Turbo 616 powered Astro Van build
Turbo 616 powered Astro Van build
couple updates-
so ive been tinkering around with power steering on this thing for a bit, and had gone so far as adapting a GM pump to a MB pulley. The GM pump sits low on the driver side and it could have worked If I could line the pulley up properly
stock GM
GM pump with MB pulley-
Unfortunately this is pretty hard to do properly, and ultimately decided I was reinventing the wheel, and put the MB power steering pump back on and adapted a high pressure line to it-
Line goes up and over to swing behind, I may redo this later, not really satisfied with the routing of this line-
However, power steering is all hooked up and its really nice to have that back, this thing has such a nice turning radius, it was a pleasure to start whipping it around with the power steering finally working.
Also, welded up exhaust, all I ended up doing is having a piece made with a little flex joint that ran back to the stock muffler and it was done. Used the opportunity to fix some rattling mounts that plagued this thing when I was using it with the gas motor. I still need to get in there and build a support bracket for the downpipe off I think the bell housing. Its a solid exhaust, but I would feel more comfortable with less potential stress on the turbo flange.
After that installed an aftermarket oil pressure and temp gauge, and I was ready for a day of test/use finally!
Puttered around for a few hours doing errands, where it did fine, took it out on the highway and 5th is really a hopeful gear. cruises along nicely in 4th, but 5th you really need a perfect flat to pull. I think this should improve when I get around to swapping the ring and pinion though, at least a little bit.
So far very pleased, sluggish in first takes getting used to, but I might be able to improve that by getting a new throttle cable or adapting some other style cable that is less sticky.
still need to-
-wire up charging system (priority)
-wire up glow plugs (priority)
-figure out shutting off by key Popping the clutch in first to kill it is effective, but hard on stuff.