Gurns smiley face

[Timbo]

Hi Neil,

PM me your E-mail address and I will send it to you as a Word Document.

Regards, Tim.

[Altransit]

You can PM it to me Tim, and I'll post it

[Altransit]

I have the document
Do you want the whole thing posted up here Neil

[the gurns]

Yes please mate.

[Altransit]

I bought N969XDB in 2001 when I traded in my mk3 petrol SWB minibus so I must have had her for about 10 years. I was the second owner the first being a children’s home. The vehicle was a 120 van professionally converted to a minibus – quite common apparently. It had a triple seat behind the normal Ford seats and a double and a single behind that. In the rear there were 2 double seats mounted sideways on and these had lift-up squabs so that there was room for a wheelchair between them. I think they must have loaded the chair by ramps as there were some brackets on the floor in the back. All the rear seats were grey plastic and had fitted seat belts. I used the bus as a sort of Day Van and put the triple and double seats down the off side and built a cupboard with a 2 burner/grill cooker on the near side behind the side door.

On the way home the near side front wheel bearing was making a horrible noise so its replacement was my first job. The clutch dragged so badly that I had to stop the engine to get it into gear. I stood it for 3 weeks and then fitted new pressure plate, centre plate and release bearing. The bearing squeaked when idling and the clutch released but stopped with light pressure on the pedal. I thought it was just the bearing being new and the noise would stop after it had run for a bit and freed up. More than 10 years on it still squeaked.

This was the first diesel vehicle I had owned and as it was a 70ps it seemed sluggish after a 2 litre petrol but would cruise at 65 mph. Over the years I changed the lift pump and fitted a set of refurbished injectors to cure a hesitation at 64 mph. Later the van started hunting at idle and I fitted a brand new Bosch injection pump (off E-bay) and this improved the running no end with a bit more power and better MPG. I replaced the cam belt for the second time when I did the pump but I can’t remember the mileage.

I was disappointed that the bus didn’t have power steering but I got a complete “kit” of bits from a breakers in Ireland and fitted it. This was the best mod I did to the bus as not only did it make the steering lighter but considerably reduced the number of turns lock to lock. Other parts replaced were the front brake discs and pads and the rear shoes. I fitted a pair of new headlamp washer jets and the pump ( a vauxhall one) is controlled by a pair of relays on the bulkhead by the near side inner wing.. The headlamp wash should only pulse when the screen washer stalk is operated if the headlamps dip beams are on. Other replacements are front discs and pads, rear shoes, the bushes in the rear shockers and the back section of exhaust.

Whenever I was under the van I would dab Hammerite on any bits of rust and the only filling I did was a hole in the O/S/F arch behind the wheel and a smear round the rear arches. At the last MOT I put the van through the tester said he hadn’t seen such a solid Mk5 for many years. The day after Richard took the van he put it through an MOT and it passed with flying colours so I was upset to see how many panels you are having to replace.

I am glad that XDB has gone to a good home and I hope you get as much enjoyment out of her as I did. She always started first turn of the key and never let me down.

Regards Tim(bo).

P.S. If the washer bottle is emptying then it sounds like the wiring to the two relays has got disturbed with the panel work and I would disconnect the headlamp pump for the time being. If it still empties then I would check the pipes behind the grill as one may have come off.

[the gurns]

Thanks Tim and Al.

[the gurns]

MATE IS CRACKING ON WITH THE BUS,COUPLE OF PICS....







WON'T BE LONG NOW!!

[robbie.cee]

what i would give to have the time, money and a garage inc pit (all at the same time! )for a week!!

[the gurns]

Me too! I have a double garage behind the house but the bus won't fit in there,this is a mate place, nice and clean with pit etc etc,stuff dreams are made of

[robbie.cee]

Good job so far mate , crack on and well see her at transitmania?? north weald too??

[RLHaulage]

it would have been nice to see the arch welded on properly,would have saved alot of filler

[robbie.cee]

looks ok to me!

[the gurns]

it would have been nice to see the arch welded on properly,would have saved alot of filler

whats wrong with the welding?

[the gurns]

Are you saying you can weld an arch on so well you don't need any filler? well your a better man than me mate,anyway a bit of fillers ok,if its good enough for Chip Foose...

[the gurns]

it would have been nice to see the arch welded on properly,would have saved alot of filler

So your gonna shoot me down in flames but not tell me why?? Thanks for that!