bmxnz11

Did anyone go to this last month? Worth it? Weather looks like it'll clear by Sunday. I'll probably be heading up in the van.

Quick question. I've changed my exhaust on my 1300 escort from standard manifold and one muffler, to 4--2-1 extractors and one slightly smaller muffler (original escort muffler). All the same length standard pipe (1 3/4?) It now has an annoying droning sound, especially at low speed (Road noise probably drowns it out after 60km). Would something like a coby resonator after the axle fix this? I'm not after a performance system, just something a little more discreet. Cheers

Where has the time gone. I finished cleaning the underside, primed it and redid one of the sill areas as I wasn't happy with my initial repair. Have still to underseal the van. Another of the jobs that needed doing before paint was to lower the brake booster for the side drafts clearance. I read and talked to a few people and everyone said to bend the rod and lower 50mm, redrill the holes. I couldn't work out how to lower the bracket without fouling on the inner fender or the area around the fan where the brake line is. I decided I wanted to keep the original holes and mounting points in case it all turns to shit. So instead I modified the booster bracket and made a new bottom section which is 50mm lower but uses the same holes. The other issue was the mounting tabs to the firewall. When the booster is lowered, the top pulls away from the firewall. I fixed this by slicing, bending and welding flat against the firewall. The next step is to push out the inner fender so the booster sits in nicely. Hopefully everything will look factory once it's done.

Failed a WOF last week on a few things. One being a hole in the muffler which isn't worth repairing. Currently system is standard manifold and one muffler. Going to put some 4-2-1 extractors on but unsure on the muffler situation. I have a couple of spare cobys I can use but I'm unsure if one will be enough?

Can't make it tonight soz. Have a good one though.

Was good to catch up and see some friendly faces I haven't seen for awhile.

Damn this is a long day. Gimme that burger now!

Sounds yum. Count me in.

Mendoza in Upper Hutt are pretty good. The owner was building a mini last time I was there if that tickles your fancy.

Was hoping to make this one but I'm still in traffic heading in the opposite direction. Have a good meat. I'll try and make the next one.

Next job is getting the underside ready for underseal. Whilst I was with wheeling I found a spot of rust. It's an area I have repaired of my blue van and the passenger side of this van, but for what ever reason left the drivers alone. It's behind the rear wheel arch. 2 layers of metal which trap the dirt and moisture in. Cut the layers out and replaced with new steel. So much fucken otago dirt. Will etch prime the bare areas once it's clean and then onto underseal!

Have been working in this. Just seems to take for ever. Lined up the drivers door, guard and bonnet. The guard was poking out too much by the door. The inner vertical section of the guard that holds to the pillar was too wide. I ended up chopping this piece out and redoing it. This time it hugs the pillar and holds the guard correctly in line with the door. I also found a few imperfections and spots of rust bleeding through on the drivers guard. I had to rub most of down to metal and reprime and fill. The guard and bonnet were then primed in final primer.

Was it just around the bell housing area you had to knock? Yeah the 5spd I'm getting is currently running in an escort and has had the shifter moved forward to use the original shifter hole.

Ha I new about the auto tunnels but didn't realize the Vans had them. Cheers for that. Good to know.

I've lined up a type 9 5spd for the van but I won't be getting that until the current owner sorts out his new gearbox. It's currently in an escort and has had the shifter moved to line up with the original shifter hole in the tunnel. I know it requires a bit of massaging around the bell housing area to make it fit, but I don't know where exactly. Does someone have a spare 5spd or or even the bell housing to borrow so I can make the adjustments before I spray colour. Or even if it's just a few photos with the areas that need touching. Cheers

11months later... I cleaned up the wheels above and went with the usual gold centers and polished lip. They were pretty hacked up beforehand but a bit of elbow grease went along way. I hand filed the lip down to take out most of the hacks, sand blasted the centres and sanded/polished the lips. They came up surprisingly clean. Painting these types of wheels with all the spokes was a very tedious task. Wheels ended up getting etch, 2k, base and clear. Pretty happy with the end result. I think they would look better if the van a sweet paint job to match. In the middle of my wheel obsession I also purchased and cleaned up a set of Cheviot hustlers. Have always like the classic 4 spoke. At this stage I had one rolling car, little space and 5 sets of wheels so the hustlers were sold on. Whilst i was in the the mood I sandblasted the wide steelies and sprayed them in a metallic grey. They were looking a bit crusty and I didn't want the rust to take over. I quite like them. They are now put away in a safe corner for the other van. I also got sick of having no interior in the rear of the van. They came out factory with nothing protecting the sides from getting knocked. I spent a bit of time making up some panels from some cheap plywood. Just the other night I finished covering the panels with a woolen blanket from the local 2nd store. Cost me $18 plus a can of Ados. Other small things include a new center consul, stereo, electronic ignition, sound deadening and a battery. Rechecked the timing and tappets as well. Runs a shit ton better then before! I ran it to mangatainoka , over to palmy and back home a few weeks ago with zero issues. Stoked. Lastest WOF was a clean sheet with the comments "oil leaks from engine, gearbox and diff". Guess thats the next job.

If @My name is Russell isn't keen on the diff, I would be.

Rubs pretty badly at that height. I have air shocks, so i raise it up for driving. Currently I have some 7inch mesh style wheels with the same size tyres but with more positive offset. Doesn't rub at the height above. Upper Hutt

I have 7inch wide steelies on my van with some form of Hankook V2 185/60s. They're obviously a bit more meaty then 175's but ride well. 2/4 do leak which is a cunt. I agree that 175's look a hell of a lot better though and if i would do it again, id go 175's. Welcome to bolt one up and check clearances etc.

Depending on pick up I might be able to assist.

Yip, this was good. Topped off with a dreamy sunset.

From what I can tell, it looks to be a nice evening. See you all soon!

Wont be able to make this one sorry gang

I'll probably go along in the van. I'll have room to cart stuff back if people want to buy up large items.

I'll be coming along all going to plan