1964 Citroen HY Van (part 2)

Now that something I haven't seen in a few year

Good Purchase!

The panels look good on it too. I'm assuming the woeful engine and three speed 'box will be making way for something much more interesting?
I know of a guy with one sat in his field and another complete set of panels and a four speed conversion too - all for sale, but at a price sadly or I'd own it by now!

Joe

Just gonna be awesome.

20mpg doesn't sound all that bad for a splitty with a v8, what's the story with that?

With the van safely home. I decided my first priority was to get it registered with the DVLA (as its still on French plates) for this I need an MOT. Doing this before any modifications to engine, chassis brakes ect should keep DVLA/VOSA of my back. The garage I collected it from had already looked over the van for its previous owner. Telling him all the brakes were seized solid and eclectically only the horn worked.(all of this being true) the cost of 6 new wheel cylinders and a set of shoes being a whopping £1200 alone. (End of his dream ! ! !)As it was going to be a quite week, work wise, I decided to put the van on the lift and get stuck in.
Problem number one. The brakes were indeed seized and no amount of hammering or levering on my part would pull the drums off. I read somewhere that a puller would be needed for this task so I made one.


With the drums finally off I found all six wheel cylinders rusted solid.


I have discovered over the years that with allot of patience and careful handling most things mechanical can be coxed back into life. With this in mind I set about the wheel cylinders. Using copious amounts of WD40 and gently tapping the cylinder all over with a small hammer. to free the rusts hold. I eventually freed of my first cylinder. This did take a few hours but I kept the thought of the £1200 in the back of my mind. The remaining 5 cylinders took a further 2 days. I also managed to save the seals. As the braking system has not leaked todate.
With the brakes sorted I set about the electrics. Got to admit I do love old car electrics, there so simple and it gives you a great feeling of satisfaction as every thing slowly comes back to life.
Whilst under the van I noticed a complete lack of holes or rust. I then washed of a small section with hot soapy water. This is what I found…

Shinny black paint the whole underside of the vehicle is like this.
Happy days….

Nice, I always thought this was the A van, is the HY the next size up?

Bookmarked.

This is fantastic. I don't envy you spending all that time freeing up the cylinders though. I don't think I'd have the patience

Next job for mot was the 2 steering rack boots. One was easy but the other needed me to remove the rack and strip it right down to its component parts just to get the curse word on. This I did but whilst in bits I completely rebuilt it and made a few new parts.


With the rack sorted I was ready for the MOT. The van sat outside all weekend with me dreaming, planning and measuring various parts. Finally I could stand it no more.. I HAD to go for a spin. Studying the strange gear shift patter I set of down the lane.

Well it goes stops and steers….







Didn’t go too far as the local nick overlooks my workshop……

Your split screen is pretty mega! Looking forward to what happens with this