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Making 1 from 2 - my new bongo project

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:41 pm
by thomp1983
Hi all,

Long time lurker, rare poster here. In March I'm about to embark on a new bongo project which I thought I'd document here (not sure if this is the best section, feel free to move.)

viewtopic.php?t=78632

Thats a link to my original introduction thread when I entered bongo ownership and also contains an update of what I'm planning.

The short version is I bought a rusty bongo did nothing about repairing it for 3 years then I've just bought a solid bongo with a broken engine so I'm putting the engine from the rusty one into the other one.

IMG_20260123_113222.jpg
That's the rusty one there, looks quite deceptive but drivers sill has gone completely all, the way up into the main floor.
IMG_20260115_141158.jpg
That's the engine and box out of the rusty one, it took me and a mate 5 hours to remove but I was rather brutal in cutting anything that didn't want to come undone, I will need to be alot more careful with the new chassis which means it'll be alot longer.
IMG_20260123_130945.jpg
The rusty one making it's final journey.

Re: Making 1 from 2 - my new bongo project

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:56 pm
by thomp1983
IMG_20260123_125427.jpg
Screenshot_20260123_212048_com.ebay.mobile_edit_304533101146760.jpg
Screenshot_20260123_212128_com.ebay.mobile_edit_260428599928490.jpg

Enter the new bongo, she's got a few marks but given the age I'm fine with that.

I plan to remove the broken engine and box in March, this will be followed by a good look at the chassis which. I'll do any necessary repairs on and under seal.

The new engine and box will go in and then I should hopefully be good to go for the summer, I kept a few bits off my old bongo that were in better condition so they'll also get fitted.

I'm currently building a service shopping list for the donor engine which comprises the below,

Timing belt kit,
Water pump,
New valve cover gaskets,
Cam and crank seals,
Air/fuel/oil filters,
Spark plugs,
Thermostat,
Low coolant alarm,
Self bleeding kit,

Most of that will be fitted to the donor engine whilst it's out the vehicle as access is so much easier, I also plan to remove the transmission and get as much old fluid out of it as possible including the torque convertor.

So as you can see I've a bit on but I've alot less on outside of this now unlike before when I was still building extensions.

Thanks,
Chris