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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:49 am Post subject: Skogen, The Tristar Syncro, 3-day conversion live at Busfest |
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Hmmm,
This one happened without me thinking about it... no really it did!
It's a 1990 Tristar 2WD, 2.1DJ with an AAP gearbox in Black.
It's a project.
Body - It needs both rear arches... mostly because they've had plastic arches over the top which are now missing.
There is a lot of rust... everywhere apart from the roof! Drivers door needs replacing.
The engine - leaks oil badly... even when it's not running! Overheats although I haven't had it running long enough to find out why.
Power steering - doesn't work and leaks.
Brakes - atleast one front caliper binds and there's a fairly horrible fluid leak from the rear just above the gearbox
Handbrake pulls up almost to the roof!
Gearbox... shifts nicely (something good!) but the gearbox mount is dead
If it wasn't a fairly rare van... it would come to pieces.
The interior is all there but a bit grubby and the drivers seat needs a replacement base cover.
What to do... Audi V6 and Porsche 996 gearbox?
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD
Last edited by SyncroGhia on Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:53 am Post subject: |
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Sell it, your have too many projects....
Make the wife happy.
I only keep one or two vehicles as play things.
That way, I have the time to play with the wife, kids and cars.
In that order! _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:15 am Post subject: |
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I think you should do an actual Porsche engine this time. As a Porsche tech you should have no trouble overcoming the design flaws of the M96 engine, and it would be awesome to see an actual Porsche powered Tristar.
Kudos for saving one of the few factory black Tristars!
D |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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I know that it's a mess and that I've got more projects than I need but right now, I need something that I can shift greasy, heavy parts around in and still be fun to drive. Once this is running... This will fill that role.
Driving around in a Skoda diesel estate everyday is fairly sole destroying!
Whatever engine goes in needs to do 30 mpg or more. Whether it's a diesel or petrol (lpg) I don't mind but it must be reliable.
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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adyjoad Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2004 Posts: 28
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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Mike you're incurable! but I know what you mean about vehicles creeping up on you and trick you into becoming their new owner, it's happened to me 31 times.
Looks like it will be a cool truck when done though. I robbed the engine and box out of my Tristar a year ago and haven't quite got round to putting anything else in the hole yet.
On a more technical note, did you keep any notes on the wiring for the AAN motor? I'm just about to tackle it on my mates SA bus so if you've any pointers... |
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vweggie Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 219 Location: End of the road, Vancouver Island
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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SyncroGhia wrote: |
Whatever engine goes in needs to do 30 mpg or more. Whether it's a diesel or petrol (lpg) I don't mind but it must be reliable.
MG |
I'm very curious to know what petrol engine will provide 30 mpg or better in a Vanagon! _________________ 1990 Multivan 2.1 AT |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:01 am Post subject: |
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Sorry I didn't make that clearer.
The petrol engine itself won't be doing more than 30mpg but as LPG is about 1/2 - 2/3 the cost of Petrol in UK, it'll work out as an equivalent to over 30mpg in terms of cost.
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4015 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Hey Mike ,I met you at Van"Bus"fest in GB on the field . A cool color for a T star . did you buy it out of Sweden ?
Is it registered on the Tristar registry .
Stacy _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi Stacy,
Yes it's come from Sweden. Good to meet you at Busfest. A great Syncro turnout
I think it's already on the Tristar registry as it came from Patrik.
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12102 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:04 am Post subject: |
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Wow, congrats!
I wasn't aware that black was ever a factory color option. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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beelzibus Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2005 Posts: 300
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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Nice find Mike. It looks great in black, but then I think just about any vehicle looks good in black. I still have my A6 Quattro with it's low mileage known quantity 2.8 30V lump....... At some point I shall have to start breaking the car. |
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vweggie Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 219 Location: End of the road, Vancouver Island
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:48 am Post subject: |
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SyncroGhia wrote: |
Sorry I didn't make that clearer.
The petrol engine itself won't be doing more than 30mpg but as LPG is about 1/2 - 2/3 the cost of Petrol in UK, it'll work out as an equivalent to over 30mpg in terms of cost.
MG |
Ah ok, that makes sense. I've wondered about the possibility of converting to a EJ25 and running it on LPG. _________________ 1990 Multivan 2.1 AT |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:35 am Post subject: |
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Well last night was a bit of turn up.
After being afraid to run it up to temp, I did a quick test of the cooling fan - works fine.
Checked the water level - loads, doesn't need any more.
Started it up and let it idle while monitoring the temps with an infrared thermometer.
Apart from the fairly serious oil leak and the heater not working very well inside the van, it worked as it should and brought the cooling fan in and out as it should.
There was a little amount of air in the radiator which I bled out.
I think a flywheel oil seal and a service should see it being a slightly happier engine.
Maybe it'll be different when it's driving along the road but that's a way off yet.
The alternator light didn't work but checking the wiring, the idiot light wire had broken so a quick fix and all works well.
Oh, I've cut the power steering pump belt off as it was badly cracked and the system leaks like a sieve.
More as and when...
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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Pulling or tearing ligaments in your back doesn't make for comfortable times working on vans!
Whichever I've done, the pain isn't enough to stop me doing some stuff on the Tristar.
When it turned up, only the passenger door lock, right storage door and ignition accepted the key. The engine lid, the left storage door, both rear doors and drivers door were all seized or wouldn't accept the key at all.
So far, I've managed to free off the left storage door and right rear door locks.
I've managed to find a set of original VW hub caps so I can use the winter tyres that came with than van... Once I've removed the studs!
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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Jedi Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Cool California
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Nice score! Any black Vanagon or Doka is super rare. plus its a Tristar. do not sell. Try and find production numbers for black vanagons _________________ 1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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The plans for this Tristar include these wheels...
Obviously it'll be going a little lower before the wheels go on and that'll be only in the summer and for shows.
I can't make my mind up as to whether I want to put a complete set of big bumpers inc side planks or just leave it as per VW.
Interior ideas include the interior from the S8 that I just parted out.
I won't be re-trimming the original seats though, they'll get put to one side so it can go back to original. I've bought another Tristar rear seat which already needs a re-trim and use the S8 rear seat as a skin.
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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Update,
Having forced my neighbours to look at a rather rusty old van, I figured I'd tidy up the view if only a little.
The rear bumper came off and got straightened (large hammer!) And the tow bar removed.
Whatever this Tristar has been towing, it was heavy. The bar across the back is supposed to be straight!
Although not very clear in the photos, the tow bar itself was also starting to aim skywards.
As the centre is bent out, the side pieces (that run into the chassis rails) have bent in to accommodate.
I'll stick it in the press when I get a minute.
Anyone ever heard of a JQ engine code?
I've never heard of one so maybe a company in Sweden that rebuilt engines? Or some VW weirdness...
I dealt with the rear brake fluid leak... The left rear backing plate had seen better days, along with the wheel cylinder, oh and all of the rear brake lines!
It now has brakes again.
Last thing dealt with was to remove all the studs from the tyres... Over 90 studs per tyre makes for a laborious job.
Next is body work, front brakes, suspension... Where to stop!
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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Crankey Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2651
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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cool project ! |
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boof1306 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2010 Posts: 304 Location: MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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Love the black. Its gonna look cool once you black the lenses and wheels, oh and tint the windows and maybe black tube bumpers! Black on black with black highlights, excellent . I believe that vw symbol with the arrows around it means its is a factory rebuild. I haven't heard of the JQ code either. Maybe they were running low on stock and built some engines with new cases? We don't see rust like that in these parts, looks like a big job. Where do you find the time? All I can say is get it out of your system before the kiddies come along. Well done. Greg |
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SyncroGhia Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2009 Posts: 2458 Location: Highnam, UK
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:02 am Post subject: |
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Well the engine 'overheating' has shown it's face at last.
My coolant bottle now looks like my little sister is blowing bubbles into it through a straw
I've taken the plugs out one by one and found that it's Cyl 1 that has a blown seal.
The question is whether I can nurse it through an MOT to get it registered or whether that will have to wait until I put a different engine into it.
I'm half tempted to pull that side off and see if I can replace the seal without having to pull the engine.
I went down south this morning to seal a deal on some bumpers and this 1Z engine 'fell' into the boot of my car!
I wasn't planning on buying this but one of my friends bought it cheap for it's Turbo for his 1Z conversion as the Wastegate was seized. I got the lump with his old Turbo so have that to sort but the engine is very clean and complete with gearbox.
MG _________________ T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD |
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