MattBlackMinibus - Progress Report

[MattBlackMinibus]

OK. Got the new caliper on the following day, and all is good.
Drama over.

Now hunting for a new caliper for the near-side,
as I have a new disc waiting to go on.

[MattBlackMinibus]

The van had a wash a couple of weeks ago
This is a big event in the life of MattBlackMinibus,
it doesn't happen often

Within two days the back of it looked white again
due to all the salt on the roads

Might have to wash it again soon

[MattBlackMinibus]

Got a great big hole in the front of my front exhaust muffler
It sounds like I've fitted a nasty racing pipe with a crap note.

Must be time to fit the side pipe then
Pics to follow ...

[AlanN]

Less back pressure for North Weald then Paul

[MattBlackMinibus]

Yes, less back pressure for the camping area mate

Need to make an 18" joining section of exhaust.
Also need to reduce the 60mm Transit front section down to 50mm.
Thought I'd do this by making a long reverse trumpet section,
rather than a have a sudden stepped reducer.
Of course this is purely for gas flow advantages,
and nothing to do with not wanting to buy pre-made exhaust parts

Step 1 - sculpt a 60-50mm diameter wooden form from an 18" length of fence post



Step 2 - Roll some sheet steel around it




Then be informed that you have to go out, so pack up and continue tomorrow!

[MattBlackMinibus]

Back to it.
Bought two exhaust clamps today for the joining piece (a bargain £2.40).

I needed to make up some brackets to go on the inner sills to hang the exhaust.
I used a fuel tank bracket from an old bike frame because it has large rubbers,
which will stop the exhaust vibration coming through the bus body -


I chopped it in half to make two, and drilled through the rubbers to insert top-hat-collars.
Then I welded them up to the inner sill, and slapped some underseal all over the place -



Here's the old rusty exhaust

You can see it's completely gone where it joins the front box (or doesn't!)

Tomorrows work will be cutting off the old system, welding up the joining section I made,
bolting up the side-pipe to it's new brackets and clamping the joiner in place

[MattBlackMinibus]

OK ... back to it.

Stitched up joining piece -


but found this break on the side pipe -


so decided to hack up the old exhaust (now removed) to make a repair sleeve -


but then broke the side pipe -


so welded it all together again -


and sprayed on 3 coats of high-temp exhaust paint on both new pieces -


It's all bolted up now and sounds deep and no leaks like before, but most importantly ... it looks good
Pictures after this weekends debut at North Weald http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=58437

[transitandy]

very nice work mbm

[MattBlackMinibus]

Cheers Andy
I was really pleased with my welding along the joining tube,
but the welding around the repair sleeve is terrible cos it started raining
Nevermind, I won't be looking underneath the van

[MattBlackMinibus]

Just fitted a new steering wheel now as well
It's like turning a smartie Lucky the bus has power steering

[MattBlackMinibus]

[MattBlackMinibus]

It's that time again to renew the insurance.

6 seats though

Any suggestions of good/cheap companies

[MATTBLACKHICUBE]

Any suggestions of good/cheap companies

Up until I got my Motor Trade policy I always used Adrian Flux for any modified vehicles, their prices were always fair.

[AlanN]

Adrian Fucx, please shop around first, might get a cheap deal there... full of excuses when it comes to a payout

[MATTBLACKHICUBE]

Adrian Fucx, please shop around first, might get a cheap deal there... full of excuses when it comes to a payout

Fair do's mate, never had a pay out, and only had £100 excess on fully comp cover. But to be fair not used them for about 3-4 years so things are bound to have changed.