New engine in an old van

T

ted

0
Hi all

I was once on here with my v8 commer pb camper build
well as it turns out a low reving v8 is not the way to go

so bored with the commer i laid her up for the last 5 years
anyway i had a few days off so thought id re engine her again this time with a mazda mx5 engine and box complete with fuel injection

the engine is in and running and had a chance to make a proshaft just to move her about till i can get one made properly

The gear linkage caused a day of head scratching but its all sorted and as soon as i can figure out how to upload photos ill put a load up

just wondering where do you guys buy all your repair parts from
im after
shoes front and rear
wheel cylinders front and rear
front suspension bushes
steering joints
headlight retaining rings
handbrake cable
and loads of small bits
 
Morning...wow, well excited to see these and how you did it all and how it drives etc. Tend to buy off Martin or speedies links are on the front page of the website

The Blue Toaster
commercrop_zps68ea08d6.jpg
 
Some parts are on my website, but I have far more on the shelf, too many to list.

www.commervanspares.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/commervanspares
 
Hi Ted and Welcome back:)
Theres a list of suppliers on the Home page here:-

http://www.commervanfan.co.uk/

65a8f281-2f60-4744-b9e8-1facc4450bd9_zps403d6d8b.jpg

The simpler the betterer...
 
Welcome back:)
A very interesting conversion, a few people have mentioned the possibility of the Mazda swap but I think you're the first to actually do it. How come the V8 didn't work out?

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Is a good idea for a conversion, small, light, reliable and powerful. Intrigued I'd it fits with little modding of bay or engine

The Blue Toaster
commercrop_zps68ea08d6.jpg
 
I was thinking about this conversion, but before I got too far into it I reckoned it wouldn't fit in without cutting the bay.

Would love to hear otherwise!
 
Hi all
thanks for the responses i forgot how friendly it was on here

the mx5 conversion is fairly easy if you can weld and tinker with stuff im sure you could do it
ive used as much of the mx5 as possible as i want the commer to feel more modern but still be fun

the list of bits is

engine and box
loom
switch gear
wiper and indicator stalks
steering wheel
fuel tank and pump

other bits
honda civic radiator
toyota mr2 mk2 gear selector cables shifter and selector linkage
various hoses pipes and clips
vauxhall corsa b steering motor for pas (still got to be done)

im struggling to upload photos but have a google plus account heres a link theres only a couple of photos but ill add more if you all can see them

link
https://plus.google.com/photos/111096646353758335099/albums/5832356256523120113?authkey=CM2gzvGIi6qhhgE

as for the v8 well it was fast but only up to 50mph where it would then make your ears bleed so really needed a rear end swapping with a higher fd that and 20mpg at best was a little harsh.
once the mx5 engine is on the road ill be doing a diy lpg install as im planning on using the thing alot this year if i get the chance
 
hi
just to add you do have to cut in front of the bay to allow for a rad and behind through the bulk head to allow the box to pass through this is due to the engine sitting higher because of sump and crossmember issues
the injection manifold also sits over to the drivers side meaning you have to mod the tinware and drivers seat runners
if you cant weld do not take on fitting one of these engines its a fiddly job fitting all of the injection setup in that tiny engine bay let alone getting it to work and run correctly
dont get me wrong the mazda engine is lovely to work with but its a pig to get right
 
Ah... I'm not able to do that on two counts, my missus would destroy me if I did that to either van and I couldn't do it anyway I reckon :) job and a half that

The Blue Toaster
commercrop_zps68ea08d6.jpg
 
Not bad for a few days off:)
Hopefully you're going to put some strength back into the bulkhead, it is a bit structural:I
Thought I recognised it:)

http://forum.commervanfan.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3265


41fa30c8-22ce-43e8-bd12-188475a80292.jpg
 
ha ha yeah thats the old girl

its not as bad as im making out but ive been building stuff for years and i kinda have to think about what ive done to write it down

as for the bulk head its all back in already got to start moving other cars around as ive sold some of my collection so will be a while till i can get back on it but there will be a video of it driving down my garden as soon as i can dig it out

https://plus.google.com/photos/111096646353758335099/albums/5832356256523120113?authkey=CM2gzvGIi6qhhgE
 
It's amazing what you can do in a few days Ted. I use Martin for any parts I need. 5 years is a long time for your commer to be laid up. It's great that your tinkering with her again. I can relate to the gear linkage, all done now though.

Member of the non-Facebook club.
 
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