Being interested in motorsport, I was investigating ways of participating on a small budget. The only viable option seemed to be banger racing. With this in mind I bought a van from a friend with the plan of fitting a tow bar, buying (or fabricating) a trailer and trashing old cars! The racing ,as yet, hasn't been realised but, with a van in my possesion, decided to have a bit of fun with it.
I read a few articles on engine transplants and decided that more power
would be a bit of a hoot!
A Rover V8 was purchased and thrown under the bonnet.
Several months were spent converting it from the standard 2300cc Vauxhall engine to the Rover block. The front spindles were converted to take Jaguar disk brakes and the rear axle changed for a Rover 2300 (SDi). Most of the work was completed by myself with some help from friends and the services of Dave at Yeo & Smith engineers of Plymouth, specialists in engine rebuilds
(Tel 01752 261509)
who machined the front hubs, mild steel rear wheel spacers (the Rover axle is about 4in narrower than the Bedford) shortened the prop shaft and welded up new engine mounts.
The cylinder heads were treated to a three angle valve grind and the pushrod ports enlarged to cater for wider adjustable items, neccessary for the higher lifting cam.
This is a picture of my old van. Click it to see more
It has now been sold with the meagre proceeds going towards buying Daves van which I helped to put together.
This is a long wheel base CF which has been fitted with a 360cu.in. AMC V8 (5900cc), Jaguar front disk brakes, Jaguar rear axle and Rover SDi dashboard.
The side loading door has been top hinged (much to my dismay as it was taken off by a Ford Cargo last year but has since been repaired)
Click on picture for specifications and more recent pictures
