Retrovans 75 Fleetline panelvan - Project

[sean]

Never change an ancient Bosch condenser. They never fail.

I haven't had much bad luck with condensers, but had the odd one fail.

If in doubt about a condenser, simply grab a pliers and squash it.

On my trip to Bloemfontein in the Autovilla the other day, it developed a odd miss for a brief split second every now and then. This was after the first 500km going perfectly. After another 100 or 200km it developed into a bad miss and caused the engine to stumble. I stopped, grabbed my leatherman and squashed the condenser in the middle. Problem gone and drove the other 1500km perfectly.

[retrovan]

If you still have an old condenser on your car, keep it, the chances of it going down is near nil.

The problem with the new ones are that they pin weld the wire to the thin leaf foil inside the coil, and this burns of or shakes loose.

If you squash the can you place pressure on the wire to the foil and it makes contact again.

This should keep making contact as the pressure now holds it in place.

I normally bash it with a 19 spanner does the same thing.

But was so confident that this was something else, that it never crossed my mind.

And so we learn.....'

Edit ;- Just opened this condenser, and was shocked of what I found.

The coil of Leave foil has no wire connected to it, it is only jammed into the tin, and making contact with the top wire disk and the bottom of the tin.

That is why they go so fast, as they build up carbon and then go open circute, so these new ones you would have to press the long side to get more pressure on the contact points. maybe better to dent in the bottom of the can

Herman

[Haans]

Thatsa why I love this forum !!!!!,........learn something new every day!!!!

Thanks for sharing !

Haans

[retrovan]

Due to the MeFusco Beetle truck project, I had to have my scrap type 4 2lt motor refreshed, to build it into the chassis.

So It needed to go down to Villiesdorp, but the Karmann Ghia also had to go down.

The only work horse that was ready to do duty, was the Fleetline,

So onto a car trailer and off we went, Motor in the van and car on the trailer, could not "A" frame it down as it was completely stripped and loose off the chassis, else I would have.

She ran like a top, all the way there and all the way back doing a round trip of approx. 1750 Km.

must say I did burn out two condensers on the way

Man,...Wat a fantastic ride, and what a fantastic thing of Beauty she is...

Herman

[Tony Z]

no pictures??? Didnt happen

[retrovan]

no pictures??? Didnt happen

Forgot the camera at home, but sure it was on Facebook. as every one was taking photos

Herman

[sean]

I got sent one via the grapevine....

[retrovan]

Thanks for posting Sean.

Herman

[retrovan]

So the fleetline is on the next adventure.

Had to unpack all the daily work gear out of her,

And get her cleaned up all nice and pretty.

Which was not the easiest of things, as she has had to work her a$$ off while the Bay has been at the beauty parlor.

Has been putting on over 10 000 Km on since she got on the road.

So now we off to George, did not make it last year, due to engine, but thats covered higher up in this thread.

Again we are going to tow the 52 Beetle on and A frame, not because she has can not get there her self, but its a matter of drivers and fuel saving.

So till we get back

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Herman would you have a picture of the A frame mounting brackets on the Beetle that you could PM me or post.
Thank you

[retrovan]

Herman would you have a picture of the A frame mounting brackets on the Beetle that you could PM me or post.
Thank you

Yes Terry, made my A frame heavy duty, some guys make them light weight and fold up, but I feel that should something happen, both my cars will come out on the other end.

It is universal, and bolts around the front beam.

So I can use it for all my buses as well as anybody on the side of the road.

Others weld lugs onto the bottom of the body, but then you can not help others or they break off.

Herman

[retrovan]

So George show has come and gone.

We went down with the Fleetline a-framing the beetle down, this was done to enable us to have a conversational trip down with all in the Fleetline, and saving fuel not having to drive two cars.

We had an very pleasant trip down as well as up, but can not say the same for my convey buddy Johan Eagle

1st his Fugly overheated, for which he had to turn back, and then the water pipe burst off the Eagle.

Why am I telling you all this, well so that the photo's make sense. that's why.

Got up at quarter passed sparrows fart, and Hooked the Beetle on to the back of the Fleetline, this was easy as the a-frame was fitted to the beetle the night before.

Headed to the meeting place at our local highway service station to link up with Johan







Just 10 min on the road and I got that dreaded call from Johan that he has to stop.

Pulled off the road, and waited for the engine to cool,

Had a excellent sun rise....





Tried again, but still overheated, so the discussion was made that he limped home, unhooked the Eagle from the bus, leave the bus at home and fly back with the Eagle to catch up to us.

We filled up at Storms River and waited for the yellow flash, but none came.



Went on to the George show, and arrived late, but they fully understood, and let us in.









We where swamped with guys liking the Beetle mostly but also the Fleetline, and spent hours replying to questions,

The show was great and we fully enjoyed it, slept in the camping grounds as we do every year, and had a good nights sleep after a large pizza, and played some pool.









Headed back to the show the Sunday morning and had a relaxing day with classic car friends due to the lesser number of visitors to the show on the Sunday.

Just after noon, we hit the road and drove back home, all having had a great few days of fun and joy.

Thanks for looking

Herman

[retrovan]

As I have been loaded with all kind of things to take up my time, and work has moved on to family and company issues,

The Fleetline has been roped in again to do some heavy lifting. Tomorrow she has to go get her Bay mate, from the painters.

Its sad to see her with the other three, they all had R50K plus spray jobs, and she landed up with an requested budget spray of less then R20K.

Yes the other have had the full leadworks, Minimal body filler, but she, due to her years on the beach front and internal rust, was known to have to be reworked in ten or so years, yes we did know that and we where hoping that by that time someone has opened a factory for restoration by means of full bus rust removal, full bus phosphating, and full bus e-coating, then she can be brought up to standard with the other 3

Even though it has been said;- "you have an issue with high standards of work"?

She will get there some day, not to satisfy others, but because I want to.

Its my bus and its got f#@k all to do with any body else.

Herman

[Dawie]

Nice. A kombi is such a practical vehicle.


This picture brought back memories from long ago.
Once i had to transport home some 6m lengths of steel... With my beetle. No roof rack. Was pulled off by a fuming cop. Telling me what i have done is very dangerous. Asked which regulation i have transgressed, and he could not say. (Was within the allowed max distances, securely tied, complete with red flag/cloth.)

(The lengths of steel was tied BELOW the beetle's chassis. Securely tied to the front and rear bumpers, but not scraping on the tar).

[retrovan]

Thanks for reminding me,

yes had to do that as well as a youngster, but could not tie it to the bumpers as they where not strong so had rope over the top of the roof from front to back.

Also it managed to keep the ends in the air so they would not stick into the road...

Good old days, thanks for the memory's....

Herman