I appreciate I am new to the commer scene and may well start by upsetting a few of you. I am going to replace the engine and braking system. The engine I want to replace with a post 1990 2.o petrol for LPG conversion and a 5 speed box. The brakes I just want modern vented disc brakes. So 2 questions has anybody done this or similiar and what engine braking system did you use. I appreciate there will be some custom mods to enable this but I am trying to find out where the best start will be. Thankyou all in advance for any help you may be able to give.
engine and brake upgrades
- Thread starter ironcommer
- Start date
just do aquick search you should find a few discusions you are not alone 
"SYBHIL" & N0.1
"SYBHIL" & N0.1
thankyou,
all read and digested holden/isuzu/vauxhall 2.5 v6 it is!!!
all read and digested holden/isuzu/vauxhall 2.5 v6 it is!!!
Hi Ironcommer, welcome to the forum - would love to hear how you get on with mods once you have decided on best conversions for you
Bessie - four star commerdation
Bessie - four star commerdation
I a using a Toyota 2.0 from a spacecruiser. Already has lpg conversion
The Hadrian
Just noticed from ebay listing for your van, have got a commer ad with van in your colours which might be of interest....
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/studiocommer/commer-cials/commerfreedoom.jpg
Bessie - four star commerdation
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/studiocommer/commer-cials/commerfreedoom.jpg
Bessie - four star commerdation
My first day with OSCAR
I only bought her yesterday and I already have a lot to tell..............
I set of from Brough (East Yorks)(girlfriend in tow)friday am at 8.30 for the 8.43 train which did not come, or the 9.11 which also did not come and I had paid reservations on the doncaster - kingscross 10.04 at 9.28 a train come which we boarded only to find out it was an express to Leeds so I got of at Selby having now missed the train and caught one back to Gilberdyke (east Yorks) and persuaded my mother to drive us to Stanmore. Caught a tube fine and easily got to victoria and got on the train to Rochester and then a final train to Strood where the seller's son kindly picked us up.
The transaction was straight she was as described I was shown around the vehicle and set off to Hull at about 5pm. first 10 miles was getting used to the brakes or lack of (front left locks virtually instantly the rears seem okish and the front right does not seem to want to do anything which makes for some amazingly sphincter twitching kerb diving braking) and an education how to 'stir' her into gear, apart from the very noisey waterpump (which I was warned about) all was going well.
Then came horrendous rain rush hour traffic going through the dartford tunnel, Obviously the windscreen wipers are there only for decoration with the driving rain ,Jodie investigated the van for leaks and it appears the only water ingression is a little in the pop out skylight and again reasonably obviously through the windshield hard black surround I believe called rubber, although it shows none of the properties I expect from rubber.
The rain stop the surface water went making me feel considerably safer although I was still keeping braking distances of around 1 light year from the vehicle in front, but reasonably happy that water pump apart, the engine had not skipped a beat at all for 2 hours now and was quite surprised by the pull (am now thinking a newly dressed refurbed engine with all modern ancilliaries could be a very good option)
2 and a half hours and up goes the tepmperature gauage along with my speed so decided to take a rest (she hadnt even done 700 miles since mot) She cooled I had a break all well another hour later doing no more than 45 (slight water pump fear) we stopped for supplies, I then realised my lights had ceased to work (definalty was working earlier)checked the obvious but I do not know this vehicle or its 34 year old 60 time modified/bodged/added wiring plan and night time drawing I asked for directions to the nearest 24hrs tesco so we could buy supplies and set up camp. Unfortunatly a dark treelined road put paid to that and we pulled into a premier inn carpark.
I then got the hotel to get us a taxi and we bought sheets, pillows, duvet, food, a change of clothes and of course mascara!!!!!!!!! and camp we set, a very good nights sleep and at 7am we awoke put the bed away and continued a lovely run to a little chef on the blythe stretch of the a1 a nice breakfast all going well.
The temp went up and then a bit more and then a bit more (along with my blood pressure) A stop at the m180/m18 services with cover off windows open to help the cooling process I topped up the radiator and checked the oil (which was fine and very very clean)we went further not much but we made it to Goole the home stretch. I re-topped up the radiatior as the water pump continued to pump the water out of its cream crackered seal, and we set off once more this time making it to south cave only 7 miles and 2 villages from my house and Oscars new home I let her cool upon getting the engine temp down I set off and in my tired state left the handbrake on confused as to why the struggle the burning brake smell give it away I took it off and 20 seconds later the some right clanking noise along with a few tings a very load bang a big wheeze and a large smoke and vapour cloud engulfing the vehicle behind me and all the noise stopped.
I got out to find all the lovely brown radiator water coming out of the new hole in the radiator and the water pump not working at all.
I was gutted i knew my first job was a replacement water pump and had already decided I may as well put a new (higher effiency) radiator on her but 6 miles from home 28hours after I left was a little dissapointing.
So guess what I am going to order now.....
I only bought her yesterday and I already have a lot to tell..............
I set of from Brough (East Yorks)(girlfriend in tow)friday am at 8.30 for the 8.43 train which did not come, or the 9.11 which also did not come and I had paid reservations on the doncaster - kingscross 10.04 at 9.28 a train come which we boarded only to find out it was an express to Leeds so I got of at Selby having now missed the train and caught one back to Gilberdyke (east Yorks) and persuaded my mother to drive us to Stanmore. Caught a tube fine and easily got to victoria and got on the train to Rochester and then a final train to Strood where the seller's son kindly picked us up.
The transaction was straight she was as described I was shown around the vehicle and set off to Hull at about 5pm. first 10 miles was getting used to the brakes or lack of (front left locks virtually instantly the rears seem okish and the front right does not seem to want to do anything which makes for some amazingly sphincter twitching kerb diving braking) and an education how to 'stir' her into gear, apart from the very noisey waterpump (which I was warned about) all was going well.
Then came horrendous rain rush hour traffic going through the dartford tunnel, Obviously the windscreen wipers are there only for decoration with the driving rain ,Jodie investigated the van for leaks and it appears the only water ingression is a little in the pop out skylight and again reasonably obviously through the windshield hard black surround I believe called rubber, although it shows none of the properties I expect from rubber.
The rain stop the surface water went making me feel considerably safer although I was still keeping braking distances of around 1 light year from the vehicle in front, but reasonably happy that water pump apart, the engine had not skipped a beat at all for 2 hours now and was quite surprised by the pull (am now thinking a newly dressed refurbed engine with all modern ancilliaries could be a very good option)
2 and a half hours and up goes the tepmperature gauage along with my speed so decided to take a rest (she hadnt even done 700 miles since mot) She cooled I had a break all well another hour later doing no more than 45 (slight water pump fear) we stopped for supplies, I then realised my lights had ceased to work (definalty was working earlier)checked the obvious but I do not know this vehicle or its 34 year old 60 time modified/bodged/added wiring plan and night time drawing I asked for directions to the nearest 24hrs tesco so we could buy supplies and set up camp. Unfortunatly a dark treelined road put paid to that and we pulled into a premier inn carpark.
I then got the hotel to get us a taxi and we bought sheets, pillows, duvet, food, a change of clothes and of course mascara!!!!!!!!! and camp we set, a very good nights sleep and at 7am we awoke put the bed away and continued a lovely run to a little chef on the blythe stretch of the a1 a nice breakfast all going well.
The temp went up and then a bit more and then a bit more (along with my blood pressure) A stop at the m180/m18 services with cover off windows open to help the cooling process I topped up the radiator and checked the oil (which was fine and very very clean)we went further not much but we made it to Goole the home stretch. I re-topped up the radiatior as the water pump continued to pump the water out of its cream crackered seal, and we set off once more this time making it to south cave only 7 miles and 2 villages from my house and Oscars new home I let her cool upon getting the engine temp down I set off and in my tired state left the handbrake on confused as to why the struggle the burning brake smell give it away I took it off and 20 seconds later the some right clanking noise along with a few tings a very load bang a big wheeze and a large smoke and vapour cloud engulfing the vehicle behind me and all the noise stopped.
I got out to find all the lovely brown radiator water coming out of the new hole in the radiator and the water pump not working at all.
I was gutted i knew my first job was a replacement water pump and had already decided I may as well put a new (higher effiency) radiator on her but 6 miles from home 28hours after I left was a little dissapointing.
So guess what I am going to order now.....
Thanks studio it is unequivebly my model which I did not know anything about.
She is very tidy inside and a good solid base, drivers door corners of dash front vallance need work but not tragic, brakes are poo even for a really old commer and now a radiator and pump to get.
She is very tidy inside and a good solid base, drivers door corners of dash front vallance need work but not tragic, brakes are poo even for a really old commer and now a radiator and pump to get.
Congratulations on a brave and epic journey - that'll be one to stick in the memory[:0] hopefully Oscars' initial troubles should be easy to sort out - and you now have it rigged ready to go for camping weekends including emergency mascara[:X] sounds like it'll be a cracking van, happy motoring. Did you manage to solve why you lost the lights[?]
Bessie - four star commerdation
. Did you manage to solve why you lost the lights[?]Bessie - four star commerdation
If you tell it like that your more than welcome to tell us lots more adventures of Oscar [8D]
lights will be the bl**dy switch of course[}]
he deserves an oscar for that journey [^]
"SYBHIL" & N0.1
lights will be the bl**dy switch of course
[}]he deserves an oscar for that journey [^]
"SYBHIL" & N0.1
quote:
Originally posted by chromo
Hi Ironcommer,
If you want a simple disc upgrade, the Humber Super Snipe front uprights are identical and have disc brakes. They are solid discs, not ventilated.
Chromo, Do you know what year, are there any available in Oz [?]
Originally posted by chromo
Hi Ironcommer,
If you want a simple disc upgrade, the Humber Super Snipe front uprights are identical and have disc brakes. They are solid discs, not ventilated.
Chromo, Do you know what year, are there any available in Oz [?]
Hi Iron Commer Good to hear there is some one else from Hull with a commer camper mines a 1972 hghwayman called Betty
, im in Thorngumbald but am in Ferriby a bit to see mates, was there in Betty on Saturday at The Duke pub got a lot of looks !! Keep Commering
Regards
Amos and Betty
Martin,
I pulled the diff and front uprights out of a 1963 Humber Super Snipe series IV. Diff housing was slightly different, but the diff centre was a straight swap 4.2:1, and the front uprights are identical. It had the nice 2-pot calipers as well. Super Snipes had a big 3-litre six cylinder engine, would have been great if they'd put that in the Commer...
I pulled the diff and front uprights out of a 1963 Humber Super Snipe series IV. Diff housing was slightly different, but the diff centre was a straight swap 4.2:1, and the front uprights are identical. It had the nice 2-pot calipers as well. Super Snipes had a big 3-litre six cylinder engine, would have been great if they'd put that in the Commer...
See my post regarding handbrake, i.e. PA rear cyliders.