My 70 Bus!!

[justcruzin]

[tabney]

This has been, by far, the most entertaining thread I have read through on this forum. Great job not only saving this thing from the crusher, but making it uniquely your own. I am incredibly impressed by all the work that has gone into it and can't wait to see what you do next!
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1971 Doublecab - Bertha
1966 Beetle - George

[justcruzin]

[tonyx]

I was thinking should I read War and Peace or this thread , you won hands down , I usually read one of these threads in a couple of days I think this one took a couple of weeks and I wish there was more good stuff

[justcruzin]

Thanks for the kudos you guys. I really do enjoy doing things to my bus, and I do love my bus. My friends say I love it more then my hubby. LOL He's a close second. Just kidding.

Anyway, since seeing the cupholder thread, I realized I need to update my post. Not much has happened lately, just been driving it everyday and loving it.

I did use it to get my Christmas Tree.

See it? It's on top of the kayak. LOL Here's a close up.

Ok, actually it's just a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but my friends were posting pics of their trees on their VW's so I had to do the same. LOL

So the latest mod I have done to the bus is a cupholder upgrade. At first I didn't want a box in-between the seats, but after a few years with the bus, I realized we rarely walk between them.

I had seen a Buddybox on the UK bay window site and fell in love with it. I showed it to a friend and he had his friend make me a version of it.

Here are some pics.

The before pic.

The upgrade,

I added all the stuff on it, and also added the junk holder under the cupholders.

I also added an iPod holder and a junk tray on the inside. Out of sight out of mind!

I just liked the next pic. LOL

I also added some cupholders to the back of the bus. I had a hard time adding the one on the cabinet, do to not wanting to drill holes in it, but the will to have cupholders for the back seat passengers won over the holes. I had to clean up a mess from a loose cup of coffee once, decided I needed to do something about it.

That one will also double as a phone holder for when I'm sleeping back there. I use my phone for a clock, so it will be nice to have it handy.

The other side,

Hubby will like that one for his tea at night. Before we had to keep it on the sink and it was a pain for him to reach it in the middle of the night. This will be so much more convenient.

That's the latest. I will have another update in April sometime. I'm taking a week vacation the week after Easter and plan on replacing all the shift rod bushings! Stay tuned.....
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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[justcruzin]

Ok, I pulled the motor and tranny this week to replace the shift bushings to try to fix my sloppy shifter.

They really didn't look to bad except for being really dirty. I cleaned things up and replaced with new bushing anyway.

Since the motor was out, figured I would tear it down to re torque the top head bolts since it hasn't been done since we got the motor a couple years ago.

Back together.

Since the motor was out, I decided to ad some extra fire protection. Installed a Blazecut fire extinguisher.

We just finished up tonight. Going to take it for a test drive tomorrow, but so far it doesn't look like my efforts paid off. The shifter does feel a bit stiffer, but seems to still have more play then I was hoping it would have had. I may go get one of the short shift kits and install it. Depends on how the test drive goes.

I thought I did pretty good with the R&R, but in the end, I had 2 sets of nuts and bolts that I can't remember where they went. LOL

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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[justcruzin]

Well, I finally did some more to my bus. There isn't a whole lot left to do but drive it but once in a while I find some things to add. LOL

I recently bought a vinyl cutter and have been going crazy with stickers. Made me a state sticker. Now just to fill it up. LOL

I also finally got smart and bought a storage container for my camping stuff. Plates and etc. I had been hauling everything all over with me but now I can easily lift it in and out of the buddy seat.

I also installed one of those cheap quick shift things, hoping it would get rid of some of the slop. Nope, should have listened to the people on the Samba. LOL Looks like I will be rebuilding my tranny one day.

We went to a wrecking yard and I found the rubber that goes on the inside of the jaulousy (sp) window. So I put that on today.

Before,

After

Now to find one more for the other side.

My next project that I hope to do Sat., is put on my Butty's Bits linkage.

That's all for now. I will try to take pics of the linkage install and update when that is done.

Here is a pic I took while waiting for the jewelry store to open. Kind of liked how it turned out so thought I'd share.

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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[justcruzin]

Today I installed the Butty's Bits Throttle Kit. Well, my kid and I did.

Can't work on the bus with out A/C.

Sorry to say, I forgot to take pics as we went. LOL So here is a before hooking throttle cable to the rear, pic.

Other side,

The old, stock parts.

I have only drove it about 2 tenths of a mile, from my hubby's work to home, but all I can say about it is......... WOW, what a difference!!! The response is sooooo much better. I love it. Can't wait to drive it again.

I will be buying one of these for my single cab soon. Will be getting them for the other buses too!!
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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[Pinetops]

It looks great, I may have to get one of those throttle kits myself.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[Abscate]

Nice work Kim, keep rolling.....
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.ssS!

[Danwvw]

So those have to come from England don't they. Like to get one just go here or something? http://www.restobusparts.com/search?q=Buttys+Bits
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[justcruzin]

[Pinetops]

They are sold in the US on ebay as well.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[justcruzin]

Ok guy's, having some issues with what I now call "Precious" LOL, formally known as Wes the Westy.

Anyway, Bugorama weekend I was driving the bus to Bugo, following my hubby in his VW. I started smelling fresh fuel. We checked both VW's when we got to the restaurant and couldn't see anything. Well, that following Tues, I was doing some errands and I started smell it again. I really could smell it when I got off the freeway and the ramp makes a hard left turn. When I got home I looked again in the engine compartment and didn't see anything. Then I looked on the ground and I saw gas dripping behind the passenger tire! I was confused on where it could be coming from. I called hubby and he came home to take a look and we discovered fuel had spilt all down the side of my bus out of the filler area. Opened the door and it was full to the brim in the overflow area.

I made a post on FB about my problem and a lot of folks figured it was either a bad cap or air vents to the tank are plugged. Oh, the bus only has under a half tank in it, so it shouldn't be spilling any gas.

Today I was trying to figure out a way to cheat and clear the air lines. I figured out that the charcoal canister goes to that area, so I pulled it and blew air through the line. I could hear gas moving around in the tank and I figured the line is clear. I then tried to blow air through the charcoal canister and the nipple that the line for the tank hooks too, will not allow air in or out. So I figured I solved my problem. Took it for a test drive after changing the canister out and did a few U turns and when I got home, fail, gas had came out again. And this is a different cap then the first time.

Old canister, starting to rust out.

Couldn't blow or suck air out of that smaller nipple on the right.

I guess I should mention that the original gas cap I had on it, I had on it for 3 years or so. Then on the test drive after the canister change, I had put on a similar one.

Original gas cap on the right. Looks bad but the seal looks good. The other cap on the left is the one I tried next.

It failed too,

I ended up steeling my son's gas cap off of his bus, a vented one, and went for the same test drive with a paper towel in the overflow area, and when I got back it was dry as could be.

Vented gas cap.

So now I'm at a loss, why after 3 years of using the one gas cap, it failed. Then switching it to another similar gas cap, it failed too. But, the vented one seems to have worked. Could it have been that the first one just wore out and the second one was no good to start with? Or maybe the air vents are still plugged elsewhere and the vented cap stops it from building up pressure?? Beats me but I do plan on changing all lines when we can pull the motor. Need to pull it anyway to find an oil leak, just didn't have time for the next few weeks, so I wanted to try to fix it for now and deal with replacing things then.
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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[Tcash]

Bugorama was kinda thin this year!

That is a strange one. I would think the tank was under pressure not vacuum, with it pushing gas past the gas cap seal?
Where you able to blow air threw the replacement Evap canister?
Pull the hose to the canister and retest with your gas cap.

Good luck
Tcash

[curtp07]

Use adel clamps instead of the zip ties to secure that blazecut. Much nicer install.
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Subaru

[Tcash]

Just a thought. If the gas was blended for winter months it may be boiling off.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a3180/summer-...-13747431/

Tcash

[justcruzin]

Tcash, sorry I didn't even see you posted that question, kind of went silent for a while on here. LOL

I actually replaced the canister. It was history. I also put a stock cap on it. Hasn't really leaked since although sometime the gas cap has gas in it when I go to get gas. Doesn't speell out like it used to though.
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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[justcruzin]

I finally have an update on my bus. I recently redid my curtains. I had used hankerchifs and tea towels and they left a lot of gaps. I actually tried to sew these new ones myself. I think I did ok, but I didn't do to good at the measuring part. LOL I may redo them again once these start to fade.

At least these slide on the actual rails instead of my make shift hooks that slid on the rails. These work much better.

I was a little shy on the material for the back windows but I figured the cabinet will take up the gap. LOL

I also had my rims powder coated. Nice an shiny now.

I am having an issue with the brakes that maybe someone can shed some light on?? I have a ton of brake dust that gets all over my nicely powder coated rims. I mean it is worse then having disc brakes. The front brakes also squeal really bad. I have tried change to different brands of shoes and have had my drums turned. The squeak eventually comes back. We are going to try to flush out my brake lines to see if maybe they are dirty and causing the brakes to not return fast enough once you let off the brake. If that doesn't help, I guess I will have to break down and buy some new drums and try that. Any suggestion on how to fix this issue??

This is my latest upgrade that I am doing as I type. LOL I am finally going to give dual carbs a try. I have been running a 1776 with a single stock carb and I am finally getting tired of still climbing the small hill on the way to work, at 45 mph. It's a small hill. LOL Should climb it faster then that. A friend that works on VW's for a living suggested these carbs an he is installing them and going to get them all dialed in. Sure hope it all goes well.

I will update how they do once he gets them done and I can drive to work again. LOL
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Kim
Sacramento, CA

1964 Split Window Bus
1966 Beetle Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472933
1969 Delivery Van= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566282
1970 Westy Build Thread= http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479538
1971 Squareback Build Thread = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6652459#6652459
1970 Single Cab, Samson = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8022609#8022609

[LazyLightning75]

You gotta have curtains like those if your gonna sport a tye dye personalized plate. They look great!
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1975 Riviera 1.8L FI