Finally rescuing our old 79 - lots of pics, update Jan 2nd

[westcoastmarek]

Today turned out to be a really nice day to get the job done.. My in-laws, wife and kids came out to help. With out them this would not have been possible, and also the two potheads, super strong young guys that saved about an hour and two aching backs

Here is how the day went...

with the shed (the payment) on site, we got to work on moving the van out of the way

rear tires were rotten, so I borrowed a pair from Juni and right away she (don't have a name yet) looked happier

brakes will need some work

we pushed the shed off the trailer and then used the trailer to push it into the carport. luckily, this is when the two guys walked by and almost by-themselves moved the shed into that narrow space to the left of the carport...

ok, loaded up the van and off we went

and, finally, home (or at he in-laws at least)

Thanks again Juni for the tires and come-along...
I'll post some more info tomorrow

[MalibuLX3]

Cool. Seems like a great trade to me!
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1978 Westfalia

[Daverham]

How many buses are being used as sheds right now?. I've found 'em that way before. Looks like this one has a brighter future now.

I look forward to more pics.

[78riviera]

man nice find. Im not a big fan of the high top busses(wind conditions in washington) Still a great looking bus. Lets see some interior pics
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Victim of Volkswagen Virus

[Kirk]

Very cool. This one was your dads once? Or am I wrong?
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MAKE FORUMS GREAT AGAIN

Bear
Coble
Super
Oppenheim

[westcoastmarek]

yup, our old van...
hoping the gas tank is clean, will change fuel lines, oil, battery and cross my fingers

I really like the high top, lots of space inside and no need to set anything up but it won't fit in the garage and to be honest, the wife dislikes the top so it is going to go, there was a fellow in seattle that was interested in the top so $100 if he still wants it (unless you guys think that's too much then I will let it go for less). I will have to do a bit of welding around the gutters before I put on a new roof (tin or westy). A guy at a local wrecker told me that all i have to do is drill out all the spot welds in the gutter and the roof just lifts off... is it really that simple? any ideas

I'll post some interior and engine shots soon...

[shiningstar76]

sounds like a great deal for a high top
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KK4NTP
96 Tacoma
86 4Runner
My bus caught on fire and is now on the other coast with someone who gave me money for it.

[westcoastmarek]

well, so far i've only been able to spend a couple of days worth of hours playing. I haven't changed any plugs, wires, battery, etc but that will happen soon now that i have the motor running.
Today i temporarily plumbed in the new tank and unclogged the fuel pressure regulator and fired her up. i know there is a lot of work left, but made smile anyways...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSl_sp1mGM&context=C3a9ee80ADOEgsToPDskL9AMScSnDwaVkFmYoWTlfn

sorry about the quality, video shot on my blackberry
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1979 Westy Auto
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sold...
1979 VW bus, 2L FI, now with a rivi top
1971 7 pass. deluxe
1974 Beetle

[junichi]

Nice job! I was going to call you the other day to give you some inspiration, but looks like you made your own..

Hana (my daughter) and I backed the bus out of the garage and popped the roof for some play time and a short cruise in the bus.. it'll take some work for you to get there, but it's worth it! The next day Kai (my son) saw it in the garage and HAD to go and play in it too. They play, I tinker or clean, or whatever while I play with them..

I got my nose painted up and started on the front wheel arch replacement.. looking forward to putting it back on the road in spring for more family fun.

Keep up the good work.. it's hard to find the time with 2 young kids, but it WILL happen. See you down at Island View beach this summer!

[junichi]

but.. hey.. wait... does this mean my parts bus is gone??!!

[dasdachshund]

[westcoastmarek]

[westcoastmarek]

[Stuartzickefoose]

[westcoastmarek]

ok, i've been neglecting my thread for way too long. here is a quick update...
I got the bus on the road feb 2012 and I am happy to say she's been a reliable daily driver since.
The work to get it running included a new fuel pump and lines, used tank in great shape (thanks Neil), battery, and oil change. I also inspected the brakes and replaced some parts in one of the drums. in the past year I've done the engine foam, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, fan belt, timing... I've also had both rear wheel cylinder blow out and the brake pressure switches keep dying. I guess i should flush the brake fluid...

I haven't camped in my van yet but i've really enjoyed driving it.
This is what it looked like when we sold it in 1995... the woman who bought it put on only about 3k miles and parked it in '98

here are some pics from the last year

my little girl

the bottom is really good...

the top is not

decided to fix the gutters and opened up a can of worms. actually, i was feeling real regret for starting the job. it was too late though, top was off and rains were coming... (sept 2012)

I cut up a donor and, with the help of my father-in-law we started to weld the pieces on (and i use the term 'weld' very loosely, at one point i started a fire on the passenger seat) in fact i will skip the close ups

we dropped the new roof on the bus at 9am and by 9pm we had the windshield in. haven't done anything to it since.

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1979 Westy Auto
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sold...
1979 VW bus, 2L FI, now with a rivi top
1971 7 pass. deluxe
1974 Beetle

[westcoastmarek]

[Stuartzickefoose]

no more high top?

that rivi looks like a better rood though, so congrats
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[Stuartzickefoose]

[westcoastmarek]

[westcoastmarek]