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balzac Samba Member

Joined: May 11, 2011 Posts: 79 Location: WA, USA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject: Transporter engine cover |
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Hello! I just got an '86 Transporter Syncro single cab and I've been going over it the last week or so. I've been a VW fan forever, but only just now bought one. It's in pretty good shape, but the engine cover for the bed is gone. I'm using a piece of plywood right now and I'm not holding out any hope of finding a factory replacement. What are all the people with single cabs and dokas using? |
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turbotransporter Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2006 Posts: 459 Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Transporter engine cover |
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balzac wrote: |
Hello! I just got an '86 Transporter Syncro single cab and I've been going over it the last week or so. I've been a VW fan forever, but only just now bought one. It's in pretty good shape, but the engine cover for the bed is gone. I'm using a piece of plywood right now and I'm not holding out any hope of finding a factory replacement. What are all the people with single cabs and dokas using? |
Post a photo of your Transporter please! Gas or Diesel?
I have a piece of 1/4" thick aluminum diamond plate for an engine cover.
Welcome to a very small SINKA club 
Last edited by turbotransporter on Fri May 13, 2011 12:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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16CVs Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4231 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 12:53 pm Post subject: Engine cover |
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Try here "Doka/Single Cab Metal Engine hatch - any interest?" in search in Vanagon forums.
The opening white one is mine .
Stacy _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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syncrodoka Samba Member

Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12295 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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FWIW, The factory one is some kind of plywood. |
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balzac Samba Member

Joined: May 11, 2011 Posts: 79 Location: WA, USA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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It's gas for now. This time last year there were tons of rusted Diesel VWs with good engines for sale for a song near me, but they seem to have all disappeared.
The light's not great for photos today, but I'll get some more up soon.
I had assumed the factory hatch was metal that sat flush with the bed. That's really what I'm looking for. That toolbox of yours looks great, Stacy! There are a bunch of little things that need work on it, so this is not priority one. |
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andy syncro-nutz Samba Member

Joined: August 22, 2010 Posts: 539 Location: Upper Ottawa Valley
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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a factory replacement is just a peice of plywood,  |
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Crankey Samba Member

Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2672
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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yep factory is plywood with sheet metal tacked to it.
I use 3/16" thick alum diamond plate. find an aluminum supplier in your area and see if they will cut to size for you. if not see if you can buy a rem from a sheet. I think mine is about 1/4" to 3/8" past the rubber seal all the way around....so measure the seal outside to outside, add 1/2" or 3/4" and cut it to that size. trim the corners if you like.
place the diamond plate over the engine hole centered. reach into your engine compartment through the rear hatch and mark for the bolt holes with a sharpie pen through the up through the holes in the corners.
or just set the plate over the hole and keep it in place with a used tire.
the 3/16 diamond plate is strong enough to walk on. |
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turbotransporter Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2006 Posts: 459 Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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balzac wrote: |
I had assumed the factory hatch was metal that sat flush with the bed. That's really what I'm looking for. |
My truck had protective wood slats on the bed at one time and I imagine that with the wood slats in place the engine cover was flush with the wood slats.
On my truck, the ceiling of the treasure chest shows where someone has welded up the dozens of wood slat mounting holes. I assumed that all the Transporters came with wood slats from VW but I really don't know... Anyone?
Oh, and change your fuel hoses! 
Last edited by turbotransporter on Fri May 13, 2011 8:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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balzac Samba Member

Joined: May 11, 2011 Posts: 79 Location: WA, USA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Fuel hoses are in the mail!
Since posting I found this photo in the official Syncro doka thread:
The wood makes a lot more sense! It also explains the four rows of rust spots in each depression on the bed. Before I do anything with the hatch, I need to free the last bolt. That corner of the plywood had rotted, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten it off. |
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turbotransporter Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2006 Posts: 459 Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice look but all those holes must have made it tough to keep the treasure dry. |
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