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fatboypaul
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2004
Posts: 432
Location: Emeryville, Ca, SF Bay.
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 Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thats a great deal, well worth the money.
A fairly rust free west coast van for $4000, congratulations. |
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hollisrover
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2010
Posts: 15
Location: NH
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Ok, just read the fuel line posts. Guess I'll have to either verify they've been replaced or borrow a trailer and a truck to get it home. Fun. |
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Saguache
Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2009
Posts: 360
Location: Gunnison, CO
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17139
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| hollisrover wrote: |
| Ok, just read the fuel line posts. Guess I'll have to either verify they've been replaced or borrow a trailer and a truck to get it home. Fun. |
If it's not that far from you take a look at it just after it has been running for a few minutes. If you see no fuel leaks and smell no gas leaks then MAYBE it is OK to drive the 90 miles home. If you really want to be safe then spend a few bucks to get it flat bed towed to your home and start on the maintenance. You got a great price on it so you should feel good about putting some $$$ back into it. Welcome to the very fun asylum.   
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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ZimZam
Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2005
Posts: 562
Location: Talkeetna, AK
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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welcome la familia de samba. first thing to do is drop a ton of cash into it, replace the leaky wasserbox with an SVX, add some bling, and oh yea, did anyone mention those fuel lines. Congrats on your purchase. May it take you far. 
_________________
'85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa
"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben |
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ajdenette
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2009
Posts: 768
Location: Hope Valley RI
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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Wear are you headed with it if i had the money that may have been the sart of a syncro conversion. I would go stainless stell if you plan on driving it much in the winter or at least not an s&s mine is in prity rough shape already nd i havent put that many miles on it yet  good luck.
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1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work |
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surfinwesty
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2008
Posts: 321
Location: Petaluma, California
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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You got a great deal!!! I got one recently too
I would find a trusted mechanic on the forum and spend the $150 to $300 to get a full inspection. The Bus Lab in Norcal (Marco and Steve) did a full inspection for me and it was well worth the money. A good mechanic will put it on a lift and go through everything and let you know what might be bad or what does not look right. Although I bought mine with under 1K on a new engine, they found some stuff that was very critical to the vehicle that I would have never noticed until it was too late.
For example; all the fuel lines were new, but the line between the fuel filter and pump was cracked and ready to give way. They found it and I fixed it for 50 cents. It is worth the money to have a good forum shop give you a run down. I can now budget what needs to be done.
Welcome to the club!
_________________
Current Love:
"Adobe" 1984 VW Westy w/Subi
Retired:
"Swell Chaser #1" 1980 Westy (in VW Heaven)
"Swell Chaser #2" 1981 Westy (sold to loving family on TheSamba forum) |
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vanjoe
Samba Member
Joined: December 25, 2009
Posts: 606
Location: Santa Maria
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't want to drive it because of the fuel lines sign up for AAA. I think I paid $122.00 and I get 3 tows within 100 miles and 1 tow within 200 miles. And my kids are extremely excited about my van as well so I know the feeling. Also go on you tube and look at the safety crash test on these. It will blow your mind on how safe they are. I attached a link for you. Make sure you watch all of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJGaiOrkQwQ |
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koolmoe
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2008
Posts: 382
Location: Annapolis, MD
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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While no doubt replacing the fuel lines is important, if you don't smell gas on fill up or after it idling for a bit, maybe a drive around a couple blocks, I personally wouldn't freak out about a 90 mile trip home. I mean, better safe than sorry in most all cases, and I may get berated, but unless there's a better qualified mechanic where you're picking up the van, enjoy the drive home. Maybe pick up a small fire extinguisher if you're worried (but don't let the worry kill the thrill of the Vanagon).
I had a bus as a college kid. Great vehicle. When the opportunity to get a new-to-me one last year came up, one of the biggest reasons I did so was for the kids' enjoyment. They love it (they always want to take the 'bus' when we're family tripping somewhere), and I do too.
Enjoy it!
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on) |
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surfinwesty
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2008
Posts: 321
Location: Petaluma, California
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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| vanjoe wrote: |
| Also go on you tube and look at the safety crash test on these. It will blow your mind on how safe they are. |
I second that!! I had one van that the e-brake gave-way and rolled down a super steep driveway and hit two retaining walls and stopped after hitting a telephone pole. The bus therafter made nine trips up and down California
I also had some girl turn into my parked van while cutting to sharp of an angle into a drive. The damage to my vehicle was $10.95 for a new front bumper rubber piece that cracked (no other damage), the girls damage is between $2K and $4k.
Fine German engineering
_________________
Current Love:
"Adobe" 1984 VW Westy w/Subi
Retired:
"Swell Chaser #1" 1980 Westy (in VW Heaven)
"Swell Chaser #2" 1981 Westy (sold to loving family on TheSamba forum) |
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Rubber Tramp
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2008
Posts: 385
Location: DFW, Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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In my opinion, I'd say either change the fuel lines when you pick it up, or do an inspection and bring a fire extinguisher... don't flatbed it.
Driving my westy 150 miles back home by myself was a wonderful experience I'll never forget, and I think you should do the same!
Congrats on your VW man! Get ready for a great time! Pick up a Bentley manual and learn to do the work yourself, you'll enjoy the VW experience much more.
_________________
1985 SVX powered Westy - soon to be converted to syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=382910
^^^Rocky Mountain Westy SVX rebuild and conversion^^^ |
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jacob.
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2009
Posts: 802
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| vanjoe wrote: |
| Also go on you tube and look at the safety crash test on these. It will blow your mind on how safe they are. |
I had heard that these were safe, and I had seen the pictures of the volvo crash test, but you are definitely right. I just watched these videos, and it blew my mind. The vans held up amazingly well and the cars they were hitting were all super messed up. The way the engineered all those struts, and the steering wheel, and just everything is genius. When the passengers weren't wearing their seatbelts however, they got pretty messed up.
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| RCB wrote: |
| jacob gets razzed a lot cause he has the only GEX engine thats lasted longer than half an oil change. |
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reluctantartist
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006
Posts: 1929
Location: Bloomington, IN
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:55 am Post subject: |
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Don't let the crash test photo's fool you too much. New cars are designed to break apart or crumple on impact to minimize the force transferring to the occupants. It is nice to no in a simple fender bender we most likely will get little to no damage unless we are hit by an older vehicle.
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them. |
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EL31415
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2009
Posts: 192
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:58 am Post subject: |
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Muffler with live time limited warranty for around $100
check pepboys, or
http://www.partsgeek.com
you get a Bosal muffler live time warranty for $ 85
P.S. are most westfalia owner made of $$$ ? or is it just me that is a$$ broke ? |
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GBA 88West LA
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008
Posts: 1279
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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looks nice i was checking that one too! if you need some help or parts or referrals to local parts sources or shops let me know im in manchester NH best wishes on her... welcome to the occupation 
_________________
88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin |
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hollisrover
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2010
Posts: 15
Location: NH
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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GBA 88West LA - I'm in Nashua. Sweet.
I plan on going through it from one end to the other to see what I have, then clean it, then all the maint stuff. Can't wait to pick it up. |
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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jacob.
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2009
Posts: 802
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like the van was farting.
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| RCB wrote: |
| jacob gets razzed a lot cause he has the only GEX engine thats lasted longer than half an oil change. |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| reluctantartist wrote: |
| Don't let the crash test photo's fool you too much. New cars are designed to break apart or crumple on impact to minimize the force transferring to the occupants. It is nice to no in a simple fender bender we most likely will get little to no damage unless we are hit by an older vehicle. |
I couldn't disagree more. Just check out the crash threads. These survive major impacts with fewer injuries than moden cars.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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vanagonforever
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2007
Posts: 211
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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I'd do a good bit of research before replacing the entire exhaust. I replaced my entire system using the van-cafe kit summer before last and most of it is already covered in surface rust. It looks like it is 20 years old already. If I was doing it all over I would either be thinking about doing a Bostig conversion or buying a stainless steel exhaust.
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1986 2WD 2.1L WBX Vanagon Weekender
1983.5 1.9L WBX Vanagon Westfalia |
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