Birth of a Syncro

[KarlT]

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Any Ideas

I think that camper needs matt black alloys.

[Pickles]

Spent some time yesterday working on my van. Fitted new speedo cable (thanks Aiden) Speedo now works.

Also fitted rear fuel filler outlet and pipework.
Previously I had to fill in the rear wheel arch not ideal.

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Panel as received from Poshbuggers (cheers)

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Seperated the back part from the body panel

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Separated the part that goes through the inner wheelarch

[Pickles]

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Marked up position, drilled some holes and cut out with Jigsaw.

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View from behind lights where cut out for pipe going to tank.

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Filler out let fitted

Back panel was tack welded in and then cover bolted to over the top.
Almost looks like a Syncro, except for the slight recess missing

[Pickles]

Next Job

Fitting decoupler

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[Pickles]

I know t3 syncro's steering is a bit vague. But man was like a boat. Now I know why.

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only one bolt in the steering coupling. Otherone must have fallen out.

New bolt fitted. Steers like a dream now

[poshbuggers]

Glad that fuel filler neck got put to use David. Nice neat job there.

[Pickles]

Started fitting my decoupler today.
Disconnected the prop, undid the rear gearbox mounts, drained the oil, lowered the box a little bit on the trolley jack, unbolted the nose cone.

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Left nose cone off, draining all night then fit the decoupler tomorrow.
Hopefully no drips of oil so will seal properly

[Pickles]

Started fitting the senders for the oil and temperature gauges.

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Oil temp sender fitted, remove oil pressure switch from behind pulley, removed silencer to get better access.

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Removed oil pressure switch from above pushrods. Fitted flexi hose bought from demon tweeks, Brickwerks one not long enough.

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Fitted 2 adapters also from Demon Tweeks to take the High and Low oil pressue switches, and the new sender for the oil pressure gauge.

[Pickles]

Fitted the decoupler yesterday, put the new gear on the gearbox with circlip.

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Put the supplied gasket on with blue hylomar both sides and bolted uo. Hopefully it won't weep.

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Finally got all the diff lock vacuum pipes and wiring loom fitted, prop back on.

Fitted diff lock switches to dash.
This involved cutting the heater cover.

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[Pickles]

Heater cover cut

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Diff lock controls in place

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Also fitted some gauges oil temp and pressure and volt meter all bought from an Audi coupe I think £10.
Pods are Tim from Demon Tweeks not sure I like the look or not will see.

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[Pickles]

visited Brickwerks today for Simon to wave his magic wand over the the wheel alignment.
It was great watching him working through the alignment.
Centre the steering rack, Caster then some camber then tracking, then back to caster then camber then tracking. Then drive.
Then back to some minor tweeks.
Swap all the wheels round front to back diagonal.
Now the van drives and steers beautifully.
Big thanks to Simon

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I also pinched his ramps to change the front inner cv joint boot.
and cut the vacuum line to fit the vacuum tank.

Top Bloke.

[Pickles]

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The magic wand waver

The cut vacuum line

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vacuum tank

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[Pickles]

I have been thinking about fitting some Porsche parts for a while now.
Maybe some big 928 S4 brakes or maybe an engine.
Well I have finally fitted my first Porsche part.

A one way vacuum valve from a 928.

It hasn't exactly made my van go any quicker but now my decoupler works.
see the VW one way valve was actually a none way valve.

Now I have a centre light that works, now I need to get the other two working now.

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[KarlT]

Good stuff Pick's. Nice fitting shiney stuff isn't it. Is this 'Syncros' longest running thread?

Hope to get over to my 'project' tomorrow, carry on with the spring spacers/lifters.

[silverbullet]

I'm feeling more upbeat about modifying mine now. Like those Audi gauges! I've been searching for some that look "right" with the correct lettering to match the T3 instruments. Well they would do being VDO. Nice touch. I'll need three sets now
As for the decoupler, well who doesn't want one?
The anorak bit - I never noticed the difference between those heater duct covers. Are they early/late or commercial or what? None of the fleet have that slot in the front but they're all microbuses/caravelles.