I have got a 1968 ( only made 68 - 71) Austin van 6cwt. It is great to work on and a joy to drive. Many people think it is a morris van. No road tax, no M.O.T ( always keep in great order) insurance of £130 pound fully comp and 40- 50 miles to the gallon. 3 fuses and no anger management. I brought it in bits and spent a small fortune on her. We have 5 cars including a rover p5 but the van has been the most reliable
The relative simplicity of this car, easy access and the full parts availability must be the reasons why so many are still in use around the world over half a century after the last one rolled off the production line. I've seen some of this work done elsewhere on YT, including the trick with the master cylinder bolts/torsion bar thingy, but this serves to reinforce what I've learned about renovating a Mog and I should imagine reassures people that maybe it's something well within their mechanical abilities. Along with old Minis, I recall Minors were often used in UK schools for teaching car mechanic skills. Interesting to see YT vids from Sri Lanka with teenagers rebuilding these cars and even renovating the engines - more for Really Useful Vehicle needs rather than classic car preservation.
I couldn't agree more, especially with the nonsense of supposedly having to remove the torsion bar to get at the master cylinder locating bolts. However, at a recent meeting of the local MMOC meeting in Leyland, Lancashire, one of the more mechanically minded members showed the meeting a specialised tool he'd made up, which helped to get the bolts out without removing the torsion bar, a good idea. Many of the members with Minors have converted the brake system by fitting a new master cylinder under its more usual location, under the bonnet.
Really enjoy these videos. But sir, please please make sure you put your axle stands on solid ground as I have seen many mechanics get badly injured or killed by vehicles slipping off axle stands on weak ground. Have a great day. Cheers.
By pass hose mod.Put a OEM blanking plug in the head and fit a Metro water pump or later A series pump.Used to be a Austin/Rover tech from 82 to 91 and done plenty of these.
Thanks for a great video,been looking forward to your next episode. When your brother was offering in the radiator I was shouting "bypass hose" as I remember what a bugger they are to fit with the rad in place. I had a moggy for years when I was a youngster but luckily I was a mechanic so I could do all servicing and repairs. When I was in the trade many years ago we had a moggy van as a service motor and I remember it went like stink!
Lovely work there bud. A lot of these types of videos are over two hours long and you have to skip 90% of the waffling to see the actual wrenching. Keep doing what you're doing 👍
Brake Drums turn Adjusters until the drums are stopped Slap the drums around with a COPPER Mallet..a steel Hammer can crack the cast Drum. the. Adjusters can be taken up a bit more now that that Drums have been perfectly Centred with the Mallet taps to the Face of the Drum. Great Video....
Keep up the good work. I've got a 1968 Traveller awaiting slight restoration in the Spring, so I'll be checking your second video just before I fully watch this (I saw the first around Xmas), very informative.
This is my kind of working on a car, simple mecahnicals with lots of great access. I love the sound of the door shut. I'd like a Morris aswell but definitely not anything restored but more like yours. Keep up the great work and as said this length of vlog is perfect.
This video and all your other videos keep me encouraged to work on and always improve my P6 Rover.. Currently I'm replacing the spherical seal on the bottom of the automatic gear selector. It's still quite chilly out though, but onwards and upwards.. Well done lads.. (Phil)
Great video! Really looking forward to the point where you can take the old girl out for a spin :) I noticed your subs have gone up substantially since the last time I watched one of your vids. I think you will do very well in the long term as you have a very laid back and slightly sardonic style, which is appealing after watching so many slick, and dare I say it, professional TH-camrs! I also love the music you use, it really does suit your content.😀
@@badgerlodgegarage Can I ask you a question totally irrelevant to this video? I think you said that you had a Cat C licence. Did you have to do the CPC exam when you took it? Only I am struggling with the amount of info it seems I have to learn. I am currently trying to get Cat C and possibly Cat E in the future.
@@2760ade no problem. The CPC is a separate entity, you can get the license, then take the CPC if you plan to drive professionally (if you don’t have it you get penalties). depends on what you’re doing, and some areas of the industry have CPC Exemptions.
@@badgerlodgegarage Thanks for your reply, it is appreciated! I wasn't aware that the CPC wasn't actually compulsory. Though I do intend to drive professionally, so will most probably have to go for it!😀
Good old drum brakes which takes miles to stop but easy to fit new pipes with the floor being taken off but my self I would find some other Austin/Morris car to take the front struts and the disk brakes and master cylinder to make it safer on the road and put a bigger engine gearbox back axle like a 1.3 Marina would make it better power on the road but I understand you keeping it original your self but will be slow on the road 😂🤣 but its got to see basic engineering and easy to repair be good to see when you are finshed the old van 👍🇬🇧
I think we have an Austin van engine, the block is marked L for low compression, so it’s different to my Morris which is a late convertible. Needs a rebuild. I think it is low mileage but has been in the garage since 88/90 ish.
The asbestos linings pulled the car up more efficiently than the new material. I noticed the difference in them straight away when the new material was introduced. Risk was minimal from asbestosis. Personally I would have left them on for better braking performance.
The risk from asbestos is massively overexaggerated! You would have to take a grinder to those pads, and actively breathe in the particles for it to have any serious detriment to your health. It's like anything else nowadays, over the top health and safety!🙄
I have large asbestos sofit boards all round my (1958 Australian) house. The problem lies with getting rid of them - a specialist must be called round at great expense (I had to replace a couple with cement board, so I know). I suspect with asbestos brake shoes it is the disposal which introduces the most risk to the public. Where does one dispose of them? How did BLG dispose of them? With light use envisaged, I probably would have kept them and exercised extreme care when working on the internals. Nice van in my favourite condition.
Another informative video. A great shame you sold the van as I was and still am, enjoying its resurrection. Did you ever get it on the road prior to selling her?
Love the vid mate! Helped push me into working on my old morry, ive got a 55' series II. What coolant are you using? or just demineralised water and rust inhibitor? Cheers
I found out why your van has an Austin badge. After Austin & Morris merged in 1952, Austin stopped their a35 vans and didn’t have a van to sell on their forecourts, so Morris let them put their badge on Morris Minor vans. It was something like that anyway. I love it when you upload another video because I love this original van. You’re doing a great job on it. 👍🇬🇧
@@badgerlodgegarage Also, because the Minor manufacturing run was coming to an end, they hadn't sorted out a Marina van (it came along shortly afterwards) and had to keep making a small van to keep their customers happy. The rumour was they had some van shells left to get rid of, so this was a good idea.
Sadly the DVLA is being painfully slow! Iv been reassured all is well… but still nothing. There will be new episodes soon as i can! Haven’t had a weekend off for about a month so, once i get some time, il be back!
@@badgerlodgegarage Thanks for your reply, didn't want to pressurise you but do enjoy your videos. Looking forward to your next one once you've had a break and hear from the DVLA.
Another brilliant episode...i have a traveller with no working heater...do you know where the green wire from the heater switch goes to ? Been trying for months but no luck...a great channel...keep up the great work.
I remember getting brand new disc brakes on my Renault megane last year, then 3 days later I’m on a bypass and the timing belt snapped on me. Scrapped. It was an O9.
@@badgerlodgegarage not a day I want to remember at all. Especially as I was trying to get the thing to run as it was slowing down, and so I didn’t manage to get it all the way into the verge (slope kerb) and left the rear drivers side wheel still on the road, nearly had a heart attack trying to push it up myself to no avail. Long walk home of course nobody offered a lift even though they could clearly see my broken down car. Your day can go from ‘normal’ to ‘very bad indeed’ in an instant. Glad it doesn’t happen often!👍
Your idea of pre made brake lines is called working savvy rather than working hard. Is doing a master cylinder the most awkward job on a non Traveller Moggy? I say non Traveller as I'm aware the replacement of the wood frame is a ball ache.
How a vehicle should be designed. Great Video.
Loving those pre-made brake pipes! Lovely work, I'm enjoying your meticulous approach.
Thanks for watching and the feedback! The pipes are pretty useful
Fabulous episode again guys - looking forward to seeing this one back on the road again. Hopefully the V5 is not far off.
Thanks! Fingers crossed for the V5
I have got a 1968 ( only made 68 - 71) Austin van 6cwt. It is great to work on and a joy to drive. Many people think it is a morris van. No road tax, no M.O.T ( always keep in great order) insurance of £130 pound fully comp and 40- 50 miles to the gallon. 3 fuses and no anger management. I brought it in bits and spent a small fortune on her. We have 5 cars including a rover p5 but the van has been the most reliable
I am a fan of the longer videos BLG keep up the great work be great to see the van back on the road again 👍👍
The relative simplicity of this car, easy access and the full parts availability must be the reasons why so many are still in use around the world over half a century after the last one rolled off the production line. I've seen some of this work done elsewhere on YT, including the trick with the master cylinder bolts/torsion bar thingy, but this serves to reinforce what I've learned about renovating a Mog and I should imagine reassures people that maybe it's something well within their mechanical abilities. Along with old Minis, I recall Minors were often used in UK schools for teaching car mechanic skills.
Interesting to see YT vids from Sri Lanka with teenagers rebuilding these cars and even renovating the engines - more for Really Useful Vehicle needs rather than classic car preservation.
So nice to work on cars with no electronics, just basic engineering!
Great video it’s nice to know that it’s not just me who struggles at times
Everyone struggles at times
Your videos are fantastic, i basically watch them with the pipe
The amount of spannering you do you really deserve a decent worshop and ramp, well done anyway.
Thanks! It would be nice to have a ramp… but it does prove that it is possible without. Maybe one day!
@@badgerlodgegarage certainly does, you’ll have to see where all this is going, looks very promising so far.
The master cylinder on a Morris Minor is located in one of the most awkward places I've ever worked on 😮, well done 👍
I couldn't agree more, especially with the nonsense of supposedly having to remove the torsion bar to get at the master cylinder locating bolts. However, at a recent meeting of the local MMOC meeting in Leyland, Lancashire, one of the more mechanically minded members showed the meeting a specialised tool he'd made up, which helped to get the bolts out without removing the torsion bar, a good idea. Many of the members with Minors have converted the brake system by fitting a new master cylinder under its more usual location, under the bonnet.
I also have a homemade tool somewhere to ease the torsion bar down,I doesn’t need a lot to ease the bolts past
Long form morrie videos, are all goid as far as i am concerned.
Great progress and and good working plan. look forward to the next video. Best of luck Bob
Really enjoy these videos. But sir, please please make sure you put your axle stands on solid ground as I have seen many mechanics get badly injured or killed by vehicles slipping off axle stands on weak ground.
Have a great day. Cheers.
Thanks for watching and for your concern, we did do a ‘death shake’ test before going under…
Swearing usually does the trick in shifting bolts…..but it is an Austin ….so your excused😎😂…..your doin a nice planned job of the brakes…..😉👌🏽
Loving the longer vids, good Sir!
Another excellent video. That has now given me confidence to get my Austin van brakes done. Thank You 👍👍👍👍
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching
By pass hose mod.Put a OEM blanking plug in the head and fit a Metro water pump or later A series pump.Used to be a Austin/Rover tech from 82 to 91 and done plenty of these.
I love the seagulls in the background.
Brilliant stuff, good solid little van, so simple to fix, I want one!
Thanks for a great video,been looking forward to your next episode. When your brother was offering in the radiator I was shouting "bypass hose" as I remember what a bugger they are to fit with the rad in place. I had a moggy for years when I was a youngster but luckily I was a mechanic so I could do all servicing and repairs. When I was in the trade many years ago we had a moggy van as a service motor and I remember it went like stink!
Lovely work there bud. A lot of these types of videos are over two hours long and you have to skip 90% of the waffling to see the actual wrenching. Keep doing what you're doing 👍
Thanks for the feedback! Will do
Brake Drums
turn Adjusters until the drums are stopped
Slap the drums around with a COPPER Mallet..a steel Hammer can crack the cast Drum.
the. Adjusters can be taken up a bit more now that that Drums have been perfectly Centred with the Mallet taps to the Face of the Drum.
Great Video....
Like it! Definitely need a second adjustment, was going to do it after a few brake applications, but the copper hammer is a good method suggestion!
Brilliant!
Absolutely love watching your videos.👍thank you
Thanks I appreciate it!
I always reckon it's nice to have rigid brake pipes that don't look like Twiglets.
It’s definitely preferable!
Another great video which has given me confidence to tackle this job on my Traveller. You are a good teacher with a great style.
Glad to be of assistance! And thank you for the feedback.
Keep up the good work. I've got a 1968 Traveller awaiting slight restoration in the Spring, so I'll be checking your second video just before I fully watch this (I saw the first around Xmas), very informative.
Thanks for watching and going back to watch! Glad I’m of some help.
This is my kind of working on a car, simple mecahnicals with lots of great access. I love the sound of the door shut.
I'd like a Morris aswell but definitely not anything restored but more like yours.
Keep up the great work and as said this length of vlog is perfect.
Thanks for watching! It’s fun doing it… even if sometimes very annoying
Great video, some good work done, very informative. Looking forward to the next one
Been enjoying this series.
Really enjoying this😊
This video and all your other videos keep me encouraged to work on and always improve my P6 Rover.. Currently I'm replacing the spherical seal on the bottom of the automatic gear selector. It's still quite chilly out though, but onwards and upwards.. Well done lads.. (Phil)
Thanks i really appreciate it! Glad to be of some use, I do like a P6….
Really enjoyed that video,thank you.Such an original van.
You're both doing a great job keep up the good work.
Great video! Really looking forward to the point where you can take the old girl out for a spin :) I noticed your subs have gone up substantially since the last time I watched one of your vids. I think you will do very well in the long term as you have a very laid back and slightly sardonic style, which is appealing after watching so many slick, and dare I say it, professional TH-camrs! I also love the music you use, it really does suit your content.😀
It will be on the road soon I’m sure. Thanks for watching again, glad you like the style and music. That’s my kind of genre. We will see how it goes!
@@badgerlodgegarage Can I ask you a question totally irrelevant to this video? I think you said that you had a Cat C licence. Did you have to do the CPC exam when you took it? Only I am struggling with the amount of info it seems I have to learn. I am currently trying to get Cat C and possibly Cat E in the future.
@@2760ade no problem. The CPC is a separate entity, you can get the license, then take the CPC if you plan to drive professionally (if you don’t have it you get penalties). depends on what you’re doing, and some areas of the industry have CPC Exemptions.
@@badgerlodgegarage Thanks for your reply, it is appreciated! I wasn't aware that the CPC wasn't actually compulsory. Though I do intend to drive professionally, so will most probably have to go for it!😀
@@2760ade No problem at all, and yes you will need it by law as you will be driving professionally.
Brilliant video guys
Good old drum brakes which takes miles to stop but easy to fit new pipes with the floor being taken off but my self I would find some other Austin/Morris car to take the front struts and the disk brakes and master cylinder to make it safer on the road and put a bigger engine gearbox back axle like a 1.3 Marina would make it better power on the road but I understand you keeping it original your self but will be slow on the road 😂🤣 but its got to see basic engineering and easy to repair be good to see when you are finshed the old van 👍🇬🇧
I think we have an Austin van engine, the block is marked L for low compression, so it’s different to my Morris which is a late convertible. Needs a rebuild. I think it is low mileage but has been in the garage since 88/90 ish.
The asbestos linings pulled the car up more efficiently than the new material. I noticed the difference in them straight away when the new material was introduced. Risk was minimal from asbestosis. Personally I would have left them on for better braking performance.
Thanks for watching,I had seriously considered keeping those shoes, but I had already acquired the new ones so thought I’d give them a go!
The risk from asbestos is massively overexaggerated! You would have to take a grinder to those pads, and actively breathe in the particles for it to have any serious detriment to your health. It's like anything else nowadays, over the top health and safety!🙄
I have large asbestos sofit boards all round my (1958 Australian) house. The problem lies with getting rid of them - a specialist must be called round at great expense (I had to replace a couple with cement board, so I know). I suspect with asbestos brake shoes it is the disposal which introduces the most risk to the public. Where does one dispose of them? How did BLG dispose of them? With light use envisaged, I probably would have kept them and exercised extreme care when working on the internals. Nice van in my favourite condition.
Another informative video. A great shame you sold the van as I was and still am, enjoying its resurrection. Did you ever get it on the road prior to selling her?
don't forget to put a rubber grommet through the tie plate where the brake pipe goes through
Love the vid mate! Helped push me into working on my old morry, ive got a 55' series II. What coolant are you using? or just demineralised water and rust inhibitor? Cheers
I found out why your van has an Austin badge. After Austin & Morris merged in 1952, Austin stopped their a35 vans and didn’t have a van to sell on their forecourts, so Morris let them put their badge on Morris Minor vans. It was something like that anyway. I love it when you upload another video because I love this original van. You’re doing a great job on it. 👍🇬🇧
That sounds about right! And thanks I appreciate it!
@@badgerlodgegarage no probs. Loving your channel. 👍
@@badgerlodgegarage Also, because the Minor manufacturing run was coming to an end, they hadn't sorted out a Marina van (it came along shortly afterwards) and had to keep making a small van to keep their customers happy. The rumour was they had some van shells left to get rid of, so this was a good idea.
Any ideas when we'll get another episode?
Very interested to see how it's going!
Sadly the DVLA is being painfully slow! Iv been reassured all is well… but still nothing. There will be new episodes soon as i can! Haven’t had a weekend off for about a month so, once i get some time, il be back!
@@badgerlodgegarage
Thanks for your reply, didn't want to pressurise you but do enjoy your videos.
Looking forward to your next one once you've had a break and hear from the DVLA.
Radiator bolts are Quarter Whitworth.
That makes sense! We had a conversation about that off camera.
Wing bolts are the same size. I used to restore these for a living but I'm retired now.@@badgerlodgegarage
Bodger Ladge Garage?
Another brilliant episode...i have a traveller with no working heater...do you know where the green wire from the heater switch goes to ? Been trying for months but no luck...a great channel...keep up the great work.
I’m afraid I can’t tell you off the top of my head… il have a look next time I’m working on it.
I remember getting brand new disc brakes on my Renault megane last year, then 3 days later I’m on a bypass and the timing belt snapped on me. Scrapped. It was an O9.
What a pain!
@@badgerlodgegarage not a day I want to remember at all. Especially as I was trying to get the thing to run as it was slowing down, and so I didn’t manage to get it all the way into the verge (slope kerb) and left the rear drivers side wheel still on the road, nearly had a heart attack trying to push it up myself to no avail. Long walk home of course nobody offered a lift even though they could clearly see my broken down car. Your day can go from ‘normal’ to ‘very bad indeed’ in an instant. Glad it doesn’t happen often!👍
It's handy not having a floor, isn't it?
Very useful indeed
I hope that there is solid concrete under that gravel. I would not trust those stands!!😮😮
Nothing under those stands other than potential injury! We did do a death shake test first.
Your idea of pre made brake lines is called working savvy rather than working hard. Is doing a master cylinder the most awkward job on a non Traveller Moggy? I say non Traveller as I'm aware the replacement of the wood frame is a ball ache.
Thanks! I would say it’s up there, not particularly difficult in principle, but ends up being a right pain.