TheSamba.com :: View topic - Miami to Alaska Road Trip www.marcandeliana.com

Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:08 pm

I've read through some posts on the blog. As I was reading I was just curious how you two are fairing as far as the heat goes. Especially at night. Just carrying/drinking a lot of water? Using any fans etc?

Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:17 pm

You guys are living one of my dreams. I have a 79 Westfalia, but I also have a job and a mortgage, so I can't just take a month or more off from work. One day if I get laid off or something, I'm gonna take by Westy cross-country like you guys. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your web site!!!

Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:09 pm

Is checking the valves the same as adjusting the screw that controls the fuel/air mixture ?

How do we check the engine timing -- can any mechanic do this, or does it need to be done with special VW equipment?

As far as dealing with the summer heat at night, we have a small electric fan that we hang in the pop-top, that is connected to either the city power outlet (when we are at a campsite with electrical hook-ups), or connected to the auxiliary battery via a power inverter that we have on board. Today, we are camping up around 5000 feet, somewhere near Mount Rushmore, and it is COLD. BRRRRRRRR! No fans tonight, just curling up in our sleeping bags with the pop top screens all closed!

Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:37 am

exoticdvm wrote: Is checking the valves the same as adjusting the screw that controls the fuel/air mixture ?

How do we check the engine timing -- can any mechanic do this, or does it need to be done with special VW equipment?

The valves are the things that open and close on the cylinders to let air into the cylinder to create the combustion that drives the pistons. What the other poster was suggesting is to make sure your valve gap is set correctly. You will need a feeler gauge for this which can be picked up anywhere. I forget what thickness you need but if you don't have a Bentley manual you should pick one up to keep in your glove box. It is a lifesaver. It tells you everything you need to know about your bus.
Also any mechanic can check your engine timing but you could easily do this yourself by buying a timing light and a tach/dwell meter. This will also be explained in the bentley.

Here is a link to the book I'm refering to.
http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Station-Wagon-Bus...mp;sr=8-13

Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:23 am

.006 feeler gauge!! is used for valve adjustment unless you have hydrolifters.

A timing lite is a basic tool for a VW so pick one up. The two leads clip to the battery and the other lead clips to the number one spark plug. The lite will flash in time with the number one firing.
To set the timing one person revs the motor to 3500 rpms and the other shines the lite at the fan. You see the timing mark which needs to be aligned to the 28 degree mark Before TDC by rotating the dizzy.

Improper timing could be your lack of power....also improper air/fuel mixture setting...

When you go thru Seattle let's hook up and I'll tune the motor.

Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:59 am

Bleyseng wrote: .
When you go thru Seattle let's hook up and I'll tune the motor.

See, this is what makes the Samba Rock! Good People...

Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:31 am

yea that would be cool tobe apart of i would cruise up to seattle for that on...

Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:16 pm

This is really cool!!
I was born in Anchorage and have gone back to Alaska several times. One time as a kid (1 out of 7) and we all went up from LA in a '64 Ford Country Squire station wagon.
The Alkan highway through Canada wasn't paved at that time, and it was very dusty but senic - I can still remember that trip.
You guys have a blast and a Moosehead (beer) for me.

Greg

Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:06 pm

Thanks for all the tips! We're working on our 3000 mile maintenance as we speak ... going to check engine timing (with the help of some VW-AIRS folks in South Dakota), point gaps, change oil, etc .... stay tuned!

Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:54 pm

Here are more pictures, incase you haven't seen the blog. ENJOY!!!

*Entering Georgia, we visited tallulah falls, the biggest aquarium in the wolrd and, of course, a visit to the VW mechanic (you can see pics of other buses).

Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:57 pm

Another good pic of Valentina at Tallulah Falls

Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:55 am

I just went to read a few pages of your blog and it sounds like you guys are having the time of your life, very cool 8) .
Let me tell you those picture of the Bad Lands...WOW simply beautiful.
God luck on the rest of the trip and stay safe!

Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:28 am

If you are heading through BC and find yourselves near the Shuswap Lakes drop me a Pm. I'm a split bus guy but Bay's are always welcome in the driveway. Heck wouldn't be the first one to make our front yard a campground.

Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:02 am

Thanks for taking the time to put this web site together and posting all the great pictures. It has become one of my "must visit sites" before I shut the computer off. It looks like you guys are still having a great time together. Don't let yourselves get cranky. :lol: Snacks and cold drinks are always good to have on hand. Have a good day, stay safe, and please keep us less fortunate people in the loop. Rick

Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:21 am

:lol: Well looks like you guys are haveing a great time,looking forward on more pics,ill be checking back soon...and congrats on scoring a chick who doesn't mind taking a road trip in a bus, mine prefers the RV or toy hauler over the bus for most of our trips go figure... be safe bro..
a a big kudos from VTO

Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:17 am

You seem to be talking to Marc alone there... We may as well congratulate the Chicka Caliente :wink: for scoring a guy who has a bus! (That's what my wife did, too.)

Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:07 pm

My wifte and I made the trip from St. Pete in a new 1975 Westy in 1975 with every thing we owned.. Never left! Stop by we live 20 mi north of Anch. P.M. me and I will give you my adress and p#.. Kevin

Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:47 am

Oh lucky you having the time while the rest of us have to work. If you are near the Memphis area let me know.

Mel

Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:11 pm

If your bus is a '79 it should have hydraulic lifters so it isn't necessary to adjust the valves.
If the mileage problems are persisting try to find a VW shop and have them check the dwell and timing. Otherwise you could be having fuel infection issues.

Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:05 pm

ekimikem wrote: If your bus is a '79 it should have hydraulic lifters so it isn't necessary to adjust the valves.
If the mileage problems are persisting try to find a VW shop and have them check the dwell and timing. Otherwise you could be having fuel infection issues.

I don't mean to be rude, but the notion that hydraulic valves don't need adjustment is just plain false. And what is a "fuel infection" issue?

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html