Its finally in etch prime! Woohoo

[damienengland]

Wow, doesn't time fly when you don't have deadlines! Was trolling Big Robs build the other day and figured I've got enough progress to do another update. So last episode, we were in the midst of correcting a chassis paint issue and things were looking up. Then the panel shop decided to close the doors and relocate to Wonthaggi! Oh well, another delay, but they got themselves moved and hot rod works are under way again. Chassis gear got some love the other week and all of a sudden i had the call...'parts are ready for pickup'! Well i did half a dozen circles and headed off to pick them up. Ended up grabbing pretty much all the under gear apart from the rails themselves as the paint man is making sure rails are mickey duck!

On other fronts, I've decided to plonk the VR 304 EFI engine into the Panelvan project, except now its a 355 stroker with COME Racing crank. I've had the 4L60E (T700) box overhauled with super dupper parts and its back in the garage waiting for an engine. HM Gem are doing a special on the engine and it should be back soon. Biggest news here is the decision to go the Yella Terra Whipple Blower kit. Its been ordered today and my 'Running on Empty' dreams are almost complete.

Couple of pics;

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[Valencia]

Love the sound the Whipple blower makes

[Innuendo]

Great your back onto the Van Damien.
This is one Van I look forward to see making it to completion.

More photos!

[damienengland]

Thanks Guys

Ok, more pics you say? Well i'm hanging off on chassis build pics until the rails are back in the garage in a week or so...however speaking of garage, i did a huge shake up over the Easter break to get ready for the rebuild. Had to sell off lots of 'stuff' to gain some room and also move 1 x bike and the first 308 out to a mates shed, so i could seal the floor and set up a bit better. Did it in two halves which was a mission!

Some pics of that mini project below;

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[Innuendo]

Looks great Damien. It's a bloody lot of work sorting sheds out and moving crap again and again.
I like the Rack-It shelving, I use quite a bit of that in my shed. Going to be hard to fit your Van and Tonner in that shed though!

[damienengland]

Thanks Innuendo. The shed freshen up nearly killed me and yes the Rack It gear really helps. Also, cannot overstate how much better the floor is now that its sealed. Alas, the Van and Tonner can't both fit, so the Tonner drew the short straw and is now back out in the driveway.

I wasn't going to post many pics of the chassis until i had plenty of progress, but can't help myself. I've started assembling the rear running gear today and it was fun (and nerve racking) to play with nice glossy painted bits. Should be getting rails back next week so need something rolling to plonk them on. Looking to take some time on the front as I've got a Blacks Racks rack and pinion power steering system to fit, as well as a big brake upgrade.

BTW, I've got a 3.55 rear end and a 4L60E box. Happy combo?

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[Sandaro]

Good stuff Damien, busy man. I reckon 3.55 should be good mix of takeoff and good highway with the overdrive

[Innuendo]

Yeah mate, we love progress shots no matter how much progress.
The diff ratio will work fine, but I would have gone a shorter ratio because you have the overdrive.
A lot also has to do with the tyre diameter, rim size etc.

I'd also be a little worried about the 10 bolt with the Whipple supercharger (especially If I was behind the wheel!)

[damienengland]

Haha, thanks guys.

Yes the diff was mulled over for some time and ended up deciding...well nothing. I figured just paint it, give it an oil change and try it out with the drive train and see what happens. Wheels are going to be 17 x 8 GTS billets and if it goes pear shaped, i can always slap a 9 inch in it.

Ended up in the EFI shop today and i can see more money sliding down the toilet as i get better acquainted with EFI tricks. Seems that the original Delco 808 computers on early commodores batch fire the injectors in banks, WTF? Cant believe that 4 x injectors fire even though only 1 x cylinder needs fuel to ignite. Its still doing my head in so i can see a Haltech on the horizon...

[Innuendo]

You need to compare the overall height of the 17" wheels with whatever hight (profile) tyres you choose against the original wheel and tyres.
This is also relevant to what changes are going to be needed to calibrate the speedo. Obviously nice if you can get a the hight to match and then you can use an off the shelf speedo gear.