TheSamba.com :: View topic - A 1991 Syncro L Single knob “Rome” rebuild

Mon Jul 14, 2025 4:06 am

Ceckert64 wrote: The exhaust pipes are all in good shape but the part where they all merge together is seized, the Y pipe (?). I was able to snap both ends of the bolt off since the shaft of the bolt was so seized :evil:
It's inspirational to see your progress and willingness to jump into the deep end on this project.

Those Y pipe bolts & donuts always caused me problems. I posted this solution about a year ago on Joe's Tornado Red thread:

sanchius wrote: One no-regrets WBX upgrade was dumping that kludgy 2-piece exhaust Y-pipe+J-pipe combo for a gorgeous Vintage Speed 1-piece stainless "high-torque" Y+J-Pipe.

Simplifying those fiddly donuts and hard-to-reach bolts on the Y-pipe saves you 15 mins on any exhaust work there.

Plus, some say the shiny finish nets you +2.4hp at the wheel.

And delivery to the U.S. was lightning fast.

https://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/VW-T3-Type-25-Vanagon-c33996646 (site works with Chrome, but not Firefox)

Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:22 pm

Ceckert64 wrote:

:

This picture exemplifies 'show me you live in a rental apartment without telling me you're living in a rental apartment!'

Well done on jumping in and getting the job done!

Tue Jul 22, 2025 5:59 am

Sanchius, that exhaust system would be nice, but for now I decided to reuse the old since it wasn’t rotted out, the only issue was the seized bolts in it. If I have to replace it I will probably go that route.

I’m happy I could be an inspiration!

Chris-a, it’s definitely a rental lol, I’ll be out of there in 2.5 weeks so not much longer in it lol :lol:

And I appreciate it! Itll be nice not having to worry about it.

For updates, I’ve been extremely busy just finishing it up and doing work trips and other BS. I ran down to Charlotte, North Carolina last weekend to help one of my friends I’m interning with pick up a 76 westy. Between all that I got a lot of stuff done.

Last night I went for the first real drive, I got it up to 75 on the highway, did some around town crap and everything seems fairly good. The biggest issue it the cylinder 3 exhaust lifter is ticking :cry: I also get the oil light flickering at idle once it’s hot. I had that issue before though. I’m hoping it clears itself up. I may try a motor flush.

The light for the alternator isn’t coming on before I start it so I got to figure that out. But I checked and it was charging at 13.5 volts so it is working.

More pictures and stuff to come but here’s the only picture I got at a park I stopped at

Sun Jul 27, 2025 6:49 pm

Another update, I put about 600 miles on the Syncro this week trouble free :D (mostly, it does not like to start).

This week I went and picked up a roof rack for it from another vw guy in town. I’ve always wanted a full length rack so it cool to get

Then I replaced the old cardboard radiator baffles. One was missing completely and the hardware while the other two were pretty tattered. I used plastic set from gowesty I think

Friday night, me and my roommate went out to Ohio in the woods and had a fire and took the Syncro.
Saturday morning we took off for Dolly Sods park in eastern West Virginia. We camped out and had a fire. Then this morning we went out to Bear Rocks, Spruce Knob, and did a hike. It started downpouring on us as we pulled into Spruce Knob sadly. Then the sunset just before we got back was great, pictures don’t do it justice

Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:42 pm

Nice!

Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:11 am

I can only imagine what that sunset looked like, the picture looks intense.

Spruce Knob is awesome to visit in the summer, the high elevation makes it ~15F cooler than the valley.