My Commer plans

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bluequinn

0
Hello everyone,

Once upon a time I saw this photo on Flickr
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/arthur1/4560641617/sizes/m/in/photostream/

And just fell in love with the look of the thing. The customisation is just so subtle.
My intention now is to have myself a Commer that looks just like it.
None of this can happen until I pass my driving test, so first I'll do that!
But once I have a licence I shall be on the lookout for a decent PB with the bus body (I love the curved rear windows) to make my dream van out of.
Dozer's V6 conversion, plus the amazing Taunus Transit conversion on Retro Rides have got me thinking about fitting a Ford 24v Cosworth V6 and 4 speed auto from a late Scorpio, along with as many of its modern conveniences as practical. Aircon, electric windows and locking, etc.
Looking at the room around the 12v V6 it *seems* like the 24v should just fit.

Does anyone know the dimensions of the Commer engine bay?
And indeed the Ford 24v V6 engine?

Thinking about rear axles, I assume the Commer one would need replacing. What width axle should I be looking at? I'm not sure about using Jag IRS, but wondered about the Rover SD1 axle. That should handle 230bhp easily, and keep the PCD.
 
Nice to hear from another convert, these are great little vans and commend you on your good taste ;). A rescued minibus could be a special vehicle indeed - I think most of these will have a side door which only a few of the remaining campers have.

They are several tasty engine conversions on this forum but I'm not aware of a Ford V6 but others may do though.

The subtle bodywork mods on the 'Striper Viper' van you've highlighted, Scott (Eclipse77) is currently doing something very similar on his 'Katy' http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4887&whichpage=6 and looking good for it too.

HolbayLogo.jpg

'Hunny' our Commer Hi-Tor by TorCars
 
Hi Niall and welcome to the Madhouse:D
Ahhhh the Viper Striper rears it's gorgeous head again:p Your plans sound very interesting and you can find some details on Dozer's V6 conversion here. There's loads more pics on the photobucket link at the top of the thread.

http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=967&whichpage=1

He sold it on to a guy who did an LPG conversion that worked very well.
Just remember that now any engine conversion must pick up the original engine mounts or it could be subject to an inspection and potentially the van could loose it's ID and be issued with a 'Q'plate[V]

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Summer's nearly done
 
Ahh, so it has a name, searching which leads to loads more pics, and it's location.
Wonder if the owner would sell it?

I had no idea original engine mounts were necessary. That's an important bit of info, thanks.

And yeah, I've always had a soft spot for Commers. Never really liked those German buses.
 
Hello and welcome

Have a look at my build "Commer with Boost" you will see how little room there is in the engine bay. A few on here have chopped the floor in the back of the van and mid mounted the engine but eats into the space in the back of the van. I think dozers van used an essex v6 which is quite narrow for a v6 engine so fits quite well. Not to put a dampner on things but as you are a first time driver Insurance could be intresting as I cant see anyone insuring you on a vehicle of this modified state. The new owner of smurf is a first time driver like yourself and having great difficulty in insuring a standard van.

Good luck in your modified mission;)

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A commer with boost will be appering on a screen near you soon!
 
I doubt if it would be for sale, he did all the work himself and has had it a long time.
The engine mount thing is a recent developement and is making things awkward[:(!] Check out Jon's thread on fitting a Ford turbo diesel, his engine mounts are a work of art[8D]

th_DCP_9918.jpg

Summer's nearly done
 
quote:
Originally posted by bluequinn

Ahh, so it has a name, searching which leads to loads more pics, and it's location.
Wonder if the owner would sell it?

I had no idea original engine mounts were necessary. That's an important bit of info, thanks.

And yeah, I've always had a soft spot for Commers. Never really liked those German buses.



Thats not entirely true you can mount an engine mount to the exsisting chassie anywhere, but you cant cut or modifiy the chassie or will need and inspection, its a very grey area but vosa are targeting the tax exempt vehicles more so;)

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th_icon_welder.gif

A commer with boost will be appering on a screen near you soon!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Panky

I doubt if it would be for sale, he did all the work himself and has had it a long time.
The engine mount thing is a recent developement and is making things awkward[:(!] Check out Jon's thread on fitting a Ford turbo diesel, his engine mounts are a work of art[8D]

th_DCP_9918.jpg

Summer's nearly done



You been talking to baz to much lol:D

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A commer with boost will be appering on a screen near you soon!
 
'Viper Striper' defo not for sale. He just put a replacement engine in last week,(Volvo B20) uses it as his daily driver :p

http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/

http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jon

Hello and welcome

Have a look at my build "Commer with Boost" you will see how little room there is in the engine bay. A few on here have chopped the floor in the back of the van and mid mounted the engine but eats into the space in the back of the van. I think dozers van used an essex v6 which is quite narrow for a v6 engine so fits quite well. Not to put a dampner on things but as you are a first time driver Insurance could be intresting as I cant see anyone insuring you on a vehicle of this modified state. The new owner of smurf is a first time driver like yourself and having great difficulty in insuring a standard van.




Cheers Jon,

I have two possible plans with regards to insurance. One is a classic car policy as this won't be a daily driver. I insured a Rover SD1 this way and it only cost me £130 - central London and a provisional licence! I am pushing 40 so it should be fairly cheap.
The second option is to see if I can transfer the 6 years no-claims from my motorcycle insurance. Either way, I don't have to worry about it till I actually have something to insure :)

The 24v is a Cologne V6, same as the 2.8. It's 60 degrees so fairly narrow. The extra width is in the twin overhead cam heads, but judging from photos the overall height doesn't seem to be too much more than the injected 12v and that seems lower than the carburetted one.

If it simply won't go plan B is the 2.3 16v four cylinder that also went in the Scorpio. A good smooth torquey motor with near 150bhp. Might be a bit tall though.
 
It's the chassis that has to remain un-cut. It's not possible to speak to me too much!

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Spare a Commer Guv?
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
I've just been reading about it.

Bit of a minefield.

I've asked on a Ford Scorpio forum about the sizes of the engines.
Dozer's 2.8 looks like it has loads of room around it. Mind you I see he did have to tweak the body a bit
I note that you can add stuff to the chassis, just not take it away.
 
Welcome along and good luck with the project :) just do what you want to do and sod the DVLA [}:)]

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"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
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