delrazor's (derek's) LWB '80 cf

[delrazor]

It is with great pleasure that I can start a thread in the members rides section.
Yesterday the deal was struck fast, and by 4pm I had a Bedford sitting in front of my workshop.
I am a prolific forum user and hope folks understand that at this stage I am more full of questions than my 2 year old.


I'll list my immediate issues for reference....

1) Brakes. Drums all round. I am happy with well set up drum brakes, but these arent. If fixing them up will cost a fortune I may as well go for a disc conversion. There are 2 new rotors in boxes (pics later) in the back that may be handy. I am hoping the booster diaphram is broken so replacing it becomes a miracle fix.

2) Clutch is VERY stiff. I have done a search here and will try ans look at the lever. As with the brakes, if the tranny has to come out I may as well do the trimatic conversion at that time.

3) porn it up. I love it and as soon as it is all transferred, on the road and safe I'll start formulating a plan... and evil plan mwahaha.

[delrazor]

Just checked the engine. It is painted red and the number starts with VL. The site I looked up has VL for a commodore, but which one? the number is VL09701.
Any tips on a number search?
cheers
derek

[delrazor]

transmission says "BORG WARNER"

[ben]

must be a borg wagner 5 speed box..

discs are much better..

ben

[delrazor]

the dreadful paintwork comes up trumps with some cutting goo.
tomorrow ill get the colour matched and made into some spray cans. Then i can repair some bits.
I took a photo when I had done half the bonnet.

[ben]

looks a treat

[jimsvan]

nice score

[ben]

the van or the small child??

[delrazor]

Little Tom loves the van more than I do. The PO has built in many little hidey holes for camping storage and the lad tears around in there hiding my tools.

I had my first proper drive of it tonight and I was wondering what I can do about the gearstick. The clutch is ridiculously stiff (PO broke two cables) but I can deal with that. What I don't like is the range of movement in the gearstick. It is a huge curved thing (the BW box must mean the hole is way back compared to normal). When in 1st, 3rd and 5th the stick is nearly out of reach, and when in 2nd and 4th it is right back almost behind me.
I guess the question is can I re-configure the linkage to make it all a bit tighter?

cheers
derek

[ben]

ive seen a linkage setup made from a tie rod end on the floor up near where you want it and bar so it comes up where is comftable..

i sold the conversion to marky i think.. ask him for some photos was a really neat setup..

ben