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Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:12 pm

Hello everyone,

So me and my gf have had a 1978 VW vanagon for a while now and we are finally ready to roll up our sleeves and get this baby running!

The engine cranks over and runs fine, I recently discovered an oil leak that I am going to search for tomorrow.

Other than fixing the leak, where should I get started on restoring her?

Anything cheaper/cost free that I should start with? if not what bigger things should I start with? Visual stuff is at the bottom of my list, also I've already taken care of all the rust.

Any help would be appreciated!

(p.s. I'm a full time college student so I cant go out and drop several thousands of dollars at once :P)

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:15 pm

First of all, you should stop calling it a vanagon. next, for us to tell you what to do, maybe some pictures or more information on your vehicle could be required.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:17 pm

The front flaps (vents) is a good place to start... Take the grill off, remove flaps put in new weatherstrip and reinstall.. No more hurricane thru the dash.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:23 pm

Have you been here?

http://www.ratwell.com/

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:24 pm

replace all the fuel lines. i recently bought a 1979 bus that runs great and had extensive engine work done on it, but had one of the breather lines to the fuel tank disconnect. so, i would start off by inspecting all those hoses and see what kind of shape they are in.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:26 pm

How's that for a warm welcome :roll:

Welcome!

Now, we'll need more info about your bus to give you any substantial advice. Pics help. Is the engine still fuel-injected? What do you intend to use the bus for (note: you have a baywindow bus, not a vanagon).

Do you own the Bentley manual? If not, don't do anything to your bus until you get one.

Have you changed ALL the fuel lines?

Do you have the tools to check your timing?

What is the date on the flexible brake line? While on the brakes, have you checked the front pads and rotor? Bled the brake lines?

Those are the basic things to start with when bringing a bus back onto the road.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:15 pm

Richard Atwell's BayWindow FAQ kind of lays it out methodically.

Before you drive to the Baja or the Arctic Circle, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the basics, get a Bentley manual and really get to know your bus. If you follow the FAQ you'll really learn a lot.

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

But yeah, a good inspection and/or replacement of ALL the fuel lines is really at the top of the list. It can be done with moderate skills and effort and could easily keep your bus from becoming another bus fire thread here on Samba.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:57 am

The entire break setup (lines, fluids, pads, etc) were replaced about 2-3 years ago from the previous owner. I'll get some pictures up of it later today, and I'll work on getting a manual. The bus runs good and the engine is strong, I've had a few mechanics look at it and there were no real 'major' problems. It was just recommended to me to start rebuilding everything to help prevent major problems. Just recently someone was moving it for me and during the drive they managed to mis 4th gear and went back into 2nd going 40-50 and now I have a nice sized out leak I'm gonna work on today.

Unfortunately this is 1 of my first VW projects, so wish me luck.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:05 am

Well, don't let that pal of yours drive it anymore :shock: start looking for leaks, wipe everything down good and see if you can tell what the sources are.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:35 am

Haha it was actually my gf's ex-stepdad?... he knew the back roads of where the bus was at the time so he offered to move it for me. ALso HAD to use backroads since the bus isnt tagged, titled, is load as hell from an exhaust leak, isnt insured, and brake lights decided to stop working...

Is there a specific Bentley manual I need? I see several different ones.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:43 am

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Station-Wagon-Bus...mp;sr=8-15

best price far as I know. and fast shipping!

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:51 am

Hmm, I was actually hoping to find one I could torrent off the web. If I can't find 1 that way, that 1 will work good, thank you Rustbus.

P.s. The weather is better today, so when I go to work on the bus, I'll get some pictures too.