1965 SO42 Westy Nr 0021

[crofty]

[srfndoc]

Early SO42's had the Fabrik-Nr. tag on the closet.

Fabrik-Nr. 14 is the earliest known SO42 (owned by velvetgreen).
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RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches

[crofty]

Interesting bus to look at ....

Anyone remember this conversation?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

[edgood1]

I've finally had some time to spend working on this bus. It's history continues to intrigue me, especially since digging into its mechanicals. The engine in the bus is a '71 1600 dp motor that is very clean and original. The bus was last registered in 1981 and from what the previous owner told me, it sat in a warehouse since 1981. I'm convinced that's accurate. Everything on the bus is frozen from sitting 41 years. It also came with a 40hp dated March '62. I was told this was the original engine but it's clearly not as the date code is wrong and it should came with a 1500cc. The transaxle is super clean and looks to have been swapped at the same time as the engine. Most of the bus was converted to 12v presumably at the same time.

It still had the altitude corrector thingy on the carb.

The carb valves were completely frozen. I threw on a cheap aftermarket one I had until I can rebuild the original.

The gas tank is full of rust and old sludge. I used a borescope to get pictures of the inside and its nasty. I ordered a new tank. I'll try to salvage the original.
There were 6 unopened napa fuel filters in the parcel tray so I suspect that this was a problem while the bus while still in service.

I was worried the bus was parked because the engine had problems as someone had previously pulled all the wires and I found a set of old wires and plugs in the cab. One of the plugs was missing from the engine too which was an ominous sign. I replaced all the ignition parts, the carb, the fuel pump and hooked it up to an external gas tank, put some gas in the carb and...


Link



I wanted to get the engine running to make sure it was usable. I'm going to pull it, take all the tin covers off and clean them. I found some evidence of a rodent nest in there. I'll deal with the gas tank, fix the broken shift coupler, replace the gas pedal linkage as whatever grease was in the old one has dried out and it doesn't move very good. Then the brakes will need some attention.
Hopefully I can get it driving soon and enjoy it while cleaning the rest of it up.

Also, I think this bus did have the so42 tent rails and someone removed it. The holes are still there:

There are also a bunch of holes in the roof for some reason:

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1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[velvetgreen]

Bump- Any updates on this bus?

[velvetgreen]

At the risk of crashing your party I thought I would ask my question here rather than starting another thread

We already know that early SO42's (by which I mean Westfalia Fabrik numbers pre number 665)

have a bunch of small differences from their younger siblings such as clamshell lights and sloped rear facing seat, and metal push buttons on the cabinet handles. Am wondering if this is another one of their quirks.

Normally there is a metal/aluminum bracket screwed over this hole prevent the laminate from cracking when the inner rear hatch "lock" is actuated into it. Seeing no evidence of that bracket ever being screwed in here I can only assume it was never there. Wondering if anyone else with early SO42 can confirm or refute this

[srfndoc]

Compared to this:

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RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches

[velvetgreen]

^^ Exactly. My bus is a walk thru so the rear hatch lock is on the passenger side. BulliBill's 67' SO42 (from which the above pic was posted) appears to be non walk thru so there is an extra cabinet in rear drivers side that I don't have, but the end result is the same, his 67' SO42 has the metal bracket my 65' SO42 does not.

[von_hansel]

Interesting that your plate that holds the closet latch to the rear hatch seal lip is not screwed into the corner molding like the later models.


For reference, this is a pic from a late '67 SO42.

Is this a super early feature like the missing striker plate for the lock?
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[velvetgreen]

I learn more about early SO42's all the time.The closet bracket is apparently another one of them! Also not sure if it was cost saving measure but apparently factory saved some $ not painting the brackets when production ramped up??

[BulliBill]

[nlorntson]

[edgood1]

I've finally finished the other projects in line and shifted focus to working on this bus. This morning I replaced the battery tray.

My plan with this bus is to keep as much original metal and paint as possible, get it running and enjoy it. I am, however, tempted to repaint the entire engine compartment.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[von_hansel]

I am excited to see this bus back on the road.
,
The bus looks fairly dry. How much metal work does it need/ are you are planning on tackling?
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[edgood1]

[edgood1]

I tore out the rusty floor section this morning

The outer rocker is in tact but the middle and inner have some rust areas I'll need to patch.

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[BarryL]

[velvetgreen]

Looks grea! Hope you remembered to take note/measurement of where the hole for the cold box drain goes

Also good to make sure holes for door spikes line up before welding it all up.

[edgood1]

[edgood1]