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Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse
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jrstew2
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

Very impressive. Thanks for all the photos! My '78 Rivi has a lot of these same features and I'm getting inspiration from how you've transformed this. Nice work.
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:06 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

During the time off from work I got around to reinstalling the door below the seats for the storage, does anyone know a good replacement for the edging on the counters and around these boards? You can see its pulling away and warped in places from age.
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The kids like the Roku hooked up to TV during this crazy time with the COVID-19, can't wait till this is over and we can head out camping again!
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:06 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

Fixed a couple more items, the old hazard switch was being held together by zip ties, ordered a replacement and fixed back to the proper location again.


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The antenna had seen better days, ordered a new one and replaced. Reception is very solid again!


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Replaced the window cranks, again.. We are on set #3 since purchasing the bus last summer. Does anyone have recommendations for high quality ones?


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alman72
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:12 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

^ OE. busted bus or classifieds?
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 9:24 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

I have had issues with OEM and aftermarket, its mainly the knob at the end ends up breaking off. Maybe I need to adjust the internal part of the window and lubricate it as well?
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KentABQ Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

There is a vendor that makes and sells window cranks made from billets.
Can't remember who the vendor is right now, unfortunately.
_________________
-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:
Very Happy Shocked Mad Sad Embarassed d'oh! Pray Brick wall Pray Dancing Dancing Dancing ---williamM
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

KentPS wrote:
There is a vendor that makes and sells window cranks made from billets.
Can't remember who the vendor is right now, unfortunately.


I have seen those, have you used them personally with good results?
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KentABQ Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

McintoshType2 wrote:
KentPS wrote:
There is a vendor that makes and sells window cranks made from billets.
Can't remember who the vendor is right now, unfortunately.


I have seen those, have you used them personally with good results?

I haven't tried them yet since I've only had one crank break in 3 years and I already had a replacement on hand.
If another one breaks, though, I think I'll buy the billet ones.
_________________
-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:
Very Happy Shocked Mad Sad Embarassed d'oh! Pray Brick wall Pray Dancing Dancing Dancing ---williamM
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2020 7:33 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

First camping trip of the season, the bus did great there and back. We tried our new electric heater and it worked great keeping the bus around 60-70 when it got near freezing overnight. A nasty storm rolled in later in the night.


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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

The bus has had some issues running and we are having trouble tracking down the issue. Started out having a slight lurch while driving in 3rd, then lead to bucking and completely cutting out.

It felt like a fuel related issue so I changed the filter first, no change. Changed the fuel pump next with no change.

My battery has been very very weak and requiring a jump lately so I replaced that as well. Since replacing the battery I have not been able to get the bus to even idle without assistance from the throttle.

When I changed the battery I did have to remove the alternator bracket and slide it out of the way which was reinstalled and the belt tension seems within spec still. All connections look intact.

We changed the cap and rotor recently but it was running and idling fine after those changes.

Any suggestions on what to check next? Carb is a Holley 5200, engine is a Mercury 2.8L V6.
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NeedAName
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

Cool bus.

Debris in carb jets

There is probably a filter in the carburetor

Plug wires arcing out/ not seated

Don't know much about that carb, but that's where I would start.
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OldBlindDog
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:30 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

First time I have seen an identical interior to my bus. Also a 1979 Rivi
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_________________
You know, I'm sick of following my dreams, man. I'm just going to ask where they're going and hook up with 'em later.
Mitch Hedberg

Kenn

'71 Campmobile (first car I ever bought) I wonder where that lil lady is today?
'76 Baja beetle. (learned to "fix on the fly")
'79 Rivi Camper "Lazlo" ( the one that brought me back in after 15 years off)
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:13 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

OldBlindDog wrote:
First time I have seen an identical interior to my bus. Also a 1979 Rivi
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Nice! Does you have the original engine still? If so Id like to see pictures of the engine bay. I've seen about 3-4 others with the same interior setup around here which are more common since we are fairly close to Vancouver/Portland where the conversions were done.
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Reverand Hope
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

McintoshType2 wrote:
I have had issues with OEM and aftermarket, its mainly the knob at the end ends up breaking off. Maybe I need to adjust the internal part of the window and lubricate it as well?


pull the door cards, wind windows down fully, unscrew the two bottom bolts that hold the glass slider channel to the regulator mechanism, lift glass up and wedge in place, unscrew the mechanism retaining bolts, remove mechanism, power wash the spiral cable, air or blow dry, soak in Dinitrol or similar, fill mechanism up with lithium grease...oem handles will last for years thereafter, unless your window scrapers are super stiff or your door frames are bent
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OldBlindDog
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 26, 2020 7:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

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Not great pics. Not the original motor but a VW remanufactured install, so close to original. I am in the middle of reassembly after a small fire. I can shoot more next week. Anything in particular?[/img]
_________________
You know, I'm sick of following my dreams, man. I'm just going to ask where they're going and hook up with 'em later.
Mitch Hedberg

Kenn

'71 Campmobile (first car I ever bought) I wonder where that lil lady is today?
'76 Baja beetle. (learned to "fix on the fly")
'79 Rivi Camper "Lazlo" ( the one that brought me back in after 15 years off)
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 10:39 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

We have dropped our bus off at the shop, we are hoping to convert the bus back to air cooled. We will see it back when its warmer out! Will post updates when then the build is complete in the spring.


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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:37 am    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

Type 1 2110cc is almost ready, the 091 transaxle has been rebuilt.

We plan up installing:
Thule 542 artificial rain gutter with Thule 300r and Thule Square Bars
100 W Renogy panel to charge our Yeti solar bank
Upgrade headunit with Sirius XM
Garmin Drivesmart 65 for hands free GPS and music control

We have also purchased a Geyser portable shower system for heated and pressurized water for shower and dishes while off grid camping.
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1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

Old water cooled v6 engine has been removed.


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1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model
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alman72
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

decided to go type 1, didja? cant blame you, as you really had a clean slate to deal with. Where did you buy the conversion tin?
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Clementine79
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Our new bus! 1979 VW Riviera Penthouse Reply with quote

alman72 wrote:
decided to go type 1, didja? cant blame you, as you really had a clean slate to deal with. Where did you buy the conversion tin?


Not sure where my builder ordered the conversion tins from but he said they are German tins besides the aftermarket shroud that's compatible with a type IV oil cooler setup. Should have the bus back in a few weeks and I will post some pictures of the conversion.

New build will have:
2110CC
Porsche 356 Counterweighted 82 stroke Crankshaft with VW mains
Porsche 356 I-Beams pinned for VW pistons
AS41 Magnesium Block bored to 90.5 and stroker clearance
OE VW German casting heads rebuilt and machined for 90.5mm pistons with stainless valves 40mmx 35.5mm
AA Performance forged 90.5mm pistons & cylinders
Engle T1 camshaft W-100 grind
Silverline steel backed bearings
T4 oil cooler
1.5Q deep sump
Stock german flywheel
Sachs Clutch Kit
Schadek Oil Pump 30mm
CB Performance Mangaspark II
8.5:1 compression static dynamic
Weber Dual 40 IDF Carbs
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