Fao woolfy

N

Nickers

0
Hi woolfy :)
I take it you are a bit of a whizz in all forms mechanical.. so if you can advise would appreciate it bigly.

Have mentioned before that I have gorge commer who's poor heart has broken and i need transplant pronto - prob is no donors as yet.. it has a 1720 petrol and initially was thinking LPG but would need replacement engine (and conversion already costs 1500)
Had £1500 put aside for all works so am unsure that that is the way.

so then there's the diesel conversion option- sounds like from what I am hearing on here that it is a successfull translation..However am having probs gaining insight as to who or where would be interested in converting it for me.
Had some good leads from the good folk here when investigating LPG option but have either not wanted to take me on - or have since decided to favour diesel route over LPG.
It failed its mot in June on some rather dodgey chassis welding(that inclded a railway sleeper), seatbelts and then the engine died.. :(

can you offer any rays of hope, shed any beams of light throw me an anchor (or is that life vest!) on my quest for dodgey smiles for miles on the highway~!!..[V]...(sounds of deep sighing and an odd sniffle
yours hopefully
Nicky
(I am in belfast - camper in wales - can get towed anywhere in Uk - tho pref as close to there as poss to Conwy- norht wales)
 
Orr - if any other of you aficinados (duno how to spell it)out there know of anyone/place on the UK map that would be great too!
 
Hi Nickers, greetings from South West Wales - don't know of anyone here with time looking for projects and most of my available time goes into keeping Bessie a happy camper.

I'm lucky enough not to need to use garages so can't recommend anyone personally. There is talk of someone who does restoration work close to here - but I am a fair way down from where your camper is so it is more likely that there will be a wider choice of places either in North Wales or somewhere like Liverpool/Manchester area which would be a lot closer than here. We are close to Fishguard here so would be able to hop over the water and come back up to you - but again think North Wales/Liverpool also good for crossing Irish Sea.

When I got my first van, I had just left engineering college and was able to take it in to students as a learning project for them when the brakes needed fixing - boy did that fox them with the handbrake on the front wheels[}:)] Would it be worth pursuing colleges in areas close to camper to see if they still take in vehicles for students to practice on? - it would make an interesting project for them and if the college is good then their work is always double checked before it goes out of the workshop. Public Liability these days may have stopped colleges from being able to do this of course, but might be worth asking.:)
 
I think woolfy must have gone back to Canada [:0] Haven't heard from the big man in ages.
 
Thanks studio.. i had forgotten about the college option.(seriously must do course on the basics) I

ts not so much a restoration job as a engine sorting- and small bit of welding. but as i am clueless as to all things mechanical it was to wean advice more than anything as really i am confused over the diesel versus lPG engine.
And although i can get it towed thanks to AA home - there is no-one here that wants the work. But will def look at liverpool and manchester cheers!

Nicky

Keep on running...
 
if college option still viable then wouldn't need to be a full rebuild to be interesting - just practice in changing engines (make sure you have windscreen cover!)
See what Woolfy says too, he's been quiet the last few days so may still be able to pick tis one up and get back to you;)
 
whats actually wrong with the engine ?

any decent oldskool mechanic should be able to rebuild it with his eyes shut..

ive just done the bottom end in my mates (bigend and main bearings) without even taking the engine out..

we just dropped the prop off, took the gearbox off, slung a rope round the engine to hold it up, took off the sump, (and timing gear etc from the front) dropped the crank, got it reground, new bearings installed and put it all back together..

total cost was £160 and a few evenings work.

i wouldnt bother with LPG on a little 1725 rootes engine .. if going for a new engine a perkins 2/2.5 diesel out of a landy/transit should be a simple swap providing the bellhousings match up ok.

hardest bit is finding an engine hoist with enough reach to lift the block out through the cab.... which is why we left it in place :)
 
Hi Zimm not sure what the prob is exactly - i bought it knowing it wasn't working (bought it with prospect of buying recon in mind!)- previous owner initailly thought it was the cam shaft.. it had been running perfectly apparently then just died -the mechanic i kindof inherited has rebuilt it and it is still not going.. I know at one stage he thought there was a prob with the oil - wasnt being pumped..tried a new sump and new heads- did'nt sort it.. whether that was the only problem i am unsure I will speak to him today and get more details.
He has given up on it however (and who can blame him after a year!) and I need to get it out of his yard asap - hes been great - really only doing this as favour!

Thanks for the advice- appreciate moral support!!



Keep on running...
 
hi Nickers, i dont mean to offend anyone here but..

if he's had it a year and cant even tell you whats wrong with it he aint much of a mechanic (they really are very simple engines), and wasting a year of your time farting about is hardly doing you a favour.

if the oil isnt circulating its the oil pump.. if thats gone, then so are most of the internal bearings (i would think).. but really, everything required to rebuild these engines is available, and reasonably priced. For your £1500 budget you should be able to strip it, rebuild it to "as new" and reinstall it.. regardless of what was actually broken i the first place.

I'd offer my services but am currently so snowed under* i'd only end up wasting your time im afraid, and I dont want to make promises i may struggle to keep.

*mates commer to finish
mine to re-commission in preparation for second assault on the alps
2 x porsche 924's to finish
alfa gtv6 - complete restoration
zxr400/600 hybrid - engine rebuild (dropped a valve)
zxr400 track bike - engine tune/rebuild

+ 3 flats to re-fit and get to market !

and i lose my storage in a month !!!!!
 
Thank you so much everyone for your helpful comments and imput:D. I tried the college option but bit late for this term.. great advice about the perkins engine zimm thanks for that. Have a lead on a mechanic in Liverpool - so fingers crossed hes commer happy! hope you get a lie down after your hectic weekend Zimm.
Tara for now ;)
Nicky

Keep on running...
 
hi there nicky its woolfy here listen sorry i havent replyed i thought i had somewhere telling you that i really only did panels for these commers, i do have some news for you though the original engine and gearbox in my own van runs as sweet as a nut starts first time every time but i dont need it because im putting a bigger engine and gear box into mine, i know you wanted to go enviromently friendly with a better engine but i cant really help you out there. but what i could do for you is sell you my engine and box cheap and if you get it to where i live im sure i could get my mechanic friend to fitt it for you at reasonable price ,let me know what you think.;):p
 
Hi there woolfy:)
sorry its been an age - actually thought i'd replied to this notice months ago - my home PC is down and I'm havin to do this occassionaly from an IT cafe (nightmare!) Thanks for thinkin of me re your engine..Just to confirm - is your engine petrol? If so thanks but I'll leave it as i really would go diesel if not environ friendly. Happy new year tho!! (to all commervan folk also..:D)

Keep on running...
 
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