Discussion
I thought it was about time that I shared one of my projects rather than just enjoying reading about yours.
So back in August my BMW was due its MOT and I was sure it would fail. The search began for a cheap run around that I could use while I rebuilt the BMW's engine. It needed to be practical, cheap and big enough for tip and DIY store runs as I am also doing a lot of work on the house. after too many hours of searching I found this:
As the keen eyed people out there will notice its not big, its not practical and it was definitely not cheap. I decided to go and look at it while the BMW was getting the MOT...... long story short the BMW passed its MOT and bought the van anyway.
A lot of man maths went into the decision to buy it. I already own a 2 door Morris 1000 so I have shed loads of spare parts, Its had loads of work done by the previous owner including a new chassis and full bare metal respray, I cant see it depreciating and interest rates are low on savings bla bla bla. I just wanted it.
I started by fitting the Ford based disk breaks and an alternator conversion (I can now have the lights and heater on at the same time). I've also re-webbed the seats so I'm not sitting on the floor.
Next steps are to get it ready for longer drives so I can use it more from the spring. This will mean a change in differential, 15 inch minilight style wheels and a wiper motor that works. I'm hopeful at this point I can go on a motorway without being in the way and getting knocked over by HGVs
Now, I don't like to set myself deadlines for this kind of thing but I've gone and done it this time. I'm planning a trip to the spring Beaulieu autojumble, this will be used as a test and if all goes well we will be heading to LeMans in it the month following.
I will update on the progress if there is any interest.
So back in August my BMW was due its MOT and I was sure it would fail. The search began for a cheap run around that I could use while I rebuilt the BMW's engine. It needed to be practical, cheap and big enough for tip and DIY store runs as I am also doing a lot of work on the house. after too many hours of searching I found this:
As the keen eyed people out there will notice its not big, its not practical and it was definitely not cheap. I decided to go and look at it while the BMW was getting the MOT...... long story short the BMW passed its MOT and bought the van anyway.
A lot of man maths went into the decision to buy it. I already own a 2 door Morris 1000 so I have shed loads of spare parts, Its had loads of work done by the previous owner including a new chassis and full bare metal respray, I cant see it depreciating and interest rates are low on savings bla bla bla. I just wanted it.
I started by fitting the Ford based disk breaks and an alternator conversion (I can now have the lights and heater on at the same time). I've also re-webbed the seats so I'm not sitting on the floor.
Next steps are to get it ready for longer drives so I can use it more from the spring. This will mean a change in differential, 15 inch minilight style wheels and a wiper motor that works. I'm hopeful at this point I can go on a motorway without being in the way and getting knocked over by HGVs
Now, I don't like to set myself deadlines for this kind of thing but I've gone and done it this time. I'm planning a trip to the spring Beaulieu autojumble, this will be used as a test and if all goes well we will be heading to LeMans in it the month following.
I will update on the progress if there is any interest.
I passed my test in 72 so these were still a common sight on our roads as the last of them were only a couple of years old at the time .
I soon was asked by a previous employer to do a few deliveries on my days off from my main employment.
I was doing deliveries to many of the posh houses in Bedfordshire in a J reg version for Macfisheries .
I have fond memories of a summer of sunshine , country lanes and a moggy van . Ideal for an 18 year old .
My main job had a Hillman Husky van (imp) as transport , I used to install car radio and stereo systems all over Beds, Bucks and Cambs , I preferred the moggy to drive .
I soon was asked by a previous employer to do a few deliveries on my days off from my main employment.
I was doing deliveries to many of the posh houses in Bedfordshire in a J reg version for Macfisheries .
I have fond memories of a summer of sunshine , country lanes and a moggy van . Ideal for an 18 year old .
My main job had a Hillman Husky van (imp) as transport , I used to install car radio and stereo systems all over Beds, Bucks and Cambs , I preferred the moggy to drive .
Thanks All
Many people do have fond memories of these, I also learnt to drive in a Morris Minor 2 door that I still own.
I was told by the previous owner that the van has been in Hertfordshire for as far back as we can tell. He rescued it from rotting in a garden just down the road.
Today I have ordered the new wheels, I've decided to go with 14 inch rather than the 15s as there is less chance of any rubbing on the front. I am also aware of the extra weight the 15 would have added hindering the acceleration.
I have a couple of choices when it comes to the differential ratio's. It currently has a 4.55/1 and it revs far too hard at motorway speeds. I have a spare 4.22/1 that was standard in the saloons I'm going to fit this first and see how I get on, while I'm at it the wheel bearings will be changed. From some rough calculations this should mean it will be pulling 4200 RPM @ 70 mph. The other option is a 3.9/1 but this is currently fitted to the other car and I don't fancy a day of playing musical axles. The engine has a larger carb fitted by the previous owner and it seems to pull well so I'm not too worried about it not being able to pull either ratio.
I'm also on the look out for some decent mirrors. the current wing mounted ones are too small and too far away. I will be going with something mounted on the door frame (I'm not drilling into the door), possibly from a motorbike as they have longer arms that will see round the back end. I did fit a cheap reversing camera and screen to help for the time being.
That's about it for now, looks like a lot of rain for this weekend so I will press on getting the house finished so as soon as we get good weather I can get going properly.
Have a good weekend
Many people do have fond memories of these, I also learnt to drive in a Morris Minor 2 door that I still own.
I was told by the previous owner that the van has been in Hertfordshire for as far back as we can tell. He rescued it from rotting in a garden just down the road.
Today I have ordered the new wheels, I've decided to go with 14 inch rather than the 15s as there is less chance of any rubbing on the front. I am also aware of the extra weight the 15 would have added hindering the acceleration.
I have a couple of choices when it comes to the differential ratio's. It currently has a 4.55/1 and it revs far too hard at motorway speeds. I have a spare 4.22/1 that was standard in the saloons I'm going to fit this first and see how I get on, while I'm at it the wheel bearings will be changed. From some rough calculations this should mean it will be pulling 4200 RPM @ 70 mph. The other option is a 3.9/1 but this is currently fitted to the other car and I don't fancy a day of playing musical axles. The engine has a larger carb fitted by the previous owner and it seems to pull well so I'm not too worried about it not being able to pull either ratio.
I'm also on the look out for some decent mirrors. the current wing mounted ones are too small and too far away. I will be going with something mounted on the door frame (I'm not drilling into the door), possibly from a motorbike as they have longer arms that will see round the back end. I did fit a cheap reversing camera and screen to help for the time being.
That's about it for now, looks like a lot of rain for this weekend so I will press on getting the house finished so as soon as we get good weather I can get going properly.
Have a good weekend
My first car was a Moggie van (IYSWIM). £90 in 1976. Held together by rust. Useful floor holes let the water out that came in round the screen. Lasted 3 months before scrapping at MOT time.
Had another a couple of years later, ex PO yellow. Equally rusty but engine was so sweet. Busted starter motor but always went on the handle!
Impecunious student motoring.
Had another a couple of years later, ex PO yellow. Equally rusty but engine was so sweet. Busted starter motor but always went on the handle!
Impecunious student motoring.
I remember passing my driving test in 1977 and at the time I couldn't afford a car so borrowed my dad's van, it had a secret switch to turn off the fuel pump in case anyone tried to nick it, so the first time I went out on my own to drive I got a few hundred yards in a Saturday lunch time traffic and came to a sudden stop, I then spent what seemed like forever trying to find the switch to get going again.
Also trying to overtake a lorry going up a hill wasn't the best idea and I had to give in and pull back in behind it.
Fond memories off the little green moggy van.
Also trying to overtake a lorry going up a hill wasn't the best idea and I had to give in and pull back in behind it.
Fond memories off the little green moggy van.
Happy Tuesday! I have a couple of updates from the weekend.
last week some large boxes arrived, the snow did stop me from pulling the axle off but I couldn't wait to see what the wheels looked like.
they are a fair bit wider and from the little drive I had a chance to take it did feel a lot more stable.
while I'm here i thought you might like to see the upgrade to the brakes, its an off the shelf kit that I also have fitted to the 2 door car, so I knew it worked well. I have a servo laying around that I never got round to fitting to the car, I may fit it to the van instead if I can find a location that doesn't make the engine bay look a mess.
I don't do well with computers so you will have to put up with the photos being on their side.
Hopefully we have some better weather this weekend so I can start the axle changes, 4.22 diff (for now), wheel bearings and poly bushes as long as my spares from the car fit. I will be cleaning and painting all of the parts so this may take a few weekends especially as I have to fit this work in with the house renovation and a full time job.
More updates as they come.
last week some large boxes arrived, the snow did stop me from pulling the axle off but I couldn't wait to see what the wheels looked like.
they are a fair bit wider and from the little drive I had a chance to take it did feel a lot more stable.
while I'm here i thought you might like to see the upgrade to the brakes, its an off the shelf kit that I also have fitted to the 2 door car, so I knew it worked well. I have a servo laying around that I never got round to fitting to the car, I may fit it to the van instead if I can find a location that doesn't make the engine bay look a mess.
I don't do well with computers so you will have to put up with the photos being on their side.
Hopefully we have some better weather this weekend so I can start the axle changes, 4.22 diff (for now), wheel bearings and poly bushes as long as my spares from the car fit. I will be cleaning and painting all of the parts so this may take a few weekends especially as I have to fit this work in with the house renovation and a full time job.
More updates as they come.
Scrump said:
A few more photos please.
Are you going to get the sides sign written? Maybe “Fat Funky Monkey Motors”
I'll get some proper photos of the rest of the van shortly, all of the ones I have at the moment have the reg number clearly visible, me in my tin foil hat will not let me post them. I know anyone can drive past the house and see its reg but with the increase in scam sales on things like this I'd rather keep it off the interweb. Are you going to get the sides sign written? Maybe “Fat Funky Monkey Motors”
I have thought of sign writing it and probably will at some point as it does look a bit bland. "Fat Funky Monkey Motors" or something would be great but I might be risking looking like a cheap rip off of the well known telly show (I've had the name longer thou)
A little update, started to change the diff over the weekend but noticed at the last minute the replacement was also a 4.55 and not the 4.22 I thought it was. I have no idea how I came to own this one but not much point in fitting it. while draining the diff oil I did see some rather large chunks of metal so it would seem the one in there is scrap, so I changed a very tired wheel bearing and went to the pub.
Working through the options now. I have 4.22 that I broke the planet gear on while being a child many years ago, so I maybe able to make one out of two (or three). I've also been bidding on some secondhand units. I really don't want to rob the car for parts until I have a decent replacement as I would like to get it on the road again soon.
One massive advantage of this being a van it the access. you can take the floor out and work on the back end from inside.
Once again the picture is on its side...... Ill figure this out one day.
Working through the options now. I have 4.22 that I broke the planet gear on while being a child many years ago, so I maybe able to make one out of two (or three). I've also been bidding on some secondhand units. I really don't want to rob the car for parts until I have a decent replacement as I would like to get it on the road again soon.
One massive advantage of this being a van it the access. you can take the floor out and work on the back end from inside.
Once again the picture is on its side...... Ill figure this out one day.
Last weekend little progress was made, I collected the first of two differentials. This one was a complete axle that seemed to have spent the last 25 years of its life stored in a hedge. It was cheap so I took a chance on there being usable parts.
The diff is surprisingly good, however the pinion seal is leaking and the nut holding the pinion flange on was so rusty it had to be removed using a die grinder and air chisel. It also supplied two good half shafts, the case is bad but will be kept for a future project I have in mind.
The great thing about buying second hand parts is the random people you meet, this guy lived in the middle of nowhere, no phone signal and took ages to find. We had a long chat and I now have a possible lead on two 1275 engines
The second diff arrived yesterday, this is the one I'll probably fit. Gave it a little clean last night and it all looks good to go. This could also be the reason Miss Monkey does not live with me.....
The van is now stripped fully and ready for the replacement diff to be fitted Friday evening. The last order of parts in now on the way and will be with me at the weekend so I can fully crack on. Time seems to be moving faster than I am...... I make it 11 weeks to go.
The diff is surprisingly good, however the pinion seal is leaking and the nut holding the pinion flange on was so rusty it had to be removed using a die grinder and air chisel. It also supplied two good half shafts, the case is bad but will be kept for a future project I have in mind.
The great thing about buying second hand parts is the random people you meet, this guy lived in the middle of nowhere, no phone signal and took ages to find. We had a long chat and I now have a possible lead on two 1275 engines
The second diff arrived yesterday, this is the one I'll probably fit. Gave it a little clean last night and it all looks good to go. This could also be the reason Miss Monkey does not live with me.....
The van is now stripped fully and ready for the replacement diff to be fitted Friday evening. The last order of parts in now on the way and will be with me at the weekend so I can fully crack on. Time seems to be moving faster than I am...... I make it 11 weeks to go.
Progress is now being made, the replacement 4.22 diff went in last weekend and the back end has been put back together. The rear pinion seal was also leaking on this one so that has been replaced. I've taken it on a few short runs to test and the difference is vast. Its much smoother to pull away and has no wines or nasty noises. As the diff has not been used for a while I'll let it settle in on a few more short runs before a full motorway test.
Next job is the wipers, they don't sweep the screen fully and seem to have no power. A replacement motor is surprisingly expensive so it has worked out cheaper to replace with a 2 speed conversion. This has arrived but without instructions..... hopefully the supplier emails me a copy and I can get on with the swap. then it will be onto the interior, tidy the wiring and a de-coke.
Next job is the wipers, they don't sweep the screen fully and seem to have no power. A replacement motor is surprisingly expensive so it has worked out cheaper to replace with a 2 speed conversion. This has arrived but without instructions..... hopefully the supplier emails me a copy and I can get on with the swap. then it will be onto the interior, tidy the wiring and a de-coke.
Great write-up, and car (van?). Keep the pictures coming, and sideways is better than none at all 
When I saw the diff in the sink I thought 'I wouldn't be allowed to do that', unless it was in a garage. Then I saw your comment
The funny thing is, I know 2 people who've bought Minors in the past 12 months and another who's thinking about it, are they taking over from the MGB as the 'must have'?
When I saw the diff in the sink I thought 'I wouldn't be allowed to do that', unless it was in a garage. Then I saw your comment
The funny thing is, I know 2 people who've bought Minors in the past 12 months and another who's thinking about it, are they taking over from the MGB as the 'must have'?
This one is most definitely a van, however I also have a 2 door car hiding in the garage, it will live again soon.... 
I’ve had the car since I was a about 14 and my first project was to rebuild it for when I passed my test. That was almost 25 years ago. It’s had a hard life being driven by a 17 year old and has even been almost totalled by an uninsured idiot. I forget how many times it’s been rebuilt now for various reasons.
I needed a van for the house I’m rebuilding, the BMW was getting trashed and laughed at by builders down the local building supply yard. As i have literally a shed load of parts (plus a garage, box trailer and loft) the moggie van was a no brainier. It’s not been used as a van thou, it’s too good to throw bags of cement in so the BM is still taking a beating.
They are a good little starter classic, simple with easy enough parts to find in most situations. A few decent looking specialists have also started popping up selling nice restorations aimed at making them more usable and fashionable to the skinny jeans type. Values do seem to be going the way of all classic now and in some ways that’s a shame, I will be looking out for an early pickup once funds allow.
I’ve had the car since I was a about 14 and my first project was to rebuild it for when I passed my test. That was almost 25 years ago. It’s had a hard life being driven by a 17 year old and has even been almost totalled by an uninsured idiot. I forget how many times it’s been rebuilt now for various reasons.
I needed a van for the house I’m rebuilding, the BMW was getting trashed and laughed at by builders down the local building supply yard. As i have literally a shed load of parts (plus a garage, box trailer and loft) the moggie van was a no brainier. It’s not been used as a van thou, it’s too good to throw bags of cement in so the BM is still taking a beating.
They are a good little starter classic, simple with easy enough parts to find in most situations. A few decent looking specialists have also started popping up selling nice restorations aimed at making them more usable and fashionable to the skinny jeans type. Values do seem to be going the way of all classic now and in some ways that’s a shame, I will be looking out for an early pickup once funds allow.
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