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Jack_O_Trades Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2014 Posts: 188 Location: Bay Area CA
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 9:27 pm Post subject: My First VW, It's a 69 Bay Window Deluxe |
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Hello All,
I have always wanted a VW bus (since I was 16) and finally brought one home this past weekend. My in-laws have had this bus since my wife was a little girl. It has been parked in their garage for the last +20 years never being fired up. It's a 69 Type 2 with a relatively stock 1600 engine.
To get it running I had to put some new rubber on the wheels, replace the battery, replace some ignition parts, clean the fuel pump and carburetor of the old fuel-turned-varnish, and drain as much of the old fuel from the tank as possible.
I was able to get it running, though not very well, it doesn't idle all that well (partially due to a vacuum leak) and it pops out second under load. I was able to coax it over to my house where I am planning on a rebuild.
Over all, the bus is in good condition having been in a relatively dry environment for the last two decades. The is very little surface rust and absolutely no rust through (rot). I have a good solid platform for what I hope to be a fun rebuild.
As far as a rebuild goes I would like to do a moderate rebuild with some upgrades so that this can be a fun, safe, and reliable weekend family hauler. My project list is still in it's infancy stage but includes
-Pulling and rebuilding transmission
-Pulling motor and converting to 1776 (there is a good laundry list of things I would like to change with the engine as well)
-Rebuilidng brake system
-Gutting the interior and fabricating my own
-Gutting the vehicle and re-painting the body
Having never taken on a project of this magnitude I am probably getting in over my head. I would like to try to finish the project in two years. I have the advantage of having a full blown machine shop and wood shop to make parts and fabricate assemblies. However I do not have a garage to work on this (garage is my shop) so I will have to work on this in the driveway over a two year period.
Anyways, thanks for looking and for having an awesome forum with a wealth of knowledge.
Here are some photos of the bus before I dug her out of my in-laws garage.
Last edited by Jack_O_Trades on Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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westcoastmarek Samba Member
Joined: September 13, 2011 Posts: 333 Location: Brentwood Bay, BC
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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That's a beautiful bus. Congrats! _________________ 1979 Westy Auto
----------------------------------------------
sold...
1979 VW bus, 2L FI, now with a rivi top
1971 7 pass. deluxe
1974 Beetle |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Just Picked Up My First VW, It's a 69 Type 2 |
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Jack_O_Trades wrote: |
.....................
As far as a rebuild goes I would like to do a moderate rebuild with some upgrades so that this can be a fun, safe, and reliable weekend family hauler. My project list is still in it's infancy stage but includes
-Pulling motor and converting to 1776 (there is a good laundry list of things I would like to change with the engine as well)
-Gutting the interior and fabricating my own
-Gutting the vehicle and re-painting the body
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You read way too many magazines, if you want a bus to mess with I'll happily trade you one that needs an engine, paint and an interior, I'll even deliver it.
Fix the brakes and fuel system, buff it, clean out that added camper stuff and enjoy it the way it is, you'll likely find there's nothing else it needs. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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MGBBob80 Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2009 Posts: 126 Location: Bremerton, WA
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Nice bus - congrats! _________________ Cheers,
Bob
1978 Type 2 Transporter. 2L engine (engine code GE), Fuel Injection, 4-speed manual transmission.His name is Buddy.
"I reserve the right to be better tomorrow than I am today." |
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guanella74 Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2009 Posts: 520 Location: Boulder, CO
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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NICE bus!! Seriously, what a score. Love the color, love the OG. Beautiful! _________________ - Travis
1974 Westy CampMobile - the OG!
1979 Transporter
1979 Transporter
1977 Transporter
1974 Transporter
1973 Transporter
1971 Westy |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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I love the look of the early Deluxe models. That's a score. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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May I second Busdaddy's suggestion of not altering it? It will really hold a greater value, both in cash and eye appeal if it remains original.
But I am smitten with love, of course! You have an exact clone of the bus I grew up with.
PM sent! |
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morymob Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007 Posts: 4683 Location: east-tn
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:18 am Post subject: |
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Change oil & REPLACE sump filter screen?? |
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ned Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2004 Posts: 1574 Location: Arroyo Grande Ca.
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:44 am Post subject: |
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Im sure your intentions are all good. But as an old man I have learned a couple of things. Go slow. Clean that bus up in detail. To see what is really there. It would be a loss to loose that paint. Why be in such a hurry to GUT anything? Once that happens it is so very costly and difficult to return it to that original state.
Of course it is your bus and you will do as you see fit. I just urge you to be patient. It is a beautiful automobile and a bus like the one I see in your pictures doesnt come around too often. |
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stubing Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2011 Posts: 80 Location: Almonte, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 7:50 am Post subject: |
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I have to vote for not going very far from stock and original. That bus has overcome crazy odds to be in that condition.
You sound excited and I share that with you. If you make changes, try to make them reversible and retain all the old parts.
Drive it first after mechanical repairs and a clean and polish.
You have a rare and valuable object to admire and to use as a reference for others wishing to return their buses to stock.
This is from some one who gets excited to find factory assembly marks or paperwork under carpet /seats.
Good luck, SF |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50261
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:07 am Post subject: |
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When I bought my first bus two and a half decades ago the third time I drove it anywhere was a coast to coast trip. This was done with almost no prep at all and that which I did took only a few days: finding and installing all the missing engine tin, checking the brakes and doing a good tune up and service. If I had chosen to gut it and do piles of upgrades first it might still be sitting out back undriven and my attitude toward these old beast would be totally different.
Do the minimum now to get it safely on the road and save the full restore for later. |
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babysnakes Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7104
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:28 am Post subject: |
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Clean it up, tune it up. Learn the bus and drive it, then rethink all your plans. As said above, it is very nice as it sits. |
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Jack_O_Trades Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2014 Posts: 188 Location: Bay Area CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:53 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the comments. I understand the sentiment of keeping it stock I'm just not sure I am sold on it. As an engineer, fabricator, machinist, tinker, etc... this is simply not in my nature.
For now I will take it in baby steps but I have a couple of questions (admittedly I have not searched in detail for these answers)
I was planning on initially buffing out the paint but how do you address spots where the paint is pealing? how do you keep the original paint and still try to mitigate any surface rust that may have started. To me the vehicle is much more atractive with a uniform paint job than clinging onto the OE paint with primer patches all over the place. This is my major concern as the bus is now outside and I don't want it to degrade from here forward.
Also, this had the spare tire mounted on the nose, I have seen it with and without the spare tire on the nose. I have a preference of removing the tire bracket, patching the holes, and mounting a VW emblem. Any thoughts on this? |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Once you gain more appreciation for busses, you'll want to keep it stock.
The paint, if its bad then you'll have to get it sprayed. Not much more around that.
The front mounts are usually spot welded on, so you might have to drill a little to pop it off. Fill any holes except the mounting holes and a new emblem will pop in. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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Did you get my PM? |
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babysnakes Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7104
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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Brian wrote: |
The front mounts are usually spot welded on, so you might have to drill a little to pop it off. |
Never seen one spot welded, that would be weird. Normally they have pop rivets or something that looks like a "Red Head". carefully drill these out so as not to enlarge the holes on the bus. The hole pattern you see should be the same as the VW emblem that goes there. Now you need an emblem and the plastic grommets that hold it in place. |
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Jack_O_Trades Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2014 Posts: 188 Location: Bay Area CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Wasted youth/adulthood wrote: |
Did you get my PM? |
I did but I can not respond for a day. |
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AC Mack Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2007 Posts: 368 Location: Redwood Highway Caught in the Devils Bargain
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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Is the Bus a sunroof model ? The headliner looks like a sunroof. _________________ 1959 Model M1: 118
1964 Model 265
1965 Model 251 Deluxe walk thru
1966 Westfalia so42 Schiebedach fabrik 4864
1967 Model 231 EZ Kamper # 1940
1978 Westfalia P 31 / 1987 Westfalia Wolfram Grau
Split Bus Club / Lost Coast Bays / North Coast Vans
Long may that Split Bus run!
Always and Everywhere Volkswagen |
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Jack_O_Trades Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2014 Posts: 188 Location: Bay Area CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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Yes it is the sunroof model and it still works. I have spent some time cleaning it up and will post photos in a bit. |
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