Year 17: Post 1

 Progress update time—some good news to report.

1. The front panel has been repainted (for the third time) and is finally ready for the chrome pieces. Seeing everything start to come together like this is incredibly satisfying.

2. Over Christmas, I decided to add one more thing to the ever-growing “to-do turned done” list and made a really nice flag addition.

3. I also had custom brackets made for the side mirrors.

The flag almost floats in place. It’s sewn to a backing substrate, which is then glued to a piece of wood (as mentioned in an earlier post). The flag itself is excellent quality—though I regret to inform everyone that it came from the US (Georgia).

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Still to do (or redo):

• Mechanical inspection

• Registration and insurance — it’s been two months since I sent all my information and I still haven’t heard back. Not exactly unexpected from government services, but disappointing nonetheless.

• Bolt in the pocket doors

• Create a check strap for the rear doors. Maybe add the bumpers.

• Install the hubcaps

• Paint some bolt heads

• Fit the side mirrors (probably). I’m planning to mount them on the front edge of the doors, at the back of the B-pillar

• Tighten the headlamps

• Install the park light bezel

• Tighten the loose turn indicator

Small things. But details matter, and the Kandyman has standards and pride.

New Year. Last Year (of the Project)?

 

Okay, small things are being done. What's the white board for? That's a secret.

I'll share photos later when it's done.

The front panel is sanding and ready to be painted again. Some bolt heads need to be painted.

I am having the brackets made for the side mirrors. They'll be mounted on the rear of the B pillar (in the door frame) and jet out over the fenders, I think.

Still working on the registration and insurance.

Last Bits for 2025 and Merry Christmas

Okay, that's a wrap for 2025 van progress. Lots of good stuff finished.

I stencilled the side of the crate today and put up the "Notice to Driver" sign. It's not crewed on; it just looks like it. It's taped. I also stretched the rope by hanging it and put it roughly in place. It will look a little different later. 

Merry Christmas to all the folks worldwide who have helped me get to this point.
 

Stained Box

Stained the box this weekend so it doesn't look like it was made yesterday. 

Also, figured out the cargo net. That's all.
 

Final Bits and Registration

Okay, I got the net and I'm disappointed with it. Not girthy enough (sigh). I found another company nearby that makes others and I think I will swing an order to them instead and return this one (sorry China). The box on the other hand is perfect. Within 1 inch of what I need, and it looks period-correct. I can put chairs in it and other essentials. It's also a great place to site, when in place.

On other fronts, I am working on the registration and insurance, which is really complex. Went to a lawyer's office this afternoon and paid $60 to swear this little document. Then I mailed off a large package the the Vehicle Registrar. We'll see. I expect I missed a few steps (impossible to know). Meanwhile, the front grill panel is being painted (again), but I am sure it will look splendid on the other end.

Cake Decorations

 

There's some small details that are being pulled together. Things I actually enjoy because I can work on them at home, and they're within my ability.

Floor Carpets

As a practical matter, I needed something I could fixed the fire extinguisher too. But they look pretty neat, and it was only a day's effort.

Then and Now: 2008 and 2025

It's fun looking at old photos (sometimes), but more often there's bewilderment: what was I thinking?

The parcel tray and engine cowl are all in place.

I don't even remember what I did with the old dash.

The "crank" isn't Morris. It's Austin, but it's not going to be used

TO DO LIST GETTING SMALL

 

Here's the list. Final two are happening next Tuesday, and after that it's just small "cake decorating" pieces.

It's Alive! It Moves!

Good news! 17 years in, and it moves! For the first time (under its own power) in 50-plus years.

Bad news: Everyone (it seems) is jumping on the cute little van bandwagon.

A few more things to come. The front grille is done. The chrome needs to be added, the engine cowl needs to be installed, and there are some "cake decoration" bits after that -- the crank, badges, etc.

But I'm exhausted. 

 

Engine Starts!

 

Well, the engine was started. That's a significant milestone. I am told that it went well. It appears that there's oil leaking from the place where the MORRIS badge is riveted to the valve cover. That's fixable.

Weekend Video (Close to Starting Engine)

 

It’s incredible when you see things turning on. This past weekend, we expected to start the engine, but we ran out of time. That’s coming. Attached are some videos that show progress. The interior light and a few other gems are to be seen.

 

 

Narrow List and Happy New Year

The list of things to be done has been narrowed.

Happy New Year everyone.

 

Alas, Rubbers!

 

I spent years and maybe 200 hours looking for suitable replacement rubbers for the rear doors. However, what I really needed was proper terminology. They are rubber “buffers,” and they are relatively plentiful. Except for the hole in the front, they're dimensionally correct.

Having "Fun" With Little Details

 

I'm a little confused about how these instrument lights are supposed to be wired. I think 2 of them go to the instruments and are on their own circuit, but the third goes to the red power on indicator in the centre of the console. It's very hard to tell without having another van to look at for comparison. I looked at the drawings in the shop manual and they could have been clearer as well. The two instrument lights are meant to be wired serially. The bases  (of the fixtures)I have the residue of the original wiring and I just see one wire being connected and I'm not really sure where the ground wire goes if it goes anywhere for the two that have just one wire connected (unless the mounting acts as the ground).

Access Again

 

I couldn't access this blog for a long time because I misplaced the password and no longer used the email associated with it (and used for password recovery). In any event, I found it!

There are about a dozen things remaining to be done. Most are straightforward but require skill (something I don't have). If anyone wants to get a hold of me, my email is charlesgrahn@gmail.com.

Grill or Grille (or Front Panel)

 

The front panel thingy is painted. Just some wet sanding and then to attach the shiny bits.

Thanks for continuing to follow the blog. I have COVID, but I am mending nicely.

COVID Countdown

S​ummer is kind of here, and I have resumed van work. I stopped in the winter because it was too cold, and I just can't work in the cold like I used to. There are precious few items left to be done. The front panel has to be painted too. But otherwise, it's the fuel line to the carb, the throttle linkage​, assemble the engine cowl and ignition and instrument wiring. All the summer's car shows are cancelled owing to the COVID. I fiddled with the chrome side mirrors that I purchased about 10 years ago, but I couldn't get them to a place I liked. Instead, I'm going with the Land Rover Series ones you can see in the accompanying photo. They're period correct, and the colour will look good I think. The other photos are from yesterday. Yes, the reflection is a 1947 Chevy Pickup.

Carb Linkage Problem.

So I am trying to fit the Lokar throttle linkage to the Weber carb, and I think I might be missing pieces because it isn't obvious how they should go together (the end can be seen in the first photo). Worse the bracket that the linkage is supposed to be fastened to (see #2 above) it too close to the engine cowl to work. #1 is the pedal and #3 is the throttle.

Ho, Ho, Ho

I continue to make slow progress on the van every weekend. As I complete things other things reveal themselves in need of fixing or repair. I expect that, but the list of thing outstanding seems to be dwindling. One problem is that the accelerator linkage won't work because there's no enough room between the bracket and the cowl, so some modifications might be needed. I'll test fit the cowl next week and get a better sense of what needs to happen next. I might also start some of the cooling, which I've looked forward too. Last week I put in the side glass and added the seat. Seat might be premature, but at least it's out of the way. Attention starting to turn to the carb and transmission. Aiming to be done by Christmas. I know, I said that before.