Sunny Jim's Hearse: The Grim Sleeper?

[Sunny Jim]

Weather not too bad here today - windy enough to bring down a tree locally so I'm without electricity. It's dry and bright however so I thought I'd have a poke round the hearse and see what I've got.

First up lifting rear seat swabs. N/S revealed a Yorkie Easter egg only 6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it.

The O/S revealed the battery and a load of wet leaves, God knows how they got there but all removed now. I've left the seat swabs up and a dehumidifier in there to dry it out as soon as the power's back on.

The battery being located there is a bonus for the camper conversion - long cable runs from the engine compartment have already been done and there's space for a second battery which will be charged off a split charge relay and probably PV at some point in the future.

Also found several reminders of its past life.

Next up some under bonnet checks. Pleasantly surprised how clean the engine bay is.

Now it may be a 

but it's still Autoshite - zip-tied throttle linkage

and gaffa-taped air intake!

The oil doesn't look too bad but I've already ordered a new filter and oil so might just do it anyway.

The low coolant warning light is lit on the dash - could it be as easy as topping up the coolant?

That's a no then. Cleaning the connector on the sensor didn't fix it either so new sensor on order.

Looks like a hose might have let go at some point.

Will those white deposits just wire brush off? I can tackle it when the thermostat is replaced - currently the temp gauge doesn't get above a quarter so I'm following @SiC's tip of replacing the thermostat on acquiring a car. I'll replace any dodgy looking jubilee clips while I'm at it.

Being a Daimler it'll never have a leaper but I'm toying with the idea of an alternative bonnet mascot.

I'm still having to wear a sling following the surgery so I'm limited in what I can do for now so I've acquired some stickers - it already sports an AS one.

The deck is long enough for me to lie outstretched which means I can keep the rear seats which could be handy.

Other than that the only other pressing task is the drooping door mirrors - they're the stock item bolted on to a fillet the converters must have put in and they're showing their age.

Visibility isn't great in them anyway and a vehicle this long ideally needs larger mirrors. I'm not precious about keeping it as is so will explore options for fitting larger mirrors off a van, preferably with a built-in blind spot lens.

Overall I'm really pleased with my purchase. Thanks to @calebaaront for bringing it into the fold and @Weird Car for keeping it going.

[Weird Car]

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

Weather not too bad here today - windy enough to bring down a tree locally so I'm without electricity. It's dry and bright however so I thought I'd have a poke round the hearse and see what I've got.

First up lifting rear seat swabs. N/S revealed a Yorkie Easter egg only 6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it.

The O/S revealed the battery and a load of wet leaves, God knows how they got there but all removed now. I've left the seat swabs up and a dehumidifier in there to dry it out as soon as the power's back on.

The battery being located there is a bonus for the camper conversion - long cable runs from the engine compartment have already been done and there's space for a second battery which will be charged off a split charge relay and probably PV at some point in the future.

Also found several reminders of its past life.

Next up some under bonnet checks. Pleasantly surprised how clean the engine bay is.

Now it may be a 

but it's still Autoshite - zip-tied throttle linkage

and gaffa-taped air intake!

The oil doesn't look too bad but I've already ordered a new filter and oil so might just do it anyway.

The low coolant warning light is lit on the dash - could it be as easy as topping up the coolant?

That's a no then. Cleaning the connector on the sensor didn't fix it either so new sensor on order.

Looks like a hose might have let go at some point.

Will those white deposits just wire brush off? I can tackle it when the thermostat is replaced - currently the temp gauge doesn't get above a quarter so I'm following @SiC's tip of replacing the thermostat on acquiring a car. I'll replace any dodgy looking jubilee clips while I'm at it.

Being a Daimler it'll never have a leaper but I'm toying with the Idea of an alternative bonnet mascot.

I'm still having to wear a sling following the surgery so I'm limited in what I can do for now so I've acquired some stickers - it already sports an AS one.

The deck is long enough for me to lie outstretched which means I can keep the rear seats which could be handy.

Other than that the only other pressing task is the drooping door mirrors - they're the stock item bolted on to a fillet the converters must have put in and they're showing their age.

Visibility isn't great in them anyway and a vehicle this long ideally needs larger mirrors. I'm not precious about keeping it as is so will explore options for fitting larger mirrors off a van, preferably with a built-in blind spot lens.

Overall I'm really pleased with my purchase. Thanks to @calebaaront for bringing it into the fold and @Weird Car for keeping it going.

You do genuinely seem like a really good owner for it, I’m glad you like it, oh by the way, under the dash to the right of the steering wheel is 2 hidden silver switches, one controls the decking lights and the other “I think” turns on a motor that lowers the back for loading coffins, I can’t remember for certain though 

[captain_70s]

26 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

 

Will those white deposits just wire brush off?

Should do. Everything in the Dolomite's engine bay does that if it's damp for a while...

[beko1987]

Looking at those hose clamps id be ordering a massive bumper assortment of them 🤣 

[eddyramrod]

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

Oh no, Michael Clark!  You might have warned us.  I didn't know he'd gone...

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks @Weird Car, these must be them.

I'll have a play next time I start it up.

[beko1987]

4 hours ago, Weird Car said:

 the other “I think” turns on a motor that lowers the back for loading drunk people. I can’t remember for certain though 

Ftfy. That sounds amazing if you can make the lift bed into a camp bed

[junkyarddog]

I had considered doing something similar on my Sierra.

Blacked out the side windows to try and make it less hearse like.

The only thing is night time CCTV can see straight through it,something to think on if you decide to do the same.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks for the heads up. I am considering some sort of tinting for the rear windows but am concerned that going darker will just absorb heat and increase the greenhouse effect. I'm not sure I'd want to go mirrored but the right hue of chameleon tint might work if it's not too garish.

Curtains or blinds might be a good idea too if tints aren't CCTV proof!

[junkyarddog]

I must admit I was thinking of gothic style curtains for mine,in maybe a dark red velvet type material. 

You could have great fun thinking of different styles and colours to use.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Yup, got to be velvet! Looks like we've similar ideas and taste in soft furnishings! I want to try and repurpose as much of the deck wood as possible when I make cupboards and worktop.

Hearseshite - your interior decor is our concern!

[junkyarddog]

Looking forward to seeing this progress.