BAD NEWS

The camper isn't finished in time for Volksfest which started yesterday.
The guy finished installing the engine Wednesday morning and I got a call when I was on the train to go pick it up, no oil pressure! It has pressure at low revs but when you accelerate the oil warning buzzer comes on.
He tried swapping the oil pump from the old engine and had the engine back in yesterday, but the problem remains. Bugger
He's still trying to trace the problem but if it comes to it I got hold of another engine for £30 which I dropped to him yesterday morning.
Still, a shame as we've already bought our tickets for Volksfest. We're going to pop along for the day as there's no point in wasting £40.
I have a new drivers seat sitting in my dining room waiting to go in. Hopefully it will fit with not too much work as it's from a transporter, has arm rests too. Also the new table is sitting there, so the sooner we get the van back the sooner we can have out dining room back. I've got a feeling it won't be till the end of next week now :-(

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!