browndog

Sounds like you have a plan there Gordon! FWIW, I measured the current draw on the Merc PS pump, and it was 30 amps. This does not mean you need an additional 30 amps in your alternator output, as it is very intermittent use. As long as you aren't marginal, then whatever you have should be okay. For high output alternators to run your A/C, search late-ish model cars, say post 2000, especially SUV's. Many have 150-200 amp alternators fitted as standard. But they will be a bit larger than what you have fitted already.

Hey Gord, just a thought, and I know you are heading towards a mechanical PS setup, but did you know that you can mount an electro hydraulic pump pretty much anywhere in the vehicle? On a lot of race cars they mount them in the boot! Because hydraulic fluid does not compress (much!) the response is pretty much instant. Just thought I would throw that out in case you thought it had to be front mounted. Conrad

yep same, it was quite a mission, and a bit of expense, but glad I got that done. Got it booked in for paint in a couple of weeks.

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Picked up the Mk1 from body shop yesterday, super happy with the result! Need to strip it down, and deliver to the paint shop next. Some old switch holes in the dash welded up, I will repaint the whole dash. Did a quick test fit of the NOS tail lights in the new rear D pillars. Couldn't resist the last pic, 8th gen Transit towing 1st gen, that must make the Mk1 its great great great great great grandad! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

as long as you don't have to rebuild the RV8, 'cos they are bloody expensive to rebuild too! Or I guess, in keeping it "Oz" spec. you could jam a P76 V8 in there?!

RHS all welded up now. Just a little sanding off welds to finish. Check out the detail on the horizontal bracing inside, those are new fabricated parts! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

wow long time, good to see it is still progressing! I think the 4 cylinder could be trouble, just jam an RV8 in there!

RH side getting there, panels tacked in and looking good! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

Some more progress pics. RR panel all welded up now. The mid panel, behind the drivers door had up t0 20mm of filler in places, and was quite stretched. So it was decided to cut this out and make a new panel. https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

RHS rear panel held in place with toggles and screws, and about to be welded in. Pic of the new filler panel for the window behind the drivers door. https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

More progress pics https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

little update, RR wheelarch was quite a mess, needs a lot of love!............. https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

LHS all done, so on to the RHS. It is much worse, but we were kind of expecting that! Some bodgy repairs done it it, probably in the 1970's. Looks like it had taken a hit in the RHS just behind the door, and extending rearwards. Bash the dents out a bit and fill it full of filler seems to have been the order of the day! We will replace the wheel arch with a repair panel that Ralph supplied, which will deal with a lot of the ugly. A new panel is being folded up to replace the whole panel behind the door, to delete the window https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

some good progress today

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Good progress already! I am getting the rear pillars replaced so I can refit original tail lights. Also replacing side panels to delete the windows. Some tidying up of old repairs needed to LF fender and RR quarter panel.

Yes the badge came with it. You can buy the caps separately though. I bought the steering wheel from this crowd in the UK. Shipping cost more than the bloody wheel! https://www.retro-uk.com/

Off to get some new panels fitted today https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

I think you are right! I have BFG's on one of my Transits, I bought them new a few years ago. Absolute shite in the rain, and average in the dry. Tyre technology has come a long way since these were introduced!

Oh, and I also fitted a repro Springalex steering wheel, same as what was fitted to the AVO Escorts back in the day https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

Hi Gordon, yep chrome wheels are a pain in the ass, actually chrome anything, as it has to be maintained well or else it rusts! And really costly to get rechromed properly. It was $1000 to get teh front bumper done on the Transit! I didn't want to go too tall in the tyres, so went 265/50x15 on the rear and 215/60x15 on the front. Rears are really tight, and I need to do a little bit of clearancing on the inner arch! They are chinese Vitour tyres, so white lettering facing inwards Unfortunately BF Goodrich no longer make these sizes, or I would have bought them instead. But the Vitours seem to be okay grip wise.

yep they were 14x7 Gordon. What style of wheel you thinking of?

Treated the old girl to some new shoes a few weeks ago, it was about time as the old Bridgestone tyres and wheels were 40 years old!A nice set of period US Indy's, 15x7 on the pointy end and 15x9 at the blunt end, very shiny! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/