Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[alapimba]

Hello.

Just got my curiosity about this vans, never drove any, don't even know how is the engine if too complex or too simple.

Who wants to explain me everything as i was a 5 years kid?

How hard is to drive this vans?
How fast (stock)?
How good the brakes?
How is the fuel consume?
How hard to find parts to keep the vans drivable?

...

Regards from Portugal

[Rick]

Hi alapimba,

To answer your questions:

- easy to drive, just remember to do everything a little slower than you would in your Opel, eg slower gearchanges

- they aren't particularly quick, say 35mph a safe maximum, any more than that and the engine sounds like it may explode, due to the very low gearing (especially on the pickups that have 16 inch wheels, the vans with 18 inch wheels may be better)

- the brakes are big, and good enough for the amount of power the truck has

- fuel consumption?? I never really checked with mine, 28-30mpg maybe?

- body and trim parts are not very easy to find, engine parts are the same as on the Ford 103E Popular so quite easy. A worn engine is expensive to repair as the bearings are white metal - no removable shell bearings.

I found a smart red E83W pickup in Portugal on the side of a main road, I don't know if it was for sale or not though

Rick
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[alapimba]

Hi Rick, thanks for the prompt answer.

How this pickups start? it's by hand?
Theres any tricks to check if a engine is worn without open it to see?

Do you remember where you saw that one in Portugal?

By the way, let me add a picture of another portuguese one, i saw other day


It's a E83W, right?

[Rick]

Yes thats an E83W!

They usually start on a pull switch that is connected to the starter motor, if the battery is flat you can use the starting handle (ask buzzy bee, he is familiar with the handle )

Problems with the engine are usually obvious when it is running. If there is no smoke, and the engine is quiet, it is probably a good engine.

I'm not 100% sure where I saw the Portuguese pickup, it was on a main road if that helps in fact I think I marked it on a map, just like I did with that scrapyard I will have a look and check

Rick
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Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
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[alapimba]

[buzzy bee]

Hi

According to data in my book the MPG is 18

The handle is normally easy, a few turns to prime, then choke and one or two turns, and woof, but ocasionally it can be more difficult! hehe

Also brakes are much less effective than you may expect!

Cheers

Dave