Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:11 am Post subject: Austin-Morris J4 van challenge |
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Well, I have my latest (and greatest) challenge ready, wasn't sure where to post though really... could have been commercials, or Austin... but anyway, I hope it's alright here.
My name is Chris and I'm living on Anglesey in North Wales and this J4 will be my 4th 'collectable' having 2 motorbikes (BSA M20 & Ariel Red Hunter) and a 1972 Vauxhall Viva.
I bought the van at a local auction a couple of weeks ago having (allegedly) had only 1 owner and covered just over 18,000 miles - I have spoken to the chap who put the van into auction and I found the last MOT in an envelope with an insurance cover note verifying the mileage so I'm quite happy with it.
Lots of welding to do (more than I had hoped), brakes are seized on and there is no compression so the engine is not running... so plenty to keep me busy - I'm starting to ask myself why didn't I pick an easier project though !! A J4 was my first ever (4 wheel) vehicle, I guess that's where the attraction is from, many many years ago!!
Anyway, I've not been able to find much resource on J4's so far and parts (especially panels) seem hard to come by so I'm hoping that you might be able to help via this forum.
I'll keep you posted on the progress as I get on with it. _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22455 Location: UK
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D4B
Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum Chris, looking forward to hearing more about your adventures with the J4, excellent fun |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Very fond memories of the J4, my dad was a self employed builder and bought one that was previously used as a mobile fish selling van, still stank of fish so was affectionately known as the fish van during its stay with us.
Great project, keep us informed and remember we like lots of pictures
Kev |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you... definitely more oily rag than concourse for sure, these vehicles need to be on the road
So special thanks to my brother for coming over today and assisting, I'd have struggled big time otherwise...
Today's updates... managed to get OSR drum off, needs a skim by the looks of it TBC and the big news... actually got it running - YES !! 3 stuck valves, well they have been sitting in the same position for 23 years so no surprise they were a bit stiff... had to rig up a fuel supply as nothing coming from the fuel tank (blockage I think) but yes... sweet as the proverbial nut !!
Think the fuel tank will have to come off to investigate but still the biggest thing is going to be the welding, especially the inner cills... will update when something to report next _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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Some of my rusty bits;
Work to do... _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2016 12:04 am Post subject: |
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Not drawing any fuel up from the tank, so dropped it down and found outlet totally blocked... had to use a drill to clear it. sender unit was stuck solid too so hopefully reassemble next few days and hey presto... got a recon kit for the fuel pump and had to weld the throttle pedal all in readiness... see how we get on next...
Seem to have lost the ability to add photos - photobucket won't let me log in anymore and tried flickr to no avail I'll find a way !! _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22455 Location: UK
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Well, I give up with Photobucket... I'll have to find another way when I have more time to waste !!
Latest updates... Fuel tank cleared and back on, drew some new fuel up with the lift pump, a bit of choke and hey presto !! Starts first turn of the key every time - not a knock a rattle or a whisp of smoke, amazing !! Good as new _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 11:00 am Post subject: |
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Took the clutch slave cylinder off (after a bit of a struggle), the bit that is supposed to be a piston inside it (I assume) was just powder so on to eBay and ordered one from an A60 - looks identical so hopefully will do the job!!
Rear brakes stripped down, parts ordered... brake pipe snapped like a carrot when I tried to move it, and not a very strong carrot either so new brake pipes all round required.
Plan is to get it moving and stopping and then to set to with the rust - I'm really not looking forward to the rust _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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D4B
Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like I've found a new way to upload the photos... TinyPic - dead easy (if it works)...
Hopefully you can see photo of my gummed up fuel pipe - all clear now _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the link Steve, he's done an amazing job. Mine won't be anything like that though I assure you as I don't have the time, the space or even half of the talent and skill to get to that level... more like a rolling restoration me thinks lol but good to see what other people are able to achieve and what is possible, thank you. _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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The clutch slave...
I emptied the powdery contents out... new one required... _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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chrisf
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 38 Location: Anglesey
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:57 am Post subject: |
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Quick update, not been near it since my last post, neither will I this weekend due to other commitments... have ordered lots of bits though, clutch cylinder, wheel cylinder kits, brake pipe terminals... clips / brackets / screws etc. so good to go next weekend hopefully. _________________ HC Viva, J4 van, Ariel NH350, BSA M20 |
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