More work done.
Well we have got a whole lot of progress done. I sold my 2.4 petrol two weeks before easter but the buyer didn't need it straight away so the van was used for the easter motorcycle enduro and the motor was removed on the Tuesday after easter.
The engine bay was cleaned, extra radiator fitted along with a/c radiator as I am also installing a/c with the conversion, strange as I know very little about a/c, very good way to learn. We had issues with lower radiator and swaybar clearance but changed the mounting bracket for the lower radiator and it was sorted. The main radiator has been rebuilt and modified to hose the lower rad and hoses swapped to better suit the 1UZ hose configuration. Electric fan also fitted to the front of the main rad. A/c radiator will use the factory unit.
We found the gearbox linkages work backwards on the box I want to use and I am still trying to find the parts I want. Hopefully the picture will show the size difference between the two boxes. I have heard of lexus motors in Hiace vans running the standard G52 box but I still like my bigger box.
My motor has also been cleaned and cambelt, waterpump seals etc fitted. Looks very sexy. I could look at it all day. One of my staff members spent a whole afternoon with degreasers, multipurpose cleaners, alloy mag cleaner, brushes and kitchen scrubs cleaning the motor. The other staff member spent a couple of hours cleaning the gearbox.
Heater hoses on the body have been changed and we found that a crown remote oil filter setup will not fit with a rear sump so this will be mounted somewhere else. power steer unit rebuilt and the alternator and starter motor were fitted. These were already rebuilt.
The signwriter even got around to the signwriting so we pushed it across the road for the decals. This motivated me even more to get it sorted.
Yesterday the motor was refitted and mounted onto the crossmember.
That has been the last two weeks work fitting it around paying work.
Today is Sunday, Rob and myself were up with the sparrows and working on the van again. Amazing how much can be done when there are no interruptions.
Rob fitted a couple of heater hoses and cut the steel heater hose that runs through the valley - fitted a flange to it and twisted the outlet to face the left of the van and fitted a flange to the cut off part. he also refitted the lower radiator so rubber hoses can be sorted along with a/c lines.
I sorted the bellhosing to gearbox bolts, bit of die grinding to give clearance and all new hex head bolts. that done and the flywheel and gearbox where fitted. We have a small clearance issue with the a/c pump , that valve thing that sticks out the side. I am considering swapping the engine mounts to move the motor forward a little but unsure at the moment. Might try it and see how it looks. Swapping the mounts will move the motor about 5-10 mm forward. I was looking at the p/s reservoir thinking of remote mounting but found that the factory one fitted so I bolted it on. Engine cover on that side fits and I can stll check the level and refit the p/s cap. Another problem sorted. The cover behind the engine fits without any changes and has about 5mm clearance. The dipstick even fits at the moment but exhaust may change this. I thought the driveshaft might fit straight on but it was a 4x4 one and is too short but that is easy to fix. It's been a busy morning and now it's family time. Cheers
