Another poor sap with Bus fever

[KentABQ]

Gary and Telford got Chloe up and running after working on her for two long weekends. It turns out the hesitation problem and vacuum leaks were caused by... well... by me. Once the long block was built, I added all the rest of the accoutrement and evidently didn't do such a good job. But Gary and Telford found and corrected them. Now she's running very well and sounds very strong.

[wcfvw69]

Great update and pictures Kent. Glad your bus is working great now.

Safe travels!
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Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

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[KentABQ]

[SamboSamba22]

Living your life! Glad to see adventure in your sights, Kent.
Keep Truckin’
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[notchboy]

Prototype huh. It is a very early 68 for sure with that smooth pop top. Id of loved to see if it had the prototype canvas.

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[busdaddy]

[Xevin]

Awesome! Safe travels buddy.
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Keep on Busin'

[WildIdea]

Great to see your mobile again and enjoying the drive. Sure is nice when the weather cooperates. Love the updates!
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1977 Sage Green Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691987
1965 SWR Walk-Through Standard
1960 211 Panel American Camper Conversion

[andrewtf]

Happy to see you mobile again.

And nice to see ** cough cough** that we are still right on your way back to Orlando.
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[williamM]

safe travels-- Just back from silly als- I need a nap-- contact us if coming back this way-
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some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[KentABQ]

Thanks guys. This is a trip I've been dreaming of doing since long before getting Chloe.
So taking my sweet-@$$ time in making my way to Florida is very okay with me. That's why it's taken a week to get from Palm Springs CA to Santa Fe NM.

Two guess where this pic was taken...

And a couple pics from quirky Albuquerque...

Next stop will be a campground outside of Santa Fe for one night. Then head to Oklahome to visit distant family members. From there, it would be fun to check out western Arkansas before heading to New Orkeans.

As always, though, this trip is very fluid and may change at any moment.

----
Technical stuff:
The engine is running strong and sounds great. I usually have trouble staritng her in the morning for some reason. This morning it took about 10 minutes and numerous cranks before she caught and started. Robbie suggested checking the dwell, since the points are about 1000 miles old. I checked, and it's right around 50*. Shoulda checked the timing too. Damn. Since the engine is newly rebuilt, I'm going to check the valves again in the morning, as well as the timing.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[TomWesty]

I was just wondering if you would stand on the corner when you mentioned Winslow. I bet Jackson never tires of that......Especially when ASCAP quarterlies hit his direct deposit.
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If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
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[tommu]

Good to see you’re rolling Kent. Enjoy the journey. Take as long as you can
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[aeromech]

Being in Santa Fe which is up there in altitude and not having a cold start injector May be your problem.
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Abscate]

[Clatter]

Look who finally got his dues all paid up!

Nice to see a guy go the distance;
Congrats.
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Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[KentABQ]

Thanks guys. It continues to be a fun journey. The cold start issue has somehow resolved itself, possibly by being in lower altitudes.

Santa Fe was cool to visit, since it was my first time. I was invited to MeowWolf, which I can't begin to describe what it is even after spending two hours there. But it did have some interesting outdoor art work...

And found a campsite a few miles outside of Santa Fe to spend a relaxing night...

Arizona and New Mexico are amazingly beautiful states. I feel lucky to have spent a few days slowly making my way across these states. Lots of detours to follow Route 66, and even made it along the Santa Fe Trail.

Yesterday afternoon I made it into western Oklahoma...

...and heading to Oklahoma City this afternoon to visit family.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[williamM]

Looks like Chleo has proven her self worthy-- Love the big spider and spare tire cover.
_________________
some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[KentABQ]

Yup, she's doing very well. For some reason, the oil pressure was a little low right after the rebuild. But after a few hundred miles, it's about right. So I feel the rebuild has proven itself now that it's about 1000 miles into the trip. The engine runs along very smoothly at 70mph, with CHTs that run between 310 and 340 depending on air temp. Even climbing hills, the temp rarely hits 350.

My plan yesterday was to head into Arkansas and camp at a beautiful site that Sambosamba22 recommended, Petit Jean State Park. But a storm was threatening to dump all afternoon and morning, so I dcided to head south instead. And, boy, I'm glad I did. I stumbled upon Beavers Bend State Park in SE Oklahoma, and scored a great spot by the river...

....so I had to celebrate with a beer. (Since lots of beer is being consumed during this journey, this time it was Michelob Ultra.). That river pic was taken this morning as the sun was coming up. There were about 10 sites along the river, and there were only two other spots being occupied. It was almost unreal how beautiful it was to be able to camp there.

Next on the itinerary:
New Orleans for the weekend! Meeting friends there and staying in the French Quarters.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Brian]