1978 Honda Acty Panel Van - For Sale...maybe...?

I have a factory shop manual for the facelifted '80's version but hopefully you could find something closer. Timing marks could be on the flywheel visible through a small access hole like early Civic or Accord (that also shared the 4x120pcd with 12 or 13" wheels respectively).
Just remember you have the Big engine, older TN7 still had 360cc!
A rare find, congratulations.

Thank you all for the help and shared enthusiasm. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks it's cool as sin



I wouldn't be surprised if it was the best (it's almost certainly going to be the most original) but there has to be a few more out there. I know they were pretty poorly made and not well loved but there was a fair few sold and they're very characterful, someone somewhere has to have cherished another one.



Yeah that's Jason, the other lad I'm sharing this with. He put it on there to see how much hate it got but was pleasantly surprised when everyone seemed to like it.



That may well come in useful mate, we have found a guy with some model correct data, but if we can't find something I may well drop you a PM if that's OK? I've passed on your advice to Jason too.

Interestingly, the power figures for bother the 360cc and the 550cc are the same, although I imagine the 550 has more torque and is probably a little more efficient



Jason has managed to free up the alternater with a good clean and soak in penetrating fluid, but does anyone know a way of testing if it's any good before bolting it back into the van? We really want to minimise initial problems to keep build time and cost right down.

I've just remembered that where I used to live there was a chap that came round our estate in one of those renting out videos from the back of it! I'm pretty sure the videos weren't strictly 'authentic' and I remember a special cubby for the video, errmmmmmm, connoisseur...!!! Sorry to muddy the Acty waters with that thought...!

People do say these little Kei vans like to roll over!

What a awesome little van! I'm very jealous, I bet that would look great in a photo next to my Civic! It took me a moment or two to work out what your mate was wearing on his face though...

Matthew Corbett used to ferry about his furry friends in an Acty...



There is a vid' on YouTube somewhere with that van being driven around at quite a speed...!!!!!!

the Bedford rascal was later, they went to Manchester on the tram to pick it up, sooty had a tiny version...

He's been assimilated by the Borg!

I find it hilarious that whenever people see this van, it always sparks up a conversation about Sooty and Sweep.



That comment made my day

The van is now completely stripped underneath, and we've applied a couple of coats of Zinc Primer, which was a hellish task in the heat we've had today. Once the primers finished we'll be painting over the top (with whatever paint we can find in our garages, including British Racing Green, Gold, and Fluorescent Orange) before applying a thick coat of underseal to protect it further. The engine is completely free and lovely and smooth, the alternator is now free and the service bits are being bolted on. The cooling system is lovely and clean, with no nasty debris in and a watertight radiator.

Hopefully it carries on being as straight forward as it has been so far, although I'm waiting for a big ugly showstopping problem to rear it's head at some point. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us!