How I learned to stop worrying and love the slow bus.

FlatfourFrenchy · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 5:48 pm Post subject:

I can't wait to play follow the leader in my westy. I have never driven it under its own power but I read somewhere in my owners manual that the top speed is 68 mph. Since I am never in a hurry to get to work in the morning I usually drive at 68 in my watercooled Subaru just to see how traffic on the interstate deals with someone going 5 to 10 miles an hour slower. It saves gas as well.
_________________
1971 Tin Top Westy Campmobile 70

beatles4 · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:42 pm Post subject:

7/1/15
Today's goal was to remove the passenger rear drum. It was on there tight, I mean real tight. My dad and I decided that what we needed to do was get some chain and bolt the chain to the drum via the lug bolts and bolt the other side of the chain to the 3 jaw puller instead of the jaws. I put the impact to the 3 jaw puller and bam. It popped off the drum like it was nothing. I also found out that the brake fluid reservoir is cracked and leaked out quite a bit of fluid. A new one needs to be ordered. I also found out that the passenger side e brake cable is broken.

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beatles4 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:16 am Post subject:

I sent various messages to people for their buses. I couldn't find the ad again but by this time I had the contact number so it was a null point. I guess this goes to show don't discount any ad because you never know what you will end up with. This is literally the worst craigslist ad I have stumbled upon so far.

1967250s · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 2137

beatles4 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:47 pm Post subject:

Found out why the doors don't open from the outside latch.

The trigger is broken.

I also found out that this is all that is holding up my passenger door. Scary to say the least. There is suppose to be a big metal channel holding it up most of the length of the door.

ping349n · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

Will be following this one closely. I'll be bringing my 69 deluxe home very soon an will need guidance as well.

t-hardwick · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:54 pm Post subject:

Nice bus. I have a 69 high top. Learning new things everyday. Will be following this one for sure.

Here's to skinned knuckles
_________________
If the vans a 'rockin' dont come a 'knockin'
If you pay peanuts, then you're going to get monkeys'

1975 Beetle

beatles4 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 10:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, the other thing I worked on today was the sliding door. I greased the hell out of it and it now glides easily and the latches spring open and close. My only issue now is that it almost seems to want to sag down and I have to give it extra force to close the back portion. I did some research and I am not sure but it looks like this is what I need. Does anyone else know? The door currently scrapes ever so slightly the frame that covers the tracks on the exterior while closing.

http://www.busdepot.com/j18875

Alan Brase · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 4:24 pm Post subject:

You need to oil the U-link on the rear hinge. Both ends. Very tough to get the inner freed up without taking off the cover which is a bit of a PITA. That u-link must move very freely. It's in the owner's manual, oil it often.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

beatles4 · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 6:13 pm Post subject:

I stripped one of the screws on that slider cover but I will try again and see about removing it so I can better oil the U shaped hinge.

Small update. I got the car titled today. I had a small issue because the title I had from the previous owner classified it as a motor home but the tag agency printed out my new tag and it declared it as a station wagon. The lady told me that it was automatically done by the computer. I had to have her manually change it back to motor home. For whatever reason I could not get her to issue me the vintage plate for a motor home, but I am sending off my original 1969 plate to Tallahassee to get my 1969 plate issued to my car.

beatles4 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:59 am Post subject:

7/6/15

I bit the bullet and bought a drum puller for the rear. That drivers side rear drum was seized. The drum puller should be here tomorrow so I can get on with the rest of the bus.
I am also picking up a new master brake cylinder and wheel cylinders along with new shoes. The "mechanic" told me that the brakes were done in the last few years but I didn't want to chance much. The rubber lines did look new so I am not replacing those yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0066PU1PM/ref=s9..._i=desktop

Alan Brase · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:09 am Post subject:

I think all brake hoses sold in the US have dates on them. OE ones and others.
10 years is the most I'd tolerate.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

beatles4 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 1:20 pm Post subject:

7/7/15

I went to Andres import part in Miami. They had more of the parts I needed so I snagged another parking brake cable, front wheel cylinders, shoes, master cylinder, and master cylinder switches as well as cork valve cover gaskets.

Hopefully tomorrow my hub puller tool gets here so I can finish up on the brake job and my other package containing both upper and lower master cylinder reservoirs will be here. With any luck I will have the bus able to make it to cars and coffee this Saturday morning.

beatles4 · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 6:08 pm Post subject:

7/8/15

Good news guys, I received my Calvan hub / pressed drum puller. It made quick work of the drum removal. It was so easy that I could not believe that it worked.

I finished working on the rear driver side brake. Now the bus has fully functioning parking brakes and both rear shoes are properly adjusted. Now to finish the front brakes and the master replacement.

I also replaced the bit of gas line that was going to a fuel filter between my fuel pump and the carburetor in the engine bay. Now it is just a single piece of hose. I need to poke around under the car and find where I can safely put that filter so it is at least useful.

beatles4 · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:16 pm Post subject:

7/9/15
My battery was deader than what my neighbor's dog leaves in my lawn. I
picked up a new battery. I figured if at one point the battery leaked and caused the car to need a new battery tray then maybe I should get an optima red top. That isn't a cheap battery, but the bus starts right up.

Link

BusPriest · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 10:22 pm Post subject:

Does that sticker say SMU on the back? I just graduated from law school there. Bus must have spent some time in Texas if thats a SMU sticker
_________________
1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest.

beatles4 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:24 am Post subject:

Previous owner had 3 kids who are adults now. One is in the Air Force, one is finishing up UF law school and the third because a successful banker. There is also a sticker that says "Gator Dad". I'm removing a bunch of stickers but il probably keep the save the Forrest one.

Bugdog67 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:13 am Post subject:

Enjoying this, and will follow your progress.

beatles4 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:58 am Post subject:

I drove the bus around my street just to have the engine running for a bit. Brakes are still not operational but the parking brake works well now. This was my first time actually driving the bus. It is everything I imagined it would be and by that I mean it was like steering a bath tub. I need a rubber duck for the bus now.

beatles4 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 9:26 am Post subject:

I bought a new speedo cable and I am working on installing it here.I think they sent me the wrong one for my 69. The old one doesn't look like the shaft is that long, but the old one also didn't work.

This is exactly what I ordered but I don't know if that is what I received or if perhaps it somehow seats down further a special way that I don't know about. http://www.eisparts.com/211957801F.html

If that is not the correct part, can I just cut part of the end off?
Also the new cable didn't include a new c clip. Does anyone know of the correct size C clip I would need or where I can get it locally?


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How I learned to stop worrying and love the slow bus.
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