1977 Westy renovation project thread

[popuppopdog]

[/b]1977 Westy: Renovation.

Your help and expertise is appreciated every step of the way .




Here is the beginning !

Please advise on replacement of the engine, I am planning of an AVP engine with hydraulic lifters, I am not a complete purist but am aiming for as closes as I can get without having to adjust the valves every 3000 miles

Thanks for the help

[vwjetboat]

looks like a great foundation to start with.. post some pics of everything.. inside and out.. that way they are on forum for referance to go back and look at what you started with

[senseless1707]

this is awesome...about to pick up 74 Westy that isn't running. Excited to start the process.

[popuppopdog]

By the way this was a free donate vehicle that has been sitting for 11 years, shame on me....how do I get people to respond to questions?? thanks all for the support more pics to come

[cmonSTART]

Was this free? Looks fairly solid for free.

Is there an engine in it now?
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[Wildthings]

If you want people to respond to your questions you need to provide the right info. To just say you are not a purist and expect engine recommendation isn't telling us much. How are you going to use this vehicle? Just a drive to the beach once a month to go surfing during the warm months or are you going to be putting several thousand miles a month on it going camping, touring, skiing, etc all over the west?

[Ride_On]

We have a matching 77! Love it and kudos to you for taking on the restoration!

We're going Subaru later this summer for the added reliability and HP. EJ25 with a matching Subaru 5sp transmission (Subarugears kit install by Matt Steedle). Obviously, this goes fully against the purist comment, but if you don't have an engine, it may be a worthy thought to pursue. Otherwise, used stock 2L engine. I don't know anything about other air-cooled options, but lots of others here do. I'm sure they'll chime in with the advice you are seeking. Good luck!
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1977 Westfalia 2.0 FI Skills EJ25 w SubaruGears 5sp
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=687254
2018 Golf Sportwagen 4MO DSG (Dieselgated 2013 Golf Wagon TDI DSG)

[popuppopdog]

Thanks for the feedback ....pics and a better posting to follow....engine is in it but bottom half is blown !

[popuppopdog]

Okay...I am trying to start with simple stuff , 60 plus photos to come with 100 questions, here is a simple start, I am replacing rear tail lights 1977 Westpahlia 2.0 fuel injected, should I stay stock or are there LED alternatives for the tail lights, I appreciate any response

[Wildthings]

Do a search, others have been down this road. You can buy special resisters from your local flaps to make the flashers work correctly with LED's.

[popuppopdog]

So I have the correct tires now, rims powder coated nicely.

read some where to be careful on the torque and re-torque of powder coated rims, guys wheel came off at 55mph.

Next step is brakes, rebuild of calipers, been sitting for 12 years, test ball joint play etc. and replacement of shocks. After much reading I am leaning towards the Sachs- Boge standard shocks, not the upgrades, with great tires and decent shocks do I need to upgrade to a heavy duty front sway bar...or wait and see how it rides with new shocks and tires, read Ratwell article on all of this and no clear conclusion... trial and error and $$ is a factor

Thoughts please on the shock choice and the sway bar

[popuppopdog]

So I think I am back in action after a very hot summer....104 plus, and of course it will be freezing cold soon, I am going to set up camp outside my house , my wife might find me drunk or frozen. I am trying to keep the steps simple... I am going to disassemble brake caliper and rebuild just for posterity , have the rotors turned a slight, new wheel bearing etc. check ball joints etc. new Boge shocks, recommends on just regular or upgrade...that is my starting point, steering stuff done, long story, Engine coming out and hopefully heading to Sacramento to Justin at Kombi Works


Thought appreciated, bullshit left behind, I am a plumber and I see a lot of shit and recognize it in a minute,,,, taste like chicken looks like corn

[ivwshane]

The rims came out great! Where did you take them and what color did you get?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[Bleyseng]

Looks just like my Westy when a friend gave it to me in 2005
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70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles

[popuppopdog]

[popuppopdog]

[MorkC68]

good luck with the build buddy, we are just renovating our '77 Campmobile ourselves
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Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[popuppopdog]

[popuppopdog]

First bath in 15 years, drove it for about three, and blew the engine , sitting for 12 years.

Amazingly the brakes still work and it rolls real well with new tires and powder coated rims, thank God for good neighbors, pushed it about 100 feet down the shared driveway to neighbors garage which they are clearing out so I have a workbench and a decent place to work, hope they don't mind if it is there for another 12 years

[Hoody]

How do you know that you blew the engine?