My OperaLonger and warmer days
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 12:43:15 PM
Although it isn't spring or even spring-like here in Gol, the days are definitely getting longer and the weather is warming up. On a sunny day I can work outside for a couple of hours without getting too cold. Earlier in the winter, the sun didn't make it into the valley for several weeks, and trying to do anything at temperatures below -10'c meant going indoors every half hour or so to warm up. It wasn't just body temperature that was the problem. Metal tools cool down almost immediately once outside and suck heat from your fingers as you try to use them. It is too hard to work on a van wearing a pair of gloves thick enough to keep your hands warm.
So, I have already started taking advantage of these warm days where the temperature hovers round 0'c. I haven't started on my bus yet but here are a few pictures of the basic camper interior, that I am building into Damae's Syncro.
The interior consists of a rock and roll bed that came with the van, built into the back of the van, plus a three part wooden floor.
The reason for making the floor in three parts is that there are two rails in the middle of the van. The second row of seats slides onto these rails. As we want to re-register the van as an eight seater we need to keep these rails screwed in place and accessible. So, the two outer floor sections will be bolted in place whilst the centre section is going to be removable. This will allow us to choose to use the van as an eight seater people carrier or a five seat camper.
I'm making progress, the floor sections are in the process of getting several layers of high gloss yacht varnish. As I am working outside, the low temperatures mean that each coat takes a long time to dry. I still have to remove the box supporting the rock and roll bed and sand and varnish the wood. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks this part of the interior will be installed and usable.
Slon has not been entirely forgotten, although the engine has not been run since December. I've had problems getting the new engine running properly especially from cold. Irrespective of the choke setting, I get a huge flat spot in the middle of the engine range a few minutes after starting. This makes driving on snow and ice rather interesting. However, adjusting the choke so it takes longer to open doesn't cure the problem and makes the engine kick out a lot of blue smoke when starting. Also the heating seems not to be working at all, which is curious given that the heat exchangers are new, and open. I suspect that the long pipe that runs up the middle of the van has rusted somewhere. Seeing as it is hidden from view buy some large plates on the underside of the van, this will be rather a big job even just to investigate.
So I will concentrate on getting the engine timing, valves and carburettor set up properly and then give the engine its 2500km oil change. I'm considering either a 123 electronic distributor or an Ignitor setup. Unfortunately the price for the Ignitor kit in Norway, is twice what it costs in the UK or Germany and no-one seems to import the 123 distributor. I guess the investment in electronic ignition will have to wait until a trip to the UK or Holland.
So, I have already started taking advantage of these warm days where the temperature hovers round 0'c. I haven't started on my bus yet but here are a few pictures of the basic camper interior, that I am building into Damae's Syncro.
The interior consists of a rock and roll bed that came with the van, built into the back of the van, plus a three part wooden floor.
The reason for making the floor in three parts is that there are two rails in the middle of the van. The second row of seats slides onto these rails. As we want to re-register the van as an eight seater we need to keep these rails screwed in place and accessible. So, the two outer floor sections will be bolted in place whilst the centre section is going to be removable. This will allow us to choose to use the van as an eight seater people carrier or a five seat camper.
I'm making progress, the floor sections are in the process of getting several layers of high gloss yacht varnish. As I am working outside, the low temperatures mean that each coat takes a long time to dry. I still have to remove the box supporting the rock and roll bed and sand and varnish the wood. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks this part of the interior will be installed and usable.
Slon has not been entirely forgotten, although the engine has not been run since December. I've had problems getting the new engine running properly especially from cold. Irrespective of the choke setting, I get a huge flat spot in the middle of the engine range a few minutes after starting. This makes driving on snow and ice rather interesting. However, adjusting the choke so it takes longer to open doesn't cure the problem and makes the engine kick out a lot of blue smoke when starting. Also the heating seems not to be working at all, which is curious given that the heat exchangers are new, and open. I suspect that the long pipe that runs up the middle of the van has rusted somewhere. Seeing as it is hidden from view buy some large plates on the underside of the van, this will be rather a big job even just to investigate.
So I will concentrate on getting the engine timing, valves and carburettor set up properly and then give the engine its 2500km oil change. I'm considering either a 123 electronic distributor or an Ignitor setup. Unfortunately the price for the Ignitor kit in Norway, is twice what it costs in the UK or Germany and no-one seems to import the 123 distributor. I guess the investment in electronic ignition will have to wait until a trip to the UK or Holland.
