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Post by 1954homemade on Nov 23, 2007 9:32:57 GMT 10
Hi Col, Thanks for that.  Thought the Hume might be the best way, but it's always good to have local knowledge. Cheers Di |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2007 9:53:54 GMT 10
Hi Di
Have sent you a pm re sundays wanderings.
Definitely will be at a park at Albury /Wodonga on saturday arvo and night. What park are you booked into ??
Reddo
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Post by 1954homemade on Nov 23, 2007 14:39:21 GMT 10
Hi Reddo,
Thanks for your PM. I have replied accordingly.
As for which caravan park are we booked into.
We were going to book into Borderland Caravan Park, McKoy St, Wodonga. We stayed their last year and it did the job nicely. But a friend of a friend owns a motel just up the road from the caravan park and has offered for us to park in their back garden and plug us into their power etc. All of the other people in our group are staying at the motel and the owner thought it was a shame for us to be somewhere else. So it sounds as though we won't be at the van park afterall.
Regards
Di
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2008 6:55:18 GMT 10
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUGGER.. Bad news guys   Heading to work today in the ute .... tick, tick, tick..Whats that noise   ?? Tick, tick, tick... There it is again  ??......... Better pull up and have a look under the bonnet!! Tick, tick, tick... sounds like a loose rocker. I will get to work and check it out at lunchtime  !! A few mile down the road Clunk, clunk, clunk... Oooo bugger this is serious  !!! Blinker on .. pull over Clack, clack, clack........Oooo total Bugger . Turn it off .....she's blown up  . Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.. Ring, ring, ring. Hello work. If ya want me there today ya better come and pick me up off the side of the road!!! Dunno what i have done but it looks like one engine transplant coming up before Mt Gambier... Better now than half way down the Hume highway with a caravan on the back. Reddo |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2008 7:44:57 GMT 10
Hi Col No they didnt dyno it........ but.. We took it for a road test and the mechanic gave it a fair flogging. He revved it a lot harder than i have ever done. I remember saying to him is there a need to rev a motor any further than when it is producing maximum torque?? My guess is that it has either pulled a rocker stud up ( wishfull thinking ,, or.. the overeving has caused a crack around the rim of a piston ring groove and it has got worse after cooling down and reheating this morning.hence lifting the top off a piston. Have just organised the bro to collect me and the car after work today with a car trailer. The issue i have with using your 186 is that it is not converted to gas / stainless valves. Might have to swap the head from my motor . or will convert back to petrol and hook the fuel tank back up. Will know more tonight once i have a bit of a poke around under the rocker cover and check compression. Save talking the drama here. Pm to discuss further if you wanna.. meanwhile i am about to have a word with "The Mechanic"  Reddo |
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Post by Hillbilly on Feb 20, 2008 9:38:33 GMT 10
 Sorry to hear the news Reddo, as Cobber said, glad it happened now and not whilst towing down to the Mount. Remember, old Holdens never die, they just have the occassional wobbly hick-up.......good luck mate, hope your not tooooo much out of pocket.......... Cheers, Hillbilly
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Post by don257 on Feb 20, 2008 16:38:17 GMT 10
oooh that is a bugger Reddo hope all you vvanners are in RACV RACQ total care we done a trip last year started at Geelong & finished at MT Gambier over 9 days in the FE & VV when we got to MT Gambier the FE died they tilt trayed the car & van home they flew us to tullamarine airport we got a hire car from airport to Gembrook 11/2 hrs away the next day we had to take hire car back to Dandenong1/2 hr away & then i got a taxi back to Gembrook & all it cost me was $24 for insurance on the hire car the best $168 a year we've spent we've been in it for about 3 yrs so if your travelling it's worth it Doug & Vicki
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 20, 2008 18:05:54 GMT 10
hi all
just did a ball park cost to get to the mount using the victoria or the ute. the vicky will cost about $1500 in fuel and the ute will cost about $650 in gas to do the trip, so at this stage, even though we'd rather take the old ford, we will be towing using the ute. (figures based on consumption records).
i know this will upset some people when we turn up using a modern towcar, but $800 - $900 is too much for us to throw away at the moment.
sorry about that,
geoff 'n jude
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2008 18:53:47 GMT 10
Hi all Well the repair job was quicker than the load on and off the trailer. As soon as we got the ute off the trailer. I whipped the rocker cover off and there was the problem. The inlet rocker nut on No:5 piston had decided to wind its way off after 10 years of service. The rocker arm had dropped off the push rod and valve head.and was laying at 45 degrees to the rest of its mates. Shot down the back shed. Ratted a nut off and old 179 head and wound everything back down into place. Had the old motor running as sweet as ever in less than 5 minutes. Its crap like this that makes it difficult to decide what to take as spares for these old clunkers when you go away. Do you settle for a set of points, a bottle of oil and a handfull of small odds and sods or do you pack starters, alternators, fuel pumps etc. Yes i am a member of the NSW NRMA road side service. I pay around $150 for peace of mind if something unmentionable happens. I had a major drama with the landcruiser on the way home from Morgan in 2006 towing matilda. i cooked the auto about 100ks out of broken Hill. We limped into town in second and third gear. The NRMA garage fixed the problem and i went straight around and upgraded my cover to a better roadside assistance package which includes getting the car/ caravan and us home at very little cost. This brings me to ask a question. Does my NSW membership with NRMA cover me when i am interstate?? Will the interstate equivelant recognise my out of state roadside service membership?? Dunno .. might give em a call tomorrow and check it out. Or maybe find my membership details and see whether it mentions that sort of cover. Jeff and Jude..... Just be there with your van. No one gives a rats rectum what you use to get the van and yourselves to the Mount in. In the end its your holiday and your money you are spending to get there . If anyone bitches about that sorta stuff i will make sure i ignore em the entire time i am there. That sorta crap has been done to death on this forum. We are over it.... i hope. And whats more you are bringin a ute... From one yoot owner to another .. Bloody BeUTEy mate  ;D Reddonehappymechanic |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 20, 2008 19:09:24 GMT 10
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Post by willyn on Feb 20, 2008 21:47:19 GMT 10
;D Hi Geoff and Jude Just a note to reiterate what Reddo said Our Charter is Vintage Vans Thats what we all do !!!!! and Love doing it Cars are preferential Nice if you have an oldie and Can afford the repairs and costs to run it if it is a V8 but this a commonsense Call Lyns fairlane has a 74 litre Gas tank which will get us around 300ks towing JFK plus our petrol if we use it Petrol prices from southern cross Nullarbor to ceduna the is too scary to think about Its also reliable comfortable and is sure to get us there on time Last trip over in the F100 we did our front end which ended up costing us three days in a motel 3 days loss of time and the two new tyres at $460 dollars each not to mention it could have cost us our lives I am a servicing freak and all my cars are serviced before a trip or every 5000 ks The old service centre and tyre service who did a wheel alignment missed the bushes in the that were badly worn we virtually jumped across the road a metre when were were rudely awoken to the problem the entire cost was $1700.00 for the front end and tyres and $600.00 for accomodation food and incidentals nearly $2500.00 that hadnt been budgeted for normally we allow $1000.00 for breakdowns and we both have RAC Gold cards Well under estimated It might be a timely call for all members to have there front ends checked thoroughly checked before setting Sail The part that mystifies us is that the front end on the F100 was a 96 longreach front end and had only been fitted for around five years with new parts all through it Oh Yeah the trip before cost me a motor round $4500 to rebuild the 351 gas motor I have in it now Gentlemen let common sense prevail Will and Lyn
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Post by cobber on Feb 21, 2008 7:22:19 GMT 10
Well done Reddo....loose nuts, that would have put a smile on ya moosh eh? ;D NRMA cover..... I, being as mature as I am, become a 50 year gold life member of the NRMA, and entitled to a 50% discount on Premium cover, on................ the 1st of April this year I am in deep negotiations with them at the moment to see how I can wangle Premium cover at the discounted rate for the extra month........ bring membership renewal date one month forward or pay a pro-rata amount for that one month Because I intend throwing commonsense to the wind Will.... and letting passion and faith prevail, God (or the NRMA) help me Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 8:15:06 GMT 10
Hi Cobber "Because I intend throwing commonsense to the wind Will.... and letting passion and faith prevail, God (or the NRMA) help me " I take it that means that .. "Even though it is against my better judgement i have decide to let my love of my darlin old FJ and an Old 1936 caravan overule any thoughts of mechanical failure and put my faith in the qualty of workmanship shown by Holden in 1954 and the reliability and good reputation of the NRMA to back me up if things fail to proceed to Mt Gambier" Thats our boy. Onya cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Feb 21, 2008 9:59:15 GMT 10
Spot on 'arold....... so you've figured out who gets the blame if anything goes wrong Like you and Will and most people say it is the individuals choice how they get their Vintage Caravan to the Mount, and I agree.. In good old England I have heard that some ' vans get trailered to rallies, we're talking really old caravans there, (did somebody trailer a 'van to Morgan in 2006 ? ) anyway , no aspersions should be directed at anybody who goes down what ever track they choose. BUT........ if the old FJ and Ol' 36 manage to get to the Mount I think it would be nice if everybody bought me a beer, just the one beer from everybody will do . Cobber, (he called be a boy ;D ;D ). |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 18:34:02 GMT 10
Ok guys and guysers  Seeing as tho i am the site serial pest , i thought i would throw this up for comment, and constipa.. ummmmm consideration. Those of you that where at Morbeer..... ummm Morgan ... in 2006 will remember the infamous "towball trophy Presentation" around the campfire on Montuwednethurdy night .. I cant quite remember what night it was be we nearly all where there around the fire. I had made about 6 or 7..."Non judgeable trophys"outta old 1 7/8" towballs on a chunka wood with no expense spent "felt pen engraving" and i drew the winners outta a sugar bag because we arent a club , there aint no best, and there is definitely no competition or rivalry as to whats hot and wots not..Just a big bunch of "Heckarwies" the peace loving tribe with a whole messa good lookin old vans .. ooo bugger it i was gunna put 50 smileys up here caus thats how many vans are booked in to MT Grummy .. The winners where decided by a draw from a cat..... ooops that would have been messy... A Hat... :-/or was it a .. sugar bag... with all attendees names in there....Note here ; Honest Reddos name was in there 15 times and i didnt win a thing ;D I think the categorys where : Worst reverser with a van on ... Cobber ( magna /driftwood combo). won hands down ;D ;D ;D then up, then down, then up, then drive forward a bit and have another stab Fullest and foulest:... Ummmmmm ::)on second thoughts perhaps i did win one Longest distance travelled ... i think the local publican won it.with a 28" speedwell ;D Best van and car combo:.. ,, Tucky and well deserved.. ;D 8-)well perhaps there was a bit of judging on my behalf after all . Longest distance travellled trophy: was a pair of "Bottomless thongs screwed to a bit of board.. I think Tucky one that too... he and his missus went on after Morgan to drive to Cairns and back to Perth in the dodge rod with van on behind.. I musta known that they would be worthy winners of the . thong trophy ;D Hard Luck story: Again i have to sift through the cobwebs of time... someone might correct me here.....Roger the (Kiwi )Lodger.... Roger broke down coming across the nullabour in his purple roadster ( mopar powered from foggy memory).. but thats not what won him the hard luck story. oooooo no siiirrreee folks......He picked up a few sympathy votes when he found out his inflatable sheep had chaffed against the inside of his TD and needed six Dunlop vulcanising patches to make her an "Active particpant" in the honeymoon activities. Anyway guys are ya keen on me knocking up another 1/2 dozen totally useless trophys and we have a bit of fun around the campfire with a presentation of awards one night. Perhaps you might like to propose a few more categorys.. I can always get more balls......t..t.. towballs that is. Woolworths car park has truckloads of em at thursday night shopping. Might even get a bonus gooseneck hitch or 2 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Reddofficialsitedickhead |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 21, 2008 20:35:48 GMT 10
Hey Reddo, The prizes sound like a bit of good fun...go for it! Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to think up a suitable award... ...that only I can win ;D ;D Don Ricardo |
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Post by willyn on Feb 21, 2008 21:21:06 GMT 10
Gidday Col
that is much common sense what you have written 'they are heavy the all steel full chassis Trucks and basically the longreach is a ute
we will certainly be keeping a close check on the front end from now on
I wil be seeking some input from a front end specialist to see what else can be done to take the stress of the main bushes
thanks for your input
Will
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Post by cobber on Feb 22, 2008 7:05:39 GMT 10
Reddo , If you feel inclined to go to the trouble of making the trophy's I'm sure your efforts will be appreciated by those who don't “win” one I will subject myself to your scrutiny again in order to win the most insulting one you can find . You want more categories How about “Most improved reverser with 'van attached”.... “Best hard luck story getting to the Mount via Rushworth"..... “Oldest Caravan present”..... “Oldest bloke with caravan present” ;D ;D ;D I'll leave it up to you Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2008 17:41:03 GMT 10
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Post by krisbee on Mar 11, 2008 10:11:15 GMT 10
Meant to say this earlier , we will be home over Easter, so anyone passing through Melbourne, please feel free to drop in.We are in Croydon, plenty of room for a van to park, we already have some overnight visitors on their way to Mt Gambier. ;D
Just PM for our contact numbers, love to see any VVers.
Cheers,Kris.
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Post by minicamper on Mar 11, 2008 11:53:04 GMT 10
I'll second Kris B's offer, i am on the route to Flinders for anyone who doesn't fit in (space wise, not personality deficiencies)
We have about an acre of lakeside (well nearly a puddle now) gardens/non powered "sites" if you need to pull up early.
Cheers
Chris
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Post by bradngem on Mar 12, 2008 18:11:22 GMT 10
Hi All,
Just thought we would let you know we have made it to Moana sth of Adelaide,we have done just over 2700km since friday avo, it been very hot the last 3 days over 40 degrees, but the old fc has done us proud.only a short days drive to Gambier from here on Friday.....see you all there....
Bradngem
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Post by Daggsey on Mar 14, 2008 22:07:20 GMT 10
G'day all from Mt Gambier ;D ;D The Effacy and "Lady Madonna" made it to the Mount at 4pm (SA time) today. Bradngem arrived about an hour later. Weather here is cool and I am actually wearing trackpants and a sweatshirt for the first time in weeks. ;D. We avoided the heat of Adelaide by heading east of Port Augusta to Peterborough and then ambled south through the beautiful towns of the Clare Valley and the Barossa to Murray Bridge then down the Princes Highway via Kingston SE, Robe, and Millicent. Looks like we won't be all in one spot in the caravan park like I was told when I phoned them a couple of weeks ago (hope I'm in the right park..it was Blue Lakes wasn't it )....the chap who booked us in wasn't aware of our group (he did say he had been away for a few weeks), but did say we could park wherever we liked. Look forward to catching up with all those forum members who can make this trip Daggsey |
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Post by pymie2 on Mar 14, 2008 22:19:54 GMT 10
3 of us have made it. Our trip was alot shorter than the 2 from WA. Well, we are at the Mount!! just thought i would give you a taste of what you are heading for. The parks arrangements are not what we thought, they do not have one set area for the group, it is just pick one when you get here. The 3 of us ended up all next to each other, you will just have to wait and see when you get here.    See ya soon... Kirstie |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2008 13:19:03 GMT 10
I'm disappointed to learn the the Blue Lake caravan park has NOT set aside a seperate area for our group On three seperate occasions during the last 18 months I have spoken to caravan park management, and on three occasions they have assured me the V V's will have their own area. I phoned the caravan park this morning & spoke to the owners, apparently the caravan park managers are away on leave, and the owners no nothing of the arrangements for vintage vanners ........NOT HAPPY JAN We are the victims of a BIG caravan park, and an obvious lack of communication and organisation ......... We will apparently be spread around the caravan park in seperate available sites Mark |
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Thought the Hume might be the best way, but it's always good to have local knowledge.
!!
;D 
