'95 LWB 150 minibus conversion

[Nadjenka]

Terry, my V5 doesn't have the weight on it, but I have checked my load max as I was taking 1.2T pallet to a customer. I can carry 1600kg, whils loaded max is 3300kg. Therefore I assume that unloaded weight of my tranny is 1700kg. Without the engine (and me) it would be around 1.5T Again - this is only my logical assumption based on numbers on "that" plate (can't think what it's called, must be the hour of the night - the one on the passenger step). The trouble we had with RAC was the lenght of it, not the actual weight. That's why they towed me with a bar rather than on the trailer. But what do I know...? I'm only guessing really.

[Nadjenka]

No luck with the engine, my impatience is kicking in, but unfortunately everything needs it's time. Went to have a look at a van for sale, advertised for £200 with no MOT and no tax, just for the engine. Boy - was that a shed... Never seen a van in such a sorry state. Can't take it because I don;t have the capacity of dealing with breaking it.



Notice the HUGE roof rack, I was amazed Didn't take many pictures as it looked like it's just another one of those "run and hide" sales. It had holes everywhere, but the bodywork is just the start of it, worst part was smashed cross member (?)




There was almost no room between the wheel and the inner wheelarch. Definite no-no for bar towing it, and who knows how much trouble was hidden within the engine (was warmed up already when we arrived... )

Apart from that I haven't really had time to deal with anything else since I was left on my own at work again. Captain Hook remains my best hope, will keep you posted...

[Nadjenka]

I ahve found the hole number one. Could this be the reason? Is that under so much pressure? Alternator bolt became loose (the long one at the bottom that holds the alternator onto the adjusting sliding thing) and probably the tremble of my engine made the bolt drill thru the filter. Just the thought that if THIS is the reason and if I would stop right away ot the bloody double red there, it could have been up and running now - makes me nuts! Grrrrrrrrr





I can't believe this would cause the olil to explode all over the engine though... I'll see if I can find something else...

[ake]

The oil would have pumped out that hole at a fair rate with the engine running

[Luke]

yeah 99% sure that will have been your problem

[Nadjenka]

Oh, stupid woman!

Now - removing the alternator proves to be mission impossible. Can I remove the hoses from the alternator or do I need to remove them from wherever they are coming from at their other ends? Stupid question I know, but Haynes has no pictures regarding this...

[Luke]

yes undo the hoses at the altenator end

[Nadjenka]

But when I do that, the hoses sort of get in a way of themselves. Basically they turn and twist forcing the bolt to screw itself back on again... Does that make sence?

[Luke]

yes it does ............ now does this ............ put a spanner on the 1st nut (nearest the alt) and undo the 2nd nut along that should come off without twisting the pipes

[Nadjenka]

Right... It's out - thanks. I only have one spanner of the correct size though. But I talked to it nicely for a while and got it out now. Thanks. Next question - what is this:





do I need to unbolt the wiring or is there an easier way how to do it? That bolt is unaccesible with the spanner tool I have due to the bolt being too long...

[fastmower]

If when you say "spanner tool" you mean a socket which is not deep enough - see if the socket will fit on the nut by itself. Then stick the square end of your ratchet just into it enough to turn it and try undoing it like that. If you put the socket on the ratchet first - so it's fully on, then the square bit blocks the hole in the socket and stops the end of that bolt sticking into it.

I hope that makes some sort of sense - not the easiest thing to put into words! If not shout up and I'll take some pictures for you!

The hole in the oil filter thing by the way - just one of those things really, though possibly one of the worst things! You couldn't have really done anything about it and I guess not many of us will be 100% sure that every single nut and bolt on our vans is tight! Not the sort of thing you'd check unless you were changing it - so don't beat yourself up over it.

Let us know how you get on!

Andy

[MR BigBeefy LDV Guru]

thats the starter motor and yes the wires need to come out

[Luke]

for the starter wires - battery off 1st then undo them off the starter put a spanner on and give it a few taps to undo it that way it its tight it wont turn the whole lot round inside and bugger up the starter

[Nadjenka]

I bought another spanner sockets kit but the socket is just too shallow for it. Manual spanner does not have enough room to turn in there, I left it for now, maybe I'll have better access there after removing other stuff. I was under impression I can just unplug (somehow) the eleccy suply to it and take it out with the engine That's why I thought that maybe I am not supposed to unbolt it, maybe there is a way how to get the heat shrink off and I'll find a plug, but I wanted to ask before I try to do that. Thanks Fastmower, I understood and I'll try your trick.

Now I have further two questions: There are three torx bolts holding the power steering onto it. I have undone the bolt on the slider thing as suggested by Haynes, but the power steering pump (I assume that is IT) won't slide out of the way therefore I can't access the torx bolts holding the PS pump onto the engine. Am I missing something?

[Nadjenka]

And the second question is about manifold. Haynes just says in one sentence that I should take off the manifold to create more room for the engine to come out. Now do I remove just half of it? Or do I remove everything on the engine so I can get to the bolts that hold the manifold onto the engine itself? This bit sould come out now when I lift the manifold



But the other side has loads of stuff blocking the bolts to the manifold. I thought I undo the bolts in the middle of the manifold, is that the way to go? Excuse my blond questions, just unsure what the right process is. I start undoing something and realise there is something else in a way. Then in undo the other thing half way and find third thing blocking the second one... It just seems I'm doing it from the wrong end altogether