TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:52 pm

Ok for the sake of prosperity and to introduce myself although I have been posting all over the place (Its hard to keep up with the Vanagon Forum) I never started a thread for Maria my 66

I never cut her, nor did I remove the bulkhead (in fact I want to build a tubular bulkhead to strengthen it back to VW specs)

I got her for 4K about 2 years ago, and have driven her some, but not like my other buses. I only have one leg and splittys are hard to drive with no ankle for the accelerator.

So I decide its time to pull it apart and put in a new clutch, get the gas gauge working and quit lurking on the samba and do some work..

Upper left bolt is kicking my ass... Late model engine with homemade stud thingy.. Oh well I will keep at it...

Here is Maria:

Maria first day home..

Side view
Undercarriage (POR Silver, still have to finish):

Smelt like mice

Inside after pulling the rot

New insulation:

FatMat and POR

Insulate and flooring:

Put the original (when I bought it) walls and cabinets back:

LED interior lights:

Inside:

Outside:

Side view, I replaced the broken scoops and broken wheel well trim, I cut neither.

Using it as my summer camper

Camper plate:

Engine:

Gauge set one:

Holes were there, so I filled them with these:

Close up:

Bolt that is killin' me:

Anyway Big changes coming this summer.... Gonna get her back into tip top shape So I needed a thread to document it all...

Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:39 pm

Emeritusx wrote:

I really like this set up. Looks period correct. It's nice.

Since this is an "introductory" thread for you and Maria, welcome.
Feels kind of weird saying that to someone with 1070 posts!

Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:46 pm

williamblanda wrote: Emeritusx wrote:

I really like this set up. Looks period correct. It's nice.

Since this is an "introductory" thread for you and Maria, welcome.
Feels kind of weird saying that to someone with 1070 posts!

Your right on that looks great but needs the oil gauge. I`m going to add that to my bus for sure. 8)

PS nice bus.

Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:53 pm

JEGGS is where I picked up those gauges, they have other antique looking ones too.. Even speedo if a person was to go that far

Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:24 pm

Nice looking bus!

Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:12 pm

Nice -- I met you at Mo-Kan a few years ago, and have seen you and Maria at a few swaps. Love your bus, man! See you around KC in the spring - Looking foward to catching up again...

-Marc

Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:01 pm

Emeritusx wrote:
Bolt that is killin' me:

...

that is a knurled pressed in sleeve. looks like someone used a vice grip to try and loosen it from the WRONG side. you need to loosen from the trans side next to arm that is part of clutch mechanism.

Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:29 pm

bill may wrote: Emeritusx wrote:
Bolt that is killin' me:
...

that is a knurled pressed in sleeve. looks like someone used a vice grip to try and loosen it from the WRONG side. you need to loosen from the trans side next to arm that is part of clutch mechanism.

After I felt that it was round I went and looked at the Thing engine and saw it was part of the case

On the tranny side though is a built in notch bolt holder so the bolt wont spin (older blocks had no threaded casing but used nuts in the rear (RIR) on the upper tranny bolts) So I cant get a socket on the GD nut. I can get a stubby 3" 11/16ths on it (open end) but I cant torque a 3" wrench hard enough to turn the weird ass nut/stud that the PO used.

Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:27 am

use a ratchet,a 12" or longer extension and a 17MM/11/16" socket and get it out of there. next time you can space it away from the trans with a lock washer/washer to clear the angle part around bolt hole. if not going to use a doghouse cooler you can remove the pressed in sleeve and use a nut at engine side.

Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:38 am

bill may wrote: use a ratchet,a 12" or longer extension and a 17MM/11/16" socket and get it out of there. next time you can space it away from the trans with a lock washer/washer to clear the angle part around bolt hole. if not going to use a doghouse cooler you can remove the pressed in sleeve and use a nut at engine side.

Cant get a socket on it... Like I said.. The socket walls are to thick to get on the nut because of the v shape knotch (see it on the Tranny side photo..)

Cant get a chisel up there... I might have to pull the trans with it.. Sure dont want to though... ANyway it might be warm enough today to try it again..

Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:30 pm

Here is what I am talking about... Pulled and ordered new heat exchangers so now maybe I can get a chisel on it

Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:42 pm

with the heater boxes out of the way i think you could drill straight through the side of the nut and stud using something like a 1/8 pilot and 3/8" to finish it off

Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:51 am

I like this too will it get damp when the vent is open? I have to replace my plate to weld up a hole perhaps I'll add this too. White faces look really good.

Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:40 am

My old voltage gauge had a water line on the glass - so I i,agine it could get wet. I have driven in the rain and that area was dry, but I suppose with the vent open and a good down pour.. But I really never use that vent, just crack the safari's for air...

Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:54 pm

Finally got warm enough to tackle this nut again... Got it... POS.. :)
PBlaster and a chisel...

Engine out:

missing dog house air tin

Now tank comes out next:

Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:24 pm

Isn't it like a major celebration when you can get those off. Good for you. BTW I like that silver por job on the chassis. Without getting too personel how do you shift into gear?

Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:56 pm

Linda Grunthaner wrote: Without getting too personel how do you shift into gear?
Mentally? or Physically?
Physically:

see the stick? -----.............................^
Mentally:

Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:49 am

I see one thing now after looking for clutches... The P.O. put a new style pressure plate on an old style throw-out bearing.. Maybe that was why my clutch always felt weird...

Looks like I have a seal leaking too...

Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:20 pm

Old Pressure plate:

Oil all over:

Gas tank out, and see the hippy hole... Damn..

Enjoying a sunny cold day:

Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:24 pm

Sun is out, still cold but I want to get things ready.. Started cleaning the block and noticed this:

Freakin' nuts are almost falling off...

There is like 1/4 inch slop in the crankshaft... Looks like that 1776 is nearer then I thought...