Newbie Daily Driver

GuitarGuy · Samba Member Joined: March 22, 2015 Posts: 3 Location: CT

I'm new to the whole VW thing (and classic car, really) and looking for a daily driver for my guitar store. I've found a nice '77 bay with significant work done in 2010 and 2014, with receipts, and it is looking pretty good to me!

Question: What would you do, if anything, to a daily driver (only 3 mile commute, I suspect 4-6k mi/yr)? I'm thinking Gilmore A/C and would take suggestions on heat upgrades. Would anyone upgrade to hydraulic lifters, or make another change which could be considered an increase in reliability (oil system, maybe)? Suggestions on a tool and parts list to keep in the bus, which I've quickly discovered is a good idea, would be appreciated too! Thanks everyone!

TomWesty · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 8:13 am Post subject:

Welcome! I don't know much about late bays, so I'll leave the recommendations to those who do. My bus and my guitars are my main interests, so nice to have another music type on here.
_________________
If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
Visit: www.tomcoryell.com and check out my music!

aeromech · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 8:25 am Post subject:

I think you should post several pictures and include a breakdown of what was already done in the past. Then we can comment better[/quote]
_________________
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

GuitarGuy · Samba Member Joined: March 22, 2015 Posts: 3 Location: CT

http://classiccars.com/listings/view/629736/1977-v...rnia-92651

Many Small parts, here are items above $100:

2010
Oil Cooler
Distributor Rotor
Push rod tube seals leaking
Removed rocker arms
Replaced push rods
Replaced push rod tube seals
Adjusted valves
Exhaust
Resealed Manifold
Replaced Catalytic conv and muffler
Reseal Exhaust system
Plugs/points and condenser/fuel filter
Replaced bad computer to fix one cylinder compression
Ignition condensor

2014
New Drive Axle assembly (x 2)
Complete clutch kit
New Exhaust elbow
Upper Ball Joints
Full engine gasket kit
Pushrod tube
EGR Filler tank
Ruibullt type 4 engine
Heads (x 2)

jtauxe · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:19 am Post subject:

Forget the A/C. It will be a lot of trouble, and will be a disappointment, and you have a short commute anyway.

Also forget the "upgrade" to hydraulic lifters. They do not improve reliability. Just adjust your valves every oil change, and you are fine. Besides, a change to hydraulic lifters also requires a corresponding change to the cam shaft, which means cracking the bottom end open and all that. Very expensive operation for a perhaps misplaced desire for hydraulics. They are overrated.

As for tools and spare parts: That's worth paying attention to. There are some threads on lists of what to have and to travel with.

Welcome, and good luck!
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

Brian · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:29 am Post subject:

Welcome!

And I too would ditch your thoughts of "upgrades" right off the bat and learn the stock system, and then get into minor improvements.

That '77 looks nice minus that weird interior.
_________________
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'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50332

A well rebuilt Type 4 engine is pretty reliable so no upgrades are needed. I would want to see the receipt for the engine build myself. They are asking a premium price for this van (the highest I have seen for a non full camper) and you don't want an engine that has been thrown together from a bunch of somewhat serviceable used parts.

Be careful of buying a freshly painted turd. You can tell they cheaped out in several places like by not redoing the padding for the driver's seat before having a new cover installed, the cracked steering wheel, and the missing lense for the brake indicator light.

aeromech · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:52 am Post subject:

I like it and think you should buy it but you do need to fine line the "engine rebuild" thing. There's a big difference in what some people think is a rebuild and what others think. All in all I like it and think you would be happy with this bus. The time to negotiate fixing a few things like the brake indicator light is "before" you pay for it. Minor details though. Have you test driven it? You need an experienced bus driver to have a test drive.
_________________
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

GuitarGuy · Samba Member Joined: March 22, 2015 Posts: 3 Location: CT

I know, funky interior that probably doesn't please the purists! I'm a guitar store, though, and thought it looked fun! I really hate the heat, though. Am I really going to get talked out of the A/C? Is it THAT ineffective and problematic? I've read good things about Gilmore retros, and one of my favorite guitarists is David Gilmour, albeit different spelling. Electric ignition upgrade thoughts?

Also, I've seen Campmobile scripts on eBay. Thinking having someone take of the "C" for the back. The amp mobile Wink

aeromech · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:57 am Post subject:

You need to send a pm to: skills@eurocarsplus

He's in CT too
_________________
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

aeromech · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:01 am Post subject:

My suggestion is to let the a/c thing go for now. If you have the desire and money a couple years from now then is the time to do it.
_________________
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 · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50332

A gas heater (very common in Canada) will give you the best heat out there, you will be the envy of all the water cooled guys out there who have to wait for their windows to defrost on cold mornings.

Tcash · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:36 am Post subject:

Welcome to TheSamba!


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