68' Westy "field find" in San Luis Obispo

[OB Bus]

[nreynolds]

Clara --> The steering felt ok when we unloaded it off the towtruck but not sure. I have more engine parts inside the cab, perhaps you could help me identify them? I'll post pics. Not sure what you mean by smooth top.

Thanks again to all for your feedback, I am more inspired than ever to breath new life into "the coyote"!

Per advice, I will start with breaks and engine and will pick up both the Muir and Wilson books. Lots of DIY rebuild jobs on Youtube I saw. I might have another complete engine lined up as well curtesy of father in law.

I will keep you all posted on progress... I think i can get the wife to sign off on $4-6 for the time being. When the time is right, I know a place where i can take some welding classes.

[camit34]

[Pinetops]

[camit34]

I say go for it!

You have to start somewhere and if it's really something you want to learn about, this is surely one you'll learn a lot from.

Here's a couple threads for some inspiration -
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=646780
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=591434

- Aaron
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In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)
1965 Bug (SOLD)

[67ctbug]

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Living in the rust belt, I see some pretty rusted out late model Westies where they are asking $2k+ non running...some without an engine or trans.

If you are going to learn on a bay, the earlier engines (68-71) are like Beetle engines ... a little simpler, and cheaper and more plentiful, so it is good platform to learn.

It will cost money, so start setting some aside. To get it rolling down the road safely, I'd swag $3k - $4k...maybe a little less, potentially more, and this before aesthetic stuff. I'm figuring a reman engine, all new tires and brake system, some suspension reconditioning, and a new windshield. Plus many other nick an nanny's that will sure to add up.
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1976 Westy (aka Tripod)
2.0 liter FI solid lifters
212k miles

[Tcash]

Welcome to TheSamba, Bay Window Bus Forum!

What parts are '68 only?

[OB Bus]

I'll throw in my thoughts.
We got our '69 bus when I was 52. Both of us working full time and 3 kids at home. Limited place to work on the bus. No welding skills. It was barely running and lots of the parts were in boxes. I had 4 bugs and a bus in the past but the last one of those was sold in 1976.
Ours had similar rust to yours -- X2 that the rust that I have seen on yours does not look critical.
All that said, if you want to head out on the journey just go ahead and do so!
Suggestions:
a. If you have no air cooled experience get Muir's book and read it cover to cover.
b. Try to do something on the bus every day - or at least every week.
c. Get it on the road before getting it pretty. Priorities should be (1) brakes, (2)steering/suspension, (3) engine/transmission.

You have to assume that engine is nothing more than parts. It might be much cheaper and easier to find used engine than to resuscitate what is left in your bus.

Note that the '68 buses had a lot of one-year-only parts. There is a long thread here on that topic. Might be good to read before diving in.

Good luck and keep posting here.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.
People deserve the Government they voted for.

[BusLust]

[Clara]

[Clara]

[Abscate]

For daily driver 4K is possible it could be -twice that. If it's your first ACVW ypu won't have the skills to assess the budget so you need to plan for the 6-8k contingency

Suspension
Brakes
Engine
Clutch/transmission
Wheels shafts bearing

Each of these can eat up 500-1000 quickly
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[Pinetops]

^ I believe they are including (DIY or inexpensive shop) body and paint in that price. But you could spend that doing mechanical work alone of course depending on what you want.

To get it safely on the road with a basic engine rebuild, brakes, steering/suspension components, windshield, tires, whatever weather seals have to be replaced, front seats redone, unforseen expenses, etc., I think it could be put on the road for around $4k or so if the trans doesn't need to be rebuilt. That's if you do the work (other than engine rebuild) yourself.

Unless there is more structural rust than shown, that would be considered a good bus to start with in my area.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[rustfree1967bug]

Wow! Where are you guys coming up with such numbers as 10k just to get that thing on the road? He did say daily driver condition. Only fix the rust that absolutely needs to be fixed, get that engine running or find another running engine, new tires and brakes and go over wiring to make sure all your lights work as they should. You can have that bus back on the road for 3k max. You west coast people have it too good
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'70 ghia
'69 ghia
'65 singlecab
'66 sunroof beetle
'74 bus
'67 so-42


IDA's...well... they talk dirty -MURZI

[XXX/Rx/RnR]

I started a project on the side. 3k paint and body, 1k chromed parts, 2k tire and wheel package, 1.6k Bus Depot door & window rubber seals kits and other parts. All new breaks, front end, slider windows, and drive train work. Way over 10k. But this is a over the top build. Then how much is your time and hard work worth? Still got to do the inside.That will be another $$$$
The thrill is gone
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78' westy, 2.4 195hp ecotec, audi turbo a/t, a\c, 2 1/2" lift spindles, index rear, 930 cv's & axles, 225x65x17 BFGs ## 77' hardtop 2.0 T-4 duel 44 weber's, 225x50x17s ## 74' baha bug

[overrestored]

Look up a product called Ospho... use it correctly on the lesser rust. The nasty areas will need new metal welded though.
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some cars
some bicycles
some old skateboards
One cool crazy cat
a yard full of fruit trees
26 chairs for some reason
a crapload of old shoes
a lot of books on history of the Mexican Ranchos
200+ kamax bolts... stacked in rows

[Pinetops]

Considering your post and from what I can tell from those pics I say go for it. You can get it running and then fix the rust over time if necessary. Not all that rust has to be repaired immediately to drive it safely.

Keep us updated!
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[skills@eurocarsplus]

well, on the plus side, you have virgin rust...so do GOOD repairs and you'll be fine.

overall she's a bit rough.....but 100% worth it. here in New England we fix shit you guys throw away.
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[nreynolds]

thanks to all who have replied thus far, both the pessimists and the optimists! What a great community.

I acknowledge that my skills are lacking but do see this as a long term learning project to tinker with over time. The joy for me in a project like this is the journey for sure and learning along the way. Ideally, I would like to find a mentor somewhere in my area to work on buses together on weekends. Any takers?? I've reached out to the local classic VW community here in SLO. We shall see!

Assuming I decide to go forward, should my focus be mainly on mechanical?


Some of you asked for pictures of the rust, see below: