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69BahamaYellow
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2011
Posts: 536
Location: Talbott, TN
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 Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:59 am Post subject: Father Son Bus restoration project |
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| Well my teenage son is a musician and has his heart set on this classic VW Bus as his first car. There's no talking him into a "safe" used car with air bags and other modern amenities, so we're going to take the plunge at a restoration. My gut feeling is that he will take really good care of something he pours some blood, sweat, and tears into fixing up, and probably be a much better driver with something he is really proud of. Yes, I know it's a rolling bed and can hold double the distractions of a regular teenager's first car, but I'm also looking at the restoration process as a bonding experience for my son and I. We disagree on a lot of things these days, so I'm hoping we can find some common ground in the van. Well, that's the short version of this story, so I'll post pics of what we're starting with, as soon as I figure out how. There seems to be a lot of knowledge on this site, so I look forward to advice and/or condolence as we go along.[/img] |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16959
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Hi there and welcome to the wonderful world of bay windows. Looks like you've already considered all the angles so I can skip the admonishments I usually give parents in this situation and get right to the heart of it.
Please write us back with details of your project bus. Posting pictures is very helpful and easy to do. The best thing is to use a picture hosting site like photobucket which is free. Once the pics are on PB it's super easy to include them into your posts.
So, get back here with full info and we'll try to map out a course of action for you to take and be successful.
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gabbs
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2010
Posts: 256
Location: Omaha, NE
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Congratulations! I wish I had my dad to help me. I'm 16 and a girl and am all on my own. I'm also a musician. A VW bus wil become very addicting, especailly when you work on it yourself. This website will help a ton! Good luck and best of wishes. 
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TheFonz
Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2009
Posts: 157
Location: NJ
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69BahamaYellow
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2011
Posts: 536
Location: Talbott, TN
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:59 am Post subject: Pics-Here's what we're starting with. |
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OK, Here's the skinny. The bus is a 1978, 1 owner, with 226,000 miles, and has been sitting on a farm for the last 20 years. It ran when it was parked, but has become a storage unit since.
[img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm7.jpg
[/img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm1.jpg
[img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm3.jpg
[/img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm6.jpg
[img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm5.jpg
[/img]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/78PanamaBrown/1978%20Volkswagen%20Bus%20Before%20Restoration/VanattheFarm2.jpg
[/url] |
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barefootwestie
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005
Posts: 1551
Location: Johns Island, SC
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:09 am Post subject: |
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Fixed the pics up for you. 
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My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/
1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."
Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia |
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TheFonz
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Joined: July 04, 2009
Posts: 157
Location: NJ
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maximan1
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2008
Posts: 1354
Location: Anaheim, California
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Nice project! I was 15 when I started on my '78. 3 years later, I'm still finishing it up. Check out my thread if you'd like http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...;start=280
Young bussers are the best, keep the Volkswagen scene alive!
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drober23
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2009
Posts: 787
Location: Detroit, MI
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:56 am Post subject: |
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It's a Deluxe if that matters to you! Rust doesn't look too bad.
I would try to keep that original paint if it were mine.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Oh, and change those fuel lines! 
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'75 Westfalia, '79 Deluxe, and some others...
(more busses than sense)
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey |
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69BahamaYellow
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2011
Posts: 536
Location: Talbott, TN
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:57 am Post subject: Updated Pics / history |
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You guys are great. Thanks for fixing the pics. From one of the previous posts, they recommended sending the pics to the photo gallery first, then posting them into the forum, so they don't disappear (as I have seen already from several photobucket attachments) I'll try this again myself to make sure I have the hang of it.
Yes, this is the original paint, so we will only be repainting the rusted/dented areas. I buffed out a few spots with compound, and the paint looked brand new. I can't believe how well it fared out in the elements all these years. The interior is pretty moldy, but a little bleach actually cleaned it right off. I'm hoping most of the interior repairs will be limited to replacing warped/water damaged pannels and reusing the vinyl.
To give some additional history. This van belonged to my father (original owner) and he is giving it to my son, so it will stay in the family. I'll have to admit, I'm pretty excited about bringing it back to it's original state, as we took many family vacations in it, when I was a kid, and I have a lot of good memories with it myself.
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Daverham
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009
Posts: 1397
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Grandpa's old bus! That's very cool. I bet you have some old photos to dig up. We want to see those!
There is so much I want to tell you, but you'll get to it all, one issue at a time, I guess. One thing: I have a very strong feeling you're going to need to pull the fuel tank, clean out the rust and coat the inside. Do that while the engine is out - I'm assuming the engine is coming out in the near future. You'll kick yourself if you get the engine back in and then find out you have to pull the tank afterward. There's one little tip for starters, many more to come, I'm sure.
I have a 78 too - originally same color as yours. Welcome to the club. Looking forward to photos of progress.
Last edited by Daverham on Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16959
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: |
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okay from the looks of it I'm going to give you some priorities. I hope you plan on taking about 9 months to get it back on the road.
1) Clean out all the crap
2) Wash the bus inside and out so you can see what you have there
3) Pull the engine
4) Pull the fuel tank and refurbish the inside
5) Replace all the fuel lines on the engine and gas tank
6) Full brake restoration. 4 hoses, master cylinder, booster maybe
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
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Daverham
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2009
Posts: 1397
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:22 am Post subject: |
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^^ Word!
I was editing my post to add the fuel tank note while this last one was coming in, so there's 2 votes for that. Also good advice on everything else noted above.
What else... don't over torque the oil drain plug! |
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Westfabulous
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4207
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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That bus must have been a head turner in it's day. Gorgeous. Sad to see how it has been treated over the past 20 years. Good luck with the project, and keep us posted with pics.
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Westy Steve
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 1095
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Fixing up a bus with my Dad was one of the coolest things I got to do with him. Have fun with it. You may just decide to fix another one after this...no shame in that at all.
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curtis4085
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2011
Posts: 4806
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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what a great Dad and a great find for a bus. Keep us posted with your progress. Wish you luck bonding with your son.
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gabbs
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2010
Posts: 256
Location: Omaha, NE
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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LOVE IT! Keep us updated I'd love to see the progress. Gotta love a Brilliant Orange bay
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Openly bay, cuz it's ok to like what ya like
Babes in buses rule!
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Kirk
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2003
Posts: 5487
Location: North Texas
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:17 am Post subject: |
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Welcome! Keep us posted on pics! Where are you in Texas?
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:13 am Post subject: |
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Man, that bus is purdy! Still has the emblem on it too! That sunvisor made me want to vomit a bit though....good luck with it!!
I'd roll it will all the moss and algae crap on it....earth bus!
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1978 Champagne Edition Bus FI
1970 Auto Fastback FI |
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zapna
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2010
Posts: 87
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:28 am Post subject: |
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My son is the drummer in a band and I pushed for the bus as the most practical and cheap option for him. He unfortunately has no interest in helping on the restoration, but I am sure having fun with it (mostly)!
Something I found out the hard way is that all parts are NOT created equal and sourcing OG used is typically going to be better than a lot of the new aftermarket stuff. Before you buy anything, do a search here for feedback on what is the best supplier/manufacturer of the part. I wish I had the hundreds of dollars back I spent on crappy Chinese parts! My first stop is www.BusDepot.com, but there are lots of great suppliers out there, you just have to look for them.
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