TheDrunks - Ex-BT Van project

[MarkM]

half shaft only needs a screwdriver, no puller needed there

Fair enough I was going on my MK3 I knew the MK5 needed a puller so assumed that the garage that say they can't do my MK5 as they need a larger puller (their words) used a puller on my MK3 when they did the bearing.

you need to find another garage the halfshaft pops itself out

Well I am already on the case as the differences between the MK3 and MK5 aren't 'that' huge, well not to the extent that a 'tool' for a more modern vehicle isn't held in stock.
The guy gets snowed under from time to time and a Transit blocking up a ramp and/or his forecourt I think he can do without.
He did the front shocks on the MK3 and a few other things BUT he lost his main mechanic (replaced him but cars are more this new guys thing) and I think as well the owner doesn't like doing vans. You should have heard the quote for a clutch (but that was pretty universal as it was either a huge quote or 'no we don't do van clutches') at least he doesn't have a problem doing the MOT so a small bonus.

[dangeeeeerousss]

clutches are easy on a transit id sooner do a transit than any front wheel drive car any day
i was told i needed the heavy duty clutch for mine so i dropped the gearbox for a closer look and found that there where 3 different settings for different clutches so i just stuck a different one in that my mate had laying about and pressure plate and that one was 10mm smaller if i remember right and ive never had any problems with it i dont know if you can do this on all transits as im still finding my way around them at the minute.
as this is my first one

[gemini]

3 different settings for different clutches

[MarkM]

clutches are easy on a transit id sooner do a transit than any front wheel drive car any day
i was told i needed the heavy duty clutch for mine so i dropped the gearbox for a closer look and found that there where 3 different settings for different clutches so i just stuck a different one in that my mate had laying about and pressure plate and that one was 10mm smaller if i remember right and ive never had any problems with it i dont know if you can do this on all transits as im still finding my way around them at the minute.
as this is my first one

I agree it is easy to do a clutch on a rear wheel vehicle, needs must was why I did mine and after sorting out how to line the box and engine up I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The bonus is that I have the right tools for the job unlike a lot of people who only have the universal socket set in the plastic case plus a few screwdrivers, which isn't really enough

[dangeeeeerousss]

hi gemini
yes there was 3 sizes of clutches i could use. i know it was some time ago when i did it. correct me if im wrong because it was about a year or more ago i think when i did it. theres about 6 bolts that holds the pressure plate on. and i know that the clutch that i took off was bigger than all the other ones id looked at cant remember the size some thing like 287mm this is only a guess so dont all shout at me for getting the size wrong
i know when i went to my local ford dealer he said it was a heavy duty clutch that i needed and was going to be around £200 and i said sh~t to that then my mates kept giving me clutches and they where all smaller .it wasnt till i noticed these other holes on the flywheel i decided to take one and try it. that i found that it fitted now whether someone had altered the flywheel i dont know. but the clutch was 10mm smaller minimum and all i can tell you about the engine was it came from a 89 lwb recovery truck that i bought locally off ebay for £50
and the bl@@dy thing is still in now but not for much longer i hope

[gemini]

never seen any different bolt holes, the clutch should be 242mm dia, the turbo clutch is different as there is a recess in the flywheel, not sure of the diameter of these though

[dangeeeeerousss]

its just a 2.5 di the clutch was definately bigger than the others because i tried ebay and they where all smaller too.if you remind me when i take the engine out ill see

[dangeeeeerousss]

FORD TRANSIT 2.5 HD CLUTCH & TD 86-92

ADDITIONAL INFO

PLATE DIAMETER = 267 mm
could this of been it???????
i know it wasnt the 242mm because thats whats in it now

[dangeeeeerousss]

i also remember pulling my hair out over it

[gemini]

FORD TRANSIT 2.5 HD CLUTCH & TD 86-92

ADDITIONAL INFO

PLATE DIAMETER = 267 mm
could this of been it???????
i know it wasnt the 242mm because thats whats in it now

could be, cheap as well at £4.99p only 1 day 17 hours to go

[dangeeeeerousss]

yes i know i got quote something like £187+vat i know it was around £200 but if it wa the one ive got in now it was only around £50 cant remember off hand as ive replaced that much just lately ive lost track

[dangeeeeerousss]

thats only a little bit of welding i thought it was something serious

That's why I linked to your thread, but then you said at least once in that thread that you wouldn't do it again as it really was a little bit too rotten. Ok it certainly isn't now but how much would it have cost you to have what you have had done if you had been paying someone? How much has it actually cost you, I bet even though those 2 figures are way apart the self bill is pretty high if you count your time.

sorry mark i missed this earlier as for not doing it again.i lie i probably would
1. if i had a garage which was heated and not doing it out doors
2. i would make sure i had another form of transport
the cost to have what ive done if i had it done somewhere wouldnt even bear thinking about.
look at it this way average welder is on £14 an hour .admittedly i wasnt on it everyday solid for 8months but this was only due to the weather so if we said 6 months between 5-6 days a week averaging 6 hours a day most of the time it was more like 12 but im allowing for doing bits in between and company delaying me.
then its cost me £225 in materials inc drill bits at £1.50 each must of snapped 50 at least
i dont want to even try adding it up
ill leave that to you and dont forget when youve got your total add vat on top and at times trebled my medication of pain killers for my back
if i was to do it again i would want the materials there or the equpment to make most of the parts.taking the 2 floors and chassis apart bit by bit was a bit of a haul

then at times i was scrimping and scrapping a bit especially near xmas.
im struggling a little bit now as im trying to get as much done as i can ready for the meeting
bearing in mind ive still got mot and tax on top of that
but i have enjoyed it. its just dragging a little now because im so close

[TheDrunk]

Finally some good debate


Yes, this van probably is shafted. However it wont take much to get it MOT'd and I can at least start using it for a bit. Then I can decide if I want to go mad on it. But I dont really have the facilities...

[dangeeeeerousss]

i have the tools but no facilities thats why mine has been pushed from pillar to post from the start

[Luke]

Yes, this van probably is shafted. However it wont take much to get it MOT'd and I can at least start using it for a bit. Then I can decide if I want to go mad on it. But I dont really have the facilities...

i dont think your van is that bad, yes paying for the welding isnt cheep but i dont think its as bad as some think - transits have bad rust areas and if done correctly and undersealed will last you out and the bad areas will be fresh - buy another van and they could be ready to do in another year

why has the battery tray gone looks ok to me

Take a look at all the surface rust all over the van and the amount of rust on the battery tray (which rusts on otherwise clean vans) you really think it is intact underneath...if it is it will be one of the few spots that is on this van.

still dont think its gone but if it has the battery tray isn't an expensive part and it bolts on - easy job

and those arches look way better than mine