Reliant super van 3 parked since 1986…can we get it to start ???

[@dinsdalepiranah1189]

Oh yes, The "resin rocket". learned to drive in one of these on a bike license. My engine had to come out. Being a inexperienced 17 year old, what to do. Disconnect every thing. Two ropes, one through the bonnet and one through the gearstick hole . Lower the engine onto the ground. Then two people lift the front of the car and wheel it away from the engine. Isn't that strange that after 50 years I can remember it like yesterday. I am now a subscriber.

[@OGSilverfox8]

Found this channel today and what a GEM it is. Subscribed after watching the VW GTI episode. Can’t wait to binge more episodes and watch future uploads.

[@monkeyroo8740]

Great project buddy, my grandad used to have one. Super imbarrasing back in the day, now super cool, mad isn’t it

[@keith-wg2de]

Had one in 72 on my bike licence. I managed to rip the drivers door off on the garage doorframe while leaning in the footwell, adjusting the carb and knocking it into gear! Also drove back from silverstone with a mate holding the cyl head coreplug in with a screwdriver after a rebuild, didnt realise you had to punch the centre to expand it....i eventually learned.

[@petesharp1459]

Ahh, the joys of working on Reliants. Undo the body bolts lift it off. Rebuild engine insitu and weld chassis as needed.

[@garethjudd5840]

"This time next year Rodney, we'll will be millionaires"

[@ChillToMusic87]

Silly bugger.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Evening Al. It’s fantastic watching you and your knowledge on things is awesome 👏 But best of all your humour tickles 🤗 me 👍🏻

[@jamessmith7691]

These odd little mechanical creatures are interesting. Good video.

[@nigelbryant5932]

I hope Colin appreciates all the effort.

[@caryknapton7233]

Old school....like you Al. was rebuilding old tractor engines (Perkins P6) at 14 back in the late 70's. Good to see you sharing the old tricks of the trade.Cannot wait for part 2👍

[@barrypowell5108]

Great video you remind me of an old fitter I trained with during my apprenticeship back in 1986 he was old school brilliant tradesman. Not many around anymore.keep up the good work

[@colinsmith6280]

I had one of these in 1972 I drove it on my motor cycle licence had a bench seat in the back so i could take passengers I bought for £250 it was very reliable and fun going round corners and easy to repair with fibre glass when i reversed into a garden wall ,then sold it for £300 .

[@johncallaghan4616]

Brilliant vid, Al, and very creative mechanics! You’re also racing towards 10k subscribers, so it proves that you’re giving us what we want! No issue with it being a two-parter, Rome wasn’t built in a Day! Really looking forward to the next one Keep ‘em comin’ JCHK

[@vernonmatthews181]

"39:42" Fire in the Hold ! ❤

[@johnmcmahon4364]

FANTASTIC VIDEO very informative, part 2 bring it on

[@timstradling7764]

“Lightweight racing chassis” had me crying😂. Love your vids and the commentary. Proper old schoo workshop practices 🤭😊

[@brentsmith5647]

Brilliant man love watching and learning thank you very ❤👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@darrenjones9504]

A proper hairy arsed mechanic 🤣🤣 Brilliant videos. Keep them coming 👍👍

[@kevin-roussos]

Brilliant video .

[@karldingbat]

The memories come flooding back. As i said, i had 1 back in 1987 and fitted a datsun 120y engine in it.

[@dodgydruid]

Used to be quite a few Reliants round here in north Dorset, a lady in East Stour had a hippy flowered one, an old gent down towards Marnhull had a couple, Vans in Gillingham have an Ant pickup and there was an ancient old girl in Mere who had a very sweet T reg MK3 Robin and of course my ol' beastie a van conversion MK2 Robin still in car hospital over in Wincanton. I've tuned mine up, leccy dizzy, high spec leads, plugs, race coil, inlet manifold dremel'd out, yellow top engine got 96mph screaming the nuts out of her on Zeals runway.

[@geordiepiper2615]

Love your show bro best mechanic Ive watched

[@nealjoyce8696]

Really enjoying this video Al 👌no problem being a two parter , as others have said great to watch a proper tradesman at work and not an ecu in sight, takes me back to my apprenticeship days 🙏🙏

[@nigelhabgood-hk7bv]

This has got to be your best one yet. Keep em coming.

[@anthonyturton8091]

Only the first reliants had Austin 7 based sidevalve engines , this has the reliant designed O.H.V engine with alloy block. good luck with it.

[@peterduxbury927]

Time for an electric motor and battery pack. Electric Motors don't sieze-up readily.

[@mrjed6912]

@@peterduxbury927 Just maintain your engine?

[@peterduxbury927]

@@mrjed6912 I did say that Electric Motors don't sieze - up readily. You switch the Drive to an Electric Motor. Which means (to me) that you don't have a petrol engine to maintain.

[@TheGaryET]

Al, I just want to thank you for the heads up on the Innotek penetrating oil. I’ve bought some for doing the brakes and shocks on my old Bedford CF camper. Every bolt, hose and union came undone without a fuss. Brilliant stuff!

[@UKVampy]

God this brings me back helping my dad with his Supervan.

[@johnrhodes7487]

Great video, Al. I'm enjoying see you next Sunday, mate.

[@simonking7164]

Great video again..from start to finish..

[@davidl83722]

If you look at the top of the cylinder head when you unscrew the rocker assembly. And remove it You will see some of the fixes holes in the block have threads at the start this is for getting a full threaded bolt and screw them evenly and the cylinder head will pull up has you screw them down. You must have full thread bolt's. Please I think you are a top guy. Kind regards David

[@donmurray3638]

Fleecy seat covers! Mine had those! It was tasteful racing green with a gold metalflake, though.

[@LifeofJoeJordan]

Ah wow watched the recovery of this on another channel! Bearded Explorer Recognised the number plate 😇 looking forward to seeing progress on it

[@mikeburnitt403]

Noooooooo, not the dreaded 2 parter!!!!!!!!! Another great video using many technical terms such as 'agricultural spec viciousness', brilliant!

[@adam-g7crq]

I remember once seeing someone filling the cylinders with boiling hot engine oil and left it for a bit seemed to do the job.

[@patoconnor7819]

Great videos of this guy looking forward to seeing more

[@iamthefatstig]

Bloody brilliant! Thanks for the heads up on the innotec deblock oil.

[@tombo1001]

great video!!! part 2 needed!! thank you

[@Mr_Fahrenheit]

Done loads of work on reliant supervan three’s over the years I had three of them at one time in the late 70s

[@richardhalliday6469]

Dropped on this channel by chance today - loved it, now subscribed!

[@jamesnash5365]

Great video. I had similar problems getting the head off but didn't have the facilities for dropping the engine. I ended up making a head puller for each side of the block which eventually did the trick!

[@jamescraven76]

not surprised its seized, and looks rougher in the flesh! looking forward to seeing it getting some hammeredge technical adjustment!

[@rastaralph7154]

I clean lots of old things like coins up with coke and vinegar but if it's the bubbles that works you could try vinegar and bi carb powder because it bubbles like crazy and they are both great for cleaning 👍💚💛❤️

[@kernowgirl53]

Just found your channel, love old cars 😊 was trying to figure out who you sounded like as your voice sounds familiar, then I realised if Jack Sparrow was fixing cars and not a pirate, you'd be him 😊 subbed

[@splatmanhooha4264]

True about Coke, I spilt some postmix syrup at work and it cleared rust on the fridge feet, it's fearsome stuff!

[@660einzylinder]

I knew a bloke who wanted to take the head off of a Reliant Rebel, same problem of corroded studs locked onto the alloy head. 'Loosen the nuts and turn it over so the compression lifts the head' he was advised. Long story short, he ended up driving to work for a week with no head nuts fitted...and still the head did not lift!

[@appleshankfilms869]

Ejector seat when you hit a pothole😂😂❤

[@raymondpearce5245]

Vid you have got great patience a great video

[@JohnSmith-dn6fk]

Best one so far to date👍

[@Ireland-bc2gx]

Great old school mechanicing👍

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Nice one Al as per usual mate 👍🙂👍 Very much looking forward to the next video 😮

[@andrewstones2921]

My first "car" was a Supervan III, I had a motorcycle licence at 17 and then winter came.. so it seemed like a good idea. They are bloody good little engines, and very reliable. Bit of a pig to drive at any speed or distance. I did 350 miles in it one day and I'd never want to do that again! Needless to say after I passed my car test I never drove a three wheeler again... but I'd love a Bond Bug, trouble is I don't think I'd fit nicely in one now.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

I hated my 1973 Supervan 3, visability was dreadful, had to undo the fixed seat belt to be able to see out back the drivers window, also more water ending inside than outside, it was like driving a 3 wheel full bathtub. until i discovered you have to stick on a plastic gutter to divert the rain from the doors. No synchro on 1st gear so like everyone else start in 2nd, burning out the clutch. Best Reliant i had was a 1990 Mk2 Robin estate, windows all around

[@andydawkins9640]

Awesome mate , my uncle had three of them as he only had a motorbike license, there brilliant little machines . It looks like one used in Mr bean programs 😅 . If anyone can get it going, you can . 🇬🇧👍🇬🇧👍

[@johnmichaelphilipguy-gibbe795]

Brilliant video can't wait too see the next one, un seized and running ?

[@grippingyarnsuk]

Can’t wait for Super Van 2 !

[@johnshaw4140]

Great job Al , BETTER mic please

[@dreammaker730]

Nice one, looking forward to seeing it running in part 4 😂😜

[@johnpriceuk]

Looking forward to part 2!!

[@peteking8911]

Best Channel on the Tube.

[@satbilla9291]

Nice and easy Al now, nice and easy 😊

[@robertsedgwick1629]

i was a little concered about you using a metric spanner on the oil strainer until you flipped it round into imperial mode 😲🤣

[@minimaxi802]

I'd love to drive a Reliant Regal Supervan for fun along Blackpool promenade today, but an ordinary one, not one that is yellow with Del Trotter logos.

[@LewiBuchProductions]

There’s only one sure fire way I’ve found to unseize a stuck Reliant engine, you’ve basically got to unbolt the big end bearing and press out the piston while it’s seized inside the liner, best way to do that is with a hydraulic press. Then use the press again to press out the piston once you’ve cleaned off some of the rust from the liner. If your lucky it might just need new rings, or worst case a new set of pistons and liners

[@Crosshatch1212]

Lol , I’m in Edinburgh evening news .in 1990, s due to my reliant Robin going up in flames on the road next to the commonwealth swimming pool .fire ,😮they go up fast.

[@kevinshepherd2917]

Was that janis on the phone for her Mercedes 😁. Enjoying the car vids. My Sunday morning watch. Thanks.

[@mondodaftasabrush]

Fairy washing up liquid was the nut cracker or paraffin out of the wash bath in my day Loving this salvage squad repair is this the new slot where the camper van project has left A lot of these got repowered by reliable Datsun lumps If Datsun stole the fibreglass idea I wonder how many would still be in preservation today

[@hoggmotorsport]

Enjoyed that one dude 👍 fitting a bike motor sounds like a plan!! Not sure Colin would agree 🤣

[@mikesmith-yc3os]

Awesome video

[@onemanup7895]

subscribed, cant beat a bloke who loves the hot spanner !

[@and3583]

I tell myself 0.3mm is really 0.15mm either side, feels even better that way

[@rustyrover3808]

Great effort, heat cures everything 😂

[@NapierNimbus]

Great video, good stuff 👍

[@clivehaggis1397]

Great watching

[@oldfart9806]

Back in the day we used to cut the engine cover out from inside and take the engine out through the passenger door

[@bettyourcampervan]

Love all your content 👍👍

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

I'd love to stick a little lister or something in one of these and daily it. But too pricey for messing around with now though

[@prawny12009]

More often it is the cam followers seized preventing the engine turning. Try pulling the plugs and removing the rocker shaft, soak down the pushrod holes then try turn it over. You may need to lever each off the cam with a crow foot bar to get them moving then tap them back down from above until the penetrating oil frees them off.

[@6DDIESELSDorset]

Definitely the pistons , 20 ton press was the only way 👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

Tell me it's not going to be painted yellow please ...

[@iangrindey4822]

fit a 1275 mini engine. fits straight in and uses the reliant sump instead of the gearbox.

[@kevinmordecai8930]

Got to be resprayed yellow 👍👍👍

[@oojimmyflip]

wait!! you need a 2023 hasmat suit, resporater, goggles and gloves to remove that old petrol its got lead in it 🤣

[@ShedTV]

What a great video! You have a new subscriber.

[@jonbell2305]

Chop chop with the next video. It's called a plastic pig for a reason. A pig to work on 🤣🤣 Great video shame it's a 2 part'er 😭😭

[@BITTYBOY121]

Only Fools & Horses !

[@keithsewell283]

i want one now

[@B.a.S.t.A.r.D.]

I hope that Robin doesn’t end up with diabetes 😂 Great stuff used it myself in the past 👍

[@mrjed6912]

Pretty sure it's an all alloy 700cc Reliant engine. didn't they stop using Austin engines past 1962?

[@stephenpowell5912]

Who painted Del Boys van Grey ? Absolutely Cosher .

[@JohnHonda101]

I changed the shells on mine back in 1983.

[@robertsedgwick1629]

i was given a lift in one of two lhd supervans made

[@nickb5391]

I've used the Coke idea many times, someone told me also try Power steering fluid & acetone or diesel

[@johnhughes3796]

Genuine Coca Cola too, no expense spared.

[@gtd65]

Must have filled the tank up with Coke in '86! 🤣

[@Tommo18]

That's the car the bearded explorer just bought lol

[@lukecoulson7470]

Could you turn up the sound ? :-)

[@davidgranger3628]

Easy to fix ,half an hour and you remove the engine so drop it onto a scateboard and push it out ,do not steam clean the engine or you will be wiping fog from the windows for weeks

[@petersutherland2075]

please do not paint it yellow....................great content as expected. Colin owes you a big fat drink .

[@articeddie5494]

What happened to part 2 ?

[@seanpower773]

Top quality content sir 👌 and so close to 10k subs 🎉

[@astravanmk2]

We used to use coke to unseize steel seat posts from Aluminium bike frames when I worked in the cycle industry.

[@grippingyarnsuk]

Love your videos. Any advice on diy SCR retro fit to get my old oil burner through mot ?

[@martynwatson4929]

Convert one of the sparkplugs to a grease gun nipple fitting and hydraulic the pistons down with the grease, grease guns make huge pressure, you may end up busting something though......