Introducing The Ghost Ship

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:18 pm Post subject: Plunder

Aargh, look at the fine precious metals I be pillaging!!

OK, they're just the propane feed lines - but they're out! Aargh!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

When I disconnected the propane lines from the fuel tank, I heard a little hiss! So there was something in there still holding. Encouraging! I had to take the propane tank out. The manual said to remove the front bolts but just loosen the back bolts and slide it out. But that wasn't happening, so I just took them all out, with a paint can jammed under the tank so it wouldn't come crashing down. Done.

Then, remember this?

I pressure washed the gunk and undercoat from the plate holding the propane lines in place. And after Liquid Wrench and beating on the screws with a screwdriver and hammer, those 6 screws came out with scarcely a whimper. Then pried the plate loose.

Then went back up to the kitchen cabinet and disconnected the gas lines there, and removed the clamps.

Then back down under the van, and by kind of rowing the gas lines, I maneuvered them out from down below, without having to bend them. Booty!

OK, and then remember the kitchen shelf? And the fasteners I couldn't figure out?

Just noticed there's a mouse turd in the photo. Oh well. Welcome to my world. Smile

Anyway, those are indeed shorty nails, so I used the same trim removal tool I used to pull the clips out of the sliding door panel, and pried out the nail, preserving the brown plastic grommet.

And then step by step unhooked things (took pics and labeled too). A few things needed the Liquid Wrench/hammer beating treatment. That final floor bolt was reaallly tough. But it finally gave up! And the kitchen is out!

And the carport is full of cabinetry!

All hail the Bentley manual!

Link

_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.

msinabottle · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:19 pm Post subject: Sheer Determination

That's more than I've ever dared try on Winston's interior. You're in the groove now. With sheer determination, boulders can become sand.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2656

LOL !! perfect u tube link ! Thanks. Your very good at making camper rehab entertaining. Laughing

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:30 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the encouragement!
_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.

mariusstrom · Samba Member Joined: March 29, 2010 Posts: 745

Looking good. The one spot I found a mouse carcass when I restored Otto the Vanagon back to good-as-new was above the headliner over the driver's seat. Make sure to pull that down as well, and wear a shower cap when you do...
_________________
Marius Strom Otto: 1988 Vanagon Syncro Westy Camper
[SOLD] Felix: 1967 Deluxe Beetle

ServantOfElwood

Jeez, why can't there just be ONE solution? Laughing

Decisions decisions
_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 8:41 pm Post subject: Finally I get to scrub!

But first, panel removal. They're pretty easy, aren't they? Just a few little screws holding them in place. Some needed the Liquid Wrench/hammer treatment. And behold! (in these photos I haven't removed insulation yet; the mice have done that):

Port side:

Starboard:

I thought I'd loosen the headliner and just take a peek to see if... well, shoot. OK, down comes the headliner (thanks for the warning of wearing headgear):

OK, now to get to business. Sprayer of soapy water, check. Dust mask, eye protection and rubber gloves, check. Shop vac and trash bags, check. And behold:

no pic of headliner insulation removal. But trust me, it's not there anymore.

I haven't seen ANY sign that the mice have chewed any wires. Thanks, I could use a miracle! That deserves a celebratory popsicle!

I also took the air compressor and blew out cracks and crevices. Spritzed some bleach water into the air channels - along the top, where the wiring runs to the back, and there's a couple of vents... and blasted that too. Does that sound right? Not sure what else I can do.

Then I got a steaming hot bucket of Citrasolv and water and a rag and started cleaning. And another bucket, and another, and another. Started at the back, and I've made it to where the back seat would be. It's so awesome.

Starboard side inside wall on top of rear fender. You can do surgery in it now! if you were a very small surgeon:

Not so much the port side Sad

There was a mouse nest really jammed in here. That probably did not help much.

you can see the rust on the outside as well:

So will probably get a dremel and a wire brush and knock that off, then paint some sort of rust-bonding paint on it.

But for now, it's scrubbing with Citrasolv time! Love that stuff, it smells like Valencia oranges. I can close my eyes and pretend I'm in a mouse-riddled, Liquid-Wrench-drenched orange grove Laughing

Was just trying to find a youtube clip of Bing Crosby saying "Sweet Valencia Oranges". I could swear he used to say that in his commercials.

The thing I will be pondering, as I scrub away in my orange grove, is the replacement insulation. I have read many wonderful threads here, with lots of different ideas. But I think what I'll do is just put fiberglass back. I know, I know, that's not too original. I might get some of that sound deadening stick-on stuff from GoWesty, and then put fiberglass in, and get on with things. Whatever it is can't take too much time or prep because I've got to get all those cabinets in the carport cleaned and back into the van. Will be raining before we know it!

Bing doesn't say "Sweet Valencia Oranges", but look, he's camping with a van!!

Link

_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.

16CVs · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:09 pm Post subject:

Great photo journal. The O2 sensor light is only actuated by mileage,it has nothing to do with engine operation.
looks like a great family Heirloom which should bring some great family memories for only a few hours of labor.

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.

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2656

you can get some sound deadener locally. I got a door kit of Dynamat at Speakerlab on Roosavelt. you going to use new fiberglass right ? not that old stuff soaked with mouse pee ? Laughing

you should find the mouse chewed wires when your trying to get everything running again. Rolling Eyes

maybe you could call your rig Algernon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowers_for_Algernon

excellent progress, keep it up Smile

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:20 pm Post subject:

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:26 pm Post subject:

aswah · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:05 pm Post subject:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-21/ju...navy#r=rss

dude, love your bus... pretty cool
_________________
WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

tarandusVDub · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:03 am Post subject:

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:54 am Post subject:

Very cool. Makes a bubble you can drive through. That would help with fuel mileage, I'll bet.
_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:03 pm Post subject:

JudoJeff · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:54 pm Post subject:

I am most impressed! Keep up the good work!
_________________
________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

djkeev · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 4:22 pm Post subject:

How to shut off the OXS light.......

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588690&highlight=oxs+light

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

oldhuldy67 · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:06 pm Post subject:

A clean ship is a happy ship..well done, Bristol fashion..and I can't smell the mice in your pics now. 😉

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:00 pm Post subject:

ServantOfElwood · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject:

_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal.


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Introducing The Ghost Ship
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