Club 80-90 Forums

Well here goes,

I wanted a T25 ever since I borrowed my cousin for weekend, but funds are very short!
I had noticed a panel van that had been up for sale, locally, for as long as I could remember so decided to have a look. I dragged my ole chap (Was with VW as a technician when the T25 was released) and my brother (now works in my local VW as a panel beater) to have a look and they gave me the thumbs up.


I parted with my £650.00 for the van above.

The best thing about the van was the engine, it was a VW refurb unit and had very few miles on it.

I say was as I sold it the day I brought the van.
As I said money is very tight, but luckily for me my cousin decided to ignore ALL flashing lights on his van whilst travelling down the motorway and had completely cooked his engine and needed another one. Good news for me £500.00 traded hands so my work could start.
Well after fitting this lump to his van of course!

At first glance of the van there looked like a lot of nasty rusted areas but it isn't all that back considering the van has been sat for years.

Under the windscreen was possibly the worst spot

Front step

Rear Arch

Passenger footwell plus a few little patches here and there.

So I ordered replacement panels, new rear arches, front steps (drivers small amount of rust but thought might as well be done whilst im there), replacement lower front panel. I have started to fit these. Both rear arches have been welded in just need grinding back and filling. And the passenger front step has been welded, again just needs grinding and filling.




The passenger footwell, as below, has been cut out. Now this hole look massive and I still think that my brother went a bit over board but who am I to argue

Started to fill this in but I have since ran out of gas and weather.

So welding has stopped, but the project continues.
Windows were sourced for £40.00 with seals and fitted along with the high top (£8.50 ebay)




Pops working away

Tiger sealed roof vent

Riveted and tiger sealed on roof

I now needed an engine, I deliberated about going diesel as the engine was already out and Dad had given me a low mileage lump out of a Passat. I thought this was too much work at this stage as IF I got a motor in and running I can continue my welding at my factory, indoors and in the warm. So I sold the engine for £250.00
In return I bought a DG lump for £20.00. Apparently knackered. I got dad involved and found that one of the Valve guides had broken down and the valve was wedging itself against the piston.
See photo below for the damage to the piston

So new pistons and liners etc have been fitted. I also recycled a new head from my cousins knackered engine (which was the only thing that was any good).

That's now up to date with where my project is. I'm in the process of finishing off the engine as until this is I cant do a lot without out it being at the factory. This should be fitted this weekend so should be motoring on ready for spring.

Money is very tight for this but at present I'm £420.00 up from where I started, I just want to share that it IS possible to do a resto job properly and on a budget, well with the help of family anyway

Will try and keep this up to date from now on

Cheers
Ant

Jobs a good un - well done!

Not sure about the ventilation around the front windscreen

Good luck. You will have hours of fun once you start camping in it

IM thinking of leaving the front ventilation. Just think once the footwell has been welded up it could be a hot tub then. Got warm air blowing from the heaters .....

Well pick up a complete exhaust system last night all for £35. A bit rusty and needs a new tail pipe and a repair job to the end of the can. I started cleaning up the good bits and spray them with with matt black high temp paint. The paint is for stoves and log burners and is rated to 800 deg c.Starting to look really nice, but might need to do the rocker covers now
Will post a pick once its all painted and on the engine

Ant

Well exhaust system painted and fitted last night, BUT have found I need the back box straps to finish of the fitting


Fitted the new water pipe that was completely shot

Took the engine off the engine compartment cover last night to have a look in the engine bay and start treating any areas that need it before I fit the engine back in.

Hoping to start fitting the engine this weekend

I love this kind of thread. Keep it up - the pics make all the difference (and make me feel better about my rust!)

Tis the kind of thing i wished i has got stuck into in my 20s and 30s - now having to build things from lego instead
Perhaps in my 50s and 60s with teenagers and when the evacuate the nest!

[quote="1antons"]Well exhaust system painted and fitted last night, BUT have found I need the back box straps to finish of the fitting[\quote]

Hi Anton

From the engine picture you may find you need a different mounting bracket for fitting the silencer saddles

Part number 025-199-221A ask for one from a breaker

Cruz wrote:

1antons wrote:Well exhaust system painted and fitted last night, BUT have found I need the back box straps to finish of the fitting[\quote]

Hi Anton

From the engine picture you may find you need a different mounting bracket for fitting the silencer saddles

Part number 025-199-221A ask for one from a breaker

Thanks Cruz, will find out when it all arrives

Cheers
Ant

Well Cruz was right

Now ordered the different mounting bracket!
Starting to get slightly frustrated now So close to the engine going back in and keep finding bits that are missing!

1antons wrote:Well Cruz was right

Now ordered the different mounting bracket!

Where from? Don't tell me you ordered a new one??


You can get 2nd hand for about £20-£30

Don't get too comfortable as you will need the two longer bolts to go with it, and cut holes in your splash guards for the saddles to fit through

N0100312 (hexagonal head bolt hexagonal head bolt M10X85 x2)

Didn't order a new one

Got it from volkspares 2nd hand.
The splash guard that I have does look like it will clear as it came off my original engine but we'll see.

Would be a good time to renew the rubber engine mounts while you are changing that mounting bracket

You trying to spend my money

Where is best to get the rubbers?

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;