1983 Austin Minivan Resto begins.
Discussion
So update time I haven't had much time since the vans been painted as I've been on stag-do's the last 2 weekends.
Wires, wires, wires I'm sick of them already! Took ages to get the loom in this morning even using the string trick it still took some doing getting the rear in.
On to the front headlight loom. I spent sometime looking at my IP 65 connector and I think I've come to the conclusion that it isn't going to work. Due to the fact that the wires are thicker than the spurs on the connector. I'll have a look at it again another day but I think I might have to revert to a lawnmower connector. Also my bracket idea wasn't going to work as I need to split the loom near the subframe as a posed to the brace bar.
Most of it looks to be in the right place but I cannot tell until the engine is in place.
Room with a view.
Then moved onto getting the rear loom in round the door frame. I used the string trick to pull it through, If you don't know it basically tie a nut to the end of a piece of string and feed it through the top of the door, tie the string to the loom and pull it through. Still, its more difficult than it sounds!
The rear of the loom was cut off when I got the van and not labelled very well... I say that... It wasn't labelled at all! I couldn't work out for the life of me where all the wires went. There seemed to be far too many for a pair of brake/tail lights, indicators, fuel sender and number plate lights.
Turns out the van also needs a rear fog light or at least it had one fitted along with a spot lamp.
So I whipped out the haynes plus some help from some chaps on facebook and stripped it all back.
Looking much better now. I'm left with on green brown wire that I cannot seem to trace on the wiring diagram though...?
I've also brought some homework for the week. Cleaning up the rear light brackets, rear door lock, drivers door lock and the washer bottle so that they can have a nice lick of black paint.
Wires, wires, wires I'm sick of them already! Took ages to get the loom in this morning even using the string trick it still took some doing getting the rear in.
On to the front headlight loom. I spent sometime looking at my IP 65 connector and I think I've come to the conclusion that it isn't going to work. Due to the fact that the wires are thicker than the spurs on the connector. I'll have a look at it again another day but I think I might have to revert to a lawnmower connector. Also my bracket idea wasn't going to work as I need to split the loom near the subframe as a posed to the brace bar.
Most of it looks to be in the right place but I cannot tell until the engine is in place.
Room with a view.
Then moved onto getting the rear loom in round the door frame. I used the string trick to pull it through, If you don't know it basically tie a nut to the end of a piece of string and feed it through the top of the door, tie the string to the loom and pull it through. Still, its more difficult than it sounds!
The rear of the loom was cut off when I got the van and not labelled very well... I say that... It wasn't labelled at all! I couldn't work out for the life of me where all the wires went. There seemed to be far too many for a pair of brake/tail lights, indicators, fuel sender and number plate lights.
Turns out the van also needs a rear fog light or at least it had one fitted along with a spot lamp.
So I whipped out the haynes plus some help from some chaps on facebook and stripped it all back.
Looking much better now. I'm left with on green brown wire that I cannot seem to trace on the wiring diagram though...?
I've also brought some homework for the week. Cleaning up the rear light brackets, rear door lock, drivers door lock and the washer bottle so that they can have a nice lick of black paint.
Just read through the whole thing, amazing dedication!
I used to own a City E years ago and had to let it go as it needed bodywork which I couldn't do or afford to get done, so its nice to see one being brought back to life!
My Dad owned a van when he was a lad, used to tell me about when he flipped it on its side after a hoon went badly and the worst bit was the fact his fat mate landed on him and couldn't get out until some passers by tipped it over
I used to own a City E years ago and had to let it go as it needed bodywork which I couldn't do or afford to get done, so its nice to see one being brought back to life!
My Dad owned a van when he was a lad, used to tell me about when he flipped it on its side after a hoon went badly and the worst bit was the fact his fat mate landed on him and couldn't get out until some passers by tipped it over
Cheers Spats...
I'm going to lie it been a labour of love and its seen me through some good times and bad times but I've managed to get hold of it and plodded on.
I really does feel like it's almost coming to an end now.
Then the fun of restoration it will be replaced with the fun of driving it.
Just hope I don't roll it over like your dad did though!
I'm going to lie it been a labour of love and its seen me through some good times and bad times but I've managed to get hold of it and plodded on.
I really does feel like it's almost coming to an end now.
Then the fun of restoration it will be replaced with the fun of driving it.
Just hope I don't roll it over like your dad did though!
Looking good, but don't cut from that template. Starting a drill hole on the horizontal is very tricky. Use a piece of thin flat metal, transfer your switch centres to that then drill a pilot hole through. Tape that to the dash and drill through the pilot holes using the same drillbit. To avoid distortion as the hole size is quite large re the cutout consider using a cone cutter.
Well im back with somewhat of an update.
After christmas and what not I didn't get as much time as I thought to tinker. Not much has happened as it must have took about 3 weekends and 6-8 hours of faffing with the bleeding tank to get it to fit back in. It's still not perfect but it will do for the time being while I get the fuel lines in.
How it looked at the start.
Where it is now. I had to cut the rubber so it looks messy. Although I've now found that you can get a thinner rubber which I'll try next.
I've done a few other bits but not really worth a picture.
I did have some part arrive though over christmas.
I really thought that I would have it at least running by now... I've reset the goal post to London 2 Brighton as I managed to get a ticket!
Hopefully anyway.
After christmas and what not I didn't get as much time as I thought to tinker. Not much has happened as it must have took about 3 weekends and 6-8 hours of faffing with the bleeding tank to get it to fit back in. It's still not perfect but it will do for the time being while I get the fuel lines in.
How it looked at the start.
Where it is now. I had to cut the rubber so it looks messy. Although I've now found that you can get a thinner rubber which I'll try next.
I've done a few other bits but not really worth a picture.
I did have some part arrive though over christmas.
I really thought that I would have it at least running by now... I've reset the goal post to London 2 Brighton as I managed to get a ticket!
Hopefully anyway.
You can use the Mpi tank seal, We had the same issue with my brothers clubman estate, nothing lined up and the screws in all the fitting kits arent right either. First time we tried a proper tank seal as you have it took a while to fit and getting the cap on was nigh on impossible. Fitting the mpi one took me all of five minutes...
Richspec said:
You can use the Mpi tank seal, We had the same issue with my brothers clubman estate, nothing lined up and the screws in all the fitting kits arent right either. First time we tried a proper tank seal as you have it took a while to fit and getting the cap on was nigh on impossible. Fitting the mpi one took me all of five minutes...
Your right Rich. I only recently found that later cars had a thinner grommets.
I've got one on order from minispares.
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