
gear,new and secondhand.
Tickover , Some early
ford capris used the 2 litre V4 engine and tickover know all about capris.Carry
some spares for the V4.Replied to my queries quickly and gave good
advice.
Gaskets for Classics .Need a sump gasket for a V4 or head gaskets for a V6.? These sell
gasket sets for both engines as well as lots of other older cars,including
virtually all classic fords.Gaskets and oil seals made in the UK
too.
Essex
engines. Engine spares for the Essex V4 and V6 as well
as the Cologne series engines.Sell the hard to replacements for the fibre timing
gears.Newer ones are normally alloy and much longer lasting.
Speedy Spares , a
suprising amount of mail order spares for all types of classic cars and other
vehicles,friendly fast service when I used them.
Burton
Power,specialise in tuning parts for modern fords but supply some parts for older Fords including replacement timing gears for
the Essex engine.
Specialised Engines , spares,repairs and rebuilds of the Ford Essex V4 (and V6)
engines.Replied speedily when asked about availability of ford engine
parts.Reconditioned V4 engines still available.
Pazon
Ignition , electronic ignition for classic cars and
motorcycles.No irreversible modifications,triggers the standard coil with a much
reduced points voltage.A doddle to fit too.
Dudley Transit Centre ,Breaking all
transits and selling a wide range of new and secondhand spares.
Restore online ,
collectors and classic cars and adverts for spares and parts etc.Be warned that
some adverts are very old.
Suspension,brakes other
mechanical spares.
Jones Springs ,
repairs and new leaf springs (made to pattern) for all ford transits no matter
how old.Quick to reply to queries and friendly too.
Owens Springs, another company
specialising in repairs and refurbishment of leaf springs.New ones made to
pattern.
Brake
parts still list linings and pads for the earlier
transits.Mail order both quick and efficient.Handy diagrams and dimensions of
pads and linings on their web site.
Speedways. linings,clutches and brake pads.Still list MK1 transits,friendly and
quick to answer emails.
Brake
world . wholesale only but they'll give you the number
of nearest retailer to you.List a lot of older stuff,handy for part numbers etc
if nothing else.( I can source brake cylinder rubbers for early
transits).
Bosal Exhausts .
online catalogue,gives parts numbers and pictures.V4 transits now considered
obsolete,but later ones are catered for.Handy for working out what other exhaust
bits you might be able to use to custom build an ehaust or repair an exhaust
system.
Trim,windscreen rubbers,door
seals and window glass etc.
Woolies ,
specialise in mail order of all rubber parts,door and windscreen seals and
interior trim,when I ordered some rubber sections,I found them
helpfull.
East Kent trim, useful little catalogue gives dimensions of the trim they stock,mail
order both quick and efficient.
National Windscreens. quoted me £90 to
supply a Mk1 transit screen or £115 to supply and fit (summer 2005).The Mk1` and
Mk2 windscreens are the same,the screen rubbers slightly different.Phone 01733
552244.
Clubs for old
camper vans and motorhomes,general old car sites,forums etc.
Classic Camper Club , a must see site if you are into restoring,repairing or using
old,classic camper vans,caravettes and motorhomes etc.
UK
camp site , A brilliant web site,includes a forum with
loads of info on transit Mk 1 and Mk 2,camp site guides and loads of other stuff
of interest to campers,motorhome owners etc.Free to join,seem very
friendly.
MotorHomes UK
offer fully equipped Motor Home rental hire in Yorkshire and the rest of the
UK.
Ford
Transit Forum , useful to contact fellow transit enthusiasts,active spares
and information sections,free to join and a mine of Transit info,based in the
U.K but worldwide membership,absolute must for all transit owners.You can sell
transit spares and parts for free too.
Motorhome links.Loads of
links to all sorts of motorhome and campervan sites,well worth a
look.
DIY
mig welding. Welding tips,welders compared and tested,handy for welding
wanabees,even a forum.
Using a
mig welder A mig welder is a handy cheap method of repairng rust holes or
fitting new panels read about them here.
Baconsdozen tool auctions ,
auctions for new and obsolete,metric and imperial tools at the right
money.
Ex-pressed steel panels , these produce
new body panels for older fords.Cortinas,Mk 1 Escorts,Anglias,Prefects,100Es
etc.No transit stuff as yet though.Keep watching.
Ford
corsair owners club , the corsairs (1700 and 2000cc) also used the essex v4
engine although some used an inline 1500cc.
Collectors car parts
,specialising in older fords.Exhausts,shock absorbers,struts and engine
parts.Based near heathrow airport.
Old
Ford Auto Services ltd ,fibre glass wings and body panels for some older
fords,suspension mods and parts.
Morgans Diary, more links
to classic car and other sites of interest than you can throw a stick
at
Preloved, all sorts of secondhand gear and
car and commercial vehicle sections
Leaded petrol , adverts now dropped but
still worth a look..
Early days,the transit on the
way to its new home.
Ford Transits a potted history and
spare part swapping etc.
The V4 Mk 1 Transit was current from
1965 to about 76 when it became the Mk 2, when along with other mods the V4
engines were changed to the OHC inline fours.( A few MK1's were fitted as
standard with a fourcylinder inline engine) Very early (to about 68) models had
different clutches,after 1970 the pedal assembly was completely changed and
moved from the floor to the bulkhead. The V4
engine (called the Essex because thats where it was built) was used on some
Ford Corsairs and Capris (as an alternative to straight four cylinder
engines),it is not the same as the Ford Taunus V4 (known as the Cologne and also
fitted to Saab V4) although confusingly German built transits did use the
Cologne V4 engine.(Australian transits used much larger engines see the transit
forum for pictures and details) The 2000cc and 1700cc versions of the V4 engines
are virtually identical externally,their internal components aren't as the
increase in capacity was gained by using a crankshaft with greater throw
and different pistons.The V4 is inherently unbalanced,it uses a seperate
internal balance shaft to try and absorb engine vibration,when the bearings of
the shaft wear vibration and noise become apparent.Ford V4's had Autolite,Zenith
or Weber carbs,the Zenith and Ford are swappable the Weber (which was used on
the 2000E Corsair) needs its own manifold.The 2 litre OHC meant a redesigned
front panel and bonnet,disc brakes also appeared on the front wheels.1986 was
the next big change.The suspension components on Mk 1,2 and early Mk3 are
swappable,the doors and glass are as well. Most Fords of this era had common
door handles,bits of interior trim etc so any auto jumble is always worth a look
for spares.The road springs on pre 70 vehicles were a different rating to the
later ones although most will have been changed by now.Rear axles vary in type
as does the prop shaft,on long wheel base versions a two piece shaft is used.The
current ford transits share their name only with these early
versions.
A popular swap with transit owners was
to copy some ambulance and police vehicles and replace the V4 with fords 3 litre
V6 usually by using a transit diesel front panel and bonnet,uprating the front
suspension to carry the extra weight..The resultant beast was as fast as it was
thirsty and loads of fun.The Essex V6 was fitted in ambulances up to about 1988
often with an overdrive gearbox,the V6 found its way into a lot of other cars
from AC's to Reliant Scimitars and Fords own Granadas and Zodiacs.The V4 is in
some ways a V6 with a couple of cylinders missing as the six cylinder engine was
developed from the four.
The V4 engine is rubbished by some
sections of the classic motoring fraternity, its a bit rough and not very
efficient,but its also one of the only engines that will fit under that short
bonnet and the engine design is now well over 40 years old..I think some of its
reputation for unreliability was a result of its use in the very underpowered
Zephyr V4,where a hard working engine and low radiator gave frequent air locks
and over heating problems.The fibre timing wheel driving the camshaft and
fragile oil pump drive are weak points.The timing wheel was weakened if the
engine overheated and apparently shrunk at very low temperatures.The original
all fibre timing wheel was superceded in the mid 70's by a wheel using nylon
teeth but this was not a total cure.It's possible to replace the timing wheel
with an all steel one although these are expensive (mail me for details or use
the links above) and using modern lubricants and avoiding revving a cold engine
should help the oil pump drives survival rate.The engine was used in the
Corsairs,a few early Capris,the odd Marcos and at one time sold as a conversion
for the NSU R080,it also turned up as an industrial engine driving waterpumps
and generators etc.
The German ambulance and fire service
used Mk1 transits with Cologne V4 engines suprisingly recently.(one is often
featured on the transit forum,there's a link above).
I accept no responsibility for errors
in the above,I'd welcome other owners input and comments.I'm also trying to put
together a list of parts from more modern vehicles that will fit these early
vans and welcome suggestions.Please e-mail me.
You don't need much in the way of
special tools for the older transits.I sell hub nut sockets to fit the range
(and IVECOs) here
.A mig welder,tin snips and a hammer and chisel will take care of the body,a
decent tool kit the mechanics.All you'll need then is time and
enthusiasm.
Buying an older
transit.
Finding a van is probably the
hardest bit.Have a look on the transit forum (link above) which is also the
place to ask any questions you might have.Ebay is another selling place or the
ads in any local paper,theres ad trader and lots of other places to look,try and
look at as many as possible,try to avoid buying the first one you see (unless
its a bargain of course).Keep asking questions,if it all goes wrong you could
end up with a very large and heavy lump of iron thats impossible to get rid
of.Bear in mind your neighbours might not be thrilled to have an old van parked
in the road wether its in good order or not.
Rust on transits can get a serious
hold on the front cross member and the front spring hangers and is the first
place to look,it can be very difficult to repair.The sills and chassis sections
are easier to repair but the rear spring hangers are also difficult and a
current MOT should never be relied upon as to the structural integrity of any
vehicle.The body panels are very expensive and very rare in steel,even
fibreglass parts will make a big hole in any restoration budget.Although some
mechanical components are hard to source the early transits are quite tough
mechanically.The springs will have almost certainly settled after thirty odd
years and replacement is expensive,try and get at least three fingers between
bump stop and springs.Axles whine but generally carry on for years even so but
the noise can drive you potty on a long journey.Gearboxes should be quiet,the
clutch musn't slip as replacemnets are now difficult to find.The early drum
brakes aren't really up to modern standards and finding the hydraulic parts to
repair them is tricky.The Ford V4 engine isn't smooth or silent at the best of
times but look for blue smoke (worn rings or valve seals) and heavy knocking
noises and vibration (worn bearings). Check the coolant for oil (head gasket
problems) also have a look at the exhaust system as these are now
unobtainable.The very early (before 68) engines are the least reliable and some
of the internal parts like oil pumps are now unavailable a badly worn one will
prove an expensive job to put right.Don't be afraid to ring or contact any of
the people above to check on the availabilty and prices of parts before deciding
to buy any particular van.I recommend joing a club like classic campers or the
transit forum for help with spares and advice.You'll not do much better than
25mpg and you'll need a lead replacement compound (unless the owner tells you
the engine has been converted to lead free).
Don't get put off by the first bit
of rust you find or the first parts storeman who says "I thought they'd scrapped
all them by now".Enjoy owning,driving (and repairing) your own little bit of
motoring history.I've now started work on restoring an old taxi. I must be
mad.
I've tried most rust proofers and preventers with varying
results over the years.I decided that the marine industry must know more
about corrosion than most,given they use steel boats in salt water.Lanolin
(obtained from sheep wool) is used in many of the treatments used on oil
rigs,boats and shipyards.One that was recommended by various sources and
is used by the American coastguard is Eureka Fluid Film.Made in California
it is approved for use on submarines and the space industry.It is not
cheap.
It is solvent free and non toxic it has been extensivly tested
in the hostile enviroment of the sea for some fifty years.It does not
damage plastic or synthetic rubber and does not evaporate or harden.I have
bought a number of aerosols and gallon (US gallon) cans.
Please contact me if interested.
Below,adverts by Preloved,Ford
Transits and Transit spares for sale.
CLASSIFIED ADS
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