thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67 
|
Post by thomas on Feb 26, 2014 20:14:57 GMT 10
![]() Hi all, Just joined up recently to share with all my pending resto on our late 60's Viscount. I would post some pics, but for some reason when trying to add an attachment, i'm getting a message telling me that 'this forum has exceeded it's space limit''... any advice...  Rgds, Thomas. Hey all, Have edited to add pics of my Viscount. Process of dismantle starts today....! Thomas.  ![]()   |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2014 20:50:09 GMT 10
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Mar 9, 2014 17:44:56 GMT 10
Hi all, After completing the dismantle of my Viscount Ambassador, it seems that I may have stumbled upon the year of manufacture. The chassis number is also written on the rear of the panels around the single beds, which matches the one on the draw bar. Pics below. Only have the floor to go - will take that out when I'm ready to do the chassis clean up. Rgds, Thomas.     |
|
|
|
Post by greedy53 on Mar 10, 2014 17:42:13 GMT 10
looking good probably easyer to do than a a leave it all in refit
|
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Mar 10, 2014 20:01:57 GMT 10
That's very interesting information, thomas. It seems that every Viscount owner could find the date of manufacture of their van...if only they'd go to the trouble of dismantling it.  So far, we've seen dates written inside cupboards; on the back of ply lining; under kitchen drawers; inside wall partitions. What every Viscount owner needs is X-ray vision!  cheers, Al. |
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Mar 11, 2014 12:09:40 GMT 10
Thx all - really happy with progress so far..! Next will be the floor & chassis clean, inspect & paint - moving into the mechanicals from there.
What I also found was behind a lot of the panels was /66/9/ - so initially I believed it may be a 66 model, but after finding that date on the very last panel I removed (rear wall panel under window), I'm convinced that its a 1969 model.
I will keep everyone updated on progress, with pics added of course...!
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 18, 2014 15:45:34 GMT 10
Hi all, More pics attached of our Viscount..... Have been busy working on the Chassis of late. Welding works commenced this week, with the addition of a new step, outer rails & plates for 4 drop down stabilizers. I will take some pics of these works too & add to this thread as well. Just waiting on the welding jobs to be finished & I will then refit the new floor, which as you'll see, is ready to go. Rgds, Thomas.    |
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Apr 18, 2014 17:27:19 GMT 10
G'day Thomas, it's coming along nicely.  Having watched untold numbers of these types of Viscounts being worked on over in the Classic Caravans forum over the last six years, there are some common problems with the design of these vans: 1. Where the aluminium frame butts against the steel chassis, you will likely find severe corrosion, particularly in the rear corners, but also in the front corners and where the door frame is. Check these areas thoroughly before you put the new flooring back in. It is wise to think about installing a barrier between the aluminium frame and the steel chassis, to prevent corrosion from any leaks in the future. One option is to place polyethylene flashing down between the two and then bend the top half of the flashing to 90 degrees so it sits under the perimeter of the floor. This is done after you've completed any repairs and painting of the chassis, obviously. 2. Viscount roofs from this time period are a great shape to make rainwater disappear off the roof quickly. Unfortunately, Viscount let themselves down badly by not having a deflector strip at the front and rear where the roof curves around above the windows. Water rushing off the roof will curve around and be directed towards the windows, rather than away from them. This is why the most common fault seen in Viscounts is rotten timber ledges under both front and rear windows. Have a think about how you can pop-rivet a deflector strip above both sets of windows so water is directed away from the van. 3. Many caravan manufacturers run an earth lead to the first 12V light fitting (usually the nearest clearance light to the tow coupling), and then rely on the aluminium cladding and the chassis to provide the earth to all the other 12V lights (ie. the other clearance lights and the rear lights, etc.). When a van has been stripped back to the condition that yours is now in, it's a great opportunity to look at running an earth lead to each individual light and linking all those earth leads back to one lead into the tow coupling plug. You will eliminate the dreaded faulty light syndrome that happens when corroded screws in light fittings lead to dodgy earth connections. Hope this helps, cheers, Al. |
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 18, 2014 17:40:57 GMT 10
Thx Al.... The points you've mentioned: 1. Three of the four rails you've mentioned have now been replaced with brand new fabricated items - I will post pics soon. 2. The roof already has deflector strips back & front....that was very nice of the previous owners.!! 3. I'm very handy with 12v systems & have been installing devices in caravans & cars for the past 20 + years - definitely will be adding separate earths. Thx again Al - i'm loving the reno so far & all the advice & tips i'm getting from the VC Forum..!  Rgds, Thomas. |
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 27, 2014 19:48:06 GMT 10
Hi all,
Looking for some quick advice. After stripping all the old paint off the A Frame on my Viscount (E4620), I have encounted some minor pin holes of rust in a small section.
Question - should I:
- Replace entire A Frame..??
- Plate existing item..??
I ask purely because it needs to pass Transport inspection when completed.
Thx all,
Rgds,
Thomas.
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 27, 2014 21:23:18 GMT 10
I think I would consider changing the entire A frame when you think of how much you expect from it and the fact that is what keeps it attached to your tow vehicle, any good engineering place should be able to help, just make sure they they weld the chassis number back on.
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 27, 2014 22:56:41 GMT 10
Thx HB - good tip re the chassis #. Never thought of that.!!
I have an A Grade welder who's been in charge of the other bits & pieces so far, so should be no issue with a new A frame - believe he's coming to measure up tomorrow.
Rgds,
Thomas.
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 28, 2014 17:14:30 GMT 10
Hi all,
Welder has been & measured for a new, slightly extended A Frame. Will be done & dusted by week's end. Pics to follow.
Rgds,
Thomas.
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 28, 2014 18:55:28 GMT 10
Don't forget your chassis number will you.
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Apr 29, 2014 22:28:27 GMT 10
Thx Humpyboy - sure won't.!
Can't help but notice your avatar pic - I take it that's your FJ..?? I have a 67 HR - restored her back in 2005. Had her 23 years this year.
Rgds,
Thomas.
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 29, 2014 22:44:11 GMT 10
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on May 1, 2014 21:59:06 GMT 10
Sweet stuff - that trailer's a real cracker...bet it looks magnificent behind that black sedan..!
|
|
|
|
Post by mibosa on May 7, 2014 21:53:46 GMT 10
Hi Thomas, I too am a recent newcomer to this site. I recently purchased what the seller and rego papers say is a 1969 Viscount Ambassador. I note that mine has two smaller windows on the door side to the rear instead of one large window as I see in your photos and others of similar vintages. Welded on the draw bar is E1419 and under the table in pencil is what appears to be "Old leg-E1419-28/10/66".
I amd having trouble uploading photos using the Photobucket process, but based on the information I have provided, are you or any other readers able to shed any light on the two window model? Did this happen in the factory or is it some type of after-market adaption by one of the previous owners?
Regards, Bob
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 1:01:07 GMT 10
...shed any light on the two window model? Regards, Bob If there are two small windows stacked vertically (one above the other) then it was most likely a bunk bed model. If they are horizontally spaced...then I have no answer. The date marked in pencil under the table will be the build date or the day that the table was fitted so your van is most likely a 66 model. The chassis number is very close to my 66 model which is E14xx but at some stage a previous owner seems to have welded the jockey wheel mount over the last two digits - one day I'll get my mechanic friend to pull it off and hopefully expose the hidden digits. You can find more info here.... vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/10165?page=1Cheers, Helen |
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on May 11, 2014 9:45:45 GMT 10
Hi Mibosa,
Get some pics onto Photo Bucket.!! Create an account & upload some jpegs - then use the 'direct' function to copy the link, then paste into your thread.
Does your viscount have a wooden or ali frame..?? I believe that the wooden frames were discontinued in 1968..??
Rgds,
Thomas.
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on May 11, 2014 10:31:01 GMT 10
Hi all, Attached pics of recent works. Pretty much still getting things ready for the new floor to go in. Works include: - Chassis repairs - New Step - New inner guards - New drop down legs x 4 - New Drawbar - 300mm longer - New 83lt Water tank (shield to be added soon) - New front & rear lower cladding.....that was fun...!! Once the front & rear cladding has been secured, the floor can then be fitted..! Work continues today..! Rgds, Thomas.          |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on May 11, 2014 16:58:13 GMT 10
What a lovely chassis number you have there, found it under all that paint you removed no doubt.
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on May 11, 2014 17:22:58 GMT 10
Thx HB....
Came up nice that number..!! So did the drawbar.!
|
|
thomas
Junior Member
Posts: 67
|
Post by thomas on Nov 2, 2014 8:07:22 GMT 10
Hi all,
Progress is steady on the Viscount. Weather pending, am making the road trip tomorrow to collect after the new coat of paint.
I've been repairing & cleaning up all the windows, but before I go any further, am I best to replace the original glass with Perspex....?? If so, is there a particular type of Perspex..??
I'm happy to stick with the Glass, but so far I've broken three windows upon installing the new seals.
Any thoughts or comments..??
Rgds,
T.
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Nov 2, 2014 8:30:29 GMT 10
Hi all, Progress is steady on the Viscount. Weather pending, am making the road trip tomorrow to collect after the new coat of paint. I've been repairing & cleaning up all the windows, but before I go any further, am I best to replace the original glass with Perspex....?? If so, is there a particular type of Perspex..?? I'm happy to stick with the Glass, but so far I've broken three windows upon installing the new seals. Any thoughts or comments..?? Rgds, T. I would look at Lexan rather than Perspex, Lexan is a more superior product in that it wont craze or go milky like the perspex will over time plus I also believe it to be stronger. |
|
