VW Mechanic needed near Inland Empire!

[Jj715power]

hey guys I'm in the Inland empire and I'm in need of a good mechanic/ restoration. i have a 71 bay window and have taken it to two "so-called" vw mechanics and both times have left unimpressed and with more problems. if anyone can help it'd be much appreciate!

[rockerarm]

Hi my friend. I'm sorry that happened to you. I lived, and worked, out there and to be honest there might not find what you demand from a shop out there.
I wholeheartedly recommend a gent in my general area (los angeles county). His name is Tim Caves, member here, shop owner for decades, and knows his shit. Why not contact him and make a face-to-face contact and see if what he offers meets your expectations? He is a one man shop and has been open on Sat, half day, as I recall. He loves his time off, so maybe no Saturdays!
The shop is T.C.'s Old V-Dub Home, 7381 Foothill Bl, Tujunga, 91042. 818-353-0011. A customer of his named Visket had his bus always serviced there, and he put together the www.savethebays.org site.

Lloyd Mosher had a shop over in Upland but don't know if he is still around or if he would be working on your car if his shop still existed.

Hope this helps, Bill.

[curtp07]

See this thread - lots of guys willing to help you:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=665559
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Subaru

[Jj715power]

thanks a lot guys i really appreciate it!

[SGKent]

If you can make it to San Diego then see Gary (Aeromech) down there. He works on them as a hobby almost so his work is outstanding. He has an engine builder in San Diego who has done lots of quality engines.

If you can't make it down to San Diego then try:
Blodgett's Automotive 431 W 10th St, 92410 San Bernardino

For engines there is also:
Fat Performance 1558 N Case St, Orange, CA 92867
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

[Jj715power]

well it eventually needs a full restoration job. But as of now i just want it driveable. it needs transmission work, not quite sure what yet just that its hard to find exactly where the gears are. Also its only running on 2 1/2 cylinders do not exactly "drivable" there. then just some electrical work, the turn signals aren't working.

[aeromech]

Can you further explain what 2 1/2 cylinders means? Have you run a compression check? If so and you really have dead cylinders then in my opinion you need to focus on fixing that before dealing with stuff like turn signals not working. You need to prioritize a plan and make a budget with estimates on costs without getting yourself under water on this. Pics and more details would help us be able to help you better.
_________________
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
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Wildthings]

Unless you have deep pockets, if you want to own and drive an antique car you really need to learn to do most repairs yourself. You need to learn to use a multimeter and buy a good shop manual or two, start with Muir's Idiot Book and then get a Haynes or a Bentley for more technical info.

[KentABQ]

There is a one-man ACVW shop in Indio called Eddies Auto Repair. I stopped and spoke with Eddie about a year ago. His shop and surroundings are full with busses and bugs. Some are parts bins and several are restorations in work, and a couple busses he owns for his use.

Has anyone in The Samba had experience working with Eddie? It would be handy to have another option other than reference books (and Robbie when he is available) to address problems that are beyond my limited abilities to diagnose.
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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

[ateneo]

Hi Ji715power,

It sounds like you want to get the engine running right first before you do any body restoration.

For engine repair, I would suggest that you go to TopLine. I have been dealing with Jon Chabot for many years now and he always does good and honest work. Whenever I am baffled by an engine repair that I am doing, I would go to Jon for parts and he would give me advice on how to tackle the engine repair problem. He also sells parts at reasonable prices.

Here is his website: http://toplineparts.com/about-us/

Topline phone# 714-630-8371.
Address: 2910 East Miraloma Ave, Unit A, Anaheim Ca 92806

For transmission work, I heard Rancho Performance Axles is good. I have not tried them yet but I might send a transmission to them next year to rebuild. Their phone# is 714-680-6737.

If you are going to do a body restoration, I would recommend that you do it yourself and save yourself lots of money.

I also have a 71 bus (Westy) and doing body restoration on it is fun, relaxing and I learned new cuss words while working on the rust 

Good luck, buddy 
_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[Clara]

[Wildthings]

[Jj715power]

[Jj715power]

Ok so i called the mechanic and he said that both driver side cylinders were not working, one was completely dead and one was really low, at about 80.