I thought I would get a bit of a thread going on the Mk1 I bought 2 years ago. It has been in storage at my mums place a couple of hours away, but I have been collecting parts quietly for it, and have recently secured a good workshop for free so will trailer it up here soon and get started on it. It is a 1975 LWB, originally a 2.0L V4. The previous owner had begun to fit a Falcon 4.0 SOHC six cylinder into it. He had chopped a big hole in the floor, sat the engine in the hole, and that was about it
I bought it less engine, and trailered it back to my mothers place, it took over 7 hours in the pouring rain to get it back there.
The body is fairly sound, there is some rust around the headlights, a few small bits on the gutter on each side, and a little in the lower front corners, and thats about it I think. Underneath had been havily undersealed since new, and since we don't put salt on our roads the underside is rust free as far as I can tell
Anyway, time for some pics.
Trailering it home:
I managed to find a 9" diff, already converted with Transit axle tubes and brakes:
and bolted into place:
Originally it had been panelled over in the rear with a moulded fibreglass panel, I think someone was going to convert to a campervan?
Ten minutes with a skilsaw dealt to that, fortunately all of the door shuts had been left intact. So I found a pair of rear doors, and they bolted straight in:
Some of the NOS parts I have been collecting. I also have a new diesel grill panel now, rear valance, cab sills (just in case!) diesel front bumper, rear bumpers and rear wheelarch flares. I still need a diesel bonnet, diesel front valance, and the front bumper infill panels, if anyone knows of any new or mint used parts please let me know. I can arrange collection from just about anywhere if required in the UK.
Originally I bought this engine, a brand new never-been-run BA Falcon "Barra" Turbo six. This engine produces 320hp and 330 lb.ft in stock form, with a measly 6psi of boost (plenty of scope for more
)
I then found a similar engine from a Ford Territory, slightly more power (330hp) but it was a better package I felt, as the top mount intercooler would work better in the Transit, and it was a complete package, with all wiring, ECU, electronic throttle, alternator, starter etc. So I sold the original Turbo engine.
And that about brings me up to date. The plan is to acid dip the entrire bodyshell, and start with a nice bare metal shell to commence the build. I want it to look basically stock from the exterior, I will fill in the side windows, fit the diesel front, and it will run the original 14" wheels with dually rears. I will keep this updated as I make progress. Should be a fun old bus by the time it is finished
Conrad