Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[iain]

Hi,
Continuing the Carcruiser refurbishment, we've now come to the gas supply. I had to strip out quite a bit of the gas piping, the supply to the gas light in the kitchen area, the stove and the gas tap for the heater. Is there anything I should be aware of when putting it all back again? I'm a reasonably competent classic car restorer, but not really a qualified gas fitter.... Theres a tube of 'gas joint sealant goo' in one of the drawers, so I assume a light smear of goo and tighten up the unions, nd if it smells of gas turn it off again quick, or shoudl we be having it checked over by someone with a piece of paper. All the pipes are in good condition, it was just the woodwork they were attached to which had to be replaced.
Also, are gas mantles still available for the gas lights? Got one spare that came with the van and I'd really like to have the gas lights working again.
cheers
Iain

[Brian M]

Iain

My all means put the pipes in yourself, but PLEASE get the whole installation checked at a Caravan Repairers.

A leak while you are sleeping in the caravan, would have a tragic outcome.

I had mine checked at a meeting of Safari Owners last year - the expert put a very sensitive pressure testing gauge on the whole system and found a slightly dodgy rubber pipe in the storage box on the front of the Safari, but more importantly a leaking washer on my water heater, that probably only leaked when subject to the higher than normal pressure of the test, but would have continued to get worse.

Such a test should only cost £30 or so but is money well spent.

[iain]

Thanks Brian, thats pretty much what I wanted to know. I'd always turn the gas off at night anyway, as that what my parents always did in their caravan, but I'd no idea if and how you went about having a check done. I'll try the caravan specialist in the next town to see if they'll do it. It'll have to have a new rubber hose and regulator anyway, as I cut the perished old one off and binned it to avoid any temptation to use it...
The first outing was a gas free zone, electric light and a modern camping stove. Be nice to have the warming glow of gas lights again!

cheers
Iain

[old van man]

hi
ian regarding your gas fitting calor gas stinks for a good reason so you can find the leak ! have fitted gas to alot of vintage vans (including a pre war carcrusier ) and have not had to pay any one to check it . a good tip is to use washing up liquid to find the leak (it bubbles up ) i have some spares for your model van if you get stuck
cheers paul

[Rick]

welcome to the forum old van man, look forward to hearing about your caravans

Rick
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[iain]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for that. If it was just me, thats probably what I'd do but the other half would certainly sleep easier if we had a seal of approval on it. We are however short of a coupe of bits for the kitchen light - the ceramic screw thingy that the mantle fits to and the fitting that the glass globe fits to. Yuo can see the bits on the pair of front lights but theres just a metal threaded end on the rear one.





If anyone could help with the missing bits we'd be very grateful.
cheers
Iain

[old van man]

hi ian
am sure i have this gas fitting some where will have a look in my stores today. i do have some bijou gas mantles and some 1960s globes if your interested
cheers paul

[iain]

That would be great if you've got the bits. Mantles would be handy too. We do have globes but they're not a matching set. No great problem, theres two which match for the front and an odd one for the rear.
Iain

[old van man]

HI iain

sorry for the dely in replying we have been away on hol in my 1931 carcusier.
i have the gas lamp fittings you want i can post them to you or if you are up my way pick them up ( J23a M1) gas mantles are £2.00 each and shades £6.oo the ceramic thingie and shade holder £3.00 plus post
if this is of any use to you email your deails to me and i can send them on
regards paul

[celtic_bluebell]

brand new to the site and looking for help I'm afraid to say I've succumbed to the lure of the 'old caravan'. Hubbie says I just lost it and kids say its a mid life crisis oh and none of them are going anywhere near the flea ridden heap We've always had new caravans but I found an old Elddis Mistral going free. Okay so its not that old but I reckoned it would be a good learning experience to start. Have been busy stripping out the rotten bits of the frame. Someone has decapitated the gas heater and light and I'd like to replace them so all the stuff on here has already been helpful. I dont know what year the van is but I've seen a newer version and it was 1989. Will put some before and after pics on when I've got time at the weekend. Been collecting all sorts of 'tat' like fabric, tins, melamex dishes, 70's linoleum etc. Any help on finding lights etc would be appreciated ( I've found lots of breakers online I guess its just a case of tracking down the right ones).
cheers Karen

[iain]

[giggles]

[celtic_bluebell]

So I'm not the only saddo here then I've got yellow, green and just got some blue off ebay (for my next 'project' !) Oh heck and it looks like I might be here under false pretences - I've just read your blurb but I dont actually know how old the van is sorry but thanks for the welcome tho lol. This weekend's task is clearing the surface rust off the chassis - it looks solid - and painting and waxoyling (is that the right spelling?) Hubby has helped me dismantle the whole a-frame so he could check and fix the brakes for me - some bits seem to be non-existant. I've found a wee local guy who has all sorts of goodies in his wee shop its a small caravan place - he's got window trims, every single one is shot, things like water and gas pipe, grill pan, replacement leg, door lock, lots of things on my list. Surprisingly lots of things don't seem to have changed much, I thought I'd have to be scouring round the country for all these things. Anyway just enough of my lunch hour left for a wee foray on ebay

[aussie_fairholme_gal]

Hi there,

I am looking for 1 shade that looks like the picture below. I dont have a hope of finding one in Australia but if someone has one I am willing to pay all costs.
I am also wondering if Calor Gas is the same as what we have here which is called L.P.G. leaded petroleum gas?




Thanks,
Trish.
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My Fairholme is a long way from home!

[moggy]