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Mon Feb 13, 2023 10:01 pm

Hey Everyone, thanks for stopping by the thread.
Will be using this as an adventure and maintenance thread for my New to me '71 Westy.

Purchaed: January 2nd, 2023

Back story and more photos soon.

Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:32 am

very nice - congratulations

Wed Feb 15, 2023 6:08 pm

Super clean. Pretty color.

Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:55 pm

Backstory:

So this bus was owned by my friend Gary Lane, who sadly passed in Nov. 2022.
The family decided to sell the bus since they werent into the VW scene.

I always admired this bus when Gary had it, I hope I have half the adventures that Gary did in this bus. You are missed my friend!

I decided to name this Bus, Gary Bus!

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:05 pm

So, some maintenance to start this off: ( long post )

New tires all around.

This bus came with a new built 1641cc motor and an unknown 3 rib transmission.
The trans would pop out of 3 and 4th gear,
so I decided to swap the motor with my 1970 Westy which has a 1835cc.

Swapped both motor and trans from the 1970, and found a used 3 rib to pair up with the 1641cc to put back in the 1970.

so after a couple days, all was good.

While the motor was out, I wanted to address the fuel guage not working, ended up being the sending unit. I replaced that, and fuel gauge was working as it should.

while I had it up on the lift, I replaced the Clutch Cable, and accelerator cable. I also changed the stock throttle to a BUTTY BITS Throttle.
I highly recommend this for any bus.

Decided I want a tach so I can monitor the RPMs while running the roads, I had pushed this motor earlier and
installed a sport II in the blank dash spot.
When I'm at 65mph its pushing around 3500 RPMs.
Noticed the Bight light bulb was out and the dash display,
so I replaced all bulbs in the dash.

Inspected the front disc brakes, PO had installed dropped spindles, so that meant 1973 and up disc brake setup.
which is larger than the 1971 disc setup.
I'm not a fan of lowering, so I added Air Shocks in the front
and run 100 psi to lift it a little and stop the scrubbing when I drive it.

New Drum Brakes in the back, they were pretty nasty, both wheel cylinders were leaking and had been for a while,
the brake res. was empty and I am surprised I could stop when I drove it home from buying it.
Bled them and now the fluid is full and staying.

it had a vinyl red upper cot, so I swapped out the orignal from my 1970, I like the canvas way better, the childs cot is still stored above the wardrobe.

The Bus didn't have a radio in the dash, and I soon realized that the dash had been cut for an aftermarket radio at one time.
I found a Sapphire XIV for the dash, but wont hold in place, so I have some work to do on it,
I currently have a Sapphire XI with a metal faceplace that stays in place but doesnt work.

still have some wiring to clean up on the fuse block.
I added a USB charger and CB radio for my road trips with my group.
Fire Extinguisher in front for easy access,
and installed the 12' Blazecut for my peace of mind.

Changed the oil pressure switch, noticed oil from it.

Added a hitch to pull a small custom harbor freight trailer with camping supplies.

Some local driving, and NO DOUGH weekend was my first road trip.
a few photos coming in next post covering the trip.

thanks for stoppin in.

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:52 pm

March 21 to March 29, 2023

No Dough Weekend
Port Orange FL

If you havent been to the No Dough Weekend, you need to its my favorite of the year and so much goes on.

this will be my first extended trip in the bus and I believe I am ready for it.

We left out Tuesday Morning 3 coming from Shelby NC and 2 of us from the Greenville, SC area.
we met up in Newberry SC, and traveled south on the back roads to the
GA / FL where we camped for the evening.
Wed. we arrived at our house we rented for the week from a friend we know.

Thursday, we rode around, cruised the beach. fishing and more relaxing

Friday kicks off No Dough Weekend, Open house at Dayton Air Cooled parts!
Charlie is the best host!
Cruised the beach after
Volusia V-Dubs No Dough Weekend kick off party at Persimmon Hollow Brewing.

Saturday was the 10th Baywindow Rally at NOVA campground.
2 in the group won
Best Camper ( solar red bus )
and Best of Show. ( orange / white bus )
Then the Giuseppe's Pizza Pre Show Party
which is packed and the food is great!

Sunday arrived at No Dough at 6am, parking is scarce if you arrive later.
More relaxing and good times.

Monday was exploring the area, some photo opportunities.

Tuesday we headed back to the Carolinas, camping that evening.
Made it home Wed. at lunchtime.

Over all right at 1200 miles, the bus ran great!
Even ran on I-95 from Daytona to north Jax.

Enjoy a few pics I took.

Lots more photos on my Instagram @ dub_dad

Sat Apr 01, 2023 7:11 am

Hope you don't mind one more.

Sat Apr 01, 2023 11:13 am

Thanks man! .

Good Seeing you! Great show as always!

We had a blast!

Tue Apr 04, 2023 5:34 am

great progress on the new westy - great seeing you guys at one of my favorite shows as well.

looking forward to the next campout

Mon Apr 10, 2023 10:26 am

Oil change: @ 79274 miles
Valves adjusted
Fuel filter and fuel lines were changed out prior to No Dough trip, good to go.

Camping at CYW will be up next May 3rd - 7th
Hope to see some of you there.

Tue Jun 06, 2023 3:26 pm

CYW 56 May 3-7

random photos

My Tribe rolling up I-40

Cookin up French Toast and sausage for breakfast!

Charlotte Transporter Show - May 20, 2023

Random photos while out crusing

Dallas, NC
* Picked up a custom tag while at CYW from German Plate Guy

Pickens, SC

Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:16 pm

Took the bus to visit the Life Enrichment Center in Shelby, NC with some other eastcoasters, this is an adult day care that we visit and show them the VWs and they had a great time sitting in the buses.
A few grew up with a VW. one lady even told how they would drive their kids to cooperstown NY in their bus.
it was a great time!

had a good, but rainy camping trip this week at Croft State Park in Spartanburg SC. Quiet and peaceful during the week.
Picked up an adventure book, that you can visit each park or historical site and get a stamp for the book. Not sure of a time frame but would like to hit them all.

Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:26 pm

Odometer Mileage: 80329

Replaced Brake Booster Vacuum Line from Intake Manifold to Metal line and metal line to Booster.
New Check Valve

New Battery installed

Had issue with alternator where back of pulley was eating into the housing.
Not sure why this happened but my guess is that I didnt get the nut tight enough, allowing it to vibrate and rub.... Alternator had been in use on this motor since 10/2020 and over 6000 miles.
I will say operator error.

Used JB Weld Steel Stick to fill in gouges
added 3 shims to keep pulley away from housing
and installed as normal

had an issue with the tailer wiring, ended up replacing the pigtail connector and all is working now.

as a personal note:
total mileage on the 1835 is 8,931
Miles on Tires: 2,861

* Picked up a used 6 rib, took it to be rebuilt by Cross Aircooled in Starr, SC
also will be changing Alternator to a 75 Amp once motor is pulled for Trans swap.

Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:02 am

8-8-23
Odometer reading: 80636

6 rib trans was completed by cross air cooled.

3 rib and motor out,
Swapped mount brackets on trans. and installed.
Just some notes if you do this, longer studs on bottom, and top driver side are needed, starter from 3 rib will not work, to small. Moved up to ‘79 starter and longer D bolt.

CV axles reattached.

While motor was out, swapped Alternator for 75 amp version.
Fan nut torqued to 42 ft lbs.
installed motor, fit was good and mated up once aligned.

8-9-23
New Brake Booster from Wolfsburg West, last one was not working ( motor would die while stopping.

Installed along with Master Cylinder, new O ring, new Reservoir.
Bled brakes and adjusted booster plunger.

Rear passenger wheel cylinder failed, Not sure why other than china parts,
I had replaced back in March, Maybe having a working booster now too.

Ordered Dakota Digital Gauges so that will be next project.
Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, and Volt Meter.

Mon Aug 14, 2023 5:25 pm

Wow awesome Bus Dad.

Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:12 pm

Saturday Aug 12 2023

Took the Bus to Marion NC for the WNC Foothills VW show.
Didnt enter the show, since it was 2 days and couldnt make it back Sunday.

Round trip was about 200 miles, bus ran good on the interstate and backroads.

Mon Aug 21, 2023 3:06 pm

8-20-23

Cruised with friends to Highlands NC, enjoyed the ride and views!

afterwards headed to Kings Mtn, NC for a VW cruise-in at Swoogers,
logged 307 miles for the day.

Few Photos from the day.

Pauls '56 Westy, Joey's '67 Westy and GaryBus

A view from the Upstate of SC, Lake Jocasse in the background.

Dry Falls, Highlands NC

Bridal Veil Falls, just down the road from Dry Falls.
I think the names got mixed up, not much flow today here.

Upcoming project: Will be installing my Gauges from Dakota Digital.
Going with Voltmeter, Oil Temp. and Oil Pressure.

Wed Sep 06, 2023 5:13 pm

Back again, Have been working on the gauges I wanted at this time.

Added the Dakota Digital Voltmeter, Oil Pressure, and Oil Temp.
didn't cut the dash, just mounted under dash area.
so far happy with them.

Other Maintenence:

Oil Changed
Fuel Filter Changed
Valves Adjusted
Points checked
Carb tuned

This Weekend ( 9-9-23 ) is "German Invasion 13" in Shelby, NC.

Thinking of Going to Maggie Valley NC for the "Vdubs in the Valley 11" show the following week, and then heading to Sevierville for CYW 57.

Working out a run to the Outer Banks for a few days either the 3rd or 4th week in October.

Wed Sep 13, 2023 12:27 pm

Had a great time seeing everyone at German Invasion 13 in Shelby, NC.
The rain held off until the end of the show, and that was a quick downpour.

Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:54 pm

Still a really clean bus! Enjoy :D