TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:33 pm

So last November my wife and I picked up a couple of beetles. Today I had our new toy delivered. The price was right that's all I can say.

I spent most of the day getting my Baja Bug engine installed so I didn't get much opportunity to start the clean-up on the Westy. A few things I know it'll need:
Canvas
Driver and passenger doors
rear bumper
Passenger seat needs new padding and upholstery

I'm sure the list will get bigger as I begin the cleanup. I haven't turned the engine yet - that's another adventure to be undertaken soon.

Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:47 pm

Yikes is that seat foam shredded by rodents? You have a lot to do. Dang POs, can't trust'em for anything. But this is how these vans get back on the road. Best of luck, hope its satisfying, fun.

Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:32 pm

Wow, that rear bumper. Someone certainly had depth perception problems.

Sun Feb 12, 2017 4:25 am

Sodo wrote: Yikes is that seat foam shredded by rodents? You have a lot to do. Dang POs, can't trust'em for anything. But this is how these vans get back on the road. Best of luck, hope its satisfying, fun.

Yes, not sure if it was mice / rats or squirrels but they had a nice little home there for a few years. I think they got in through an open wing window. Yes, lots of work but it is 'complete' and not a complete rust bucket.

RainierSyncro wrote: Wow, that rear bumper. Someone certainly had depth perception problems.
I know! it's not visible in the front but the guy welded two 2" hitch receivers on the front. He had a rack with 2 seats mounted up there. I guess he could pull up to the lake and sit in those seats for fishing. The grandson, who had possession of the vehicle said it took a long time for them to remove that rack. I think that's probably what saved the front bumper from any worse damage.

Sun Feb 12, 2017 4:47 am

Nasty colour but will turn out nice. Don't worry about the rodents, people diseases are much more dangerous.

Complete is the key!!

Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:15 am

Wow!

Hats off to you for undertaking such a project.
Mine wasn't nearly as trashed and it took almost three years to set it right.

Keep us posted on your Vanagon journey.

You may find that even if this Van was Free, it may turn out to be a very expensive endeavor.

Dave

Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:53 am

Just cleaning the van out would probably be 20% closer to being finished. It's going to be cool seeing the after pictures when you're done.

Fri Mar 10, 2017 5:05 pm

Progress is slow because I'm trying to get my Baja bug on the road, but I do try to get a few things done for Karl (I've decided to name the Vanagon...) when I can. Last week I did a compression check and everthing checked out good across the board. Sounded like he needs a starter motor rebuild, but no problem, on the list.

I found the issue with the driver seat - it wasn't seated correctly in the track on the right side. While the pivot base and the seat itself needs cleaning and lubrication I realize that it is all serviceable and just needs a little TLC.

I've cleaned up the interior with the shop vac - much better! Haven't gotten any photos of the inside, but it sure looks better so far. Still lots to be done.

Today I went into work early so I could leave early and try to get the title transferred over - paperwork isn't complete, I need a copy of the trust to show that the seller is really the seller. Thankfully he's a super guy and will get it for me no trouble.

So, what to do on a nice afternoon? I took the top layer of grime off the bus. It still needs more scrubbing but it definately looks better. A bit of the original paint started showing through as I scrubbed it with a scrubber pad. The only bad part is I found a number of rust spots. Around the lower corners of the windshield and on the rear hatch lower window corners. I also found a nice area of rot behind the front wheel on the drivers side (photo below).

My dilemma is whether to move forward and repair this body or try to find another good body. I really like the air cooled engine just because it says Volkswagen to me. I have an opportunity to pick up an '85 that looks to be in decent shape. No engine or transmission but most everything else.

Do I bring it home and transfer everything over and make it a tintop westy? Do I use it as a donor body (and some interior parts) and make the rust repairs on Karl?

Here's before and after today's washing...
***********Before:

***********After:

and a shot of the body rot I found during cleanup:

Fri Mar 10, 2017 5:38 pm

mpst important thing is to get that clemson sticker off of it :!:

Fri Mar 10, 2017 6:00 pm

while that body is beaten like a stubborn Ox, it has alot of years of bringing joy and travel trips left in it.. it certainly deserves to see the road again.

and you don't have to worry about any bumps or scrapes you might put in, or anyone trying to admire it too closely..

Fri Mar 10, 2017 6:10 pm

Merian wrote: mpst important thing is to get that clemson sticker off of it :!:

Lol, yeah that will happen soon. If I do decide to purchase this '85 as a body parts rig this hatch will be replaced with that hatch.

Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:03 pm

Merian wrote: mpst important thing is to get that clemson sticker off of it :!:

mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase MPST or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MPST gene or DNA structure. How would one go about using this as an adhesive remover? :D

Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:07 pm

newfisher wrote: Merian wrote: mpst important thing is to get that clemson sticker off of it :!:

mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase MPST or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MPST gene or DNA structure. How would one go about using this as an adhesive remover? :D

I'm not going to pee on Karl (yes, I've named the beast).

Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:21 pm

Hows the smell and how far have the rodents gotten? If they got into the perimeter ceiling vents you're going to have a real hard time cleaning.

Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:31 pm

MayorMcCheese wrote: Hows the smell and how far have the rodents gotten? If they got into the perimeter ceiling vents you're going to have a real hard time cleaning.

The smell has greatly improved with vacuuming and removing the carpet. I can't tell for sure how much they've been in the ceiling vents. I didn't even know there were perimeter ceiling vents! ;)

Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:45 am

I'm running into some difficulty with the title. Since it is currently titled to a trust there are some paperwork requirements that are needed before the DMV will transfer the title. I sense frustration from the sibling /trustee that I've been dealing with. I think he is tired of messing with it and I'm concerned that the last bit of information he sent isn't going to satisfy the DMV either. I'll keep trying but the concern is he'll finally just throw in the towel and tell me that I'm on my own.

I didn't purchase the '85 vanagon I went to look at (as a parts rig) for various reasons but I now have an opportunity to pick up an '83 Westy (air cooled model) with a clear title. It's interior is stripped, missing grill and headlights and several windows but I'm told the body is almost completely rust free and it has the engine and 4 speed transmission. Again, I have to wonder if it wouldn't be better just to give up on the title for Karl and use him as a donor and rebuild the '83 (depending on results of my inspection).

While I really want to be able to put Karl back on the road, if I can't title him I can't register him which means I can't drive him. I've been to the DMV twice now and just feel like I'm going to be sent away again. I guess I should give the DMV another go.

Thu Mar 30, 2017 12:07 pm

If you must strip Karl, cut out those kick-ass D-pillar vents and graft them onto the new van!

Thu Mar 30, 2017 12:18 pm

Team WorldTour wrote: If you must strip Karl, cut out those kick-ass D-pillar vents and graft them onto the new van!

One of the reasons I'd rather save him. Although the '83 does need one back corner worked on...