RocketBox |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:21 pm |
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I've been on here for a little over a week and learned a ton! I've wanted a vanagon (really a westy, but...) since i was in 7th grade and rode in one. I've always thought they were awesome but for the last 7 years have been on a volvo kick. Last year alone i bought, fixed, and sold 4 volvo 240's and have gained a ton of mechanical experience and confidence... not only for me but my wife. I've rarely encountered an issue - meachanical or electronic or otherwise that i havent been able to fix - which has really helped me with the comfortability of owning older vehicles. Anyway - i picked up my vanagon at a local thrift store... they have a dealership permit and keep their non runners in a back lot. i talked with the dealers for a while, but ended up getting a pretty sweet deal on my 84... $350 for it out the door. i think they were tired of just seeing it sit out there. here's what it looked like when purchased:
my first thought was to at least get it looking decent. I didnt want my wife walking out the front door every day and seeing a POS, all dull and sitting there, reminding her of her husbands foolish quest, so i waxed her up, substancially improving the curb appeal, and really getting the neighbors behind my efforts. First evening washing and waxing I had 3 different neighbors come out and check it out, at least showing some encouragement of the efforts. My neighbor next door actually has had 3 vanagons and is pretty helpful to get feedback from... anyway, here's what she looks like waxed up... a HUGE improvement!
Meanwhile my 7 Year Old son and I were pulling the parts that were laying in the middle of the van when purchased. I wasn't sure why the hell an engine was completely pulled apart, laying in the middle of the van in pieces, i bought it at the cheap ass price not knowing anything... We needed to get an idea of what we had, and what we didnt have.
Here's the pile O parts we had laying there:
We tossed together a cart we could somewhat get an idea of what we were dealing with |
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RocketBox |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:56 pm |
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so we put a mobile cart to keep everything somewhat organized and see what we could piece together...all the rods and piston heads were there, 2 heads and valves were there, the block, dizzy, intake manifold and fuel regulator, air filter box, and most of the exhaust... looked like most of the engine was present and accounted for:
i did notice that we were missing the muffler, but i dont think thats too big of a deal. One night when i was doing some work on stuff - my neighbor came over and was checking out the crankshaft... i still wasn't sure why the hell the thing was pulled apart - when he started looking at the shaft - noticing that it was pretty gouged up and one of the connecting rods was pretty pitted out - so we concluded that a main bearing was spun and that was likely the cause of the engine disassembly. So at least i have an idea... not i am looking for a local crankshaft and 311b rod as i think that would be more cost effective than having the current shaft ground and the rods as well...
Here's a look at the seating and middle of the body all cleaned out. I've gotta say that these vans are damn spacious...
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syncromike |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:13 pm |
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RocketBox wrote: 350 for it out the door. i think they were tired of just seeing it sit out there.
LOL, I saw that van for a couple of months and was wondering when someone would pick it up. Unfortunately I'm already backed up on projects or I might have jumped on it.
Good luck and welcome to the insanity!
Mike |
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RocketBox |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:23 pm |
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One question i have got - is the heater unit that is mounted overhead a stock thing? it seems like alot of heating capacity for a vanagon. there are coolant lines running up the pillar, so it looks like a separate heating unit in addition to the rear heater. eventually i would like to get a Z Bed in place of the rear seat and use this as our Camomobile in place of out tent trailer. I do love our Bethany compact trailer, but it would be pretty sweet to get this configured to sleep 4 somehow and not have to tow anything. in addition to this - i have a company that rents out thule/yakima/packasport cargo boxes - i'd like to (after it is running solid) use this as my fleet vehicle, delivering cargo boxes to clients. I imagine it with tinted windows and our logo RocketBox Rentals.com spanning the length of the vehicle...
I think i have a crankshaft and rod lined up - the Boise, ID area seems to have a number of VW oriented shops. RMF is pulling a crankshaft and rod for me tomorrow - hopefully they have one in good workable shape. generally - copared to my volvo 2.4L turbo whiteblock - the engine seems pretty great to work on. I did the head gasket replacement on that and it sucked! i really like the option of just dropping the engine and having access to everything fairly easily. I kindof wish it were a 2.1L engine, but that might come in the future - if the vanagon is as cool as i think it will be.
upon the recommendation of the parts dudes at IPS (import Parts Specialists) here locally - i used Laquer thinner to clean off the block - it really cleans the hell out of stuff and readily removed any grease and buildup...
Next u[p - pending RMF's rusults in finding me a crankshaft and rod - will be weighing the acquired rod to see if it weighs +/- 5 grams of the other stock rods and then begin the reassembly process. We'll see how it goes as this is the first engine rebuild i've ever done, but seems like a pretty good one to start with. |
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RocketBox |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:29 pm |
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SynchroMike - that's funny - i feel the same way - i've probably got too many projects in the hopper too, but if you can buy a vehicle you've always wanted for such a good price, i thing you should go for it. there's always house projects, livestock (we have chickens and dairy goats), and a ton of other thigs - but the enjoyment i get ouf of just chilling in the non-moving vanagon is well worth it so far. some of our friends already think they need one too... if you already have a westy or synchro or vanagon, i don't think i would've gone for this one, but for me the pricepoint was there and i do love projects! |
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WedgeAntillies |
Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:00 pm |
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Your overhead unit is not for heat, but rather Air conditioning. Some one with more knowledge on the specific unit will be able to let you know if it is original. Most of the stock ones I have seen have a tunnel that runs from front to back on a tin top. :) |
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Steve M. |
Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:28 pm |
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It would be to your benefit to have one of these:
http://www.busdepot.com/bentleyvv91 |
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RocketBox |
Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:09 pm |
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yeah - i've got the Bentley's. Awesome book. since getting the van i've spend countless hours looking over the pages. Good news - in my search for a crankshaft - i found a rebuilt engine ready to be installed from a local vw repair shop. price is right - about the same as if i were to have the crankshaft ground and the rods done... ready to bolt in. Prior to that, i'll be doing the fuel lines. I was going to also be looking into replacing the coolant hoses - but upon going under the van - i saw that it already had the pipe upgrade done! I love how clean the undercarriage is on the vanagons! |
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fleet_maintenance |
Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:04 am |
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Happy to read that you have found a motor to swap in. When I read the first post in this thread and looked at the pictures, I thought for sure this was for sure a belated April Fool's thread at best, trolling at worst. I had a snarky reply typed, and my finger(cursor) was hovering over submit. Prudence dictated I look at your 28 earlier posts...and found out that you were serious! (Snarky reply immediately deleted.) Looking at the pile of parts in the van did not give me high hopes.
As mentioned by others, having a good motor to swap in will give you plenty of time to build the original motor, should you so choose, and to enjoy your van while you do so.
More power to you. Enjoy! |
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bluefirefly |
Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:17 am |
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RocketBox wrote: yeah - i've got the Bentley's. Awesome book. since getting the van i've spend countless hours looking over the pages. Good news - in my search for a crankshaft - i found a rebuilt engine ready to be installed from a local vw repair shop. price is right - about the same as if i were to have the crankshaft ground and the rods done... ready to bolt in. Prior to that, i'll be doing the fuel lines. I was going to also be looking into replacing the coolant hoses - but upon going under the van - i saw that it already had the pipe upgrade done! I love how clean the undercarriage is on the vanagons!
Smart move instead of trying to rebuilt something you are not sure exactly why it was apart....
So, fuel lines to do and engine to put in.... should be driving in a week or so... :lol:
Good luck, have fun and enjoy it with your family. It seems your kids love it already! |
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RocketBox |
Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:09 am |
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yeah - the build doesn't look that bad, but getting the crankshaft ground and some other stuff would have been more $ than this engine.... soooo. I'll be picking it up today or tomorrow and them maybe slapping it in this weekend - i hope... |
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fleet_maintenance |
Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:58 pm |
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updates? |
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RocketBox |
Sun Apr 13, 2014 9:20 pm |
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Well - went to check out the possible engine but passed on it. It looks like I would have had to tear that one down as well so I figured I might as well start with the one that is torn down already. We have a new crankshaft and rod on the way. Once that comes in we should be able to start the building process. In the meantime we've been enjoying the vanagon as itnis, sitting in the cush seats and having evening beers and chats. |
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RocketBox |
Thu May 22, 2014 9:57 pm |
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Ordered a vw yoke. Found out my engine stand was the wrong size so I then had to locate apipe that would fit the yoke. Had that welded with gusset to the stand - making a double barrel stand to aaccommodate a 2" and a 2 3/8 yoke. Got the engine half case mounted and then got the new crankshaft and cam shaft in time and set into the case half mounted wuth new bearings all around - along with cleaning out the oil galleys with carb cleaner and air. Mounted the dizzy in time according to bentleys. At this point I think I am ready to join the case halves together. I l lan to use the reinzosil that came with the gasket kit. Cleaned the case half surfaces again.... I think I am all set for tomorrow night. |
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morymob |
Fri May 23, 2014 4:12 am |
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That is fact ac style thru early 85. Keep it, haad 2 84s this style and after clean up and red tec all worked well, did u have a compressor?.If not mentioned now is time to replace fuel lines, 4 a start u got a very good deal, like the color combo too, have fun.Dont forget brakes, after sitting u might as well replace rear wheel cyls, calipers may work ok if pistons not stuck, Flush all old fluid out 1st, as 4 mster and clutch??? |
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morymob |
Fri May 23, 2014 4:13 am |
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That is fact ac style thru early 85. Keep it, haad 2 84s this style and after clean up and red tec all worked well, did u have a compressor?.If not mentioned now is time to replace fuel lines, 4 a start u got a very good deal, like the color combo too, have fun.Dont forget brakes, after sitting u might as well replace rear wheel cyls, calipers may work ok if pistons not stuck, Flush all old fluid out 1st, as 4 mster and clutch??? |
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geo_tonz |
Fri May 23, 2014 10:26 am |
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RocketBox wrote:
Looks like you are missing the tunnel from the rear to the front vents. If you are not into getting the AC up and running you can pull it out pretty easy and get a much more open-feeling in the cabin and an easier walk-through:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=532758&highlight=
I have read that this AC system is no great screaming hell even when working properly, but no personal experience.
Someone might buy it off you too...it is a parts van after all!
Also consider this as a cheapy airflow improvement for the rear passengers:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=557567&highlight=
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=311 |
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RocketBox |
Mon May 26, 2014 10:04 pm |
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Still on the fence about the a.c.. having drove sone volvo 240's in the summer with no ac - I know its possible but Boise in the summer hits 100+ pretty regularly - so ac is pretty nice to have. I think for now ill keepb it in - no ac pump as of yet, but perhaps in the future. The lines are intact back to the engine bay.
Tonight I sealed up my case halves. Relieved to have that done. Time for the next phase...
here's the dry fit so i had an idea of which studs were within the water jacket and which were out.
Here it is after joined together - and at rest for an hour... wanted to see if thigs still spun freely so i put the pully on and gave it a turn... so far so good.
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RocketBox |
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:42 am |
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Ive got yet another question.... working on getting the sleeves with pistons into the case....
question 1 - is the sleeve position correct? I cant tell from b entleys which way the sleeves go. There is one site with the writing on jt, the other with just 2 tabs - one at each corner. I have it oriented with the writing facing inward... is that correct?
Question 2 - I have the new seals on the sleeves - do I need any sealant? Yellow goop? Or is it ok with just the reins seals - black one on the bottom of the sleeve, green one on top. |
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Steve M. |
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:53 am |
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I've got the air duct for the A/C if you want it.
I removed my unit because it didn't work from the P.O. and these do not have a great reputation for working. It was also in my way and I want to be able to go from drivers seat into the back without killing myself!.
If you changed the AC compressor for a later version that was designed for R134 you might have better luck with it as most try to convert it up from R12 and from what I have heard the compressor was not able to get the most out of the R134 like one designed for it.
I went to a rear mounted unit from a 1990 Vanagon. |
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