Latest Install almost done, PlantDrive kit on my 91 Delica
Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 12:09 pm
Well, it's been a while, with winter, other conversions, etc. but I finally got back to doing my own (what's that about the shoemaker's kids going barefoot?!).
Anyway, it has the custom aluminum tank, Vegtherm Standard, VM2 filter with two 3-port valves bolted onto the VM2, and the whole works, filter and valves and tank, are under the van.
I posted some pics over at our blog's photo gallery.
http://web.me.com/plantdrive/PlantDrive ... llery.html
(Look for the one with the photo of the Optima battery with the 6-pack of Big Rock Trad beside it, click there)
Notes:
1) I have to have the valves' mounting holes machined out a bit to bolt them onto the 3/8" pair of holes I used to mount the filter. So, I had a few more done while I was at it.
2) 1/4" aluminum backer plates were installed to support the weight of the filter and valves (it's mounted behind the left front wheel opening)
3) After mounting, you can use the filter/valve assembly as a lever and bend the original sheet metal a bit, to make the whole thing vertical.
4) Install an Optima, and you have room for the 6-pack, and it'll give you all the cranking you need and fewer hassles over time than two batteries. Mine spun over just fine at -20C, synthetic oil, no engine heater prior. So, that allows a reorientation of the Optima, and allows you to cut out the corner of the battery box (still nicely supported).
Then I can access the top-mounted filter from the top, easily. And, I can put on a really tall truck filter, if I want to, and likely change the filter once a year (settled oil), instead of 2-3 times. But I think I'll just install a heavy rubber flap in there, or maybe a section of the plastic battery tray from the original setup ( not needed under the Optima, which is non-spill), and then I'll be able to use the extra storage space for tools, spare filter, etc. - or a 6-pack....
5) One long loop for coolant, off the rear heater lines. Cut in the tee at the one rear heater line, run a line to one side of in-tank heater, out the other side, across tank, up to filter on other side of van (same path as WVO supply line), across to other tee. Remove (cold) radiator cap, and in may case, it just sat a while as I cut in the other tee, and I had coolant starting to drip out, which meant it had gone around the loop on it's own, so did not have to do the usual thing of pulling the coolant 'round the loop with a suction gun.
6) Supply and return valves are just wired together to a toggle mounted between shifters (manual). No staggered purge. Not likely that I will add one, unless I feel like it; not needed for this type of engine down to our usual -20C in winter and not doing a terrible lot of purges...I only purge when engine will cool down totally, and I add diesel when the diesel tank is at half.
7) Tank is 12" deep, holds over 100 litres. Nice. Still lots of clearance - for the "serious off-roader" who wants to routinely back into stumps/rocks and wants more clearance to be able to ride the 1/4" thick aluminum tank right up onto stump/rock, and maybe dent it a bit, and high centre the van in the process, as opposed to just backing into said stump/rock with a dull thud, we can make a shallower tank; for me, it's plenty of ground clearance, I like the capacity, and no, the van is not lifted.
8) Tank filler is simple: through floor, marine fitting, spill plate, filler is just inside rear door.
9) Bumper/Hitch. 1500lb capacity, we'll say. Beefed up original brackets, had a steel bumper made and powder coated, light duty hitch; all I need.
10) Rubber mat for back of van - they are made here in Salmon Arm, let me know if you want one, their annual "yard sale" runs all summer, coming soon. Cheap effective almost perfect size protection for rear of van, made from recycled tires.
11) Still need to wire a fuel level gauge, install a few screws into tank filler, wire up a buzzer, etc.
12) Bumper weighs about 50 pounds. Tank weighs about 50 pounds. So even half full of oil, say, I have added a nice counterweight, down low, balance and center of gravity better. Handling is noticeably improved! I will self-weigh front and rear sometime at scales, and see how close to 50/50 it is now. Maybe this winter I won't have to engage 4x4 for every little snow flake and parking lot glaze, with my Cooper ATR's that came (new) with the van.
13) All fittings at tank, filter and valves are ORB (O-Ring Boss), not NPT threaded. No thread sealant needed and I could angle them as desired.
14) Tested Vegsensor at idle, fully warmed up engine: Vegtherm off at 95C; back on at 87C.
15) Return fuel is looped on veg, return-to-tank on diesel.
16) No "pusher pump". Great power, no problem. No electric pumps needed when the filter is well heated and fuel line not restricted.
Anyway, it has the custom aluminum tank, Vegtherm Standard, VM2 filter with two 3-port valves bolted onto the VM2, and the whole works, filter and valves and tank, are under the van.
I posted some pics over at our blog's photo gallery.
http://web.me.com/plantdrive/PlantDrive ... llery.html
(Look for the one with the photo of the Optima battery with the 6-pack of Big Rock Trad beside it, click there)
Notes:
1) I have to have the valves' mounting holes machined out a bit to bolt them onto the 3/8" pair of holes I used to mount the filter. So, I had a few more done while I was at it.
2) 1/4" aluminum backer plates were installed to support the weight of the filter and valves (it's mounted behind the left front wheel opening)
3) After mounting, you can use the filter/valve assembly as a lever and bend the original sheet metal a bit, to make the whole thing vertical.
4) Install an Optima, and you have room for the 6-pack, and it'll give you all the cranking you need and fewer hassles over time than two batteries. Mine spun over just fine at -20C, synthetic oil, no engine heater prior. So, that allows a reorientation of the Optima, and allows you to cut out the corner of the battery box (still nicely supported).
Then I can access the top-mounted filter from the top, easily. And, I can put on a really tall truck filter, if I want to, and likely change the filter once a year (settled oil), instead of 2-3 times. But I think I'll just install a heavy rubber flap in there, or maybe a section of the plastic battery tray from the original setup ( not needed under the Optima, which is non-spill), and then I'll be able to use the extra storage space for tools, spare filter, etc. - or a 6-pack....
5) One long loop for coolant, off the rear heater lines. Cut in the tee at the one rear heater line, run a line to one side of in-tank heater, out the other side, across tank, up to filter on other side of van (same path as WVO supply line), across to other tee. Remove (cold) radiator cap, and in may case, it just sat a while as I cut in the other tee, and I had coolant starting to drip out, which meant it had gone around the loop on it's own, so did not have to do the usual thing of pulling the coolant 'round the loop with a suction gun.
6) Supply and return valves are just wired together to a toggle mounted between shifters (manual). No staggered purge. Not likely that I will add one, unless I feel like it; not needed for this type of engine down to our usual -20C in winter and not doing a terrible lot of purges...I only purge when engine will cool down totally, and I add diesel when the diesel tank is at half.
7) Tank is 12" deep, holds over 100 litres. Nice. Still lots of clearance - for the "serious off-roader" who wants to routinely back into stumps/rocks and wants more clearance to be able to ride the 1/4" thick aluminum tank right up onto stump/rock, and maybe dent it a bit, and high centre the van in the process, as opposed to just backing into said stump/rock with a dull thud, we can make a shallower tank; for me, it's plenty of ground clearance, I like the capacity, and no, the van is not lifted.
8) Tank filler is simple: through floor, marine fitting, spill plate, filler is just inside rear door.
9) Bumper/Hitch. 1500lb capacity, we'll say. Beefed up original brackets, had a steel bumper made and powder coated, light duty hitch; all I need.
10) Rubber mat for back of van - they are made here in Salmon Arm, let me know if you want one, their annual "yard sale" runs all summer, coming soon. Cheap effective almost perfect size protection for rear of van, made from recycled tires.
11) Still need to wire a fuel level gauge, install a few screws into tank filler, wire up a buzzer, etc.
12) Bumper weighs about 50 pounds. Tank weighs about 50 pounds. So even half full of oil, say, I have added a nice counterweight, down low, balance and center of gravity better. Handling is noticeably improved! I will self-weigh front and rear sometime at scales, and see how close to 50/50 it is now. Maybe this winter I won't have to engage 4x4 for every little snow flake and parking lot glaze, with my Cooper ATR's that came (new) with the van.
13) All fittings at tank, filter and valves are ORB (O-Ring Boss), not NPT threaded. No thread sealant needed and I could angle them as desired.
14) Tested Vegsensor at idle, fully warmed up engine: Vegtherm off at 95C; back on at 87C.
15) Return fuel is looped on veg, return-to-tank on diesel.
16) No "pusher pump". Great power, no problem. No electric pumps needed when the filter is well heated and fuel line not restricted.
