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matt94gt
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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 Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject: Matt's 72 sunroof deluxe build |
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Last weekend I picked up a 72 Sunroof Bus. Im the 2nd owner and overall the bus is super clean, 70% OG paint and no rust. It also came with boxes of extra OG new parts. Door handles, interior bits, rubbers for windows, doors etc, extra chrome trim, sunroof cable (just one...boo), the orignal solex carbs, extra calliper and rotor, and other bits and pieces.
I wanted to get a westy tin-top but it was hard to find one as clean as this so Im going to camperize it.
I wanted to ask if there are any good threads or how-tos for camperizing a bus? I found interior out of a 76, thats pretty straight forward but my main questions are how to get the camping electrical to work, how to hook up the 2nd battery etc. Im not going to bother with the sink (I dont think) unless there is a easy way to do so. Id prefer not to cut a hole in the side of the bus for the hookup either, I was thinking I could run a cord out the door or a window to plugin.
As well I would like to remove the front tire. Its got the factory mount on it, which appears to be riveted in place? How can this be removed without causing much damage. Will it need to be re painted?
Here are some pics. Just realized I have none of the engine compartment ill get some up tomorrow.
Current Mods/Repairs:
- 1800CC engine
- Refreshed trans from a 74'
- New brake lines
Some goodies it has:
- Hella front and rear foglights, as well as original hella headlamps
- Bilstein shocks
- VDO Tachometer (not working)
- VDO Head Temp Gauge
- VDO Fuel Temp Gauge
To-Do list:
- Clean and re-grease sunroof cables - DONE
- Install engine compartment seal - DONE
- Replace all fuel and vapor lines
- Fix Fuel Gauge
- Replace passenger door rubber
- Clean up minor rust spots on sunroof drains
- Re-undercoat/protect exposed areas on undercarriage where undercoating has peeled off
- Remove front tire
- Get tach working
- Camperize the interior (bed, cabinets, table & seat)
- Retractable seatbelts
- Lower or level the bus
- New Wheels
- Paint touchups
- Get new 'veins' welded into the air scoops
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521
Last edited by matt94gt on Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:07 am; edited 18 times in total |
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matt94gt
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:16 pm Post subject: Questions about wiring etc and the undercarriage |
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Also I took some shots of the undercarriage here and wanted to get some peoples opinions on how things looked in general. Apparently the fuel lines are in good shape, I had it checked out before I drove it home. But I want to see for my self and not even sure where to look, besides the ones coming off the carbs I then lose them. Is there anything else I should look into for safety etc?
You can view all the pics here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=matt94gt
In particular there were some photos I had questions about:
What is this wire running to?
New starter? So does my bus have an electric ignition?
What is this line running down the side?
What are these three cables for?
Is this one cable the e-brake?
These wires I assume are for the aftermarket gauges? I have cleaned them up since the photos.
As well I wanted to ask about if I should give the underside a good cleaning, rub it with a bristle brush to remove the years of dirt and dust build up, then maybe clean it with some simple green and a soft brush? OR should I just leave it, maybe it acts as a protectant layer?
I really would like to get the underside re-sprayed with an undercoating as the factory one is starting to go in places. The bus is now up on the west coast so I want to protect it as much as possible.
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521 |
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CoastalAirCooledVW
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2012
Posts: 1882
Location: Mckinleyville, CA (Humboldt County)
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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I would strongly discourage you from making your bus into a camper. You could sell that bus and buy a camper easily. That being said it is your bus and you can bring down the value if you want.
That front tire was not put on by the factory. Unbolt the tire and see how the mount is held on there.
The first wire you asked about is an oil temperature gauge wire.
All buses have "electric ignition" when talking about the starter  . Electronic ignition is referring to how your bus gets its spark for the spark plugs.
That line and those cables are for the power brake booster, clutch cable, throttle cable, ect
I would leave the underside of the bus alone...doing a good job under there is very time consuming and what you have now will last for years. Just make sure there is no bare metal showing or rust starting
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1966 Velvet Green Standard |
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GeorgeO.
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Joined: October 08, 2010
Posts: 881
Location: Menifee, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Really, you're going lower and convert your bus into a camper? What you have there is a fine Deluxe Standard Transport which is highly desirable unmolested. One step forward, two steps back.  |
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matt94gt
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| CoastalAirCooledVW wrote: |
I would strongly discourage you from making your bus into a camper. You could sell that bus and buy a camper easily. That being said it is your bus and you can bring down the value if you want.
That front tire was not put on by the factory. Unbolt the tire and see how the mount is held on there.
The first wire you asked about is an oil temperature gauge wire.
All buses have "electric ignition" when talking about the starter . Electronic ignition is referring to how your bus gets its spark for the spark plugs.
That line and those cables are for the power brake booster, clutch cable, throttle cable, ect
I would leave the underside of the bus alone...doing a good job under there is very time consuming and what you have now will last for years. Just make sure there is no bare metal showing or rust starting |
Really I was told it was put on like that from the factory, or dealership then I guess? The mount looks like this:
Sorry I must of sated that wrong I was wondering if its possible to tell from the starter if its got electric ignition. Any other signs? Sorry for being a noob! The oldest car I have had was a 76' Ford.
There are a few bare spots under the bus, where the undercoating has completely peeled away and its starting to get a bit of surface rust. What can I do about those spots? Thats more so what I am worried about.
Should I apply POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating?
Here is a spot for instance, left middle of the photo:
| GeorgeO. wrote: |
| Really, you're going lower and convert your bus into a camper? What you have there is a fine Deluxe Standard Transport which is highly desirable unmolested. One step forward, two steps back. |
Im un-decided on lowering it, as Im not too sure whats fully involved. Id be more then happy to just level it out. The camperizing I plan to do is the rear bed & cabinets and seat & table. I doubt I will bother with the fridge/sink unit. The way I see it is I can easily reverse the camperizeing aspect as long as im not drilling big holes anywhere. If thats the case I might just do a 'custom' camper & storage. Thats one reason I was asking about how-to's for camperizing. I dont want to have to do any holes or major changes to the bus to get it in.
Please know that Im not going to rape this bus, I take extremely good care of all my vehicles and thats the reason I joined this forum. I want to get opinions and feedback. I plan on keeping this bus for ever (I know we all say that) but I still have my car from when I was 17 which I refuse to get rid of.
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521
Last edited by matt94gt on Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
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1967250s
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Joined: May 02, 2007
Posts: 2137
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Do NOT molest that Bus. You have found the proverbial Pearl in a pile of oyster shells. If you want to fuck up a Bus , buy some piece of crap. Sell that one to someone who will take care of it. |
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chazz79
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Joined: August 15, 2008
Posts: 2268
Location: ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:39 am Post subject: |
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It's already got a mattress and curtains so the back seat must fold into a bed.
I'd say your bus is already a day camper of some sort already. This explains the front tire placement.
Check your rear seat and see if it has a z-bed kit on it. No one wit a Westy uses the fridge and stove as much as you'd think. The bus as you have it now is far more rare and desirable as is.
It also looks like you had one of the best previous owners known to man. Go find the dude you bought that from and give him a hug for showing the bus as much love as he did. All I see in those pic is care and work already done for you.
Is anyone noticing the things I am? Most have PO horror stories-you do not.
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One day as a lion, or a lifetime as lamb
The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster |
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Brian
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2636
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 7:31 am Post subject: |
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| Apparently the fuel lines are in good shape |
I wouldn't trust any braided line anymore. I would suggest adding *replace all fuel and vapor lines* to your "To Do" list. All your questions can be answered with some searching here. That would be a great idea before doing anything else on this bus. 
And, of course it's your bus and you can do as you like, but I would save anything original you remove, and do not do anything permanent, or even semi-permanent (like lowering). Not trying to nag, just offering advise!
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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matt94gt
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| 1967250s wrote: |
| Do NOT molest that Bus. You have found the proverbial Pearl in a pile of oyster shells. If you want to fuck up a Bus , buy some piece of crap. Sell that one to someone who will take care of it. |
Im not going to molest it. Again thats why Im here I want feedback. I don't want to do anything permanent to the bus that cant be put back to original.
| chazz79 wrote: |
It's already got a mattress and curtains so the back seat must fold into a bed.
I'd say your bus is already a day camper of some sort already. This explains the front tire placement.
Check your rear seat and see if it has a z-bed kit on it. No one wit a Westy uses the fridge and stove as much as you'd think. The bus as you have it now is far more rare and desirable as is.
It also looks like you had one of the best previous owners known to man. Go find the dude you bought that from and give him a hug for showing the bus as much love as he did. All I see in those pic is care and work already done for you.
Is anyone noticing the things I am? Most have PO horror stories-you do not. |
I spent about 6 months finding the right bus. Thanks
It does not have the folding seats. The seats have all been removed in the back and are safely in storage.
It has a makeshift bed the last owner built. Which I could live with, I just wanted to have it look cleaner with the westy bed and storage. I would not use the sink, stove, or fridge unit I would leave that out. I assumed that the bed, and storage wouldn't cause any major permanent damage? Correct me if I'm wrong.
| Bala wrote: |
I wouldn't trust any braided line anymore. I would suggest adding *replace all fuel and vapor lines* to your "To Do" list. All your questions can be answered with some searching here. That would be a great idea before doing anything else on this bus.
And, of course it's your bus and you can do as you like, but I would save anything original you remove, and do not do anything permanent, or even semi-permanent (like lowering). Not trying to nag, just offering advise! |
So those dusty lines are the fuel lines then? Im going to take it to a local shop and ask for a quote to replace them all, is it difficult to do? Im not sure I trust my self to do something that can be so serious if done incorrectly.
After doing more research on lowering I was not aware that it took so many modifications (mostly permanent) to lower a bus. Is there anything I can do to level it out more, just to drop the front a few inches?
I am going to keep every single part for this bus.
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521 |
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Bala
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Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2636
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| matt94gt wrote: |
| Bala wrote: |
I wouldn't trust any braided line anymore. I would suggest adding *replace all fuel and vapor lines* to your "To Do" list. All your questions can be answered with some searching here. That would be a great idea before doing anything else on this bus.
And, of course it's your bus and you can do as you like, but I would save anything original you remove, and do not do anything permanent, or even semi-permanent (like lowering). Not trying to nag, just offering advise! |
So those dusty lines are the fuel lines then? Im going to take it to a local shop and ask for a quote to replace them all, is it difficult to do? Im not sure I trust my self to do something that can be so serious if done incorrectly.
After doing more research on lowering I was not aware that it took so many modifications (mostly permanent) to lower a bus. Is there anything I can do to level it out more, just to drop the front a few inches?
I am going to keep every single part for this bus. |
The smaller one with the clamp on it is one of your fuel lines. It’s not difficult at all to do the ones you can see. Most of the vapor lines are behind the firewall and are not really difficult, but a bit tedious to get to. If you are going to enjoy this vehicle I would suggest you do as much as you can yourself. There are good mechanics out there, but odds are you aren’t near one. And, you need to find someone who is familiar with air cooled VWs and T4s specifically. It would be a good idea to become friends with local VW club members if you have anything nearby, and use the samba often and before you (or your garage) attempt any repairs.
Sit in the front with a friend and it’ll look fine. A little high in the front with no load is normal.
FYI, I just put new shocks on the rear of my bus recently and it seems to have leveled it out a little bit.
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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matt94gt
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Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| Bala wrote: |
| matt94gt wrote: |
| Bala wrote: |
I wouldn't trust any braided line anymore. I would suggest adding *replace all fuel and vapor lines* to your "To Do" list. All your questions can be answered with some searching here. That would be a great idea before doing anything else on this bus.
And, of course it's your bus and you can do as you like, but I would save anything original you remove, and do not do anything permanent, or even semi-permanent (like lowering). Not trying to nag, just offering advise! |
So those dusty lines are the fuel lines then? Im going to take it to a local shop and ask for a quote to replace them all, is it difficult to do? Im not sure I trust my self to do something that can be so serious if done incorrectly.
After doing more research on lowering I was not aware that it took so many modifications (mostly permanent) to lower a bus. Is there anything I can do to level it out more, just to drop the front a few inches?
I am going to keep every single part for this bus. |
The smaller one with the clamp on it is one of your fuel lines. It’s not difficult at all to do the ones you can see. Most of the vapor lines are behind the firewall and are not really difficult, but a bit tedious to get to. If you are going to enjoy this vehicle I would suggest you do as much as you can yourself. There are good mechanics out there, but odds are you aren’t near one. And, you need to find someone who is familiar with air cooled VWs and T4s specifically. It would be a good idea to become friends with local VW club members if you have anything nearby, and use the samba often and before you (or your garage) attempt any repairs.
Sit in the front with a friend and it’ll look fine. A little high in the front with no load is normal.
FYI, I just put new shocks on the rear of my bus recently and it seems to have leveled it out a little bit. |
Yes I am on the local club form there is two shops in town that do lots of aircooled work so think im in luck but asking if anyone on there wants to lend a hand. This bus did get new shocks at some point (you can see them in the pics).
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521 |
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Tcash
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matt94gt
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Joined: April 29, 2014
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Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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matt94gt
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Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject: Engine Compartment Shots and Questions |
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Did these bus' come with rear seatbelts for the rear 2 benches? I did not see any sign of them being in the bus, nor are they in the boxes of stuff.
Here are some shots of the engine bay. Whats the deal with this oil cooler?
Any other notes from people?
As well I cleaned up the sunroof today. Man it was clean already didn't have to do much, applied a bit of grease and cleaned a bit. Any thoughts on what I can do about these rust spots?
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72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521 |
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Bala
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matt94gt
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chimneyfish
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Joined: July 28, 2009
Posts: 881
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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Z-bed kit was mentioned above, I would try and locate one if one is not already fitted, and with the sunroof, and a makeshift camper unit, you can remove the middle seat for camping trips, plus you can get an awning, and bonus as you already have curtains fitted. That way you make the vehicle more versatile and can switch between stock and a temporary camper set up pretty fast and with relative ease, with an absolute minimum of modification (molestation as they say!) to your bus. If you want the full camper experience, I'd as well say sell this bus and buy a proper camper. It is a really nice bus, a great find, I wouldn't do a full on camper conversion on it myself, just the basics like the z-hinges to make it more practical without radically changing the interior.
Some Z-bed threads here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=571316&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5217106
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6720498
Not sure about rear belts and your model year, do you have the seat belt anchor points for the middle bench and rear seats?
With the rust spot on the hot air duct hole, get a dremmel and wire brush attachments, dremmel it down to clean bare metal as best you can, clean with white spirit, apply phosphoric acid and let it cure to eliminate the oxidization in the metal, then apply a zinc based primer with brush, sand it when dry, apply the white top coat(s) then lacquer.
_________________
1965 Type 1 Deluxe (1200cc)
1976 Type 2 T2b Microbus L (1800cc Type 4)
Previously...
1972 T2 Camper (Devon), 1988 Golf, 1972 Type 1, 1984 Polo, 1972 T2 Camper (Danbury) |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52574
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Compartment Shots and Questions |
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| matt94gt wrote: |
| Did these bus' come with rear seatbelts for the rear 2 benches? I did not see any sign of them being in the bus, nor are they in the boxes of stuff. |
Rears are easy to find in the classifieds or at swaps, middles are scarce like unicorn poop, the universal ones most VW parts sellers as well as any FLAPS or custom car supplier sell work very well and are more passenger friendly than the OG ones (stiff old webbing is hard to adjust).
| matt94gt wrote: |
Any thoughts on what I can do about these rust spots?
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Go to Canadian tire and get a little can of this stuff:
Sand and scrape off the loose crap and carefully dab on a couple of coats, then you can top coat a few days later with matching white when it's fully dry.
I'd ditch that whole oil filter setup, not only would it make maintenance in that hatchless 72 engine compartment a job for a double jointed gymnast with eyes on the ends of thier fingers the plumbing nightmare and extra hoses are a sudden engine seizing leak just waiting to happen, scary s**t IMO and the OG filter is very adequate by itself. Some hotrod dude would likely fund another order of parts for that.
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matt94gt
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014
Posts: 245
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| chimneyfish wrote: |
Z-bed kit was mentioned above, I would try and locate one if one is not already fitted, and with the sunroof, and a makeshift camper unit, you can remove the middle seat for camping trips, plus you can get an awning, and bonus as you already have curtains fitted. That way you make the vehicle more versatile and can switch between stock and a temporary camper set up pretty fast and with relative ease, with an absolute minimum of modification (molestation as they say!) to your bus. If you want the full camper experience, I'd as well say sell this bus and buy a proper camper. It is a really nice bus, a great find, I wouldn't do a full on camper conversion on it myself, just the basics like the z-hinges to make it more practical without radically changing the interior.
Some Z-bed threads here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=571316&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5217106
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6720498
Not sure about rear belts and your model year, do you have the seat belt anchor points for the middle bench and rear seats?
With the rust spot on the hot air duct hole, get a dremmel and wire brush attachments, dremmel it down to clean bare metal as best you can, clean with white spirit, apply phosphoric acid and let it cure to eliminate the oxidization in the metal, then apply a zinc based primer with brush, sand it when dry, apply the white top coat(s) then lacquer. |
That sounds like a perfect idea. Might have to get one from here:
http://www.delmarretro.com/Work.html
Unless anyone knows where I can find some z-bed hardware. I think Ill go this route thanks a lot!
_________________
72' Sunroof Bus - Kansas Beige
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-21257.htm
Build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7257521 |
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