Project Escrot van tinkering.

[Crooner]

Well, today I have been doing a bit of tinkering. Loaded with all the tools I thought I'd need and drove to work on my day off. That's grim for a start.

 

Got them both jacked up a dropped the oil whilst it was warm. Then proceeded to dismantle the front suspension. Got the old cracked spring off.

 

 

Decided to tackle the C.V. boot, as it was on the list. Could I get the joint off? Could I balls. Only really done them on BL stuff before where you just hit it with a lump hammer and they drop off. I hit it, then hit it harder, then hit it with a bigger hammer, then took the inner joint apart and put it in the vice. Then I hit it again. And again. Then I swore a little at it. Then I got two big crowbars on it. Then I hit it again. It was after a lot more violence I decided to look if there was perhaps something not quite right with my hammer. It was fine. Then I looked on 'tube and a nice Irish chap showed me the circlip under all the grease. I spread the circlip and the joint fell off. No hammer required. Where's the fun in that? It looked a little worse for wear. Anyway, amazingly it felt alright still, so I cleaned it out and repacked with grease and put it back on.

 

 

 

Then I thought I'd swap th rear gearbox mount as the one on mine is knackered. Awkward little sod to get off. Even more awkward to get it off the spares van. It was knackered too. Balls. Rang the factors and ordered one. It'll be here by four. Great.

 

It's down there somewhere.

 

 

There, it's gone.

 

 

Yep, that's shagged.

 

Carried on with the rest of the jobs. Couldn't do the rear wheel bearing, as I didn't have socket big enough ( I did have to bring stuff from home)

Quarter past four,this arrived.

 

Fitted it and threw everything in the back of the van to sort out another day.

 

Shiny things.

 

Feels even rattly-er than it did before. I suppose the old rattly engine is attached to the van in more places now. I expected it to be a bit smoother, not resonant.

Anyway, had quite enough for one day.

[Crooner]

Got an hour or so on it today for more pre M.O.T shenanigans. Cleaned up a section of brake pie that looked a bit crusty, tried to fit the new rear wheel bearing but it needs a 40mm socket(!) to undo it. Luckily I checked the new one in a box and it isn't the right one anyway. Nuts. Undid the N/S door panel as I won't unlock with the key, the door strap was loose and hanging in the door and the mirror was loose. Lock is knacked , mirror is cracked. Strap is now refitted. Oh, and had three s/h tyres fitted. Windscreen booked in to be swapped tomorrow. Hopefully ticket and tracking done Friday, all being well.

[Crooner]

Mad as it sounds, no, the van isn't mine and if they turned round and said I can have it free I wouldn't want it. I work a couple of days a week for family. I've worked here since I left school, 28 years. Whilst it's theirs, they are paying tax, M.O.T and insuring it. I'm just doing the work. As has been pointed out, and is true, nobody else wants to drive it. And they get their van repaired. Works out alright in my head, anyway.

[sierraman]

I wouldn’t fuck about replacing the joint these days. I bought a joint for £13 and the complete shaft was £25.

[AnthonyG]

Mad as it sounds, no, the van isn't mine and if they turned round and said I can have it free I wouldn't want it. I work a couple of days a week for family. I've worked here since I left school, 28 years. Whilst it's theirs, they are paying tax, M.O.T and insuring it. I'm just doing the work. As has been pointed out, and is true, nobody else wants to drive it. And they get their van repaired. Works out alright in my head, anyway.

Fair enough, if you’re happy, crack on. The spares van should keep costs to a minimum.

 

There’s always satisfaction in keeping something on the road when others have given up on it!

[DodgeRover]

The turbo one, is the turbo any good if you arent planning on using it?

[Crooner]

Yes, the turbo is fine, as is the 80000 mile engine. Annoyingly, when I was underneath it, it is amazingly rust free as well.

[Crooner]

Right. Some advice, please. After changing oil and filters on this old bus, it now feels like it's struggling. Hills that could be done in third are now a foot to the floor second. It vibrates more than it did and when you switch it off, it stops dead rather that the extra revolution as you turn the key. It feels as though the engines tight. Any ideas?

[DodgeRover]

Have you overfilled the oil?

Not left a rag stuffed in the inlet manifold to start anything falling down there?

Bad fuel filter?

[Crooner]

Sometimes, as much as it pains us, you've just got to call the professionals in. Big star crack, which would've made Mr. M.O.T man unhappy. So.....

 

 

Scary bit.

 

 

Can't have a rust free Escort van now, can we?

 

 

The bit I can't do.

 

All done within half an hour. £100. I didn't think that was too bad. It's amazing what a difference a new screen makes! Actually enjoy driving at night wit no glare. Mint.

 

Sorry the pics are on the wonk. I don't know how to turn them around correctly. Doh!

[Crooner]

Anyway, Mr M.O.T man seemed happy enough with my hapless spannering. Why is it like pacing up and down the maternity ward while he inspects you recently fetter nether regions. So, the Escort lives to see out another year!

[Crooner]

Been driving around like this for a few weeks now. Much curtain twitching and tutting from the neighbours. I personally like to think more on the lines of Colin Chapmans ethos. Adding lightness.

[Crooner]

I think I may of been duped. They said this aerodynamic aid will increase my mileage per tank full.

[loserone]

They were not technically wrong. Each tank might be a bit more expensive though.