The Stupid Question Thread

[KentABQ]

I'm way behind in my quota of stupid questions, so here's one:

While driving my '76 Riviera, there is a fairly loud, high pitched squeak that sounds like it's coming from under the front of the bus. When I'm driving, it sounds like it's originating under the passenger floor. But when Robbie was in the passenger seat, he thought it was coming from under the driver's floor.

It's not a consistent squeak, so I don't believe it's brake, steering or suspension related. Rather, it is quiet while driving on very smooth surfaces and gets more noticeable the rougher the roads get.

I've climbed under several times to try to locate the source of the noise. And tried it with wheels down and in the air, shaking anything I could find. But it's got me baffled.

Does anyone have experience with a noise like that they were able to eliminate? I'm planning a couple rather long road trips this spring and summer, and would prefer not listening to it for days on end.
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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

[KentABQ]

[wcfvw69]

[Volswagon]

OK here's one that I've wondered about for a long time: When building engines for use in the Southern Hemisphere, is it better if they rotate counter-clockwise?
If I drive to South America, will my motor try to tear itself apart trying to turn backwards?
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I know the pieces fit, cos I watched them fall away.
Wanna hear God laugh? Just talk about your plans.

'75 Bus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697183&highlight=

[Wildthings]

[SBD]

[Stray Catalyst]

If I wanted to modify a bus to haul a light vehicle, such as a bug, what sort of modifications would I need to make to the suspension? The pic appears to be a former bus turned into a Doka car hauler.
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196? Laser 917 Kit Car
1982 Vanagon Westy Diesel 1.6NA
1974 Sun Bug, lowered std Beetle
1969 Westy, mostly stock, the Road Trip bus.

[78BusGA]

The person who runs vw-mplate.com, are they on vacation from doing that or is there a way to contact them? Sent e-mails already twice, with photo.

I'm trying to get a hold of them to fix the two transposed numbers I put into it when I put my plate in.
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Few will understand the passion and majesty, among the nuts and grease.

Tom H.

My '74 Super 1303 thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764902&start=60

My '78 Kombi Bus thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769385&highlight=

'72 Superbeetle (retired), '78 Bus Kombi 2.0FI, '74 1303 Superbeetle

[JackStraw72]

*****Stupid Question Alert*****

1969 Westy

What color would the wheels have been when new? Would they have been painted white or black? Would the hubcaps be chrome or painted?

I have seen:

Black wheels with chrome caps
Black wheels with white painted caps
White wheels with chrome caps
White Wheels with White painted caps

Which would be correct?

Thanks!

[busdaddy]

[grapedaddy]

How would bird eggs get into an oil bath air cleaner?

Seriously, I was cleaning the gunk out my air cleaner today and there were several bird eggs the sizeof() robin eggs, but with very thick broken shells soaking in black oil. At first I guessed there had been a bird's nest at the air intake, but there is no room for a nest. How did the bird eggs get into the oil bath through that tiny opening where a bird wouldn't fit? . . .and how did they get past all those flaps that would usually be closed when the bus isn't running?
---end---
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----
grapedaddy
1971 Westfalia "Buttercup"
2003 Westfalia "Tourmaline" (sold)
2021 MB Metris Getaway “TheDarkSide”

[KentABQ]

[tonysantacruz]

Are there any recommended stores around LA? My bus is a 1974 straight-up T2 Combi and I’m down to the last details: maybe dashboard buttons, the weird plastic thingies to increase air flow to the vents, fuel hoses, clamps, grommets.
Taking my wife there and I need something to do with my time while she shops.
Thanks.

[Volswagon]

[Volswagon]

[tonysantacruz]

Thanks. Also, I have a 1974 dashboard cluster that I am going to install. However, how can I test if the lights work? I took typing instead of electricity in High School, so I'm not that knowledgeable on how could I do it. With a 12volt battery and alligator clamps?

[stwesty]

Is there a trick to filling the hypoid oil in the final drive? I've located the 17mm hex plug but and can't imagine how i'm supposed to pour the oil sideways into that hole.

I have a 003 automatic transmission fwiw and yes, I probably should have filled it before re-installing my engine and tranny.
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1974 Westfalia, automatic, dual-carb

[Volswagon]

Grease pump at this stage. Yes, much easier on the ground.
_________________
I know the pieces fit, cos I watched them fall away.
Wanna hear God laugh? Just talk about your plans.

'75 Bus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697183&highlight=

[alman72]

trying to figure out what oil filter is in my 73. it did have a engine swap before I got it. looking at the numbers stamped on the bottom is not helping me. it is white, with yellow numbers. 1st line is a string of numbers and letters, and in some cases I cant tell what is an 8 or an S and a 0 from a O. second line is a patent number, and it looks to be a champion patent, and 3rd line is PRODUCT of the USA
Is there a FLAPS oil filter I can use, or should I go with old ratwell info?
here is line one
1 20 SOSES1 12 26 or is it
1 20 80SES1

edit-looks to be on an oil cooler, lower left hand side of the bus.

[Wildthings]

The stock oil filter uses a very common 3/4"-16 thread. If you don't want to go through the hassle of finding the odd ball filter the book calls for a short Ford or Dodge filter will work fine, like a Motorcraft FL-300. If you haven't lowered your bus and don't drive on extremely rough roads where you are scraping the bottom of your engine, you can run a long Ford or Dodge filter, like a Motorcraft, FL-1a. The FL-1a or its equivalent in another brand was for a very long time the most common filter out there, and even today should be available most anywhere.