(G) 900t Restoration (Connie)

I used tank sealant after I had cleaned it using small gravel and a weak phosphoric solution. Time will tell as I hate those inline filters. There is a gauze on the pickup tube and I think there's one at the carb...I must check that

All quite enlightening stuff. I will look into that further. I haven't MOTd the 500 since exemption applied. However, all the steering rods and joints have been replaced, lots of structural welding done and a complete set of tyres.

This is the new pump (sorry I didn't remove from the bag) which shows the tapped hole. The other picture is a bit hard to understand but shows where it attaches on my existing pump.

The mounting point is missing on my water pump. Looking at the casting it looks like it should have been there at some point. I suspect that it would have been a bad casting that got through the Fiat quality control back then

On further investigation, the mounting point has been ground off to make room for the alternator.

If you have followed the other thread on overheating you will know that Connie made the journey to her new home successfully (of sorts).

I'm now faced with the problem of how best to store her over winter, as the garage is going to be full of boxes for several weeks (if not months) and I don't want to undo the work on her so far.

I have a cover to put over her once we get a few dry days (from a VW... they must be huge by comparison based on the excess material) which will help.

However, my biggest concern is with the drum brakes. These used to seize on before the rebuild (if left standing for a couple of weeks) and I don't really want to go to the time and expense of rebuilding them again next spring.

The problem is the driveway to our new home is on quite a slope. If I keep the handbrake on I expect the rear shoes will most likely get stuck on. On the other hand if I use chocks under the wheels I suspect that this won't do the new tyres much good if left for a long time.

Has anyone had to store one of their vans on a slope before? And if yes, any tips?

Hi Gary.

thankfully we are flat here, just managed to get our 900t inside for the winter this year. You could put the van on some very old tyres that are destined for scrap ie not road worthy and chock it against them.

Tim

Hi Tim
Shame I didn't think about that before I had the old tyres taken off the 12" rims.

While I think about it, anyone interested in a set of 5 12" rims?
3 are okay to use as they are (need sprucing up with a clean and polish/paint) but the other two need repair to the valve seats (I used to have inner tubes in them - MOT's weren't so strict 15 years ago).

With a bit of luck I'll be able to clear the garage and get Connie undercover before the winter sets in proper.

Hi Gary.

best inside if at all possible.

At least you could put some of your stored things from inside your garage inside Connie if it helps clear the garage space. with careful protection of course.

Tim

#Caravan wheel wheel chocks are rounded in the shape of a tyre and would do no harm id they will grip the surface. c. £5 each. PS I love these little vans they are now so rare. Good luck with it.

Hi Gary.

If you dont manage to get it inside you could put in a solid ground mounted ring and lock the camper to it with a chain and then have no need to have the handbrake on, this would act as a security lock as well as stopping the van rolling away.

Tim

Thanks for the tip. Having a quick internet search this appears to be a common problem for owners of older vehicles - especially when leaving the handbrake on when on a slope. Set on order, hopefully they will arrive tomorrow.

I just have to remember to take Connie out for a run every now and then to make sure nothing else seizes up and to avoid flat-spotting the tyres (if left unmoved for a long time).