What did I just buy?

[ajdenette]

i vote stainless the slt ats up exhausts up here you could replace what you need ost likely the ja to tip now and get the headers later. i plan on getting stainless when i get the money, probably starting with headers when i do the heads and move to getting the vn back on the road.
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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

[PDXWesty]

Mark,

I didn't read your whole post, but what makes you think the exhaust is bad? Does it have holes in it? If the pipes just look crusty on the outside, that doesn't mean it won't last a few more years. You may just need to replace the gaskets at the head or even just tighten the nuts. Sometimes just replacing the doughnut gaskets at the connections at all the pipes is enough. I would at least start there.

I had a crusty welded up exhaust on a van that I once had (from the PO) and it lasted several years before I had to replace it. The y-collector rarely goes bad. The j-pipe can rust out but that is cheap. The cat and muffler can be replaced for about $250. If the headers aren't leaking, I would leave them. Dropping that much cash on a stainless system doesn't make sense to me. Replace from the j-pipe to the tail pipe if you need too and you should be fine. First inspect the system and see whats really bad.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[hollisrover]

Jay,

Thanks for the link. I emailed him right when the ad went up and he said the exhaust was gone.

I need to make a decision and order one soon. Just having a hard time parting with that much $ for a few pipes...

I would appreciate a hand. Can you send me $750 for the new exhaust?

Thanks,

Mark

[datsnice]

Wow, that makes me all teary-eyed. Hope your kids enjoy the crap out of it. As far as fuel lines should be replaced ASAP. Not to encourage procrastinating, but I drove my vanagon across country when I bought it, and it had a slow drip every time I fueled up and it stopped after a couple minutes. I drove it anyway, nervous the whole way that fuel would blow back onto the exhaust and catch fire and blow me and my car up. Not a good feeling. Just take it in. Cheers and congrats!

[thatvwbusguy]

Hey hollisrover,

There is a complete exhaust from an '87 on NH Craigslist for $200. Not mine, but might be worth checking out.

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/1556305169.html

I am located about an hour from you in Newmarket, NH if you need a hand with anything.

Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
'87 Zetec Wolfsburg

[devesvws]

PLEASE POST PICS
_________________
THE FEW THE PROUD THE ORIGINAL VW WATERBOXER -> looking for a original 91 vanagon owners manual with 1991 on the cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmuiG2tUsP4&feature=share https://picasaweb.google.com/101290228103300323836/BostonBobFlywheelVideo#5543000332201103922

[Vanagonner]

Some good family times were had with my little ones at the drive-in movie theater, you can back into the space, open your hatch and put in the bug screen, and lounge on the bed with a great view.
Enjoy!
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Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a

[j8]

congratulations and welcome to the garage, hollisrover. you've already heard advice to get the bentley and change your fuel lines. i'm just gonna add a few things.

* get to know your van & engine, even if you're not the one working on it. no one will value it as much as you do.
* sounds like your kid is old enough for map skills, let'm help. these vehicles are dream machines for kids!
* have fun. we talk about problems here because we're a triage center / community, but truth is we have a lot of fun and love into these autos.

again, congratulations. not to sound corny but... it will change your life.

-Julia
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Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)

[Emeritusx]

[greenbus pilot]

Well, folks, there you have it- another one goes down the slippery slope- although its a lot more fun with the right vehicle, no?


Keep 'er tuned in right here, and you'll do fine.
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Sent from a white van down the street.

[hollisrover]

Drove it home today. Great on the highway. Shifter is a little balky. Steering was great. Wind tends to push it, but I guess that's expected. Smells like mice, but that's easy to fix. Interior has not a single tear. Carpet is dirty, but should be able to clean it right up. Tent has a hole from mice. I'm sure the owner didn't know as he would have pointed it out.

Exhaust is OPEN on one side! It's so loud.

Ran pretty good, so I guess I'll bite the bullet and get a full exhaust, fuel line replacement, hoses etc. and see how it goes.

Can't stop thinking of the places we can go.

Thanks for all the advise. I'll post up pics and an update when I dig into it.

Mark

[Jamos]

[vanjoe]

Sorry man I didn't read the entire ad. I just like his product from what I can see.

[hollisrover]

1100. Ouch.

This one seems best so far I think:

http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29805

Stainless and $585.

I haven't picked the thing up yet and I've spent a ton of cash, I want another vanagon to drive every day instead of this one, and the old buses hold some sort of allure.

[vanjoe]

Dude check out tencentlife motors. I haven't been on here long enough to know if he sells them without buying a whole motor but contact him and see about one of his exhaust systems they seem pretty sweet.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=514460

[hollisrover]

Thank you for that advise. The existing exhaust looked pretty crusty all over. Maybe stainless is a good option.

[vanagonforever]

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

[PDXWesty]

[jacob.]

[levi]