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Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:57 pm

The lower grille is just cosmetic :-(

The torn interior, I don't know. However I had it transported from the San Diego area to Sacramento with no windshield or rear window and it doesn't seem to have gotten any worse than the pictures.

I could use recommendations for the following:
Bearing grease - I'm inclined to use Castroil syntec
Rear speakers - will 6x9's fit above?
Hub caps - maybe some nice chrome saucers?
battery lid - ours is missing

Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:05 pm

Wow. Great find. The condition of the interior alone is worth what you paid. I'm quite jealous. My '81 is a junkyard dog's breakfast compared to that.

The engine looks like its going to need some TLC though. Just from a cursory look at the ebay photos:

From the looks of things, all of the engine bits are there, but they've likely fossilized. You should replace all of the rubber hoses: vacuum, fuel, intake runner, AAR elbow, etc. and the injector seals. Also the fuel overflow tank lines. Inspect the intake s-boot.

You have no cooling flaps. That's a problem. There is a 1980 Vanagon in the Newark Pick and Pull that I've been pulling parts off of (row #5 or so). The flaps are still on it. It may even have a thermostat. Grab that and the cable and pulley if it does. Try not to butcher the tin getting to the flaps.

Your oxygen sensor is missing, or at least isn't connected to the ECU. You will need that to pass smog.

Not really sure, but you might have a Federal-spec AFM. AFAIK, the Cal-spec AFMs all had blue covers. Check the part number against this: http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/technical/bosch/fuel-injection-info-vanagon-air-cooled.txt

Not sure if automatics came with a deceleration valve. Yours doesn't have one, but the signs aren't there that one had been ripped out, so perhaps you're okay there.

That's from a quick glance. Others will no doubt spot things I've missed.
Bon chance.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:02 am

while I have no first-hand knowledge, there is a vendor in Ventura offering (in Hot VW magazine) "restoration parts and accesories for Vanagons too!": www.airheadparts.com/vanagon 866-664-3724 "visit us on Facebook = 10% off".

Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:18 am

can you post some pics of your Beauty?

Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:13 am

I would vote for chrome hub caps and beauty rings. That look fits the era of your van - the air cooled era.

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=113601151

Not sure where to find the beauty rings. Someone here may chime in. Also, I read here that these hub caps from Bus Depot may rust, maybe not a problem where you are though.

Nice project. Fun.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:04 am

ljdavick wrote: The lower grille is just cosmetic :-(

That could be something someone added in the last 30 years, or it could be that your van started out life as a diesel model. If the latter is the case, you've scored more than you know. Diesels are exempt from having to be smog-checked. They are highly desired for that reason. Check your VIN to see what fuel type it was originally built for.
ljdavick wrote:
Rear speakers - will 6x9's fit above?
Hub caps - maybe some nice chrome saucers?

Ok, I think you need to sit back and re-evaluate things a bit here. You have a 30-year-old vehicle that has been sitting neglected for 20 years and you're worried about friggin' speakers and hubcaps? :shock: Please, look past the cosmetic and start thinking about taking care of the unglamorous fundamentals. You are planning to let your 16-year old daughter drive this thing. The car needs to go, stop and not catch fire while doing either. Fripperies like hubcaps should be the last thing on your mind.

Take care of the brakes (new hoses, fluid, and pads. Evaluate the hard lines, disks, calipers, master cylinder and booster, replacing as necessary). If it can't stop, then it has no business starting to begin with. Lives are at stake here! Don't go cheap on brakes.

Replace ALL fuel lines! There are enough warnings here on this list and elsewhere to clue you into the fact that these cars catch fire all too readily, and the most common reason is leaking old fuel hoses. It would be a criminal shame for this well-preserved Westy to go up in flames. Also, our fuel tank is very likely rusted inside, which will at the very least lead to drivability problems.

There's lots more. Don't be misled by the condition of the paint and upholstery into believing that everything else is as good. Make sure it's as mechanically sound as you can make it before handing the keys to your daughter, or for that matter, before you drive it yourself.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:51 pm

Fripperies rule. :lol:

I second the chromie caps and beauty rings, on black steel rims, it's a great look.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:30 pm

When you say he's missing the cooling flaps, what exactly are you referring to?

SlowLane wrote: Wow. Great find. The condition of the interior alone is worth what you paid. I'm quite jealous. My '81 is a junkyard dog's breakfast compared to that.

The engine looks like its going to need some TLC though. Just from a cursory look at the ebay photos:

From the looks of things, all of the engine bits are there, but they've likely fossilized. You should replace all of the rubber hoses: vacuum, fuel, intake runner, AAR elbow, etc. and the injector seals. Also the fuel overflow tank lines. Inspect the intake s-boot.

You have no cooling flaps. That's a problem. There is a 1980 Vanagon in the Newark Pick and Pull that I've been pulling parts off of (row #5 or so). The flaps are still on it. It may even have a thermostat. Grab that and the cable and pulley if it does. Try not to butcher the tin getting to the flaps.

Your oxygen sensor is missing, or at least isn't connected to the ECU. You will need that to pass smog.

Not really sure, but you might have a Federal-spec AFM. AFAIK, the Cal-spec AFMs all had blue covers. Check the part number against this: http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/technical/bosch/fuel-injection-info-vanagon-air-cooled.txt

Not sure if automatics came with a deceleration valve. Yours doesn't have one, but the signs aren't there that one had been ripped out, so perhaps you're okay there.

That's from a quick glance. Others will no doubt spot things I've missed.
Bon chance.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:47 pm

Slow Lane, you made me laugh. I have a box of parts from the bus depot with a new master cylinder, soft lines, wheel cylinders as well as tune up stuff.
I've been here before with my GMC Motorhome.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it all.
Now, about the fluff - Hub caps and trim rings are available from van-cafe. What about speakers and new stout bumpers?

Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:48 pm

Caps and rings.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:10 pm

Oh my that looks good!

Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:22 pm

subter wrote: When you say he's missing the cooling flaps, what exactly are you referring to?

There happens to be an active discussion on cooling flaps over on the Bay Window forum:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482607&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Or if you have a Bentley Vanagon manual, see page 19.2.

Hope that clarifies things.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:23 pm

Besides all of the items mentioned . I personally would go with Factory alloys which are always tasteful and good looking.
I would also put some factory power mirrors on wired up or not . If you do not want them powered for movement then just power them up with the factory defrost switch . Really nice on those cold mornings.
When re installing the glass ,don't use that old front glass . Buy a new Windshield . Glass is a wear item like tires and that old glass is probably way past its useful life.
What are your intentions with that big gaping hole in your dash ? looks like someone was finding a new use for a can opener.
Some quality headlights or at least some Sylvania Halogens are a must as well.
Other than that A nice looking rig , I really like the interior colors . very fitting for a van of that vintage.
Teach your Daughter how to change the Fan belt and how to change a wheel if she has a flat . My Mom taught me how to sew a button on ,clean up after myself and cook. Only seems fitting , these are basic things that may bail her out one day .
You asked for input and there you go. Input !

Stacy

Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:50 pm

Okay, so, cooling flaps are on the list. As for the windshield and rear window, we had the original's reinstalled. Once it's running I'll hope to drive behind a gravel truck ;~)
I don't know if the VIN means anything to anyone, but in the world of GMC Motorhomes it tells you a bit about the coach. This Westy's VIN is WV2ZA0251BH064146 for what it's worth.
My wife is worried about the flimsy bumpers and wants to put something stout on. I kind of like the Rocky Mountain bumpers. They are sold locally by Van-Cafe, so I could probably go take a look at them before buying.
First things first. I've got to do the bearings, brakes, fuel system, and get her under her own power. I hope she doesn't leak too much. Then the fluff.

Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:25 am

Because opinions are like belly buttons ,I am going to chime in here again . I have followed this thread from the beginning and was curious of the ultimate outcome.
I find it amusing that the wife wants more substantial bumpers ,which are not going to protect their daughter any better or worse in a crash than the stock units . And then they are willing to put an old piece of glass in . By the posters admission "he hopes to follow a rock truck" There is nothing that is used more and under appreciated than a good piece of glass . We all know about brakes and fuel lines and modern sound systems . But there is this feeling that if the glass is not broken that it is Ok . Old Windshields do not clean well when the wipers are going and will blind you when they are pitted and faded when driving into the sun and at dusk.
I have nothing to gain here ,but before I would put my daughter (if I had one) out in a thirty plus year old vehicle ,I would want her to have every advantage available to always come home safely .

Just stirring the pot

Stacy

Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:48 am

Stacy,

The flavors are melding nicely, a stir now and then helps the pot!

The original glass is in very good shape, and I am a big fan of Rain-X. The gravel truck was a poor attempt at humor.

Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:01 pm

I took a look under the driver's seat today and found battery cables. Now I've got a mystery to solve. How did the previous owner wire this old girl.

I finally got a good look at the engine compartment today and took some pictures. I think that if you click on the gallery you can see them, but I'm so new to The Samba I'm not quite sure how to include pictures.

I don't see any provisions for cooling flaps, or where they might be. The engine is enclosed in tin.

Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:13 pm

Larry Davick wrote: I took a look under the driver's seat today and found battery cables. Now I've got a mystery to solve. How did the previous owner wire this old girl.
Addition of a secondary battery is a fairly common thing people do with the camper to give themselves more "off-grid" power. It's by no means essential to the operation of your van.

Larry Davick wrote:
I don't see any provisions for cooling flaps, or where they might be. The engine is enclosed in tin.
The flaps should reside in the squarish areas of the tin toward the back of the engine (back is back, front is front. Flywheel is at the front end of the engine, fan is at the back end. This is rear-engined VW holy writ, as passed down by St. Muir) where they meet with the magnesium fan housing.

I've played a bit of a dirty trick on you, though. :oops: The flaps are hard to get to. You need to disassemble quite a bit of the cooling system to get to them, and before that you need to remove pretty much everything you see on the top of the engine. I would strongly recommend that you head out to the Pick and Pull in Newark, find the '80 Vanagon I mentioned, and spend a bit of time learning how to coax a VW cooling system apart. It will stand you in good stead when you have to put one together. It shouldn't take too much effort: I've already pulled off all of the fuel injection and ignition systems.

Or you could just see if someone on the Samba will sell you the flaps, but then you won't have the experience of having worked your way down to them, and it's better to make mistakes on an engine you don't care about than on one you do. Warning: the magnesium fan housing is quite easy to crack. Make sure all of the bolts are off, including the one fixing it to the oil cooler.

Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:48 pm

Congrats on your project. You will be super Dad. Air Cooled are great and I find rather simple to work on.

Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:22 am

Here is some more insight - I started out in pretty much the same mode as you are. I bought my 82 Westy as a project to be completed and used as a reliable camping/travelling machine.

I bought mine in the summer of 2005 for $1100. The body is solid with no rust, original paint, all camping gear in place except for tables. When I first looked at the van prior to buying it I was told that the battery was dead from sitting it ran rough, but all it needed was some tune up work, specifically that the AFM needed adjusting. Well, I did not know anything about these vehicles, but I am pretty mechanically inclined so I was not too concerned. I figured for the good price I could drop a new engine in and still not be in too deep. Obviously I did not want to have to do this, but I understood that it might be necessary.

Well it was - among other things. I will list the major ones for you so you have something to consider. Currently I have about $5K in the van which includes the $1100 purchase price. It is now reliable, however I am still fooling around with a rich running problem which occurs until it is warmed up. I will get that fixed soon, and then who knows what will be next on this 25 year old machine. However, I will continue to fix what goes wrong, because sooner or later it will be as good as new and for under $10K I will have a nice camping travelling machine that is reliable, unique, and may become somewhat collectible as they become less abundant due to the current bias against them. Also you can't be in a hurry as 67 HP is not much..

If your thinking is similar to mine then you should be happy with one of these machines. The fact that you started with a CLEAN RUST FREE SOLID body and undercarriage is the key to happiness here as you cant replace this. You can however, replace everything else.

Here are the major investments that I have made to date. At the very least it will give you additional things to consider when determining how much this project will require investment-wise.

Although unfortunate that the flaps are missing, you now have the excuse to pull the engine and check/fix everything that is needed. Also you can repaint all of the tin and other engine components while you have it out. You can pull the engine yourself with the aid of a good motorcycle jack or the like. You will have a lot of fun if you like projects, or you may be paying someone a fair bit if you don't like doing all this type of work.

I am stilling fooling with a rough idle and bad compression on one cylinder - 6 years later...... :?

Save the hubcaps, stereo, and fluff for last - as that is the icing on the cake :)

Good luck

Rebuilt engine top end
New Brake booster servo
Cleaned and services fuel injectors
new brake pads and shoes
new Vanco tires
new fuel pump/filter
new temp 2 sensor
new rubber brake lines
new fuel lines
Good used AFM
good used distributor incl points, plugs condensor,wires
new motor mounts
new exhaust
new valves for propane tank
new sink faucet
new external water hookup - Waste of money never use it - better options do your research
new clutch slave cylinder
new brake/clutch master cylinder
tables for camper
new poptop canvas
new poptop seal
vacuum and CHT gauges