Couldn't resist one more post tonight...
I thought I would post up the new roof section I got for the bus.
It is a 13 window section from Nevada.... hardly any rust at all. Perrrrrrfect for the job, cutting out a load of time and energy to sorting out that dodgy roof.... Now I have 13 windows rather than 11

Look at this beaut!

Hey Matt, this thread struck a chord with me (won't go into details and ruin your resto thread but not a massively dissimilar situation to what I find myself in). Great bunch of people on here and a mind of knowledge to boot. All the best of luck with the rest of your resto and keep the pics coming, I for one will be watching closely and willing you on

Ok so these pictures are when the van went to Haywoods, the first email from Dave was headed 'hope your not squemish' and I opened up these beauts

Reasonably normal looking bus.....



Fresh face....





Ok seriously, where has the van gone??





Then the wonderful pictures showing the results,



Yes that is 2 extra windows! Let the light in!







Back looking good!



Nice....



So there we have the new roof fitted and all aperatures for doors and tailgate are good! Check my 13 window out!

Thats some amazing work right there. Seems the guys know exactly what they are doing with it - looks like its in good hands.

Wow Matt,

That is a big change, bus looks in great hands, the match up line along the window looks mm perfect . Bet you nearly passed out when you saw it roof off. Keep the pics and updates coming mate, might spur me on next time I am home

Hi Matt. Just wanted to say that your bus couldn't have been in a better place. Dave and Matt are true professionals and will look after your bus. Wow, so much work but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, just keep with it. "Andy" will look great once finished. Mine's been there about a year now (the red 23 window by the side of you - they are probably having a chit chat over night, drinking and smoking weed ) and should be finished this year. Matt has just put "Betsy" on her wheels and she looks great already.
See you sometime at a show.
Max

Ok party people, apologies for time out not posting the recent progress.I now have a small back log of updates so keep your eyes peeled!

Firstly I have received plenty more photos from Dave et al. And have also started to give my head a good scratch in regards to the engine/gearbox/exhaust etc.

Ok so firstly the welding from Haywoods... The boys have been busy sorting out chassis rails and getting the cargo doors ready There is a lot of pics for the picture heads out there.

So they starting going along the near side chassis rail ..









Looking goooooood!



Tidy indeed ....



So the left chassis rail in the centre is looking pretty good. Also they sorted out the cargo doors to get the gaps right for the door frame. Lots more pics...

Ready....



Set.....



Weld....









So there is a few pics to keep you happy.....

And here are some nice powder coated bits and pieces

I like pictures like this...







Also A LOT of new panels...... what do you mean i can't call it an original bus





Now after the boys conjured up some magical Left hand to Right hand drive roof swappage I have some bits left over...

the Pictures are below..... any vultures after bits then Pm me











I also am getting rid of a flat 4 engine with twin carbs that my dad bought thinking that it would go in the bus or possibly in another car he did but... I have decided to go with reconing the old engine for the moment so here is a pic of the engine.



Unfortunately to my detriment I don't really know what condition the engine is in, however I know that dad bought it as a runner.

Nice to see another right hooker being saved, in good hands too, keep the updates coming

Have seen your bus in the flesh less roof and with roof fitted etc..
Just to stress the magnitude of the roof swap...
RHD 11 window roof removed...LHD 13 window roof replaced...Cargo door aperture swap to the roof..
Matt was progressing well with the chassis and floor rebuild when I visited yesterday..
He was fabricating the floor structure when I called in...Saw him taking the photos above when I went to see Peebles...Seabass's (my son) 64...
Looks to be progressing really well!

Need to find some seats soon!

Hi Matt,

I just discovered your resto thread. Wow that's a lot of work there but like everybody has said it looks like it's in the right place.

going to be a long one this one but I'll be watching do Andy proud and wishing you well.

jason

Well Bonjour.... and apologies again for my lack of commitment to thread followers.... my bad.

Well to update you on the recent happenings....

All the chassis rails are done and dusted and the pics are below.
Also got the engine running, which was loads of fun and sounded sweet.... I think it may have already been re-coned at some point so were going to go with the standard 1600 for the moment with a few new shiny bits.
Last saturday, Mark and I stripped it down after giving it a second run with a gearbox check.
So just to clean it all up and rebuild. Also, got an exhaust and j tubes just so we could get it running and I think I may stick with that set-up as I don't think the heat exchangers will be worth the effort, any comments feedback regarding that are more than welcome.

So here are the finished chassis rail pics......

Torsion tube....





Completed rails....





All ready to go back...



And back they are....





Twinkle toes getting some nice snaps....



And even a trial fit on the short side ..... Noiiice!



So Chassis section all done, have just got a few nice rear corner panels to drop up to the boys at Haywoods on monday and also will be the first time I get to see the bus in the metal. Yay!

Jeeesus

Makes my resto look like a walk in the park

Ok and onto the engine progress.
I picked up an engine stand to rebuild the engine on last monday so hopefully will make the whole process a little bit easier as up until now I have been lugging it around the garage floor on an old pallet.

Here is a few photos of the engine as we got it ready to run..... also I'm hoping the video of it running works



Mark's fuel tank solution



Oh yea and we found out that one of the spark plugs wasn't working.... doh! but I nicked one out of the chesil I put it back though (sis wouldn't have been happy!) ....got some on order though!



And here is a quick vid of it running .... (click the pic and it will take you to the video)



So we set to work stripping it down and here is the results of what were going to clean up...





Happy days... a few new shiny bits to order and forward we go

Anyone who has anything they would highly recommend to do engine wise then do holla at a brother
Until next time

engine sounds sweet.

keep up the good work.

Jason