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Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:15 pm

I located a very nice westy near my house, and was looking into buying it, and was wondering if i should look at anything specific? the top is in great shape, almost no rust, ANYWHERE. not sure about the engine compartment or what it houses. has a gas hearter and gas time gauge and nice interior/exterior. very nice
any helpful tips?
Stuart

Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:05 pm

Photo's? I Ching...

Look at the tires.. Load C min.. Lets you know the po knew buses.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:13 pm

Emeritusx wrote: Look at the tires.. Load C min.. Lets you know the po knew buses.

I disagree. I know plenty about Buses and you won't find load rated tires on any of mine. Let's not rehash the tire debate once again here, but the tires on a Bus certainly aren't an indicator of anything.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:33 pm

Stuartzickefoose wrote: I located a very nice westy near my house, and was looking into buting it, and was wondering if i should look at anything spesific? the top is in great shape, almost no rust, ANYWHERE. not sure about the engine compartment or what it houses. has a gas hearter and gas time gauge and nice interior/exterior. very nice
any helpful tips?
Stuart

read the bay window bus buyers guide? it's one of the sticky topics in this forum.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:38 pm

Check the typical spots for rust - battery tray, windshield lip, rockers, etc
Check for heavy bondo repair with a magnet
How familiar are you with air cooled engines? It would be wise to check the compression, have a look at the plugs while they're out, pull the valve cover and look for signs of overheating, check for oil leaks, see if the thermostat is functional, etc.
You could take along a jack and stands and check for front end play, brakes/rotors, etc.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:39 pm

VDubTech wrote: Emeritusx wrote: Look at the tires.. Load C min.. Lets you know the po knew buses.

I disagree. I know plenty about Buses and you won't find load rated tires on any of mine. Let's not rehash the tire debate once again here, but the tires on a Bus certainly aren't an indicator of anything.

What about old tires? I have tires from 2002 which are not used at all. There is literally no tread wear, no cracking or anything. I think I'll just use these.

And they're light truck tires, which is good.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:41 pm

Patayres:
Check the typical spots for rust - battery tray, windshield lip, rockers, etc
Check for heavy bondo repair with a magnet
How familiar are you with air cooled engines? It would be wise to check the compression, have a look at the plugs while they're out, pull the valve cover and look for signs of overheating, check for oil leaks, see if the thermostat is functional, etc.
You could take along a jack and stands and check for front end play, brakes/rotors, etc.

I didnt see any rust on the body, not a sctratch on it either, or a dent. the odo said 23 k on it, not sure if thats 123 or 23, the interior and exterior says its just 23, but ill double check. i have a 72 bus and a 71 super, and i know where rust can be, and most places to look. ill see if i can get a few pics.

the tires were either snow or mud tires. i will check the load rating.

i have to double check that its FI to, as i forgot to ask.

Stuart

Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:19 pm

Use this:

http://itinerant-air-cooled.com/viewtopic.php?t=7749

Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:39 pm

VDubTech wrote: Emeritusx wrote: Look at the tires.. Load C min.. Lets you know the po knew buses.

I disagree. I know plenty about Buses and you won't find load rated tires on any of mine. Let's not rehash the tire debate once again here, but the tires on a Bus certainly aren't an indicator of anything.

Lets see you disagree about the I Ching.....

I was being fa-fa-faci-facicous-facetious... Thats what I tell everyone... Hell its like asking how do I know I found a good woman.... Or what do I look for in a good dog...

Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:52 pm

My bus came with proper load rated tires. First time for everything. Doesn't mean much. :wink:

Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:46 pm

so ive been talking to the owners a bunch, hopefully gonna ick up the bus this week. he said he was thinking about around 300, and he was gonna throw in a 82 BMW 320I with 241K and brake problems (im just now thinking maybe ill use the power windows out of it....hmm....)

it is FI, has two batteries. i forgot to check the tires. and it has a title (always a plus ;))

ill keep you posted, and imma try to get pics uploaded later when i have time to figure it all out.

Stuart

Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:19 pm

$300?? that seems very cheap for a rust free Bus. Does the engine run? is it complete?

Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:20 pm

Good luck. For $300, you really can't go wrong.

Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:53 pm

ironically, this is my second bus and its the second 300 dollar bus. lol

i dont think they know what its worth. it actually was parked because the dual battery circut was messed up and it kept draining the battery and the old guy got fed up with it and parked it (not a very smart guy to say the least...:P)

stuart

Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:25 pm

Stuartzickefoose wrote: ironically, this is my second bus and its the second 300 dollar bus. lol

i dont think they know what its worth. it actually was parked because the dual battery circut was messed up and it kept draining the battery and the old guy got fed up with it and parked it (not a very smart guy to say the least...:P)

stuart

Just hope he doesn't get on The Samba. We all have different names in here. present company excluded :P. Peace!

Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:07 pm

i dont think they get email, much less samba. lol.

Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:27 pm

If you like it at that price then go for it. Being in the PNW you have quite a selection of nice busses to choose from. Dont get a hard on for the first one you see. :wink:

It pays to shop and get the best original bus for the price. Lots have been owner modded to suit them. Be careful. :wink:

Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:50 pm

WOW. thats really easy. i need to get more pics to put up. i have some more, but only like two of the inside and those are through the window.

Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:10 am

A few more pictures...i think im getting the hang of this... :lol:

So as im doing this, i did notice there is a SMALL amount of rust near the doors. i must not have seen it, no i will look for it when i see it in person.

also, i noticed a few dents, so hopefully i can talk the guy down a bit more. (wow, i am CHEAP 8) )

heres another

again

i am adding text

so that

the pictures

shrink enough

to view on more

normal sized

screens

hope

this

works

(!)

Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:17 am

the last three pictures i have. im going to try and see if i can get more pictures tomorrow of the inside.

Dads checkin out the bus...tonight he said he may want to buy it off me after its fixed...hmmm....

well, maybe i wont sell it that fast....but eventually, maybe. :)