TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:13 pm

I have been wanting to show my newly acquired bus for sometime and now I am finally getting around to it. I am a newbie to the bus world, but I am learning so don't beat me up to badly. My parents were VW people, Mom had the Beetle and Dad had the Transporter. Not sure what year the Beetle was, but I am pretty sure my Dad's was a 73 since it had the Ravenna Green & Apple Green color scheme with the blue stripe. It was the bus I was suppose to get when I turned 16, but as things go we had to move and bus couldn't come with us.

**Side note: If anyone remembers buying a bus from Mesa, AZ in 89-90 for around $1350 with that paint scheme and a switch on the steering column that you had to flip on to start, let me know. I would really like to know how the Super Pickle is doing these days. Lots of memories in that bus.

Ok, so here's what I bought. Starting with the plate codes here is what I can determine. Info was found on www.type2.com (thanks)

32 250 250

The third digit (the first on the options plate) stands for the model year. Hence a 1973. Date on door sticker says 8/73 which I thought would make it a 1974?

010652 D32 027 508 707

Here is where it got a little difficult to figure out. 0106 leads me to believe it's paint scheme Orient Blue L53H and Pastel White L90D. The 52 leads me to leatherette alabaster (grey). I am not sure about this one though, because the seats are black and the headrests/interior panels are are a beige color, but could be considered grey (colorblind and the wife's not home to help me here). D32 was one set I couldn't find an answer for, the list skips this one. 027 shows Compliance with exhaust emission standards M 157/M 251 California F 214 2032 477. So I guess it doesn't spew out as much pollution? 508 shows with vent wing in sliding door and in all windows in the opposite side of panel. 707 just gives me ???. If anyone knows about the D32 and 707 please let me know.

34 5 7080 UF 2211 41

Ok, so it was made in the 34th week on the 5th day. So that shows me that is was completed or ordered for production (not sure which) on August 24th, 1973. I hope this means it was ordered on this date and finished the next week on say, a Wednesday. Not liking the fact that it may be a Friday bus, when the workers just wanted to finish and get out to the bar for a beer and the start of the weekend :D Couldn't find anything out on the next 4 numbers, 7080. The UF shows USA, port: San Diego, CA (?). And finally, 2211 41 shows me a 7 seater microbus with a 49 KW/66 BPH, manual transmission, and then gives another engine M code of 157/251 on the t2 site which I don't understand as well as and extra code of 147.

I think I did a pretty good job deciphering these with the help of the t2 site. Now the VIN has got me stumped. It is 2232250250. It doesn't seem to match up with anything I have been able to find thus far, but I haven't given up yet.

Now the engine is kind of why I bought this bus. After some research and of course a slew of differing opinions, I found that the 1700cc Type IV engine is considered to be a pretty good engine. Engine code is CB103117. I have read that the heads on this model are better than most, but again there are a lot of opinions. Also, with a lot of research and tracking of this bus throughout it's life, I am certain to 90% that this is the engine the bus came with and the odometer shows 41036 miles. Is there anyway to verify the engine to the chassis?

**Side note: Cool artifact on the inner side of driver side door. Sticker from Texaco showing the first oil change was done at 5276 miles on 7-10-74 and filled with Havoline 10/40 oil.

I paid $950 for the bus, which I think is a pretty good deal. The bus had been parked for 4 years when I bought it. The PO was a teenager who didn't take proper care of it. The story I got was low oil and it seized so it got towed home and didn't move again until I had it towed to it's new home. The body is in decent shape, only one bad spot of cancerous rust which will eventually need to cut out and replaced. The front pan is decent also, but has a couple small areas that will need to be cut out and replaced and one spot on cargo floor that will need to be cut out also and replaced. The cargo floor is wavy which indicates to me that this bus was moving some serious weight around in it's day. The undercarriage is in awesome shape, just a little surface rust which is another reason I went with this bus. 2/3 seat and rear seat are immaculate. One small rip an inch long on the 2/3 seat is all that's wrong, and even though the seats weren't installed when I brought it home, all the mounting hardware is still there. The only bad seat is the drivers seat of course, but it's only dry rot in the stitching so after I bone up on my sewing skills, I should be able to get it back together. The paint is good, but not OG like the PO said. It was repainted in it's life, but whoever did it matched the colors properly and did a quality job. If you haven't noticed, I am pretty happy with my find. A Cali bus for most of it's life, only here in Utah for 6 years, 4 of those sitting in a garage.

Here are some pics of my project. I am going to keep it updated as progress and time allow. I am open to any and all opinions and help.

Engine breakdown coming soon . . .

Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:23 pm

Nice! I have a 74 just like it. I'm working on getting the motor going

Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:09 pm

looking good. i like the color....

Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:01 pm

Looks like Fun!
Nice find!

Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:29 pm

Very solid looking bus. Nice Score. You just don't see such clean metal in Ontario Canada. Salt = Rust=Pain in the Neck!

Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:49 am

TWINS!! :D

Mines a 1975 and started out as a transporter too but over the years I've converted her into a Tin-Top Camper

'73-'75 buses are my personal favorite and you can't beat that shade of blue!!!!!! Welcome to the club! 8)

Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:30 am

lovin' the color...

Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:52 am

So I have been doing some more work on my bus. I am happy to see that the color is appriciated by those of you that have posted a reply. That was one of the main reason I decided to go with this bus. There is just something about the blue/white combo that I dig.

Well here is the engine. This is going to be the hardest part to deal with, but I am finding it's quite enjoyable, albeit frustrating at times. It seems that type 4 parts are not the easiest to find when you are on a budget.

Engine is dropped. Thanks to ratwells site for 20 steps to engine removal. Sure wish I had a removable apron. :cry:

Look ma, I got parts.

These carbon chunks might have caused a problem????? :? Can you tell
what head they came from . . .

Here is the cargo floor I decided to work on so I could take a break from the frustrations of my engine.

Before any work.

During the process of rust removal.

After the POR-15 treatment and painting with Rustoleum Industrial Grade Aluminum Oil Based Enamel. I know it's not original any more, but I think it looks really nice and I won't have to worry about rust for a long long time. The floor is wavy however, PO probably hauled so heavy cargo (or just a bunch of fatties) around.

Slowly getting somewhere on this project, and still have a long road ahead. My goal has been modified though. I was hoping to have it drivable by the first day of spring, but now I have to be realistic and now I am going to try and have it ready by the first day of summer.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:51 am

Nice Job, look's like you are having fun! :D

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:34 am

Oil...new/old..is a major cancer causing agent. I only point it out because your hands are covered thickly.

I haven't seen a pro mechanic without gloves on for decades. It takes a bit of getting used to...but maybe worth it?

Nice van.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:44 am

Good point, I was in a groove and ripped my last disposable pair of gloves and didn't want to go to the store and get more. But then again . . .

"Buying cereal, olives, potatoes, bread, almonds -- even prune juice -- at the grocery store soon might come with a cancer warning from the state of California" from site {http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/05/25/MNGD2CU9RA1.DTL}

. . . so I guess we are all screwed. :D

Good point though. Thanks

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:45 am

good progress... you are motivated!

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:45 am

ohhhh, and it's a bus krimpoo

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:49 am

Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:39 pm

Nice job! Hard work, but when that bus is on the road again it will be well worth it.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:36 pm

"ohhhh, and it's a bus krimpoo"

Oh...not in my world. Ford/chevy/dodge/vw..they all make vans.

Kids and transit riders get in buses....but i know what ya mean. I call them buses/vans/campers and whatever i can come up with...i try not to limit myself.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:52 pm

Hey, Last time I was in British Columbia I saw a sweet High Top Westy. Maybe a 77 or 78. I had a friend with me who thought I was nuts for going crazy over it. She asked me what was so special about it even though she knew I owned one. Even in B.C. you can call it any number of names: Combi, Caravan, Westy, Campmobile, Bulli, Breadloaf, RyeBread, Rolling Toaster.... I think we, the collective, can all agree these vehicles are Mobile Happy Machines. Everyone smiles when they see it and you smile when you drive it. What else could you ask for! 8)

Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:03 pm

Wow, I guess I can't laughingly give anyone a hard time without it turning into some kind of debate. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: (see, laughing) Not really wanting my resto thread to go this route, so I don't care what you call it, mine is a bus, yours is a van. :lol:

So anyone have any ideas on how to easily clean and strip down the engine tin without spending a year per piece? I am currently using a wire brush to get the big stuff off, then I am breaking out the wire wheel on the drill, then going to the scotchbrite pad for the harder stuff and finally media blasting with walnut shell to finish it off. It's working well and leaving me a clean and unblemished surface so I can't complain. It's just taking a long time. :cry: So any suggestions? I am a do it myself kind of guy and don't want to take it and have someone else do it.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:23 pm

Oven cleaner.
Nice BUS BTW, I really dig that color :D

Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:24 pm

Sounds like you have it well under control. My guess is that your "Sweat Equity" is going to pay off huge in the long run. I think continued elbow grease is the most effective and economical way to get the job done. The floor looks great by the way.