1985 Chevy Astro Van

[Stuball]

Cheers for the comments guys

I know what you mean about the wiring gelmonkey.

After what I found pulling the old loom out was determined to keep it
neat, tidy and organised when i redid it, only makes for a headache later on
if you dont!!

Still got to wire in the headlamp/wiper/indicator controls and the headlights and fan etc. but its not far off now.

Stu

[Stuball]

Started on the overhead switch panel today.

Got the switches and warning lights mounted, still need to finish cutting the hole for the
gear indicator though.




All stop now until payday, but not far off

[Stuball]

Funding is a bit tight this month, so not much will get done, but on a plus note my new wheels arrived and van looks proper mean now




Stuball

[Stuball]

Havent really got round to updating this recently, but am happy to say it passed its MOT end of august and has done 600miles so far, few kinks to sort out though.

Interior is still long way from finishing, but I will work on that over the winter.








One major issue is the engine has trouble holding temperature when at speed, I think this is due to the amount of "free space" around the radiator, so am going to make up some shrouds/ducting to force all of the air through it. (With the fan on at idle it maintains temp just fine)

Just need to rebuild the exhaust system now as I have the space underneath now to do a proper dual system (plus the current one is falling apart lol)

Will be out in force next year, needs its debut run up the strip

STU

[Stuball]

Right then, as the weather has been splendid lately, thought it about time I sorted the interior on the van.

Have so far stripped everything out (absolutely everything) so I can clean it all up and repaint.

Starting at the back and working forwards, painting silver (rather than burgunday as it is at the moment!), new sound proofing, and ally panels to tidy it up. This is never going to be show standard, but atleast it makes the inside look a lot better



Also cleaned/sprayed a few bits, pedal assemblies and shifter/mount so far




LOTS more still to do but should progress fairly quickly

Stuball

[Stuball]

Little bit more done today.

Cut out the bulkhead/firewall where the old heater was mounted/moved etc, not a pretty sight.


Made up a new blanking panel, with correctly positioned cutouts for new universal heater.


Stu

[topcatcustom]

Looking good, doesn't look too practical with the fuel tank stuck right in the middle of the back though!

[ChrisJC]

Is that bit you've cut out part of the integral structure of the vehicle?!?!

Chris.

[Stuball]

Chris: Its a small piece of the firewall/bulkhead on the passenger side, looks a lot bigger than it is!! The blanking panel is about 2 times the size of the hole behind it, (i just made it cover the hole area for neatness)

Now ive sussed where the heater is going, panel will come off, and my mate is going to weld in new steel wherever we dont need a hole. (I was going to have it welded up and mount the heater straight to the bulkhead, but cos of where i wanted to put it, tucked out of the way, it would have been impossible to bolt it up, which is why ive done it this way)

[Stuball]

Well thats put a spanner in the works!

Weather has been rubbish lately so decided to have a look at the carburrettor, been having problems with the idle speed and mixture.

Seems to be well worn out on shafts, accel pump cams, throttle plates, etc
Looks like i need a replacement



Stu

[ChrisJC]

.
Looks like i need a replacement
Stu

Fuel injection!

Chris.