Aye up, this is my first Readers Ride post this year on the Tulip. I've done a few bits, but I've not exactly been that productive on the Commer front. It's been a hectic year with a house sale/move stopping me from making the drive looking like a breakers yard + plenty other work and tightened budgets getting in the way of progress.
Guess it's been a bit of a frustrating year Commer wise, but I've been scrimping and saving every penny for a decent garage at the new house and the goal is for me during the winter at long last to be in a position to be able weld a load of Woolfy panels and do other jobs under a roof.
Looks pretty definite that I won't be going to Commerfest [V], just a tad gutted, but with this year being a real stretch and not having been on a proper holiday with my better half I think I'll have to wait for Commerfest II
Here's what's happened this year anyway -
Seals weren't as water proof as I thought causing this delamination damage [}
]...
... so I reluctantly bought this, as recommended by someone on here. It's a very good quality item (wants to be at the price) and I'd recommend it to y'all.
My last posts asked about bushing on the gear change relay. Anyway, I got my mate to turn up some scrap PTFE into a thin bush (you can just see it in the pic) and it's definitely taken play out of the gear change, the gate is even tighter now. If anyone wants dimensions, give me a shout. I spotted another potential bush to replace behind the bulbous nose thing the other day, but I don't think I'll be tackling that one any time soon.
Treated the new slick shifter to a little paint up.
I've spent the most amount of time wasting my Christmas money p1$$ing about with electric fans. I was keen to lose the engine driven fan so I could hold conversations at 55mph, increase performance (hmmmmmm) and efficiency. I've achieved the first two goals, but I'm struggling with the efficiency bit, because eBay fan Mk.3 (12" - the biggest I can fit) controlled via an in-line adjustable thermostat, isn't keeping things cool enough - once it's on it's on for good and the needle slowly rises [}
]. Commerjules has fitted a 14 incher on his ride; maybe he has a different rad? Does everyone else have the metal shield at the bottom? For now the plan is to put the mechanical fan back on (GREAT) and use the electric as a supplementary fan for when things get a little hot under the collar. An uprated rad might be on the cards when fund allow (2013).
We did manage a short weekender at a local site. I met a load of sound VW guys who loved the Commer. One of the fellas has since bought one and showed up on this forum the other week.
Nearly got lost in this pea souper when I nipped out for a super pee. That's me for now. Gutted I won't be seeing you all again next month, have fun without me!
