TheSamba.com :: View topic - So what did you do for your bus(es) today?

Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:35 pm

Covering the oven cleaner or paint stripper with plastic wrap or aluminum foil will make it work better. It keeps it from evaporating so fast.

Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:22 pm

Changed the rear plates for a set of adjustable ones to get rid of a little bit of rake I had going back there. Best part with this plates, no more disconnecting axles to take the wheels off.

Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:20 pm

installed original sway bar , bus handles way better now

Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:54 pm

today i bought complete s0-42 westy interior from local san diego contact wow

Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:22 pm

Today, I learned that the P.O of my bus assembled the spindles wrong! grr so irritating!

Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:51 pm

My new passenger door arrived (Thanks Corey). I think I got really, really lucky on the paint fade. It's not spot on perfect, as you can see but it's a damn sight better than the one that was on it (top pic). The new door, like the bus, has some blemishes which make it the perfect door. (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic)

And installed it a couple of days ago:

Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:14 pm

Yesterday we ventured out into the snow for a photo op.

Then we loaded up onto the trailer and went to town for a wheel allignment.

I love how mechanics react to these old vw's - you'd think it was from mars or something. "You won't find the specs in the computer", I said, "but I have the Bentley manual here for your use"...blank stare....it went alright, only took 4 hours....

Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:49 pm

Are they 17's? Look pretty good :-)

Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:28 am

Phil Dowling wrote: Are they 17's? Look pretty good :-)

Thanks Phil - they are 17x7's with a 5x112 late bus pattern, late bay dics up front and bay drums in the rear. I can't wait 'till spring to drive her!

Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:30 pm

I just removed the choke on the left from the carb in my 66 kombi. The little hook was worn off ,so the choke did not move the part on the carb that it should. :(
The last couple days the bus has been hard to start and not wanting to idle till it warmed up.

The choke on the right has the little hook at the end of the spring.

I have never had one do this before.

I installed a good one.

Wed Feb 08, 2012 6:09 pm

Wow, I've never seen that before either and I just looked through 20+ used chokes about a week ago.

Wed Feb 08, 2012 6:54 pm

did you find the broken piece in there somewhere?

Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:57 pm

mannys66 wrote: did you find the broken piece in there somewhere?
lol, didn't even look. Just sick of it not idling, so did a little tinkering. Is that what driving w/ dual carbs is like?
FWIW, we put 14,000 miles on that bus last year.

Perhaps I should have greased the replacement choke hook, to keep it from wearing through.
:idea:

Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:24 pm

Clara wrote: mannys66 wrote: did you find the broken piece in there somewhere?
lol, didn't even look. Just sick of it not idling, so did a little tinkering. Is that what driving w/ dual carbs is like?
FWIW, we put 14,000 miles on that bus last year.

Perhaps I should have greased the replacement choke hook, to keep it from wearing through.
:idea:

In my experience, dual carbs warm up quicker since the aluminum manifolds sit right on top of the warm heads. No icing issues from the long intake runner.

Not sure that regular grease would last long next to that hot choke element. Maybe high temp brake lube would work?

Sun Feb 12, 2012 1:37 pm

Decided to build up an engine or two from scratch.
Sick of buying engines and having them crap out.
At least if they crap out now, its my own damn fault.

Borrowed a Portatool align bore kit from Don D'G.
Dissassembled three engines to get one decent case.
This one has not been machined since new, it had original 65mm case bearing journals. I cut them "one over" to 65.5mm for bearings 1-3 and 50.5mm for #4 at the engine rear.

The Align bore rig installed:

After the cut:

Looking into the belly of the beast:

Case halves, SHINY!:

So now I ordered a complete rebuild kit from MOFOCO, including remachined crank and cam, new jugs, pistons, connecting rods, bearings, seals, etc.

Next to get the case cleaned thoroughly.

I'll be installing the NOS single port heads I purchased, also from Don D'G. a few years ago.

We'll see how she runs.

j.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:01 pm

The first time I saw an engine align bored was last year. I had a 1641 built from the Valdese boys in NC.
You're off to a fresh start, just as good as new.
Please post feedback & pics of your rebuild kit, I'd love to check it out.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:12 pm

Pulled the engine, got rid of all the chrome stuff, replaced heads, checked rings, pistons and cylinders, replaced clutch disc, fitted and installed all original cooling tin including D/H shroud with flaps and thermostat, installed breather box to control crank case pressure and then re-installed the whole assembly back in my bus.

Also just wrapped up a couple of cabinets for a camper interior.

It was a great day.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:24 pm

Jerry wrote: The first time I saw an engine align bored was last year. I had a 1641 built from the Valdese boys in NC.
You're off to a fresh start, just as good as new.
Please post feedback & pics of your rebuild kit, I'd love to check it out.
This is the kit I ordered. $399 plus shipping.

Its the best deal I could find. I'm not affiliated with MOFOCO, just a customer.
I like the idea of a German rebuilt crank rather than a Chinese or Brazilian new one.

Kit includes:
New 85.5mm Piston & Barrel set
New Elring 1600cc Volkswagen air-cooled engine gasket set (Made in Germany)
New Brazillian push rod tubes
New Brazillian main bearings
New Brazillian rod bearings
New Brazillian cam bearings
New German Flywheel seal
Reconditioned German OE crank
Reconditioned German OE rods
Reground German OE cam
New Lifters
New Oil Screen
Fits all Volkswagon air cooled 1600cc engines

Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:01 am

mannys66 wrote: Changed the rear plates for a set of adjustable ones to get rid of a little bit of rake I had going back there. Best part with this plates, no more disconnecting axles to take the wheels off.

Nice springplates!
Where did you buy them?

Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:18 am

j.pickens wrote: Decided to build up an engine or two from scratch.
Sick of buying engines and having them crap out.
At least if they crap out now, its my own damn fault.

Now you're talking!