MTNWSTY Build Thread

[MacFhearguis]

We bought our Landcruiser a few years ago to serve as our main camping vehicle, but now with two young children, and the *gasp* realization that 4wd isn't needed for where we travel, we started looking at different options.

First off was a 78 Chinook that was bought for $250, and after it sat for 6 months, sold for $250. Too much of a project. We wanted something to hop in and go.

And as fate would have it, we found out about an unadvertised Westfalia from a friend of a friend. The owner is extremely well versed in Vanagons, especially hi-top conversions and add to that he was just a plain awesome guy to deal with, and the price was right.

So, for $4,000, I got a 1985 Vanagon GL Westfalia, with a 4spd and 1.9 with close to 300k on the odometer. I also got all the service records for the vehicle starting in 1985.

Before I get to the pictures, just a bit of history. My family and I grew up camping in VWs all over the north west of this country. I guess it is just in our blood. We also made the move from MT to Flagstaff in a 72 VW bus, so it feels like we have come full circle.

Here I am(in the opening) somewhere near Flathead Lake:

And in the woods of Northern AZ:

So, this is my Westy:

As you can see from the previous photos, it was pretty damn dirty. After a quick wash, and using nothing more than a random orbital and some Zymol, I got some good results out of the paint.

As far as maintenance goes, I've replace the shocks all around with some Gas Grande unit from NAPA; a decent compromise between price and ride.

I've also added a 79" Camping Lab awning, mounted using some GoWesty brackets.

I went with this awning due to the good reviews in the OJ Awning test, and the fact that I can add a mozzy room or changing room later.

So far, we've had the Westy down to Sedona for an overnight camping trip with the kids. The Westy was everything we needed. My daughter did well. My 5 month old son did marginal; he did not appreciate waking up in a pitch black van, unfamiliar to him. Now that he is over one, he has a few more trips under his belt and does fine.

The van is also my daily driver as I have been averaging well over 18 mpg in the city, and it is just damn fun to drive.

I've added some Jack Bombay HD shocks and repositioned the ARGs to allow the use of an old NRS boat rack I had. Coupled with a Yak box, this was our set-up during fire season if we had to evac.

This was my last short overnighter before the big engine swap...a local lake named Ashurst.

As it sits today:

And the pile o' parts. The only hold real hold up was one bolt on the AC compressor. I had to weld a nut to the allen head side and remove it that way as the allen head stripped out...buggered threads were the culprit.

This is the replacement:

The only other things I've done were to replace the 73R rated tires with some BFG 195s, and to remove the stock fridge and store it away. I've got an Engel already, so I figured I'd use the extra space for all the clutter that comes with 2 kids.

So, the general purpose of this build thread is to document the Subaru swap, and anything else I ever get done. I doubt it'll be anything spectacular, but it gives me something to do. Thanks for looking.

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

What are you going to use for Subaru conversion parts? I think 85 was a great year. I like the tan seats and interior. As you found the 85's can be purchased for a reasonable price
_________________
Rocky Mountain Westy Inc.
www.rockymountainwesty.com
970-310-3441
[email protected]

The Splitzgauer build (when I have time to work on it and update the thread)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497133

[GrindGarage]

YES
Solid looking unit. Love that rear bumper. Get that suby lump in there and hit the road.
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-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

[MacFhearguis]

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[MacFhearguis]

And a goody from SC arrived yesterday.

I'm new enough to all of this that it took me a bit to figure out how the mount went together, and how everything bolted up.

This is my first engine R&R, and while I have experience replacing heads on older Jeeps and a general mechanical ability, this is the most in depth project I have ever done.

[candyman]

Here I am(in the opening) somewhere near Flathead Lake:

Anymore vintage camping pics of that split?

[GrindGarage]

I have a 97 single port. The smallcar header was fine. I went all smallcar. At the time RMW was not adevertising their engine carrier. I am getting some good vibration at dead stop idle. The subaru idles super low and seems to vibrate at just the right frequancy to shake your bones at a stop light, at least in my auto.
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-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

[MacFhearguis]

Progress for the day:

I'll try and find some more split pics to scan.

[levi]

Hey, as long as you've got that engine out, might want to check the 2 cam seals and the center crank seal for their color.
If they're black, easy to replace them now with the brown's. Those black ones "will" leak on you.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[MacFhearguis]

Levi,

I most certainly intend to!

Am I correct in assuming that the two pulleys(correct term?) with black seals are not OEM?

[presslab]

I think the OEM idler pulleys are made by Koyo. Can you read any markings on yours? I'm going to guess the black ones are OEM.

After using non-OEM idlers and having them fail after 20k miles, breaking the belt and leaving me stranded, I ponied up for the ones from the dealer, I think it was about $350 for the idlers and belt. Good thing my EJ22 is non-interference.
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1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

[levi]

All of the old suby 2.2 engines I seen at junkyards have the black seals, but when I've asked for seals at the stealership, they give me the brown ones that I want without my asking for them.
Did they change? Don't know.
As for idlers I'd use the double bearing black koyo. btw, careful not to over-torque those idlers, they strip internally very easily.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[ALIKA T3]

Brown is Vitton material,better.

Nice van
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[MacFhearguis]

Alika - Thank you.

Candyman, here are the only other photos I have at the moment. THe camo job was done by my Dad.

[MacFhearguis]

Regarding the idler pulleys; one of them is a Koyo brand, and it is the brown one. The others are NSK and are the black ones.

Given that I am already this far in to the build, I think I'll go ahead and replace them all for peace of mind.

Time to go place a large order of subaru parts!

Lastly, on the right side of the rear main, there is a plastic cover. I recall reading that this should be replace with the metal version if possible. What is the name of this part?

Thanks,
G

[levi]

oil separator cover, I think I've also seen written as an oil exchange cover.
btw, chester did a pretty thorough write up of all the details here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...ght=begins
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[MacFhearguis]

Got a box full of parts from Walker Subaru today:

After a shift at the ED, I'll start replacing everything I can!

Also, I had some issues with determining the MY of my engine. I had originally thought it was a 1995, but come to find out it wasn't. Not a big deal in the grand scheme, but making sure the harness matched, and getting the right info to people to modify the harness was key.

I found a post on Subaru board that made it easy to determine the year. You can find this number on the passenger side of the engine(front engine orientation), near the bellhousing attachment.

The 10th spot is a letter and this letter corresponds to the
model year as follows:
S = 95
T = 96
U = 97
V = 98
W = 99

Now, if you also have the ECU, and you double check the ECU against Mr. Weide's site here:
http://www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/Pending_Content...Lookup.txt

You can verify the engine/harness match.

[candyman]

[quote="MacFhearguis"]Alika - Thank you.

Candyman, here are the only other photos I have at the moment. THe camo job was done by my Dad.

Love this shot! The vintage coleman 425 stove, the weaved folding chairs, etc... I have my 67 outfitted with all period correct camping equipment, right down to the 4D battery headlamp that has a cord to the battery pack that fits on your waist belt. Love this stuff. What are looking through, one of those toy slide projectors? I used to love those
I love the vintage yellowstone county license plates too! I live in missoula, whatever happend to that bus?

[mariusstrom]