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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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 Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:08 am Post subject: |
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Checked the CV bolts on Friday and all are still tight after 100+ miles. 
Also, Friday evening went to a local burger joint some may recognize from "Dazed And Confused" which was partially filmed around where I live in Austin. Just an impromptu meeting with some fellow trouble makers.
Pix courtesy of a fellow Austin Air Cooler.
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Another Texas VW Classic in the books!
Pre trip I decided to replace the spark plugs. Haven't pulled them since I've owned the bus as it runs so well. 
Another interesting T1 vs T4 comparison (ie an unwarranted reason some folks are afraid of the T4). At first glance it seems that the T4 plugs will be much harder to replace. They are under the tin and you really can't even see them. But with the correct tool (spark plug socket with rubber insert in place) they are actually easier than a T1. Anyway just an observation.
The old plugs. Those front ones look they were getting a little hot. But, like I said these are well over 3 years old and being run before I did some major tuning. I'm interested to see how they look now after a few hundred miles.
New plugs.
I didn't notice a difference at all, but the piece of mind is nice.
With the chance of rain in the forecast I decided to throw a fresh coat of Rain-X on the windshield (turned out to be a really good idea).
Met a couple fellow Austin Air Coolers for the cruise out to The Classic.
We ended up taking the long way through Wimberley, TX.
About 136 miles of rolling hills and just a few sprinkles. We stuck to single lane back roads and took it slow.
The Texas Hill country is really beautiful this time of year.
A pit stop in Wimberely.
Lucked out and got a really scenic spot in the swap area on a hill overlooking the park.
"Enjoyed" a few beverages. I took a chance on these to try something new and struck out on both.
Some major storms blew through on Friday and Saturday evening, so this was the view for several hours over the weekend.
And from the outside. I had to throw my tarp on the ground to prevent it from flapping around and destroying it's self.
I sold these sweet plaques I had made and got to see plenty of old friends roaming around the swap area.
And, by Sunday afternoon the weather was beautiful!
Left around 3 and took the quick way home, only 86 miles. Followed my dad until it was time to peel off to my house. 222 miles round trip.
Last little bit I scored these plates and will throw them on the next time I have to register my bus, or maybe sooner.
That's all folks!
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Tcash
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Bala wrote: |
Another Texas VW Classic in the books!
The old plugs. Those front ones look they were getting a little hot. But, like I said these are well over 3 years old and being run before I did some major tuning. I'm interested to see how they look now after a few hundred miles.
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Finding vacuum leaks with smoke (smoke test, tester)
Good Luck
Tcash |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Tcash wrote: |
| Bala wrote: |
Another Texas VW Classic in the books!
The old plugs. Those front ones look they were getting a little hot. But, like I said these are well over 3 years old and being run before I did some major tuning. I'm interested to see how they look now after a few hundred miles.
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Finding vacuum leaks with smoke (smoke test, tester)
Good Luck
Tcash |
Thanks!
It actually did have some major leaks around the intake boots when I got it, so that could very well have been the issue. I'll see how they look once I pull them again...
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Waves2day
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2008
Posts: 408
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Waves2day wrote: |
| Great seeing you guys at the classic. Thanks again for the front curtain! |
Y'all too! Enjoy it!
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Tony!
Scored some OG rear side markers and spares! I cant wait to swap these out with the junk aftermarket ones I currently have.
And an emblem! It's an original plastic "chrome" emblem, but actually feels pretty solid. I'm thinking about spraying it white, with plasti dip possibly. Anyway, more motivation to get that spare off the front...
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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1967250s
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Joined: May 02, 2007
Posts: 2137
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 9:44 am Post subject: |
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Looks like an emblem from a Thing or something else. Does it match up with the holes? Looks pretty small for a Bay, should be 7 1/2 inches or so for late style. If you want a painted one, why not get one that needs it? These nice parts are getting scarce. BTW, the silver edge markers are early style up to 72/73?? not sure...help??
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'72 Elm Green Deluxe |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| 1967250s wrote: |
| Looks like an emblem from a Thing or something else. Does it match up with the holes? Looks pretty small for a Bay, should be 7 1/2 inches or so for late style. If you want a painted one, why not get one that needs it? These nice parts are getting scarce. BTW, the silver edge markers are early style up to 72/73?? not sure...help?? |
Nope it's for a late bus. Pulled directly from a '78. Keeping this one because nice original front emblems are almost impossible to find (especially at the price I paid). I don't really want a new one that is cheap and will discolor in a year. That's why I said plasti dip. I can always peel it off later. Or shoot, maybe I'll clean it up and roll the chrome.
Silver trim side markers went up to '76. That's what my bus had stock. I like the black better. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for silver rear side makers for my stash, but will still run the black for now.
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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notchboy
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Joined: April 27, 2002
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Location: Escondido CA
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 8:32 am Post subject: |
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Well, it wasn't a "free" visit. He does handy man type work on his days off. So he was compensated. I did mention that I would be willing to trade light VW work on his bus as trade for some other tree trimming I need done. So that might happen.
That being said if you want to send me two for him, go right ahead. 
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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zoobum
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2015
Posts: 211
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:53 pm Post subject: Bus Restore |
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| Great work Bala, can't wait to see more of the progress. |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:02 am Post subject: |
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Thank you! Plenty of little projects in line, just need to make the time.
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 11:09 am Post subject: |
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This past weekend I went for a quick overnight camping trip to Pace Bend Park on the lake West of town. After all the massive Spring storms here in central Texas, the water level is back up to a decent height. It's been several years since you could actually swim at this park. It was in the mid nineties, but we stayed shaded under our "tarp town".  I may add a few more pictures from the digital camera later. Oh, and I got to try out my vintage sewing table. You can just see it next to the passenger's side door. It's size is perfect, and it fits in the back of the bus over the stock table. A $25 craigslist find. I'll post better pictures later.
Put maybe 100 miles on the bus. Drove great! The brake vacuum line came off on the way home, so my right leg got a workout. 
In other news my dad and I are working on a '59 that will hopefully take us on the Shasta Snow trip in 2016.
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Got away this past weekend for an overnight campout with my brother and sister-in-law at Krause Springs. Krause is a pretty unique place. It's privately owned and one of the best swimming holes in Texas! I grew up going here with my family many, many times. As the name implies it has several natural springs onsite.
A little blurb about Krause Springs:
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| Elton and Jane Krause own and operate Krause Springs, which is on the National Historical Register as an undisturbed midden, or Indian burial ground. Elton Krause used to live in Austin until he retired from the Austin American Statesman. The Krauses bought the land, which had been in the family for two generations, from an aunt in the 1950s. The aunt kept a hog farm there on 115 acres. The first thing Elton did was to remove the hog pens. Then he built the swimming pool, doing 90% of it himself. |
Didn't need many supplies for a 24hr trip.
Topped off the gas.
I left around 10am and neglected making coffee at home, so I stopped at a little coffee shop that I like and is also on the way. Thunderbird Coffee.
The bus patiently waiting.
Swung by the grocery store for beverages and food supplies.
Krause is about an hour West of Austin in the middle of the hill country.
I arrived a couple of hours before my bro, so I set up, relaxed for a bit, and had a cold one.
We swam, ate, drank, and met some new people. Seriously at least 4 people stopped by asking about the bus, and quite a few folks gave the thumbs up as they walked by.
Here is the spring fed pool. (these will probably get removed, just google image search "Krause Springs" if they are missing later) **edit, they were removed about 5 minutes after uploading, haha! I'll insert some from the interwebs**
Which spills over a natural cliff into a nice sized swimming area with a dam on the opposite side and a really cool rope swing.
I slept up top in the bus and it actually got chilly enough to need a blanket about halfway through the night! Woke up about 7:35, had some black bean tacos and watched the sun rise through the trees.
Then after a quick walk down to the springs I headed out and back to reality.
[/quote]
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Westy, my project |
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Replaced the oil pressure switch and that seems to have help with a bit of a leak I've been having. Still might need to do my oil cooler seals soon.
There was a small Veterans Day car show here at work and I came out with an award! For "Under Construction".
Rainy weather so it was held in the parking garage.
And this past weekend was NVMBRFST camping!
And the biggest news! I've commited to going on the Big Bend Bus Bash (BBBB). Departing the day after Christmas and getting back on the 30th.
Read more about it here:
http://www.aircoolers.org/v/showthread.php?44044-Big-Bend-Bus-Bash-2015-BBBB-Dec-26
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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silkvw
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008
Posts: 453
Location: Elgin, TX
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Westy, my project |
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Good job on the car show! Most 40 and 50 yr. old VW's are "under construction" it seems. You have done a great job on that bus!
Sorry I had to miss the camp out.
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'64 single cab Big Bend Bus Bash 2015 '16
'59 camper BBBB 2017 '18 '19 '20 '22 New Mexico
'70 Ghia........Bonneville,........TX Mile,........142 mph......(sold)
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