The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Thanks for all that, very helpful, especially the stuff about services, showers etc. I particularly like the idea for clothes washing although my wife wasn't so keep having all her smalls on display on the roof!

Thanks for the info on bed sizes, that gives me something to work from. I think my plan is to mock up a bed indoors and make it as narrow as possible, then see if my wife complains. I do have to be careful though as we both tend to toss and turn at night so I might want to compromise galley space for a slightly larger bed

Swivel seats do sound a good idea. In fact I was wondering whether I should remove the bulkhead just in case but decided against to start with. I do have a fairly good workshop (welder, lathe etc) so making up a swivel base would not be that difficult. The key I think would be to find seats that are comfortable, adjustable and not too large. That is something for the future though, for the moment I will stick with what I have.

I did make some progress today, the floor is now painted.

I went with hammerite metal paint brushed on and I think it was a mistake. Despite being thick and gloopy it still shows the brush marks badly, has gone matt where I brushed over it (eg to merge new paint with stuff painted 5 minutes previously) and generally looks like a 5 year old did it! I am really regretting not using spray cans, it would not have taken any longer and would have been a much better finish.
Still, not a big problem as about the only bit that will be visible when the floor is down is the mini bulkhead and rear door opening, I can always sand those back and redo them if they look too bad. Still annoying though!

You are right, a nice colour but I would not want to paint it which is a shame as it does have a few scrapes that could do with sorting out.
Thanks for the pic and comments, a few questions if I may......

Interesting that you have the sink encroaching at the cab end. I assume you sleep head to the back and feet pushed together? (assuming two people)

Also, what width is your bed? This is an ongoing discussion with my wife. She quite likes our 5" double at home so thinks a 4'6" in the van would be good (pretty much full width between the pillars) but I am hoping for something smaller to make room for the sink/cooker etc.

I love the idea of a swivel seat but I currently have the 2+1 seating arrangement and cannot find any peugeot/citroen/fiat swivel seats. Not at sensible prices anyway. I guess I need to keep my eyes open or look at a seat from somewhere else that might do the job.

Our toilet is a kampa khazi which is basically a bag in the bucket. We shall see how we get on! I also plan to get a pee bottle but my wife is not so keen! I will have to see how that one goes...
Thanks for the other info on toilet stops etc.

btw. I am hoping the 306 was an estate or it must have been a pretty cramped spanish trip!

Well, I have a new bolt on order so can start by comparing the two. I'll report back

Thanks.
> But Is the Rattle the reason it was parked up ? .........
No it just stopped being used a few years ago. Then recently my wife told me to either get rid or do something with it. Hence the plan to turn it into a mini-camper
The rattle was noticed first time it was started recently.

>Was any major work from your memorey in that area? .........
not in my ownership but it shows signs the cambelt has been replaced (plus other bodgery round the engine!).

> Is there wear on pulley or woodruff key in and around there? .........
Slight were to the pulley in the key slot plus the slightly odd witness marks shown in the picture. The key inself looks worn and twisted. In fact it looks a little undersized. I don't know if this is normal or it is a (bodged) replacement. I am tempted to make a replacement that is a better fit when I re-assemble.

>You may need when you have identified the thread/bolt size/pitch to use a thread chaser to clean things up a bit............
>If as you say no damage to bolt (sounds lucky) ...........
The removed bolt is M14 x 1.5. I have a suitable tap so can clean the threads with that. I hoped for re-assurance it was the correct bolt/size before doing that though. That said, given this bolt has already been fitted M14x1.5 is the size the threads are now,even if they were not to start with!
No damage to bolt, I am just hoping no damage to the crank either!

> Maybe it wasn't tight enough and you need to chase out the threads anyway and clean it up  and make sure it's got enough Torque...........
That is a good point, I guess if the bolt was not tight it could have damaged the threads in the crank. Although I would have that that would make it loose, not tight.

>BTW........ MK1 Vehicles are in other section this here is next gen Vans
How embarassing! Not sure how I managed to get the wrong section. Is there any way to move a thread? Or is it stuck here now?

Thanks for your comments, definitely more food for though.