Starting a Vauxhall Astra van after years of sitting

I attempt getting a 1991 Astra van to kick off after years of sitting in a field !!

[@psbsoham]

We used to have one of these at work. We called it Gloria......Gloria Astravan.

[@SuperBC10]

I had an old Astra 1.7 with the Izuzu non turbo engine. Absolutely amazing machine. Bombproof.

[@markjoy3243]

I had a 1.3 petrol one of them. The same year. It went round the clock twice before I had to get rid because of rust. The engine still ran sweet as a nut.

[@superseven220]

Same here, I had a G reg 1.3L that I did 250,000 miles in. I even towed a small caravan with it on family holidays for three years. Great car apart from the rot. Brilliant engine

[@petersalter4269]

I think we need another yard tour!

[@SlapTheMonkey100]

“Older than Christ on a bike” 😂. Subscribed.

[@705johnnyboy]

i drove to mars and back in a white astra van lol in the 90s,solid van even when airborne over railway crossings ...

[@caryknapton7233]

Fastest vehicle on the road back in the 80's🤣 I remember seeing an indicated 125MPH in a 1.4 petrol Astramax van whilst overtaking an E36 BMW 318i The look on the BM drivers face remains engrained in my memory until this day, it was basically WTF...this cannot be happening.

[@caryknapton7233]

@Richie Reports UK It was indeed no weight in it👍

[@raytheron]

Ah, now that Astra van brought back memories of the 1400 Opel Kadett Cub I had. A 1991 model bought in 1994. What a great car that was! Sorry I had to leave it behind when I left South Africa.

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

That's the GM diesel. The Izuzu engine looks different. Mine is sitting in the garage waiting for some recommissioning.

[@Patmac74]

Now that's my kind of van.

[@Daz_Stap]

Great video, gotta love an Astra van. Looking forward to seeing the XM come back to life. Ah, that pile of scrap was once a Chevrolet Corvair.

[@peteredwards338]

The Sunny, next to the scrap car, looks in fair condition !

[@paulb4uk]

The astra will be a great project for someone does not look to bad considering its age it has survived quite well .

[@aronhoward919]

Chevrolet corvair!!!!!!! One bag of scoobie snacks please! Cheese and onion flavor,

[@IfInDoubt..]

That 3 door Fiesta Ghia in the background is a rare thing, most of them were 5 door.

[@NitroNoriFan]

My first diesel was a 1.6 Astra estate on a 1986 C plate. It only had a disappointing 4 speed gear box. I’d bought it at trade price from the firm my dad worked for when it was 3 years old. (They replaced all their fleet after 3 years). My previous Astra from them had been a B reg 1.3 petrol estate which had been great and I resold for as much as I’d paid for it £2.1k. This diesel one was a different kettle of fish though. It desperately needed a fifth gear and although being professionally repaired by a Vauxhall dealer, it had had a front end smash and no longer liked turning corners! It was fine in straight lines but just wrestled you to straighten itself up on winding A and B roads. My wife could cope with it around town but found the steering too heavy for her on longer runs. So, I got rid after 6 months (the car, not my wife!). I traded it in against a 2 year old E reg Astra 1.3 petrol at the same Vauxhall dealership and they allowed me £1000 more p/ex than I’d originally paid for it!

[@TranceAholicCarl9088]

Winning. 😎

[@willV6F1]

That engine is the GM diesel, not the Isuzu one. Quickest way to tell the difference is the location of the diesel pump. GM turbo and non turbo engines have the pump at the front of the engine immediately behind the radiator. All variants of the Isuzu engine have it at that rear of the engine facing the bulkhead

[@Andy-sh9eq]

The isuzu diesel are all turbo 1.7 the rocker cover is black, as other people have pointed out the engine there is an OPEL/GM engine the same as the petrol motors but diesel

[@jimmacdonald9746]

Drove the Bedford Astra van back in the day . Super reliable van but rust let them down , they could get up to 120mph 😊 not bad for no turbo 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@BigDave1965]

It's a GM diesel based on the family 2 petrol engine, that leak in drivers footwell is probably coming from the Ariel common issue (used to build them)

[@richardm1183]

Love this, fond memories of Astravans. Great vehicles. Thank you for the video

[@rickydub6950]

Mint, look forward to seeing whats its like underneath 😁 have fun in France 😎

[@TruckerMRB]

enjoyed the video chap...excellent

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Gotta love an old Vauxhall!!!

[@DaveGreeneramblingcarpenter]

Great videos mate,

[@2sgblueredblue280]

Cracking show mate 🎉

[@Ireland-bc2gx]

Great video lad 👍

[@KrisDouglas]

Definitely a Crispy Corvair

[@iannorton4463]

Yer gittin some good views now fella, well done 👏

[@TheDaf95xf]

Morning Al from Belfast 😊 You’re so funny with your descriptions but your knowledge is impressive m8 👍🏻 love the channel 6D Diesels 🤩

[@jackrussel853]

Been enjoying all the Merc stuff etc, shame i hadn't seen you earlier when my mate bought his Sprinter that burnt oil like nobody's business and cost over 3 grand to repair but good to see an old Astra van, brings back memories of my C reg that i had for a few years, had a brand new engine fitted before i got it so went ok and 200 miles to a tenner springs to mind!

[@jackrussel853]

Chevy Corvair?

[@nathwarr]

I remember very well a mk1 astra 1.6 diesel 5 door hatch in China blue. Did 200k plus miles and 80mpg on a lands end to John o groats trip.

[@Ireland-bc2gx]

Great video al you have a mountain of work too get through

[@ggj666]

I had one of these as an estate with a wheel chair ramp in the back and the extra high roof, extra air suspension in the rear. Fantastic car, also Astra Mk1 SR with Recaro interior (still wish I had it), Mk2 Cavalier, Corsa Combo B, Corsa Combo C LPG conversion. Thought I would have learnt my lesson by now, and then I had the list goes on.

[@anthonymillar6183]

Nice work 😅

[@rekalcitran8790]

In France it's a Kadett E...with a diesel 1.6 "made by Opel Cologne" ...not bad...and not very good motor...! I am owner of a Kadett E five doors 1.3 S 75 horses power...100% original...with 2 or 3 % rust...and 70000 km....!

[@dreammaker730]

What did we make you do 🤣🤣🤣 fair play she lives , love an astra van .

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

a new battery for an old coaler 🙂 astra-vans were once a very common sight on the roads. i bet scrappage killed a lot off 😞

[@paultaylor9652]

My brother had a G plate 3 door estate car, not a van. A former company car, its arches started to rust at the time and Vauxhall repaired them and it didn't come back in his ownership.

[@vernonmatthews181]

The funny thing with those Isuzu powered Vauxhall Astra's is that a few were privately imported into New Zealand by their British owner's who were shocked by their poor resale value. In the end, they brought out to NZ on the proverbial boat, their redeeming feature was the diesel ⛽ engine which made it possible to source parts directly out of Japan. Because of Opels wishes not to import Vauxhall / Bedford products after the CF / CF2 into NZ, no ( Vauxhall ) catalogues would likely exist downunder, look forward to your work under the bonnet. PS - The Astra panelvan is a carry on from RWD Vauxhall Chevanne, a no frills Chevette Estate ( stationwagon ).🍺🍻🥃👌👍💚

[@clutchdroptv4345]

That's the rubbish Vauxhall engine not the isuzu one

[@user-hf3ep3qt3p]

Had a white f reg with all gte parts bonnet bumper wheels seats steering wheel ect

[@vivamalta127]

The motor is the 1699cc 1.7d GM engine. Very underpowered and could be a bstd to start on cold mornings but ran forever. Cam belt snapped whilst climbing reigate hill, wasnt too difficult fix as doesnt snap camshaft, only the fingers so didnt need new cam. Like the 1.6 before it, the camshafts needed good quality oil or theyd wear out quick (they had fingers that pressed valves not direct from cam) so 10/40 was best back then. Ive subbed now, a great channel :)

[@anthony342]

wow nice that know that , i had the van back in the day .

[@Perthshire]

Much better audio mix nowadays :-)

[@fire44x]

GM engine 1.7 the isusu was black Rocker cover these engines were very reliable after 1.6 d thay put a turbo on last were ok if looking after very good on fuel clutch in 30 mins though bottom plate

[@jaggass]

Tends to be a bit of confusion regarding the 1.7d engine. It' has the GM Family II diesel engine and the Isuzu 1.7TD 4EE1 didn't come out til 1993 on the MK3 Astra and facelifted Cav MK3 . GM did later slightly turbo charge Family II diesel known as the LPT engine before being redesigned by Isuzu on the MK4 Astra.

[@christopherhulse8385]

We had those vans on the railway from new, in BR yellow of course! Great vans.

[@chiefrocka8604]

Remember a pal of mine servicing the yellow br transits which did huge miles

[@christopherhulse8385]

@@chiefrocka8604 BR vans were in use 24/7 at most depots, and callouts were common, sometimes miles away.

[@anthony342]

my 1.7 ld would of got me to the moon , that engine was the best ,,

[@byronmills5952]

That Astra fought you a bit..a lot of frustration edited out of the footage methinks!...😁 The rotten dismembered remains are of a circa 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza methinks - one of my favourite cars - if not Ralph Naders of course! 👍👍

[@rogerlongfellow54]

The isuzu engine was in a lot of them it had a black rocker box

[@astravanmk2]

Doesn’t look a bad van all things considered. I’ve owned 4 vans 3 petrol and 1 diesel. The 1.7 GM lump as that is are ok but don’t take the stick the petrol ohc’s could. A good start for a project for someone.

[@commodore71]

that looks lika an Opel/Vauxhall OHC engine

[@anthony342]

not the isuzu / this is the gm engine . superb back in the day

[@stephenmelrose1082]

I've got a Saab turbo engine sitting that could make a cool sleeper !

[@caryknapton7233]

The Astra had two diesel engines the Vauxhall derived engine on this van with a LP turbo and the Isuzu engine with the HP turbo, I had both👍

[@Luton-Mick]

Neither of these mk2 vans or cars ever came with Isuzu units, they were all either 1.6d up until 1989 then 1.7d was introduced, both were GM lumps, the MK3's came with a choice of this old 1.7 GM unit and a low pressure turbo version was added later on, only the high pressure unit was Isuzu. (Had a black rocker cover with "turbo" badge on it) (I was Vauxhall tech in the early 90's)

[@FrankJCarver]

That was a great video. I really enjoy all your stuff. You look and sound like Dave Courtney, if you don't mind me saying.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

There were 2 variants of the 1.7 diesel engine, Isuzu and gm and unfortunately by looking at yours I can see its the not so good gm engine!!!

[@sim6699]

Didn't the Isuzu have a black cylinder head cover?

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

@@sim6699 yes it did with red writing!!!

[@iankaye9801]

It probably is a Corvair, those tail lights re appeared on the Opel Manta.

[@BUDGIEHUNTER85]

Bet he's got some goodies there rotting

[@roryhazlie753]

Odometer says 18,336 miles which is being a 5 figure mileometer is probably been round once or twice so it’s probably 118,336 or 218,336. My Old Ford Orion was a five figure mileage so that was over 100,000 when I got it.

[@vernonmatthews181]

They used that same five digit odometer for metric territories like New Zealand 🇳🇿 That made them go over 100,000 a lot quicker. The change over date in New Zealand from imperial to metric on our roads was Monday 4th August 1975, that effected local assembly Vauxhalls HC Viva's & Magnum's, Chevette's, Chevanne's & mid production CF vans & chassis cabs. This was the more streamlined range in NZ, no FE Victor, the FD was the last in NZ.🍺🍻🥃👌👍💚

[@alanhunter2051]

A GM 1600 D. Worked on enough of them.

[@AndreasLarsson95]

At 4:51 i see a nissan sunny. I love that car. The front end is so awesome! Any video of it? Edit: i found the video 😁

[@rtid7538]

It's not a Max - not seen one of those in many years. That's the Vauxhall / Opel 17D or 17DR engine, not Isuzu. Great video!

[@shanehornby1693]

Won’t it be a 1.6 on that year?, think the 1.7 came in the mk3 a year or so later!

[@rtid7538]

@Shane Hornby Hmmmmm... On a J I'd have said 1.7, but I could be wrong!

[@Galahadfairlight]

The venerable 1.7 non turbo diesel...... always feels like you're setting off in 3rd gear, utterly gutless, but utterly reliable.

[@anthony342]

my 1.7 lD WAS THE BEST

[@iDayno]

Chevrolet Corvair for the pile of rust? :)

[@Marklin15]

End of video is remains of Chevy Corvair

[@garywinterbottom6073]

Had a 92 k reg 1.7 isuzu astra hatchback bulletproof motor sold it for scrap in 2008 engine had 147k on still sweet gearbox seized in reverse 😀. Lol

[@raymondpearce5245]

A Like your video

[@dreammaker730]

I hope the water hasn't done to much damage.

[@christineayres7199]

And the scrap used to be a VW Beetle and parts are very rare thats my best guess anyway

[@fire44x]

The astra starter should be smaller gear reduction that starter is old direct of a 1.6 d

[@robertcharles8664]

It looks like a VW Razer Back?

[@manolete8441]

The wreck car is a Chevrolet Corvair?

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Corvair???

[@barryjackson8512]

That’s the 1.7 Gm engine.

[@raybray902]

Is the engine for sale

[@RandyDarkshade2]

Chevy Corvair?

[@PaddyWV]

I hear Nissan Sunnys (Sunnies?) Are becoming sought after! 🙂

[@toxicliver]

My best guess is a chevrolet corvair corsa 60's ????

[@ourkid2744]

Old vw beetle maybe even a beach buggy conversion

[@dreammaker730]

Corvair?

[@user-eh2pr7bd4w]

Rusty car is a 1906 s chevroet Corsair

[@t5jerry]

years ago i went to buy a mk2 scirocco, the owner had not started it for 2-3 years, when he had parked it up, he took 1 lead off the battery, he placed the lead back on the battery after this length of time, and alakazam, it started, why don`t more people do this ?

[@chriscarroll3204]

Is it an NSU???

[@marekwieckowski7038]

Hi Al Excellent video's. I was watching one from several months ago and you did a walk around your yard and in the back you had an old LT28 2 litre petrol. Any chance you have still got it old chap.

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

The remains of it’s still here 👍

[@marekwieckowski7038]

@@6DDIESELSDorset Pucka thank you for getting back to me, did you say the engine and box were good. Marek.

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

Engines gone , gearbox is still here 👍

[@roryhazlie753]

Pile of scrap used to be a Chevrolet corvair

[@saxongreen78]

Chevrolet Corvair?

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

Hi Al. Greetings from Ireland. Recently found your channel and have been binging your content. You are like a UK version of VGG. Is that rusty pile of scrap a Corvair? The American one.

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

Indeed it is fella , we had it for parts 👍

[@pjohnwilliams6941]

I don't think yours has the Isuzu engine. The 1.7 Isuzu is a good engine but the only downfall is the ECU is prone to failing and if u remember right the engine has to come out

[@highwayman03]

Chevrolet Corsair is my guess 🤞

[@bullfrommull]

I might be a sad old feeker. What about the old sunny in the background. I had one with 300000 on the clock. Used a bit of oil. Because it leaked. But otherwise the wood strut kept the window up. Great car

[@davebunyan1162]

Had its last mot in June 2005 with 39,824 miles on the clock.

[@michaelsamulewski1732]

Hi mate, whats your ebay name so I can look at your listings? cheers,

[@adamlittle4267]

No that's a vauxhall 8v engine the Isuzu engine has a black cam cam cover

[@szkman9984]

Nope not the Isuzu diesel in this one

[@AFExploration]

in its day the astra van was the fastest van in the world 😁😁😁

[@user-gt6li7lp9z]

Hi do you still have the GTi n reg thanks

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

Sold at current 👍

[@MrReynard67]

Chevy corvair ?😁

[@malcsurfleet3888]

Result dolphins. Probably spelt wrong but that’s what I reckon.

[@makinapersempre]

horn & lights?

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

Once it’s back here and I’ve washed it 👍

[@essexdavenorton]

The rear engine give away and a 2 L engine thats the or was a corvair in a past life

[@stefanallan6377]

Nothing for them engines if I had the money I'd buy that from you