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Anon
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Day 4
Ok - The Next Installment...
But not removal of the engine as promised - that will have to wait until the new year.
My plan is to strip the cab completely of everything that may be in the way of dealing with the rust. This also means the cab roof has to made accessible - which means removing the fibreglass conversion roof.
Before I tackled that, I set to removing the steering column, handbrake lever, gear lever and radiator.
Radiator first....
Not too difficult to remove - a couple of corroded screws holding the fan shroud in place but a pair of stilsons soon overcame!!
Next the handbrake...
Easy this one - a split pin, a bush and two bolts...et voila!!!
The gear lever, however, proved a pain....
The large nut came off no problem once the tab washer had succumbed to some 'adjustment', however the grease in the ball mechanism had solidified so much that the lever itself took some persuation to remove, and when it did, the washers and spacer exploded into numerous small bits. I hope I can get replacements!!!
Now the steering column...
The maunals say to remove the cotter pin using a special tool.... Well, the closest I could find to the special tool looked suspiciously like a hammer!! So I set to with said 'tool'.....but to no avail. The bloody cotter pin would NOT come out... Gave up on that before I took the hammer to the whole van.... Decided to undo the upper clamp bolt holding the splines on the steering column, just below the toe-board. Far, Far easier!!!! Will deal with the recalcitrant cotter pin once the engine and axle is out....
Now, before I can deal with the rot that is above the windscreen, I need to remove the fibreglass conversion roof. This needs to be done anyway to deal with rotten timbers in the frame, and especially the shaped former that is above the windscreen. This former is (was?) ply, but is now just mush. The roof is held on by screws through the guttering and flat head nails below that.
First things first, remove the screws....
Easier said than done - the screw heads are so corroded that screwdrivers are useless. So had to revert to drilling the heads....just enough to remove the head WITHOUT drilling through the ali guttering and so making a large hole!!!
There are a lot of screws holding this roof on....
And they are VERY corroded...
But I got there in the end.....one side only today!!!
Tomorrow will be the turn of the other side...
However, even then I cannot lift off the roof. I realised when up the steps that the rooflight is also screwed through the roof to the timbers - 36 screws!!! - so this will need removing...
Then the area around the back door will nead to be dismantled as it all sits OVER the roof cap....
So, this may be the job for tomorrow - if it isnt too cold in the workshop.
Removing these screws took a fair time, because I am unable to obtain new ali guttering of the same profile and I didnt want to damage what I had. Removing the fittings around the back door will be just as time consuming for the same reasons!!!!
Shower now - then bed....I am KNACKERED!!!!
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 Sat 04 Dec 2010 @ 20:11
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Anon
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This is one of those threads that makes me realise just how unqualified I am to be a Bedford owner, and how lucky I am to have a relatively straight van becuase I would NOT have a clue where, or how, to start on this restoration having just read the entire thread from the beginning.
Good stuff Andy. An inspiration.
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Sat 04 Dec 2010 @ 23:40
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Anon
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Spookytim wrote:
This is one of those threads that makes me realise just how unqualified I am to be a Bedford owner, and how lucky I am to have a relatively straight van becuase I would NOT have a clue where, or how, to start on this restoration having just read the entire thread from the beginning.
Good stuff Andy. An inspiration.
Don't worry Tim I often feel the same when I see some of the amazing work people on here are capable of. I too feel overwhelmed by the restorations and wish I knew what to do. However, I would never have the time or at the moment, the skill to even attempt alot of what I see but I take it all in, do what I can to look after my van and most importantly enjoy her.
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Sun 05 Dec 2010 @ 11:01
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Anon
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Aye, same here.
I felt very intrepid today merely wire brushing the rash of rust off my cab doors on the inside, dabbing some kurust on them (which did nothing much except ate through in one tiny ladybird sized patch) and then putting a single coat of primer on.
I just don't know how people have the time. Just doing that little job required all morning with me running in and out every twenty minutes to perform the next part of the process. By the time I'd got to the primer stage my missus was livid at being left to look after the kids on her own all morning, so I then had to take over childcare duties so she could go and have an afternoon looking round the shops. At this rate my van will deteriorate at faster pace than the restoration!
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Sun 05 Dec 2010 @ 19:35
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Anon
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Day 5....
I realise that I am quite lucky in that I can do this restoration with the full support of my wife Florence. As for time, I can only really work on it at the weekends as I work during the week and by the time I get home, changed, have eaten....it is too damned dark and cold to go to the workshop. Roll on summer!!!
Also, Flo is currently writing her Masters dissertation, so me being 'out of the way' in the workshop is 'a good thing'  .
As for being 'qualified' as a Bedford owner - ---- nah!!!! I just get stuck in, take things carefully and methodically, write notes, draw diagrams, take photgraphs and label EVERYTHING!!!! I have restored a Bedouin in the past (1980's), and a couple of Minis since then, but to be honest I am looking forward to attending that restoration course I discovered a few days back, to brush up on the welding a metal forming........which I THINK may be required very soon!!!!!
Jane & Tim: you never know what you are capable of until you give it a try.....
Anyhow - today was spent drilling out more perishin' screws and removing the various bits of aluminium trim from around the back door (which exposed the extent of the timber rot in the frame in that area:C  ). All done now - need to tackle the rooflight next (need a taller step-ladder), then I have to figure out how to remove approximately 60 rusty flat-head nails which ACTUALLY hold the fibreglass roof on. The screws I had already removed primarily held the gutter in place, but acted as secondary fixings for the roof AND the ali sheet sides (which were fitted first, at the factory, with MORE flat head nails!!!). Have to be very careful removing the nails so as not to crack or split the fibreglass roof!!!
No pictures today (sorry) as camera batteries failed....will try to put a couple up tomorrow evening...
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Sun 05 Dec 2010 @ 23:07
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Anon
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Any more progress on this? I am very keen to see how you get on - might inspire me to sort out the back of mine!
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Fri 21 Jan 2011 @ 15:03
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Anon
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Sorry Phil - no more progress at the moment as it has been SO damn cold in the workshop (no heating), and been so busy with work!!! Even my overalls were frozen to the cab floor through the damp turning to ice....
Will probably get stuck back in come mid February - I should be 'done' with the heavy backlog at work by then...
Carl
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Fri 21 Jan 2011 @ 15:12
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Anon
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I think youre not alone in being held back by the cold! It is a good time of year to restore those things which can be removed and done on the kitchen table!
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Sat 22 Jan 2011 @ 08:03
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Anon
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hi andy
how is the big progressing any joy over the summer months ?
just got mine back i know its not really an ideal time to start work on it but after not having it for so long i just want to get stuck in
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Mon 14 Nov 2011 @ 18:17
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