Resurrecting Pippin - 1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Last edited by Himejii on Tue Jun 23, 2015 2:14 am; edited 4 times in total

I guess it's time to start a build thread.

Pippin has been in the driveway since Tuesday June 9th, and I got home Friday to meet her. It was already getting dark so I didn't get to see much. The first things that struck me were the mouse nest in the engine compartment and the mildew in the cab. That's probably a good sign, since it took me almost a full week to notice the spot that had rusted through.

Backstory: This camper has been sitting in storage for about 20 years. My husband recalls a conversation he had with his cousin, the PO: "Dude, life totally ends at 25." "No way man! Life BEGINS at 25!!" Well, turns out they were both right, respectively. So when Steven passed on, the van went into storage. Years passed, neither his brother or sister had any interest in some old hippie van, so it kept sitting. Eventually the barn owner wanted to burn down the building, and this triggered the "what should we do about the van?" discussion. Of course, they kept using the word "camper" and I had no clue they were talking about a VW camper. When I finally clued in, I was like "woah, what?! Me! Pick me! I'll buy it and fix it and oh please please!!"

Well that was all they needed. They hated to see it go to some stranger, and here's their niece(-in-law) beside herself for it. They decided that since they didn't need the money, we should have it for free, and use the money we would have spent buying it to get it safe instead.

YAY WHOOHOO WOOPWOOP!

So not only did I get a 1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile in pretty darned good shape, but I got it as a frickin gift!!! Am I not the luckiest gal on the planet?!

Their only "condition" was that I get it professionally ok-ed. Luckily we have Todd from Air Cooled Classics right in town. When it comes time for her bumper-to-bumper, fine-toothed-comb inspection, I know just the guy!

Before taking possession, I hummed and hawed about whether to get her running myself or just have it done lickity-split by Todd. I opted for the experiential route, and though I'm still having my doubts, I'm starting to make a little bit of progress. We'll see how much I feel like that when it comes time to pull the transmission. Apparently it doesn't have 2nd gear...

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

Here's the spreadsheet where I keep track of what I've spent on tools, parts, and service; as well as my own service record.
_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:48 am Post subject: Mouse nest removal

We started with the cleaning so we could see what we had to work with.

My husband, bless him, dealt with the mouse nest. I did the "ew ew ew" dance as he tossed dried out carcasses on the driveway. He informed me that even big tough he had trouble with it. I'll stick with my Physics, thank you.

Next, against my better judgement, we hosed down the engine and compartment. I'm still not convinced splashing a ton of water around is good for an air cooled engine, but he talked me into it and well, too late now. It does look much better, at least.

That's about as far as we got on day one. We opened it up to air out the mildew and let the engine dry. I apologized to the van for all the water. I hope he forgives me.
_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:48 am Post subject: Cupboard door latch repair

The compartment under the bench wasn't staying closed. I noticed that the little button wasn't popping out. I was going to see if I could muck around with the inside of the mechanism or else just order a replacement.

But when I started to loosen the screws, the latch sprung open. Crisis averted!

_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:48 am Post subject: He or she?

I seem to have assigned two genders to my van. Anything mechanical seems to be feminine and anything body and interior seems to be masculine. I'll get "her" running but I'm cleaning "him" out. </random brain dribble.>
_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Last edited by Himejii on Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:54 am; edited 4 times in total

Mostly I just took care of the mildew problem. I used a borax solution, 1 pt borax, 14 pts water, about 3 pts vinegar (whatever it took to get from the 14oz line to the top of the sprayer). It occurred to me later that borax is a base, and that's part of how it works, and that adding vinegar may have neutralized some of that. But it also works with the specific boron-nitrogen-oxygen--unicellular-lifeform-membrane biochemistry, and so I wasn't too broken up about it. But I digress (sorry, I can't help sciencing sometimes).

Before:

Sprayed everything down thoroughly, even the carpet which showed some signs of growth, and especially under the carpet and seat covers. By the time I got all the way around, the first section had been sitting 5-10 minutes so I started wiping with microfiber car clothes, cut down to manageable sizes. About 85% of the mildew came off the first pass, only the stubborn bits stuck around.

After:

I tried my solution on the black mould in the pop-up but no dice. I was hoping to avoid bleach. I've read that the tilex works, but I don't think that's any less noxious than bleach. I could try pure vinegar first, or over-saturated borax. Could also try peroxide, but I only have topical strength. It'd be nice to get some of the industrial cleaning strength kind. But it sounds like the bleach works with no elbow grease, and that's quite appealing. I guess as long as I do it first thing in the morning and let it air out, get a mask and wear some goggles, should be fine? Befores only for now.

_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

Himejii · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:20 am Post subject: Fuel and battery removal

Today we finally started the first steps toward getting her running. We started by siphoning the fuel. I know there are better ways involving fuel lines, but we couldn't figure out exactly which those were, and we figured siphoning was at least a start.

The fuel looked as you'd expect after sitting 20 years. We got out less than 3 gallons. It was still perfectly thin, not tarred or anything, but the colour was quite dark. There were some rust flakes at the end of the procedure, so I'm sure that accounts for the colour. Eventually I'll pull the tank and get it cleaned and recoated, but first I just want to get it started so I can get it out of the elements and into the garage. (Our garage is up an incline that's too steep for pushing. If I don't get it running by the end of summer, I'll put an ad on kijiji/craigslist for free beer & pizza to 6 strong bodies who can help me out...)

After removing the fuel, we poured in a little bit of fresh, rocked the van to rinse it around a bit, and siphoned that back out. I still want to figure out where to drain the fuel from the engine so I can get out every drop, but one thing at a time.

I knew there would be no engine starting without a new battery, so that was the second project for the day. I got as far as tearing the positive terminal ring in half (I felt like the Hulk, until I realized it was lead) and removing the ground strap from the van, as it was ridiculously rusted on to the battery terminal. I headed off to Canadian Tire to get some liquid wrench to work on that and the clamp, and the new positive terminal to wire in. I noticed replacement ground cables and figured what the hell, that's a lot easier than fighting with a rusty one, and it will make a better contact without all the corrosion around. And it's only $8. I also picked up a can of that oil you spray on rust, I forget the name right now. I figured I'd dose that around the rust spots. I know it's like throwing alcohol on a gangrene leg, but at least it makes me feel like I'm not doing literally nothing about the rust, right now.

Ok, so armed with my liquid wrench, I fought and fought with that battery clamp. Because I don't have the finesse to use an extender properly yet, I was all over the place. Finally I found a position where I could get some, any, leverage, and proceded to remove that bolt two ratchet clicks at a time, alternating arms. I'm just not upper body strong, and it was seriously rusted.

Eventually I got it free, took out the battery, and headed back to Canadian Tire. I also had gotten too short (9") of a ground cable the first time, so exchanged that (13").

While I was out I picked up an area rug for the interior and one of those more industrial types to make mats for the driver & passenger. My rug is still pretty good up there, but I want to keep it that way, and throwing more rugs on top seems like a simple way to do that Smile

I liberally sprayed the battery clamp with the oil stuff, but I think that should realistically be treated more aggressively. I'm thinking of rust converter and then paint? It seems really solid right now, and it's good practice for more "critical" components.

I was impressed by the fact that there's still paint in the battery tray. Not much, mind, but some is something, right??

_________________
1978 Canadian Deluxe Campmobile

poptop tom · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:38 am Post subject:

Wow! And free? What a beauty! That bus is super clean (well it will be soon!).

Mind if I ask what the mileage is?

And keep the pics coming!
_________________
'76 Deluxe Campmobile

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

Treat the battery tray area with some form of phosphoric acid to kill the rust. Osphos, navel jelly, POR 15, etc. There are many.

Once you install the battery coat the posts with vasoline before and again after you connect the cables. Remember to attach the negative (ground) cable last, as you never want to put a wrench on the positive cable when the ground cable is installed.

Do put replacing the fuel lines high on your list, even if they look good they are past their service life. Same with the brake hoses.

jtauxe · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:47 am Post subject:

You are doing great, and you have a phenomenal bus to start with. Your attitude is wonderful and your posts are funny. Ah, those heady days when the romance is all new and fresh and exciting! Keep it up.

So... things to consider. It's great that you are cleaning out the fuel system. I would recommend replacing all the fuel line components. Here is a great source for that:
http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16400

When going after the mouse nests, don't run the engine until you have checked under all the tin for nests. They sometimes like to build nests on top of the cylinders, which is hard to find and also blocks air flow.

Check to see that your tires are C-rated. They need to have light truck rating, so consider that before buying new ones if you need them. Read the tire sticky.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

Ludwig van · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:13 am Post subject:

Great to see another Westy on the prairies - busses of all types are getting pretty scarce in these parts. Here's a pic from one of our trips to the Canadian Rockies, which always included a stopover in Rosetown when my father-in-law was alive.

That looks like a very solid camper, and it's going to a great home. Cleanup is tedious, but elbow grease is one of the few parts that's available same-day in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

_________________
'78 Sage Green California Westy 'Ludwig Van'
Our iPad e-book "Camping With Ludwig Van"
http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/356253-camping-with-ludwig-van

Bala · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:20 am Post subject:

Love it! Glad you started a refresh thread!

A very diluted bleach water solution will clean the flocking on your pop-top. That is really very minor mold. After I cleaned mine I treated it with an anti mold spray, and it seems to be working. Obviously I wouldn't use bleach on the canvas to avoid discoloration. Do you know if your canvas original? Looks like it could be (no side windows). Anyway, a mild detergent/water should clean it up pretty easily. Simple Green and sturdy scrub brush will get your exterior top looking good again until your ready to paint or coat it.

That was a lot of "mouse house" in the engine compartment! Usually I'm a fan of just getting a new project running and enjoying it for a bit, but I would be pretty worried you have nests blocking everything up on the inside as well. Could lead to a destroyed engine pretty quickly. Might think about pulling the engine for a deep clean.

I wouldn't rush in on the transmission. Do the easy stuff first. Front plastic doughnut on the shift rod, coupler in the back and adjust the shifter. Maybe you'll have some luck!
_________________
1976 Westy

1966 Beetle