MattBlackMinibus - Progress Report

[MattBlackMinibus]

Although I appreciate the fact that he's doing his job,
he could see that I've fabricated a sill from scratch and done the welding.
It's clear that I could and would go on to rectify any probs by the following day.
If he was a fussy tester, there were other things he could've been fussy about the first time.
I'm sure it was down to them not getting the repair work.

I'll be doing more work on it over the next couple of weeks to get it really really good,
then take it to a local place who get a lot of work from where I work.
Although they have a reputation for being strict,
they're a nice bunch and will be straight with me.

As for North Weald, we'll see how dough goes.

[AlanN]

Dont let the bast**ds grind you down dude

[MattBlackMinibus]

Dont let the bast**ds grind you down dude

Cheers Alan. They did for a while there though

Nevermind, onward and upward

Loads more welding done under the van, more than is needed, to be sure.
Adjusted the handbrake ... why didn't I do that years ago works really well now.
Sealed up one join in the exhaust, and welded up another.
Touched up the paintwork a little for presentation.

Need it back on the road BIG time.
Borrowing/sharing the missus little car is driving me round the bend.

[MattBlackMinibus]

Took the van to the place near my work for MOT on Wednesday.
They took it in but it didn't fit on their ramp!!
The owner was not happy.
He bought the ramp new a year ago and that's 2 vans now which haven't fitted on it!
My wellers make it a few inches too wide

They recommended a place around the corner, who MOT their vans.
Booked it in for the next day.
They said 'we can do it, but it won't pass'.
The exhaust is too loud and there's dirt in the number plate.
Fussy ba$tard$

This is properly winding me up now.

Went back to local boys.
Ordered a number plate and arranged to raid their exhaust bin.
I'm going to add a silencer in before the side-pipe,
something I've wanted to do since fitting it anyway. It is loud.

I'd like to borrow some std wheels+tyres for the MOT,
or P/X my wellers with someone.
I have another set which need re-drilling and tyres.

[Luke]

The exhaust is too loud and there's dirt in the number plate.
Fussy ba$tard$

thats not too bad

[MattBlackMinibus]

The exhaust is too loud and there's dirt in the number plate.
Fussy ba$tard$

thats not too bad

No, but yet another dissapointment, and that was before they got it on the ramp.
Local guys said they'd pass the exhaust, and said nothing about the plate.
Go and sort your steering column out. I'm feeling grumpy and sorry for myself

[AlanN]

Is there a sound restriction then, like on bike now then, I know they where talking about bringing it in, but Im sure nothing happeded about it in the end

[MattBlackMinibus]

Is there a sound restriction then, like on bike now then, I know they where talking about bringing it in, but Im sure nothing happeded about it in the end

A replacement must not be louder than an equivelent standard exhaust ...
or something like that
Of course this is for MOT purposes only, and can be dissregarded afterwards,
and it would then be down to enforcement officers to judge I guess

[Luke]

Go and sort your steering column out. I'm feeling grumpy and sorry for myself

haha sorted

my van passed the MOT with no exhaust silencers what so ever he just listened to it ticking over reved it a bit and said thats ok he knew i was going to be fitting one and being a 24v V6 you could drive it around on tickover infact i drove it to gaydon 2007 with no exhausts

[MattBlackMinibus]

Like I said, fussy tester, going by the book

[transitandy]

Dont worry mate you'll get there

[MattBlackMinibus]

Cheers Andy I will

Fitted new rear plate today, but couldn't get a silencer, so will try to do that Wednesday night.
Did de-rust and paint the rear axle though


(the reg number has been digitally modded, just in case you wondered)

Also got a tip from a colleague, of an MOT garage who does bigger vehicles, and is fair.
Get it in later this week hopefully.

[BROWNYS V6]

lookin good luck mate

[MattBlackMinibus]

Cheers Browny
Underside make-over is getting there, but still lots more to do

[AlanN]

Hope thats not getting dirty in this weather nice work Paul