Long time no Speak

[pippadee]

Hello all, don't know if you remember but about 4 months ago after only owning the van for a couple of months we managed to blow a head gasket. Now, after much deliberation over engines the van is home once more.
We decided to go for an engine rebuild, which turned out to be rather a big job as the engine was basically knackered. Stripped it down, rebuilt it with new big ends, reground crank, oil seals etc etc. New clutch, custom made exhaust system which exits in front of the rear wheels (now sounds like a 3ltre v6 should sound) alloy radiator from 2.5DI transit to help with the cooling, electronic ignition.
Then we decided it needed some cosmetics so we fitted a fibreglass diesel front valance, bumper and spats, replaced lower passenger door skin, drivers side sill and repaired inner front panels. We then sent it to a body shop and had the cab resprayed ( an attempt to lose some of the hearing aid biege!!!)
There are a few jobs left one of which is to get rid of the rest of the biege by respraying creamy white. Fit an electric cooling fan, a replacement front beam with vented discs and four pot calipers, a new rear back axle to try and gear it up a bit (any ideas welcome for what to use) and a pair of spot lamps.
Here are some pics of her now, what do we all think?

[Luke]

how could we forget our second featured van looking even better now!!!

[Rolo]

(now sounds like a 3ltre v6 should sound)

I think all engines should sound like electric motors, or forever hold their peace.

Then we decided it needed some cosmetics so we fitted a fibreglass diesel front valance, ... and spats,

What are "front valances" and "spats"?

fit ... a replacement front beam with vented discs and four pot calipers,

You lost me again with the minor details; I mounted a new axle out of a Mark 2 in my Mark 1 but I also had to change the master cylinder for one of a Mark 2.

[Rolo]

How is it that I'm managing to make double posts without even realizing how I did it?

[100ps_drw_hicube]

looking good

[Valsheda]

Your van is looking very nice Pippadee , glad to hear your back on the road again

[tranorak]

I had to look twice at your van ~ its spookily similar to the one my friend sold last year ~ Look at the reg numbers!! we called his OLLY... well the 7 looks a bit like a Y if... ok thats a bit sad isnt it..

[Luke]

I had to look twice at your van ~ its spookily similar to the one my friend sold last year ~ Look at the reg numbers!! we called his OLLY... well the 7 looks a bit like a Y if... ok thats a bit sad isnt it..

wow that is spooky

[pippadee]

How spooky is that! Its not sad we call ours Olly as well. Whats sad is Chris wanted to call the new baby Oliver if it was a boy so he would already have a personalised plate.
Ours is the Travelhome model and that one we think is the Autohome.

[Luke]

no the twin is being broken for spares

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Transit-CI-Motorh ... dZViewItem

[pippadee]

Thats really sad. Has anyone enquired about spares yet? If so how were the prices?

[FredTransit]

Looking good! Despite the spooky connection, think about doing the body in white, ditch the biege. Biege is not good in large amounts!

[pippadee]

I know, it looks even worse now the cab is red. Oh well start saving again, everything so far has eaten a large hole in the savings account.

[goldstar]

Hi I saw a van similar to yours for sale in Classic Van&Pick-up afew months ago is it same one ?

[FredTransit]

goldstar was it a completely biege camper cos I think it was pippadee's (correct me if I'm wrong pip). Classic van and pickup are ridiculously slow at listing and removing ads!