TheSamba.com :: View topic - Birth of a 1978 Trans-per

Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:53 pm

All right, now that I finished organizing all the tools and finally have a beer in hand, let's start posting what I did today. Hey Eric, here you have some pictures of the top installed so you have a better idea if you decide to do it. I finally finished priming the sunroof compartment and ended up pretty well

Then I finish painting it

Time to place the top (some pics are from the first time I placed, to make holes, that's why you see primer)

I know that the top was reversely installed (front on back) but that was the only way it can be appropriately attached, plus it looks to me that the back support is more useful at the front. Then later I installed the aluminum strips to joint the wood headiner
Before

After

That's about it, next in the list I got the replacement of the rear brake cylinders, they arrive tomorrow! Will see if I got all the necessary tools for the job.

Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:04 pm

That looks great!

Man, this is exactly what I wanted to see. Keep posting the pics as you do more.

How'd you remove all that rust from inside the roof?

I'll be PM-ing you for some other specific questions (if you don't mind).

Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:09 pm

Not at all Eric, keep'em coming. about the rust, I only can tell you that you need A LOT of patience, once you take all the structures/parts related to the sunroof use a big ass vaccum with a pvc tube extension to suck up all the the rust/debris/etc, at least the one it's loose. after that, stick a wire brush in a broom stick and wire everything up while vaccuming with the other hand. then breathe very deep and start priming!

Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:20 pm

right on ..no diss, its a hot bus

Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:15 pm

78'bus wrote: Not at all Eric, keep'em coming. about the rust, I only can tell you that you need A LOT of patience, once you take all the structures/parts related to the sunroof use a big ass vaccum with a pvc tube extension to suck up all the the rust/debris/etc, at least the one it's loose. after that, stick a wire brush in a broom stick and wire everything up while vaccuming with the other hand. then breathe very deep and start priming!

That's so simple, it just might work...

You've totally inspired me to get working on my pop top. Thanks!

Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:55 pm

Cool Elstrom, Good luck.

Planned to work on the brakes today, rain stopped me. :? Working without a garage is a nightmare!

Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:33 pm

Worked on rear brakes today, a little different from Bentley shows on the manual though (shoe retaining assy. not present)... Anyways, I replaced the cylinders and everything looked right, but during a test ride one wheel occasionally sound like the drum was slamming something (if I brake the sound stop so I think is the drum). Since this is my first rear brakes in a VW, I have to ask you guys, is there anybody who had that same situation that can provide some advice? I tighten the wheel pretty hard but it still make the GD sound... Any help?

Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:32 pm

78'bus wrote: I knew Randy a week ago , He was the one that sold me the small pop top :lol: , He's a great guy!

Who is this "Randy" that you speak of. And do I see that he has bus parts?

Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:27 am

Thanks for all the feedback on the drum noise I had, it was cause by an uneven adjustment of the brake shoes in one of the wheels. Jusphoto, the 'Randy' I am talking about has bus parts, he's located in Valrico. If you do a little search in the classifieds with your zip code you might find him.

Well, looks like an obligated break from working in my camper has come, I am heading in two weeks to the South Pole (yes, Antarctica!) as a part of a US marine research crew. So, good luck everyone with your respective projects!!

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:06 am

Good luck on the bottom of the earth. Stay safe and I'm looking forward to see what you do to your bus when you get back.

Sun May 23, 2010 8:20 pm

Hey Gang!

Just got back in town from the research trip to Antarctica here's a pic for those of you that are curious how it looked like...

This week I'm going to finish the curtain set I started a while ago, will post some pics as soon as I finish it.

Hey Elstrom, did you started your project (sunroof/pop top transition) yet??

Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:11 pm

All right, time to update you guys what I have done. Got to tell you this has been kind of a love/hate relationship these days. Got the courage to finally replace both side panels, these are some pics of the progress
The old ones

Then the new ones

Then the pushrod seal work, which has been a real PITA. I tried to gather all the info, specially from the Sean Bartnik website regarding how to change them. Took all suggestions, took a lot of time and patience, to then realize that the PO smashed one of the tubes end before entering in the right spot ( I do not even know how that thing somehow sealed). Good enough, a VW store closeby have one in stock, so I got it and finished the work. Torqued everything by the book, turn on the engine and no leaks!! But a Big FU@#$$ clattering in the engine. I just red from a previous topic that has something to do with calibrating the valves, so I will have to check on that later (I heard that if you have hydraulic lifters you may not need it, but what the heck!)

Anyways, thanks for hearing me, I guess I needed to vent...[/img]

Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:43 pm

Today I went back down the camper to see if I have what it takes to adjust the valves. Done, also check compression and find out that my type 4 is doing way better that I thought...
Cyl 1 - 120psi
2 - 115 psi
3 - 110 psi
4 - 135 psi

Bentley says that 28 psi or less of difference between your lowest and your highest means that your engine is 'healthy'. Are these good numbers? Also change plugs, got plugs from cyl 4 and 2 burning a more rich mix, with way more black deposits that 3 and 1. Is that something to expect when you have a progressive carb?

Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:23 pm

Some Pictures of the floor rust treatment.

Before:

During Cleaning and wire brushing

And voala!

There was a considerable amount of rust, but now I guess it will hold a little better until full resto! :)

That completes the floor paint, now to finish the wood work and start the fuel tank Powow... Will post picts later, I will remove the tank with the engine in, we'll see how it goes...

Tue May 22, 2012 8:24 am

Ghee! I even forgot I had this thread open. If anyone out there was hoping to see the pictures of the final job here are some. I decided after some thought to sell our Lulie in order to get into a Vanagon Westy I was interested in. So, here are some pics:

Home brew rack from EMT

Thanks again for all your help/suggestions! I will see some of you guys now in the Vanagon Forum!

Tue May 22, 2012 8:37 am

hey man, my first time seeing this thread, youve done some great work and your bus looks awesome. really excellent job on the sunroof rust and how you converted it. im normally a pretty stock kinda guy but i like what youve done and how you did it, your bus looks so much more useful than what it was before. i know you will enjoy it! :D =D> 8)

edit: ack! i must have missed you are selling it! o well =) i just got a vanagon too so i'll see you over there =D

Tue May 22, 2012 8:48 am

Thanks! Unfortunately, with a student budget I can only afford one toy at a time .... But very happy to deal now with a factory-installed camper interior!!!
Cheers!

Tue May 22, 2012 10:05 am

That turned out real nice!

Tue May 22, 2012 11:45 am

great job =D>