The Snail

[sunbeamsam]

The snail has been axle stands for a few months now so plenty of updates to do.

The top radiator hose was cracking so I made up some silicone replacements, just need 4 bends and a couple of joiners. probably cheaper than buying them from speedies.

Invoice so if anyone else needs to know what sizes to buy

 

[sunbeamsam]

I spent ages trying to find a steering wheel boss to fit. Turns out that the van is the same as a Ford Capri / Anglia / Cortina. The boss I found didn't match the steering wheel PCD I had... so ended up butchering another boss to act as an adaptor plate.

I now know you can buy these direct from car builder solutions.

 

[sunbeamsam]

6 speed conversion is in full flow, just struggling to find the time to finish.

trimmed the lexus clutch by about 5mm to fit under the commer clutch cover

removed the commer thrust bearing from the crank

and replace the front linkage bush - this is the before shot! the original was long gone!

 

[sunbeamsam]

so if all goes to plan Snail will be a quad-carb-six-speeder-pa. not many of them around.

 

[commeracer]

Keep up the good work Sam [^][8D]

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[Panky]

PHWOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR[8D]

 

[admin]

Looking goo d- if you fancy a test run to Alton some time send me a text!

Member of the V8 Club

 

[sunbeamsam]

Thanks Admin, aim is to get it nailed this weekend... MOT due in two weeks[:0] if all goes well i'll be test driving on sunday afternoon to shake out the niggles.

Just been googling what oil to put in the 6-speeder as halfords don't stock the brand Tim had. (you need 2 litres of GL 4 by the way)

interesting to see on wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Aisin_transmissions that this is that same gearbox as is found in the MX-5 and the RX 8.

planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[commeracer]

Any decent brand of GL4 will do Sam

The box is also fitted to Honda S2000's, but they are all a bit different in the main castings and mounts

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[sunbeamsam]

Mot passed! Managed to score 400 thingys on the front brakes and over 200 on the back ones, that's better than my Audi!



planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[Panky]

Excellent[8D] Did you get the gearbox and carb set up sorted and running

 

[andrew]

We'll done for passing the mot. You have got the same windows as mine on your commer.

Member of the non-Facebook club.

 

[commeracer]

Excellent news, well done Sam [^][8D]

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[sunbeamsam]

The windows have wooden frames, which the previous owner had remade, I really like them, but quirky. Though as they open out wards I've hit myself in the head a few times by walking into them.

The 6 speed conversion was very straightforward to fit, mostly bolt on except for one bracket. Van is now 30% faster (though that could be speedo error...) getting the replacement spigot bush in took a bit of effort but I forgot to chill it first. The linkage was easy to set up, I've taken the restrictor spring out of the gear stick base to give me a bit more lateral movement and because reverse is now on the other side.

planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[commeracer]

I forgot to mention the spring :I
Speedo will read fast
Glad you got it all sorted [8D]

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[sunbeamsam]

Forgot to post these but better late than never.

The mild steel tubular manifold I put in when I did the engine swap hadn't aged well and had a couple of stress fractures, it also made it impossible to change the starter motor or alternator so I opted to replace it.

I had a spare Series V Alpine cast iron manifold which I lightly ported, unfortunately the spare down pipes I had were rotten so I had to shell out on these shiney stainless ones The flex connects it up to the old exhaust which I'm sure I replace with stainless one day.

I also made up braided clutch hoses, the second hose goes to a remote bleed nipple located at the top of the engine bay so I can bleed the clutch without moving from the drivers seat.

somehow I managed to loose the clutch push rot so had to make one up.

planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[Panky]

Very nice[8D]

 

[sunbeamsam]

Time has come to address a few minor rust spots in the snail. The inner front sills, rear arches and the bottom of the front valance all need attention.

Spent the weekend doing 'exploratory' surgery. Found green shield stamps and tiger tokens in the front valance...

Thankfully the van must have been wax oiled from new as the corrosion so far seems to be very localised.

planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[sunbeamsam]

planning to be a member of the quad-carb-six-speeder-pa club

 

[Panky]

Lucky boy, a mere flesh wound