New 1990 Vanagon Project

[greggearhead]

Well, the long camping weekend was a success. The 2.1L engine did surprisingly well. I went from 6500ft altitude to 10k ft at Wilkerson pass. With a full load, of 2 passengers and the westy tent and a cooler, 4 plastic bins full of gear and food, a kids bike and more, I really expected more of a work driving up the hills and grades, but it did pretty well, and kept up with traffic and passed other vehicles when prudent - uphill a couple times! It almost makes me want to do the ratio rockers and intake stuff before the Subie swap, but we'll see how time plays out.

I got some really good camping 'hack' ideas and want to pass them on.
1. Paper towels held up by a bungie cord from the front seat headrest posts, and then from anywhere easy after that. We used it outside when cooking, then back inside, etc. Very simply elegant. So much easier than blowing over or around, etc. Also good just having young ones in the car.

2. Securing and leveling the Van using two Vanagon jacks. (I actually used one old Porsche jack I had laying around, but worked great. Wouldn't have been tall enough for tire changing, but for camping opens up options to other models, I think) I didn't do this the first night because the van was pretty close to level, but it had been a while since I camped, so I forgot how important it is. The second night, using a little $.50 bubble level, I used two jacks on the front of the van and got it 95% level, and SOLID. Surprised how much more solid it was with normal moving around inside. Great!

The side tent is wonderful. for a tin-top, unless you are on your own and can go light, it's almost required. Gives you a place to stand up and move around, store gear, hold your stuff if you leave the campsite, place to eat inside when raining, etc. Can't wait to sell this vintage one and move on to a modern one I can just use instead of using with kid-gloves!

The PVC hanging kids cot was awesome. Dot loved it and hung out there a lot just because it was fun and 'her' space.

Magnetic curtains = awesome. Go up and come down in seconds and are great. So easy and fast and can be used in any van. If you make some, get the stronger (rare earth) magnets, in the bigger size. I used up all the local supply of bigger ones in my hurry to get them done, and had some smaller ones in one of the drapes, and it isn't worth the hassle. Had to use some extra magnets to keep it from falling. The others were rock solid. Great idea.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Pic of the shorter Porsche jack on the drivers front side - longer Vanagon jack used on the passenger front side for leveling and bracing.

Simple, but sweet - used the ash trays in back to hold flashlights while sleeping, but also some $1 Target sale solar lights. These things only had one LED, and were auto on in the dark, but were perfect for leaving inside the van at night to see if someone needed to get up and move around, but not so bright to keep anyone up.

I had a battery powered fan and LED light setup that are great for hanging in the van when it's rainy or if it's a little stuffy. Hanging it on a coat hanger knob with a carabiner or on the handle, worked great.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

FINALLY got the driver's side body cladding mounted today. Because some of the pop rivets that hold the brackets on were broken, I used a rubber expanding sleeve to replace them. Easier to replace in the future, and I couldn't find the exact right pop rivets for my gun anyway. Because there was some damage/denting in of the sheetmetal behind a couple of the bracket mounts, I used washers to space the brackets back out to hold the cladding in a straight line. Will have addressed if/when I have the body painted.

I decided to put some stickers on my Van. For some reason, I have collected stickers my whole career in the automotive industry, and almost never put them on a vehicle. Don't know why, other than I always sell them, so hate to lose the stickers. Ah well. Threw some on this van, and makes me smile.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[tarandusVDub]

I have. And they're not!
_________________
1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[greggearhead]

Since the work truck is down - the Vanagon serves double duty. It hauled home it's new engine for transplant. 2001 Subaru 3.0L H6. 220hp, 215 lb ft of torque. What a Vanagon needs.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Team WorldTour]

That's NICE! You are going to LOVE it!
I would recommend getting a gasser Syncro skid plate though. Save your mustache bar too! You will need to space it down (about 2.5 inches, IIRC). Also, consider moving your oil filter !
_________________
1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
Click to view image
H6 Subaru Engine Swap Thread
WV2ZZZ25ZFH094138(x)/ WV2YB0257LH057308(x)/ WV2ZZZ25ZLG113270/
"Where am I going? And what am I doing in this handbasket?" -Nicodemus Jordan
When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

[Tobias Duncan]

HOw was that swap meet yesterday?
I almost came up from Taos.
Any Vanagon stuff?

[greggearhead]

Thanks for the info on the mustache bar, etc. I'll make a skid plate if I need - the 3.0 looks more 'shallow' than a 2.5, but we'll see.

Swap meet was last weekend - YES there was some Vanagon stuff. Come next year.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Team WorldTour]

The first time you 'bump' into a curb backing up, you will THANK me for the advice! The H6 hangs low! And if you are dropping the suspension, it will be just that much lower!
_________________
1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
Click to view image
H6 Subaru Engine Swap Thread
WV2ZZZ25ZFH094138(x)/ WV2YB0257LH057308(x)/ WV2ZZZ25ZLG113270/
"Where am I going? And what am I doing in this handbasket?" -Nicodemus Jordan
When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

[greggearhead]

I will be lowering it in the Spring, so thank you now!
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[thatbaldwinlife]

[greggearhead]

I did - was a 2003 XB9R. Race ECM, Jardine muffler, holed airbox, repainted it black, etc. Great bike. The local Harley shop was abismal with parts and service for it, and I just wasn't riding it much (was a new father) so I sold it. I'd love something like a Yamaha TDM850 or Cagiva Gran Canyon now, but we'll see.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[thatbaldwinlife]

[greggearhead]

Sweet. I'd like a Uly. I had them do wheel bearings and tire mount/balance and they treated me like I brought them Moped parts. Sigh.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Snow tires here, Porsche snow wheels dipped!

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

All new front brakes (rotors, pads, wheel bearings, hoses) ready to go on. Hate to spend money on them, just to upgrade later to some performance stuff (4 piston calipers, larger rotors, etc) but they are brakes, and they need it. Also have drums and shoes for the rears after I look at those!

Few new stickers. Having a place to put them is kinda fun!

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Finally got some time to do the front brakes on the Vanagon driver/project. New wheel bearings (splurged on some synthetic grease), rotors and pads. Came out pretty good, and installed the Phone Dial Porsche wheels with new snow tires and fixed an exhaust flange leak at the header.

Unfortunately, as happens all too often, something went amiss. The Phone dials don't clear the spindles with the adapter/spacers for the 8" wide turbo twist wheels, but some minor grinding and polishing, and using some very thin spacers I had laying around fixed that.

The heater blower fan was squeaking a little now and then, so I drilled the "Mullendore Port" and rinsed the outboard bearing through that hole with PB Blaster, then shot in some Lithium grease while it was running (to help draw it in). Runs perfectly quiet now, and sealed up the port with a plastic plug from a brake master cylinder or something I had (never throw those away!) Hopefully make the blower last much longer.

However, the starter solenoid chose that moment to go out, so a new one is coming, be here on Wed morning. Phew. Now to charge the BMW battery up and put it back into service!

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Well, the new coolant distribution tower came in from Van-Cafe early, so I got it installed today, old one was awful.

I had a bit of 'while you're in there' hit, so I swapped the universal spacers I had laying around previously with some thinner ones that were made in 5x130 pattern.

I also replaced the steering rack bushings with some Powerflex ones I forgot I had. I'd heard it was a quick job, and seemed like it would be. Pulling the old bushings was easy - little WD40 and needle nose vise grips on the metal sleeve, wiggle-wiggle and they came right out.

It was pretty easy too, except for the power steering lines of the rack doesn't allow it to move nearly as much as a manual rack. One of the bushing halves couldn't slip in from the back, so I trimmed the shoulder so it could press through. We'll see if it's a long term solution.

Driving around the block, I can already feel a difference, which is scary how squishy the old ones must have been.


On a FUNNY note - I forgot to mention when I pulled out the old starter, something fell down from above the transmission. A DONUT. When I bought the Van, it hadn't been on the road for years and years. There's no mold or anything on it. It's rock hard, but very preserved.

Finally, a poor night time picture of the snow bashing mode.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[newfisher]

Awesome you are getting out and using it!

What size snow bashers?

[onefred]

Whaou, big job !

Congratulations !

Bye.

Fred.