Do you recognize this Syncro?

[domtyler]

Hi all,

I've been reading this form for a while during my search for a van and now I've found one I thought I should (re)introduce it:

It's a 1987 1.9l Autohomes Komet conversion with a recon engine from 2004 and new gearbox and clutch from 2006. I say reintroduce because I think it's been owned by a Syncronaut before so some of you might recognize it?

I've been fixing 3-point seatbelts in the back for the kids and getting to grips with everthing that may, or may not need to be fixed up. It all looks pretty good so far, some seam rust and a few more serious patches, well...small holes actually, in one wheel arch and in both front steps. I'm going to take it to a specialist garage for a more through check than I'm capable of doing next week so hopefully there's nothing serious that I've missed.

I'm planning to use the van a lot this year because I'm working on a major photographic project that will cover inaccessible places all over the UK. This van will be my transport, accommodation and office for all my location work.

And now here's a really dumb question so please forgive my ignorance: What's the procedure for engaging the diff locks? I've tried the toggles on the diff-lock panel but where I would've expected to see lights there was nothing doing. I've tried this in neural and in gear (1st and G) but still nothing. Does the transmission need to be moving to engage the lock? Is there an idiot's guide out there?

Thanks in advance.
Dom

[hotpod]

i always recommend making sure the bulbs in the panel are working because they should tell you what is going on.
if i have any doubts, i just swap them for known working ones from the dash console.
the rear lock light only comes on when the lock engages ( do do have to be moving a bit for it to engage try g gear on tick-over ) and the front lock light flashes when you pull the knob ( as a warning that you have pulled it) and then comes on full when the lock is engaged.
if the bulbs are working but still nothing happens when you pull the knobs and drive slowly, then the locks themselves might be stuck from lack of use or there could be a leak/problem with the vacuum system.
theres some stuff in the wiki https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Sy ... rs_removal

[jed the spread]

Nice move, I love the van

Jed

[domtyler]

@Hotpot - Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to know.
@Jed - Ta. We love it too. The kids want to sell the house and live in it.....

[garyd]

To get the locks to engage, not only do you need to be moving, you also need to be turning. What you are trying to achieve is getting the opposing wheels to turn relatively to each other so that the dog clutch halves (of the diff-lock) move into alignment. They are only 6-way dogs so have to turn up to 60 degrees to align.

[lloydy]

Nice van, welcome too!