It's crap.

Pretty straight forward to replace, don't see how a mechanic would do it different. Plus I would trust myself to do it before anyone else

HI everyone,
Got the head back today, and have fitted it. Radiator staying out until some suspension parts arrive during the week. Can anyone tell me what the A stamped on the block (pictured) means? Fitted new water pump and then decided to have my first attempt at polishing up an alloy wheel and giving the inserts a quick spray of Matt Black, Im happy with them and they will find there way onto the van. Took a few hours for one wheel though! Enjoy the pics,
Cheers,
Steve

that's a cool little van, I like it a lot

I used my van as daily for about a year, it had little windows in the sides (towards the back). I ended up putting a full-size window in the left hand size because it visibility was TERRIBLE in traffic!

need a really good set of mirrors, or a reversing camera mounted to the passenger door pointing backwards and permanently showing on the screen!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I think a reversing camera may happen , plan is to be on the road in three months, including a under the carport outside respray and rust repair. Will see if that happens in that time frame, lol!

There are options out there, it just depends how much effort you want to put in? Some of the small cameras available now could be direct mounted to the side of the car of other can be incorporated with a mirror depending on style chosen. Only downside I can see is that none of the cameras I found are designed to be run constantly, not that they probably won't it is just that they are aimed at a market where they are only in use when reverse or an indicator is selected.

An example http://donmar.com/Electronics/SVBSCams.htm

they just expect you to take power from the reversing lights... it's not like you can't take power from the ignition to have them on constantly

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I'll sus it out

Quick update!
Took off the complete braking system on the weekend, every brake hose was absolutely solid, no flow through any of them. Master cylinder ended up being the same inside. Have blown all pipes through, replaced all cylinders, new master and PWDA will go in once a bit more money saved. Have taken off all wheel bearings for new ones to be fitted this weekend along with new cv rubbers and steering rack rubbers. Radiator is back in. Have polished up two of the four wheels. Hoping I will be able to turn the key with all four wheels being on the ground on the weekend. I am swapping out the studs and drums to give it a bit of a wider stance It has had a fire inside it at some stage as both the back of the seats are burnt as is the retractable seat belt (no longer in use, but still there). Im guesing metal went across the battery and up went the rear of the seat. They will be getting recovered eventually anyway!

Cheers,
Steve

Cooling system gone through today with new hoses, water pump, reverse flushed radiator, flushed heat and got original switch working again (someone had bypassed original, just needed contact point removed and new rivet and works perfect). I removed gunked up heater valve and fitted a new ball bearing valve in the engine bay. I only use heater on hot in winter or fan in summer, so can just turn it on and off. I removed a dodgy extra refrigerator radiator attached behind grill aswell. With the head being reconditioned hopefully will all be good on start up next weekend:-) Still waiting on hubs and new brake hoses so i can get it on the ground, lol

A couple of update pics, engine ready to fire once wheels on the ground. In the processing of rebuilding all mechanical corners, three to go!!

Fantastic work!

Following your build thread with great interest.

Thanks . Time is limited for the toys ATM but am fitting in an hr here and there. Am happy have brought the wheels out a bit with the spaced drums! Black flares will get attached later after paint

the green machine lives, new brakes all round, unleaded head. New suspension with hilos, spaced drums (flares to come)Will need new fuel sender and speedo cable to finish mechanicals. Now to start rust fix and outside paint before rego!!!
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Awesome , gotta be happy with your progress .