TheSamba.com :: View topic - What would be the first job you would do?

Mon Mar 18, 2013 2:01 am

Hi,

I´m new to "The Samba" forum. I´ve been reading through the forum gather titbits and general information. You guys are seriously obsessive! I´m almost put off buying the the thing. It would appear that your spending every living moment tinkering and showering your buses with every last shiny cents and pennies. I was just reading an extensive topic on best practice for removing after market paint jobs back to the original paint, dings and filla??? Hours upon hours of total dedication. I take my hat of to yah! Crazy obsessive people yah!

Well it´s too late to back track now I´ve gone and done the deal.

So my question to you is this.... What would be the first job you would do if you where to start all over again with your new arrival?

Mon Mar 18, 2013 2:40 am

Nice starting point. I'd make myself known on DSK.com to get some local help in Australia. Then I'd just take out the crappy taillights, change the soft brake lines and brake fluid, flush out the carby and drive that sucker. The rest will change with time and necessity. By then you'll be in love with the old girl. Looks like it might be an old PMG bus (post master general - now Australia post).

Cheers
Dale

Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:44 am

Yes nice start, myself I would address any problems with the brake system. Lines, shoes, MC anything that wasnt working properly, and front bearings. And while I was up under the front end check and adjust the link pins and lube the front end ( Hopefully the front end parts are in decent shape). Drain the trans and reduction boxes refill with clean oil, drain engine oil check and replace the fan belt. Check that the lights all work as intended brake turn and stop lights. OK thats the first day :shock: then I would get rid of the rear tail lights and those front blinker things. Then after lunch I would put all of the missing glass in and then reward myself with a long shake down ride to reveal any problems for day 3. :D Just kidding, well kind of.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:55 am

I'd do everything already suggested PLUS change all the fuel lines and check the fan intake for varmint nests.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:35 am

awesome ! Lets see a photo with the topper up, please.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:36 am

#1. Get it running.

#2. Get it stopping.

Everything else will just follow, but running and stopping will have you enjoying it while doing the rest of whatever it may need as well as what you want to do with it. Good luck! 8)

Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:43 am

pyrOman wrote: #1. Get it running.

#2. Get it stopping.

Everything else will just follow, but running and stopping will have you enjoying it while doing the rest of whatever it may need as well as what you want to do with it. Good luck! 8)
Couldn't have said it any better.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:55 am

Sweet! Is that a dormy (does it have belly pans?)

1) Since it's already wet, and on the trailer, I would wash the crap out of it. Every nook and cranny, underneath etc.

2) Dry it out/bring her inside.

I would probably deviate from what the rest say here. Check out the rust situation, fix the rusty stuff. Strip her right down. Paint 'er up. Then do the mechanical stuff.

All the while obsessing about where to find the dormy stuff :)

Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:55 am

Would depend on a number of factors.

What is your plan?? Total restoration that will take years in your garage, or just drive it now and work on as you go??

What is the history of the VW and can you really trust the DPO's word about it??

Are you going to drive it around town only or do long high speed road trips??

Problem is with these old VWs is so many DPOs and mickey mouse mechs have had there turn at them over the decades that anything could be wrong, wrong, wrong.

Plus stuff just ages. Met a fellow years ago who had just pulled a bus out of a back yard where it had sat for eight years. We told him he needed to go thru the brakes and suspension, he told us we did not know what we were talking about. A week later he was calling us looking for parts due to one of the front wheels had bearing/s seize up and shear off the spindle because of the grease was so old and non-lubricating. It was quite exciting for him to have the wheel and spindle half come off the VW at highway speed....

Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:10 am

Cuñado Wear wrote: pyrOman wrote: #1. Get it running.

#2. Get it stopping.

Everything else will just follow, but running and stopping will have you enjoying it while doing the rest of whatever it may need as well as what you want to do with it. Good luck! 8)
Couldn't have said it any better.

Also agree with that, as it falls into my Karma theory of VW repair. "fix a go part and a stop part will fail" and " fix a stop part...." well you get the idea.

Gordo.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:12 am

dawerks wrote: Sweet! Is that a dormy (does it have belly pans?)

1) Since it's already wet, and on the trailer, I would wash the crap out of it. Every nook and cranny, underneath etc.

2) Dry it out/bring her inside.

I would probably deviate from what the rest say here. Check out the rust situation, fix the rusty stuff. Strip her right down. Paint 'er up. Then do the mechanical stuff.

All the while obsessing about where to find the dormy stuff :)

I don't think that is a Dormobile. You can get Dormy stuff from Dormobile in England.

Looks like a really cool camper. I've been diggin' weird campers lately.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:43 am

First, congrats on the new bus...looks like its in pretty good shape. Does it run? Is it driveable? How long its been sitting may determine your to do list.

Wash it well, then take as many pictures as you can and post them here. Since it looks complete and at least close to being a driver, I'd get it running, driving and stopping before anything else.

It's more fun to drive a bus with weird taillights than to look at it in your garage with correct ones!

Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:57 am

I have no idea what the laws are like in Australia but you might want to check with your local authorities and make sure it is registered in your name and you have legal title to it. There was a bus here in the U. S. that a guy totally restored and then found out it had been stolen decades before. The insurance company claimed the bus and he was out a lot of money. It would be a shame to put a lot of money and work in it and find out you couldn't get it registered or keep it for that matter.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:20 am

Get the fuel system clean and safe and fire resistant. No fuel filter after the fuel pump. Safety wire the fittings on the carb and fuel pump.
Get the electrical system working, clean connections etc.
Adjust front suspension, bearings, grease everything
Check braking system, replace flexible lines, flush
Change oil in engine and gearbox, top up steering box
Get rid of those awful taillights!
Get and carry a fire extinguisher.
Drive it while you decide what else it needs. Do whatever else Eric&Barb recommend.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:33 am

Wash it, fumigate or chase the critters out, make it stop, make it run. A million bugs and their eggs will enjoy the warm and cozy garage, shop, etc. you might give them. Those bugs you guys have there are incredible!

Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:34 am

Congrats! Good advice given... I'd have to especially agree with brake system, fuel system, and grease everything.

Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:02 pm

roachdub58 wrote: Wash it, fumigate or chase the critters out, make it stop, make it run. A million bugs and their eggs will enjoy the warm and cozy garage, shop, etc. you might give them. Those bugs you guys have there are incredible!

Id agree with this order.
clean it up first. a clean bus will be easier to work on and more motivating to the eyes
then go through the brake system so it will STOP when you get the engine running and want to start road testing it right away

Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:11 pm

pyrOman wrote: #1. Get it running.

#2. Get it stopping.

I'd do it in the reverse order. :P

Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:34 pm

^^^exactly!! there seems to be a binary difference in philosophies on that point, but I say, once it's running, I want it to be ALREADY stopping!!

Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:54 pm

Are you taking this to the licensing inspection?

Will need to do all already mentioned and maybe more. Any rust on the floors / rails ?