13-01-2024, 05:34 PM
Hi All
I’ve been metal bashing today.
The bonnet fit on my van was so bad that a previous owner had resorted to butchering the front of the side panels and adding wedges of steel to the back. So I’ve made up two side panels using those on my standard RK as a template.
Investigation revealed that the van chassis was relatively unbowed but engine had been mounted on quite thick rubber washers, possibly to aid the fit of the four speed gearbox. (Not enough, as the uncoupled brake cables were fouling the gearbox and had worn a gouge on either side). The radiator cowl had been set quite high to accommodate the starting handle on the raised engine. The top of the cowl was higher than the scuttle
Putting everything back as it should be but taking the liberty of dropping the cowl slightly lower than standard by 1/4” and raising the back of the engine with 1/4” washers under the rear mounting points I’ve managed to get the panel gaps reasonable and the replacement coil engine nose cone in the cowl aperture. I’m replacing the four speed box with a rebuilt three speed.
Now just have to wait for warmer weather to get some paint on them.
Cheers
Howard
IMG_3873.jpeg (Size: 170.36 KB / Downloads: 239)
IMG_3866.jpeg (Size: 94.48 KB / Downloads: 237)
I’ve been metal bashing today.
The bonnet fit on my van was so bad that a previous owner had resorted to butchering the front of the side panels and adding wedges of steel to the back. So I’ve made up two side panels using those on my standard RK as a template.
Investigation revealed that the van chassis was relatively unbowed but engine had been mounted on quite thick rubber washers, possibly to aid the fit of the four speed gearbox. (Not enough, as the uncoupled brake cables were fouling the gearbox and had worn a gouge on either side). The radiator cowl had been set quite high to accommodate the starting handle on the raised engine. The top of the cowl was higher than the scuttle
Putting everything back as it should be but taking the liberty of dropping the cowl slightly lower than standard by 1/4” and raising the back of the engine with 1/4” washers under the rear mounting points I’ve managed to get the panel gaps reasonable and the replacement coil engine nose cone in the cowl aperture. I’m replacing the four speed box with a rebuilt three speed.
Now just have to wait for warmer weather to get some paint on them.
Cheers
Howard
IMG_3873.jpeg (Size: 170.36 KB / Downloads: 239)
IMG_3866.jpeg (Size: 94.48 KB / Downloads: 237)