browndog

Hi Gordon, what about an electro-hydraulic pump, to power your existing steering rack? Basically the same setup as I have just done on the Tranny. You can mount the pump anywhere, and the Merc A Class pump which I used (made by VDO) is dead simple to wire up, only 3 wires; ground, +12v and trigger wire. Just 2 hoses, pressure feed and return. I tore this one out of a dead A Class at Pickapart, I think it was $50 or thereabouts.

good work so far Gordon, you are a very dedicated man! Can I ask why you have opted to go for manual steering VS. power steering, especially when you already have a PS rack? Speaking from a Transit van owning point of view (factory fitted with quite heavy steering) replacing the manual box with a PS version was the best upgrade I have done on my van. Made it so much more tolerable on a near daily basis

yep, definitely wouldn't pass cert now! It's pretty ugly, but is strong enough and won't fail. I will probably replace it and the whole pedalbox at some point. It has an old declaration, pre LVV and as long as I have this piece of paper with me when I go for a WOF it isn't problem! The steering setup was MUCH scarier than this - it had a Falcon power steering box fitted, which operated the wrong way for a Transit. So it had a reverser gearbox fitted to the steering shaft to change the rotation to the input shaft of the steering box ! There was freeplay in both the gearbox and steering box, and the chassis rail to which it was attached would visibly flex when you applied steering input while stationary! If you look at my build thread I have taken some before and after pics of these parts. It was quite awful to drive because of this, would wander around quite a bit, and very sloppy steering. The new power steering box setup should eliminate all of this scary shit

A few pics of the new exhaust, which I forgot to post yesterday. Collectors feed into 2 1/2" diameter pipes, which feed into the first muffler. Then it's a single 3" all the way back, with a resonator just behind the rear axle. All 304 stainless, and TIG welded by someone with much better skills than me! Probably a bit overkill for the 300 or so horses, but who doesn't like big diameter stainless? ! Discuss: https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

Completed the steering today. Powered up the pump, and it seems to work well. Pump is a little bit noisy, it had a "jacket" which was wrapped around the pump, no doubt for sound deadening. I might refit it if it proves annoying. At the moment I have a Capri steering wheel fitted temporarily. But I think I will find a "Springalex" wheel, like they used to fit to the Mk1 Escort rally cars, and install that instead. The column is all welded up and bolted in too, complete with later "Tibbe" style ignition key, which is about a million times more secure than the original setup Discuss here: https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

Took the van into work. Removed all of the old exhaust system, in preparation for a new 2 into 1 stainless system. Fitted the exhaust headers since last update too. Refitted the rebuilt diff head; have swapped out the 3.9 gears for 3.5, and rebuilt the LSD. Have welded in the mounting plate for the steering box. Made a plate to fill in the steering column hole which had been cut out to accommodate a column shift. Will re-use the original Mk1 bulkhead grommet, along with a modified Mk5 steering column. This was fairly easy, I cut off the top bracket and moved it up the column about 30mm, and welded on another bracket the same lower down which bolts through the pedal box. I cut out the master spline on the column so it will accept a Capri/Escort type steering wheel, or even a Mk1/Mk2 Transit wheel. I have wired in the Mk5 column switches and ignition switch (with new Tibbe key and barrel) to the Mk1 wiring loom. https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

nice work! I like the Hillman front indicators! Going to hang some Super Oscars off the front?

Got the steering box and Mk5 column fitted in. Just needs the clamps welding to the column, and steering box mount welding to the inner wheelarch.I will fit a Mk1 bulkhead grommet to the lower end of the column to seal it at the bulkhead. I am going to use a VDO/Merc A class electro hydraulic pump to power this PS box, and this will be mounted just above the steering box. Engine is back together. I have installed a new Edelbrock cam and lifters,double row timing chain, and Edelbrock performer inlet manifold and carb to replace the standard 2 barrel carb and inlet manifold, and standard cam. I have a set of Hedman headers which I will also fit.Fortunately the engine had just been reconditioned before I bought the van, so still looks new inside!I deleted the engine driven power steering pump, which required a different crank and water pump pulley, and this has tidied up the front of the engine somewhat. https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

1x Hiace and 2x L300's - that's dedication! I think you might find the stud patterns are the same on the Hiace and L300, which would mean you could fit a nice set of Ford 12 slots! How does the front and rear axle widths compare to the Thames?

I removed the steering box and original mounting plate. Mk3 Transit mounting plate now fitted and new steering box bolted in, much neater! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

nice work Steve sorry Type 49 (is that because you are 49 and can type? ) You are a brave man taking on so much rust! I will have to come and chat to you about your panelbeater, looks like he is doing great work there!

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

Made a list and spent today working on the Mk1. It has always been a bit of a scary thing to drive. When the previous owner fitted the power steering, he used a Ford Fairmont steering box. The input shaft rotates the wrong way for a Transit, so he fitted an inline gearbox on the shaft to reverse the direction. The gearbox has some freeplay, and coupled with the freeplay on the steering box, it made for an interesting drive! It also has a Falcon steering column, complete with column shifter.The plan is to ft a Mk3 Transit power steering box, Mk5 column and switches, and Lokar floor shifter. I have all of these parts already. Also replacing the 3.9 gears (very noisy!) with a 3.5 ratio in the nine inch rear axle, so have removed the diff head in preparation for this. Todays task was removing the offending items! https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45289-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/page/4/

Certainly won't have any issues with it lower than the engine. Most race cars run like this due to the low nose. Just need an expansion/header tank, but this can be located pretty much anywhere, engine bay would where it is easily accessible would probably be the ideal place? Bleed from top of the rad back to the expansion tank (small hose, say 6-8mm ID) and main hose feeding to the water pump intake side if possible.

Looks like front mount rad would be a much better option. Rule of thumb is that the intake in the grille only needs to be about 1/3 the area of the rad (as long as it is ducted and sealed reasonably well) so don't feel the need to chop massive holes in the front for cooling air. You can also pull air from under the front bumper if required. But looks like your original grille opening will be sufficient. You are only trying to cool about 100 horses, so not a huge task in the scheme of things!

4Y engine looks like it will be a good upgrade over the 1700 original. I was going to suggest a 2.6 Zephyr 6, as it is basically the same engine, but wit 2 cylinders added. But you still have the fact it is a VERY old engine, versus just an older engine! (Toyota) And 4Y makes about same hp/torque as the Zephyr 6 anyway, so there is that. Yep, I think you have a winner there! A lot of the Corolla's with the (3Y?) engine had twin carbs, so maybe find a set of those and bolt them on for extra go

Hi Gordon, wow, it looks like it was a really tidy one to begin with! Funny how some of these old commercial vehicles survive so well, when there are so few of them left!

Interesting update Gordon, and new garden Gnomes! Would have preferred a Ford engine, but anything will be better than the old 1700 Consul engine you currently have! On a complete tangent have you seen the MCM Bedford/Barra Turbo that Skid factory built? Much more "patina" shall we say, than your CF, but hilarious all the same!

I have no experience with them either, but always liked the look and the reviews sound great! I will rebuild it to stock, drive it around a bit to make sure it is all sorted, then start adding the Mountune upgrades

I have seen this car at Caffeine and Classics - love it, so cool, well done! 2 door Mk1 is one of my all time favourites, I have owned 2 of them, and wish I had kept at least one! I just bought a Mk3 Focus RS from a damaged vehicle auction, which I am rebuilding, so I think our tastes are probably similar!

I am the third owner. First was DB Breweries, until 1976, next was a guy Andy Walker, who pulled out the V4, fitted a 302 V8, C4 and 9" rear end, and used it to tow/service his Mk1 BDA rally car in the 1980's and 90's. It was parked up for about 10 years when I bought it off him around 2014. Needed a new battery, carb overhaul, as well as a few mechanical repairs, but was otherwise in pretty decnt shape. I have lots of NOS parts ad panels for it. Will be reinstating the original rear tail lights, deleting side windows, fitting an overdrive auto as well as a few other upgrades to make it nicer to drive. More about it here: https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45288-browndogs-1972-v8-transit/

I had a call from the production studio last week, who are in season 5 of the TV programme "Westside" - a story set in the 70's and 80's about a West Auckland family trying to make it in the world. So I dragged out the Mk1 and Mk2 and cleaned them off, ran them up and down the road a bit, and then trailered them over to the TV studio. Feeling a bit guilty that I have not begun the restoration on them that was promised to them, but nice at least that they are out earning a few dollars to assist in this work which will happen eventually!

The Cobra Transit - yeehaa! What's it packing under the bonnet? Ford actually built a total of one of these back in the day................

love the ventilation system! Couple more pics I found of the 2.0 EB engine. This is the Focus ST version, with alternative alternator mounting. Might just fit in that box?! https://fordstnation.com/member-chad-albums-focus-st-2-0l-ecoboost-engine-picture2110-ford-focus-st-ecoboost-engine-14.html edit: just saw your post re column shift, that would make this engine (and many more) super difficult to achieve! You will almost certainly need to make a custom cable operated shift mechanism to mate with whatever gearbox you decide to fit.

here's my suggestion: 2013-ish FG Falcon Ecoboost. These are a 2.0 all alloy 16 valve Turbo, 270hp and I can't remember how much torque (lots!) coupled to a ZF 6 spd trans. You should be able to pick up a wreck for not much, I have seen a few go through NZ auctions for cheap. The engine is very short, and relatively narrow, turbo and inlet manifolds are tucked in tight, although the alternator hangs out a long way. And best of all, you are not cross pollinating!