Table complete

Out with the old, in with the new. Transferred over the leg and hinges today after a second coat of Danish oil. All ready to be put in when I get the van back. Much better than the horrible piece of ply we had before.

I've also been at the sewing machine again to alter a duvet and duvet cover to fit the rather small bed (the old one kept slipping off as it was to wide).

The TD transplant starts

LT35-Craig from the brick-yard has taken the van off my hands today to start installing the Volvo Turbo diesel I picked up from near Telford this morning. Early start, 6am, quick stop to cut off the ends of the leak off pipes as they were living up to their name!, lost about 30lts I think. Dropped the van off at 10:30 and got home on the train about 15:30
I can't pick the van up again till 1st June as I'm going on holiday, but it should all be done by then. Small problem with the engine missing it's oil cooler and turbo breather, but the guy I bought it from is gonna try and find them.

Table

I've finished gluing the table and have cut it to size. It's got about 50 biscuit joints in it so should be strong enough.
I decided to use a liming wax to make the overall colour a bit lighter and then finished in danish oil so it can handle the missus pouring wine over it :-(
The lime brings out the grain nicely. You use a wire brush to remove some of the softer growth and then push the wax into the voids you've created. A good wipe off and seal with danish. Lovely!
Just need to fit it. The van it off to Kidderminster tomorrow to have the Turbo Diesel fitted, can't wait!
The rain stopped for a while this afternoon so I've also done the machine glaze and waxed it. Doesn't look half bad now. Obviously no where near as good as a proper sprayer could do, but not at all bad for a DIY.

Table in clamps

Some more work

Finally got around to flatting the spray job with 2000 Grit wet & dry. Then mopped the whole van with 2 different grades of compound. Just need to finish with a machine glaze, but I'll have to wait for the rain to stop. Already had to resort to a pair of marigolds to stop the tingle from water getting into my polisher!
A new table top is on it's way too. This time in solid oak, will probably lime it and finish in danish oil. Had to make it strong enough to take my fat arse when it's a bed and light enough to make it easy to move. It's only 13mm thick so had to make it in sections with cross members for strength. Photo soon

TURBO!!!!!

I've managed to get my hands on a TURBO engine from flee bay for £165. It's from a volvo 740, but the engine is basically the same, a few bits need swapping over though. Same size 2.4l, but turbo means it creates 105BHP not the shameful 55BHP of the current engine. Looking forward to this after spending most of the time going up hills at 15mph in cornwall. A guy from the brickyard forum in kidderminster has offered to fit the engine, not the easiest job in the world as the engine mounts are different and a new one needs welding on. At the same time, a new clutch, water pump, cambelt and drive belt will be fitted along with oil and filter. I'm also having the injectors serviced. If everything is ok a trip around France (or maybe europe) seems in order due to improved speed and fuel economy!

Almost forgot

Seat belts in the rear and proper VW curtain tracks, along with a bit more sewing to fit them.

Various Tasks

After the trip to cornwall I was inspired to do a bit more work on the van for the summer.
I had to change the spring that was broken and did the shocks as well. Then it turned out the other spring didn't match the new one, or the broken one! I'm guessing it was from an LT28, so that was replaced as well.
Then I went on to complete loads of jobs I've been meaning to do for ages;
Changed gearbox oil
Changed diff oil
Changed engine oil
Replaced thermostat and coolant (evidence of oil in the water, not sure if new or old)
Front offside bearing adjusted
Oven thermocouple replaced
New sliding door internal handle
New gear lever ball joint
New gearbox ball joint
All gear and steering linkages greased.

Changing gear is now much more positive, the engine actually comes up to temperature and it doesn't creak going over bumps anymore. Lovely

Devon and Cornwall

The camper too a trip to the eden project via north coast of devon. No problems except for a creak from the suspension when going over bumps. Turned out it wasn't the shocks as I suspected but a broken spring!
Photo is of Bay View camp site on the south coast, found it in the cool camping book.