Author |
Message |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:41 pm Post subject: 1977 Westfalia Camper-The story of how we met |
|
|
So Ive been scheming with Tram for like the last 2 months to buy his 77 westy. I fell into the big eyes-big dreams syndrome when I bought the 68 westfalai project. It was more than I wanted to take on. So being the keep it-find it OG guy I am, I was drawn to this 77 bus.
George had it willed to him via the last owner. He was her mechanic. After George got it he cleaned it up a bit and made it as road worthy as he could-with a grain of salt
New tires, new pop top, fixed front windshield lip and a good clean and tune.
I flew into Portland the Tuesday prior to the Classic weekend. George and the miss picked me up in his old Mercedes. That night I got to see the bus, toss back a few whiskey and cokes, then duly crash for the night in my new digs. I slept like a rock either because the bus is that comply or the whiskey played its part.
The next morning Tram and I hit up breakfast, did the $ and paper work and I was off. This was the begriming of my white knuckle ride through the rest of Oregon Jumping in any old car and taking off for a long trip is not a good idea, doing it in a brick on wheels driving in gusty mountain passes is dumb. I had my bus virginity taken that day for sure. Late at night-1030pm 80 miles out side my destination in Sacramento I ran out of gas. After deducing this and calling for a $100 5 gal of fuel to be delivered, I opened the side windows, listened to the frogs as I lay there in the cool breeze of Rd 68 exit 595. This is when I knew things were going to be ok. And its funny as Tram said the same thing in not so many words-I had cast the demons out by having this failure. Krauts think alike
So I got into Sac-LATE. Said hey to my host(super Kate) then CRASHED. I was spent past my expiration date. The next day after giving my goodbyes I hit the road. Much better in the flats down the old 99. So much better of a ride. The grape vine was a breeze-nice and cool at the top. LA sucked-but when does it not. I made it to Hacienda Heights on time. Once there I was greeted by fellow 1500 club members and began my night of Carne Asada and Vodka-in excess! I was rummy in the first place the drinks only made it worse.
After a fun kick off we proceeded to do Classic weekend fun! The bus ended up as a base for our T3 activities. Everyone loved it-actually her-Daisy as Tram told me her name was. Even the ones flipping me crap for being a bus owner and a bay on top of that loved her.
After the Classic I headed south to San Diego and home where I spent time with my mom and dad. Monday morning I was out the 8 toward San Antonio. I made camp in a rest stop in New Mexico for the night. Woke at 530am and headed off. I pushed all the way back to San Antonio and made it by 1130pm.
The bus ran its best the last night. Partly due to my me getting a clue. You see I hadn’t been accelerating properly-giving it the gas on up hills. Well I figured out that if I stepped on the gas on the inclines-the bus kept up! Look out 18 wheelers-I’m passing you
Now I’m back home and its time to let the cat out of the bag. My girlfriend didn’t know this was what I was doing. So now that I’m back I made this vid to surprise her. She's in Seattle visiting her folks. I hope she dost kill me for the deception.
Thanks again George
Link
_________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top
Last edited by notchboy on Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
aliennetwork Samba Member

Joined: May 27, 2009 Posts: 458 Location: Aiken, SC
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great cup! and bus and story.. _________________ M-Plate
Desertbusman wrote: |
So if you carry a spare starter it will be some other part you don't carry that will fail. Just tow a spare bus. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
skid Samba Member

Joined: January 16, 2009 Posts: 1329 Location: Vancouver, BC
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sweet bus and that thermos is pretty rad. I really love yellow buses...that color is so delicious. It reminds me of sunny side up eggs! _________________ '71 Westfalia |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Andre4 Samba Member

Joined: March 21, 2004 Posts: 250
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
...I seem to remember advising you to hold out for a 76-79 when you bought that 68. Nice bus Jason!
Andre |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Andre4 wrote: |
...I seem to remember advising you to hold out for a 76-79 when you bought that 68. Nice bus Jason!
Andre |
Wisdom is not given, its earned.
This is so far from the 68 its not even funny. I still like the older DP 1600cc type busses, but not for the family weekend warring I need to do. _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Tram Samba Socialist

Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 23034 Location: Northwest of Normal
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey, man. Glad you like it! Made me a little nervous with you popping Daisy's cherry with a 2600 mile trip. That Bus sat for well over a year while the PO was busy making her transition into the next life... and I picked it up last November but didn't have any time to do anything to it till the new canvas came and it was crunch time. So, I just went through and replaced everything that I know can leave you stranded. Guess I guessed right.
I serviced this bus since the late 90s but never did any major overhauls. It always had the best synthetic oil and trans oil. I really think that pays off. This Bus had the engine replaced some time before I knew it with a later hydraulic engine. It was originally a Ca emissions Bus, but with the new engine was Federalized. This is why there are some FI wires in the engine compartment that go nowhere.
I want to see it with the tent and an Amescador rear door extension, ya bastid! That was my dream for this Bus, along with air conditioning. But, due to an expensive new spine thanks to a disc blowout, Daisy had to go.
What's funny is that you, me, and the PO are (were) all Krauts. Her "McCoy" last name came from her dad who contributed the DNA, then took off. She was raised by her mom's folks, the Hausmanns of Philadelphia. at her competency hearing last June, when I was appointed conservator, I shot her a couple questions auf Deutsch just in conversation in front of the judge, and she still answered back flawlessly.
Since Daisy performed so well, I get the feeling that Dr. McCoy approves of the new owner... I know that I do!
Have fun with it. If you need anything, yell. You should get some YOM Texass plates for her! _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
Those who can- do.
Those who can't? Subaru. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
So I went through 4 yes 4 quarts of oil. The 4th made it home, but today when I drove her the valves knocked for the first time till I drove it out. Ill have a check and see if the oil level is still good. At Yuma I did a Wally Mart stop, got food, a foam cooler for beside me and car food for the trip to Texas. I bought the same Syntec oil. I needed it! The desert heat is where it ate the most. All the time had an oil smell, but not any-not a one-leak to be seen on the ground. Just plain eating the oil.
Time for a top end job?
Chillin in Weed.
_________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Tram Samba Socialist

Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 23034 Location: Northwest of Normal
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Jason, look in that Bentley I lent you and check that the breather isn't plugged. 650 miles on a quart is a bit excessive. you might try changing over to 20W-50 Castrol non- synthetic and just use the Syntec as the 4th quart... see if that helps a bit. If it's not dripping but you're smelling it- it's burning it. But a plugged breather can do that.
It runs awfully well to need a top end!  _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
Those who can- do.
Those who can't? Subaru. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JSMskater Samba Grease Gorilla

Joined: February 01, 2006 Posts: 5362 Location: Murrieta California
|
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
check your valve covers and the oil seal behind the pulley. Mine was slinging oil from those places while driving but then NOT at idle where I could see it. _________________ 71 Squareback-FI -- 73 Bay (subaru powered)
TOOB Member #3
I make D-jet FI connectors |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Mike C Samba Member

Joined: September 18, 2008 Posts: 303 Location: Albuquerque
|
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
That is a nice bus and great story! Congrats! _________________ Bone stock 1970 non-walkthrough "Station Wagon" bus
[quote="1977_L63H_P27"]As mentioned before, it's a 9-passenger Deluxe. The true "station wagon" of buses. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Tram Samba Socialist

Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 23034 Location: Northwest of Normal
|
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It's a "Bug eater!!!" Those bugs really highlight that dent on the nose. _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
Those who can- do.
Those who can't? Subaru. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
aliennetwork Samba Member

Joined: May 27, 2009 Posts: 458 Location: Aiken, SC
|
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Time to update that signatue. _________________ M-Plate
Desertbusman wrote: |
So if you carry a spare starter it will be some other part you don't carry that will fail. Just tow a spare bus. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
aliennetwork wrote: |
Time to update that signatue. |
Done
Shots of the bus prooving that inter action among the different types is possible. Atleast with T3 people
^^I think Kingsbury is next on the list to get one^^ _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:53 pm Post subject: 1977 Westfalia Camper-Replacing the little things |
|
|
I bought this cool um....cooler awile back. The one in here is awsome, but it leaks into the cabin
Ill have to pull the cabinet out and see whats up with those drain tubes.
Now to get a table, fix the sink, fix the fuel sender, fix the dash lights and do some other internal odd jobs. The side Jalousie Windows rattle like a mo-fo and have been left open while driving once to many times. Where the glass meets the frame the rivets oblonged the alumium. So Peaceful Warrior is hooking me up with new ones.
_________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 8:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Ive been on the war path getting little bits and pieces for the bus. I just bought these from epay for a real great price. New fogs. Ive also bought some yellow H3s for them as well as yellow H4s. Its gona be all yellow.
Time to get to work on mounting them.
For the switch Ill stay vintage.
The other item on the to do list is to clean these up. No one else wanted the challenge I supose-they sat in the classys for awile. Ill get these rusy paper weights looking good.
_________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bill webster Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2010 Posts: 18 Location: federal way, washington
|
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:35 am Post subject: yeah!!! |
|
|
sweet westy, so clean. my westy was that color. it seemed to attract more bugs than a buglight....and that was when it was sitting still. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
So Ive been dinking with an electrical gremlin in the 77. The dash lights are real dim and do not adjust and the rear left parking light and side marker light do not work-because the fuse-far left fuse keeps poping.
Ive replaced the headlight switch with a nos one with no change. So I bet my old one is good.
Back by the tail light I did notice the grounding point had melted a bit into a black wire on the loom. I moved all that but that didnt help. I just hope the melted loom is not grounding furthor back inside the cover.
Im getting a new steering wheel from Corey soon I hope and planned to pull the dash gauge cluster. THen I can dig around better as needed.
What could it be for both? Oh and the gas guage dosent work but I hoping its the float. _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Randy in Maine Samba Member

Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
|
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sweet bus....
so where can I get a coffee cup like that?
Take those girls camping! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
notchboy Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22625 Location: Escondido CA
|
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
Randy in Maine wrote: |
Sweet bus....
so where can I get a coffee cup like that?
Take those girls camping! |
highwayonecoffeeco.com - They are not listed on the site as a product he has but hes the guy that did it. Youll be one of several that have asked so maybe hes makin more? Tell him I sent you  _________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|