Search found 138 matches

by mike the van
22 Nov 2023, 22:27
Forum: Restoration and Major Repairs
Topic: Rustoration
Replies: 463
Views: 1665889

Re: Rustoration

Wish you and your other half all the best on a rocky road, been there myself, you have to be selfish and look after those who are important

Mike
by mike the van
20 Oct 2023, 17:45
Forum: Electrical & Instrumentation
Topic: Inside of Headlight Glass Dirty. Cleaning Ideas Please.
Replies: 6
Views: 2611

Re: Inside of Headlight Glass Dirty. Cleaning Ideas Please.

I did the same a while but drying off one headlamp in the oven, found the glass came away from the bowl, so maybe Hella/Bosch used a heat sensitive glue ??? Sods law the other wasn't shifting, but with glass off got it back to looking like new, with a polish with a soft duster. I think I siliconed t...
by mike the van
20 Jun 2023, 17:26
Forum: Bodywork, Seats & Glass
Topic: Fibre glass repair kits
Replies: 7
Views: 2779

Re: Fibre glass repair kits

You can get a woven fabric type of  fibre glass, I have used it with resin and seems to give a smoother finish and can be built up to give a decent thickness

Mike
by mike the van
23 Mar 2023, 21:47
Forum: Bodywork, Seats & Glass
Topic: Side and rear windows for panel van conversion
Replies: 8
Views: 605

Re: Side and rear windows for panel van conversion

I think your best option is to contact a breakers or put up a wanted ad, given the age of these vans that any manufacturers still make suitable glass. A set of new seals from  https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/seals-products.asp?intDepartmentId=4 They can be awkward to fit, you need a special tool or ge...
by mike the van
30 Jan 2023, 21:31
Forum: Any Other Matters
Topic: Heating
Replies: 6
Views: 2786

Re: Heating

It might be worth checking that the big black corrugated heater pipe that runs all the way underneath front to back is clear, reason is that it is made of layers of foil and paper, the inner layer of paper on mine had all flaked off with age and blocked up the airflow, took it off at the front end a...
by mike the van
29 Jan 2023, 16:02
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Head problem
Replies: 7
Views: 525

Re: Head problem

Yep, unfortunately no 3 is the one that gets hot, just by some quirk of the cooling system. Hopefully it is just the head that needs replacing. Sometimes think that a tune up makes it all work slightly better and you drive as you should, but an underlying issue just gets worse.

Mike
by mike the van
09 Jan 2023, 22:19
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Fuel tank upgrade
Replies: 4
Views: 510

Re: Fuel tank upgrade

I seem to remember that there is an ‘extended range’ South African version of the tank, but whether you can still get one or where from, someone else may be along later to help

Mike
by mike the van
07 Jan 2023, 14:29
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: Diesel engine bars
Replies: 5
Views: 2472

Re: Diesel engine bars

That’s really helpful, the engine change is going to be a big job, but with solid enough van, worth it given cost of Aircooled engine refurb

mike
by mike the van
06 Jan 2023, 20:26
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: Diesel engine bars
Replies: 5
Views: 2472

Re: Diesel engine bars

This is what this forum so brilliant, That is an excellent diagram of the layout, I have a pirated CD copy of a vanagon maintenance manual and that is pretty sketchy on a blown up view. So the gearbox mount is different ? and the linkage different, sorry to sound  dim but how do they differ?  Cheers...
by mike the van
06 Jan 2023, 18:13
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: Diesel engine bars
Replies: 5
Views: 2472

Diesel engine bars

Ok, I know the question has been asked before, but trying to work through collecting parts for an Aircooled to GTI conversion, body and underside of van is good. Engine is kippered, rebuild is looking to be about £2.5 to 3.0 k, so thought about even on cost to go water cooled. want to keep Aircooled...
by mike the van
09 Dec 2022, 17:48
Forum: Electrical & Instrumentation
Topic: looking for a decent battery .. 1989 Turbo Diesel
Replies: 8
Views: 707

Re: looking for a decent battery .. 1989 Turbo Diesel

 I had an OEM  (which turned out to be an Exide) on my 2010 polo that expired after 10 years, best battery life I have encountered, maybe just lucky? Had a few Bosch that seem to not last well as they used to, modern batteries seem to just die without much warning.  Totally agree on keeping charged ...
by mike the van
22 Nov 2022, 20:05
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Heater Controls 1980 Air Cooled
Replies: 6
Views: 399

Re: Heater Controls 1980 Air Cooled

Welcome to the world of Aircooled heating, if it is a hot cold lever then it is likely the problem is at the heater pod, which is a simple flap valve that directs the heat from the heat exchanger to either into the van or outside. The inner cable beyond where it is clamped to the chassis are prone t...
by mike the van
05 Nov 2022, 12:34
Forum: Restoration and Major Repairs
Topic: Rustoration
Replies: 463
Views: 1665889

Re: Rustoration

This is pretty amazing, not sure if it scares or inspires me to dive in with my reto over the winter, I willl be positive and say inspire, but the photos are brilliant shwing whats happeneing ing those seams!  Keep it coming !

Mike
by mike the van
26 Oct 2022, 21:19
Forum: Electrical & Instrumentation
Topic: Changing female power inlet
Replies: 11
Views: 646

Re: Changing female power inlet

Sounds like there is a mix up of what’s male and female, in effect the end of the hook up lead is a socket so the live contacts are shrouded which then attaches to the bare pin connector on the van.  Sounds as if the OP has a socket on the van, when it should be a plug, or am I missing something? Mike
by mike the van
16 Sep 2022, 22:33
Forum: Bodywork, Seats & Glass
Topic: Permanent ladder attachment
Replies: 7
Views: 704

Re: Permanent ladder attachment

Totally agree, once saw the whole wing of a mk1 golf gti peeled off by one those glazing van external racks, still it will keep people away when they overtake !

mike