1985 VW Transporter T25 High Top

[MadOnVaux!]

I'm sure there is a company who makes plates with the dealer logos and the correct era font too.

I've seen them on a thread on here....on a Pug 309 GTi Resto' IIRC?

[Matt D]

DMB Graphics are the people I think you are talking about

https://www.dmb.uk.com/

[Chino]

Go on then you lot, you've twisted my arm..I'll sort some new plates. I'll just store these as they're a nice part of the vans history in my eyes. If I'm buying new plates and storing the originals, I'm open to maybe upping the game a bit, how about some pressed plates? Or do we just think some nice modern 3D lettered standard plates?

Another thing I'm toying with is replacing the front two grilles with new ones. I've tried bringing these back to black with some GTechniq, but I think hey're just too far gone to restore now. I think new black grilles could freshen it up a fair bit?

Anyways, nothing overly exciting to report, but managed to pick up a NOS Bosch coil which will live in the van as my emergency spare. I'm building up a nice box of 'hot spares' to hopefully avoid being stuck on a road side somewhere.

[Caledoniandream]

Can’t you paint the grills, or are replacements easy to get?
A couple of spares and a simple toolbox will keep them going, very simple set up.
Keep it coming.

[Chino]

In a rare occurrence the other week, I was filling the fuel tank to the brim. I noticed at this point as I reached 'full' a steady trickle of fuel underneath vehicle(much to the annoyance of the lady at the petrol station). Seems to be alright if not brimmed however. So, off to the chaps at Garage 87 next week to have the fuel tank pulled and investigated. Whilst it's off it gives good chance to inspect the chassis, coolant pipes, clutch pipes etc. I've ordered new breather pipework and seals for stuff on the top of the tank whilst it's off.
The shape of the fuel tank on these tends to mean they hold moisture on top of the tank and it can rot out there, plus there's a load of breather pipes etc, all of which could the be the weak link. To give you an idea, here's what they look like:



If my tank is rotted out, luckily they are readily available in the aftermarket. Let's see what the lads find next week!*

[Chino]

And so it begins (again:

[Chino]

The van is currently in at Garage 87. Good news so far, sounds like the fuel leak is just perished breather hosing. Bad news, whilst getting under there they’ve discovered the large steel coolant pipes that run front to rear are rusted and leaky :/





Needless to say I don’t want to risk going anywhere far afield with them in this state so I’ve ordered stainless steel replacements from Brickwerks to the garage for tomorrow.

[Chino]

Tank itself looks in good order, the guys are going to clean and paint it, I've ordered new seals/gaskets for the various bits.

[MadOnVaux!]

Shame about those pipes, but once you get the stainless pipes in you can forget about them

What are they doing with the tank, just paint or powdercoat?

[Chino]

Originally Posted by MadOnVaux!

Shame about those pipes, but once you get the stainless pipes in you can forget about them

What are they doing with the tank, just paint or powdercoat?

Paint. I went over tonight and they’d got it primered up ready for a coat tomorrow, I imagine if something like stonechip or similar to weather proof it a bit.