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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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 Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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I ordered some spacers. I'm sure I could have made these myself with little effort but for $17 I figured I'd let SmallCar do the work. They're box steel and seem nice and strong.
...But what if I like my hacked up aluminum wheel spacers better? They're about a quarter inch flatter and there's so much more metal sandwiched there, it seems (without scientific proof obviously) more solid, with less stress on the bolts.
Any opinions either way?
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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snowsyncro
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2009
Posts: 1557
Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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I think in the end it might come down to how much spacing you need/want. The smallcar spacers look to be an inch (25mm) in the photo. Your aluminum spacers are 14mm.
The smallcar spacers look more fit-for-purpose.
If you lived in Nova Scotia you would have a minor concern about dis-similar metals and corroding away the spacers.
Bolt stress will not be an issue here.
RonC |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:52 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| snowsyncro wrote: |
I think in the end it might come down to how much spacing you need/want. The smallcar spacers look to be an inch (25mm) in the photo. Your aluminum spacers are 14mm.
The smallcar spacers look more fit-for-purpose.
If you lived in Nova Scotia you would have a minor concern about dis-similar metals and corroding away the spacers.
Bolt stress will not be an issue here.
RonC |
Thanks Ron. 14mm is really all I need for this so I think I'll stick with the aluminum at least for now. Good to know about corrosion and bolt stress. Using 10.9's.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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All buttoned up, right side up, and level.
I went for a test spin and can't believe it's the same engine. Very smooth. At 4000-4500 I still get a little bit of vibe from the exhaust, which is hanging from the rear apron (FAS kit.) Otherwise I'm happy with it. Well worth losing 14 mm of clearance.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2794
Location: North Carolina
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16496
Location: Brookeville, MD
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:05 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| That looks way cheaper than a ej25, joe, hope it keeps working. |
Thanks! So far, so good. I drove it quite a bit this weekend around town and on the highway and I'm very happy with it so far. It's so much quieter and less buzzy. I should have gone after this issue on day 1. (After mouse poop mitigation, of course.)
| dobryan wrote: |
| joetiger wrote: |
| Well worth losing 14 mm of clearance. |
Hah you say that now. Wait until the next time you follow Tom Ice on a trail… |
This is true. I have nightmares about that distinctive sound of German metal scraping over slick rock. 
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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The new motor mounts appear to be doing their job, everything staying together and stable. So I decided to go after the bulkhead this weekend, a job that I've avoided for several years now.
I don't know how you carpentry-gifted folks do it. I cut, sanded, test-fitted, sanded, test-fitted, sanded about twenty times I think. I used the last scraps of hull liner that I had lying around to piece together a patchwork covering then I put a $20 locking RV door from Ebay in it.
Too bland.
That's more like it. (The fan wires are a temporary eyesore.)
I used 12" steel L-brackets (shelf brackets) to mount it; it's in there very firmly.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16496
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Schnippzle
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2021
Posts: 288
Location: Swede in London, UK
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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That's so sweet. Good work.
_________________
1988 Caravelle - FB25B - Syncro converted
2016 MB E63 AMG S - The daily driver
2019 Harley Davidson FXFBS Fat Bob - The leisure |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:58 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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Thanks! I was tired of just having a bunch of stuff (window screens, thermal covers, hammocks, boots, extra fleece and jacket, warm socks, tarp, tent spikes, etc.) piled up in the front and visible. It's still piled up, but invisible.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 1110
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| Looks great with the stripe. Having that much lockable storage up there is awesome. Nice thinking |
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outwesty
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 1074
Location: Tahoe City
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| It has been a while since I've checked in on this thread. Nice work. I've always wondered if the steel engine covers did a better job of keeping sound down. I may test one on my van here soon. Keep it up ! |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| erste wrote: |
| Looks great with the stripe. Having that much lockable storage up there is awesome. Nice thinking |
Thanks E. I think if somebody really wanted to get in there they wouldn't have too much trouble but it does create a hassle, at least.
| outwesty wrote: |
| It has been a while since I've checked in on this thread. Nice work. I've always wondered if the steel engine covers did a better job of keeping sound down. I may test one on my van here soon. Keep it up ! |
Thanks! I do like the metal lid far better than plastic, but it is much heavier. I'd like to come up with a hinge solution and maybe a prop-up rod or hydraulic lift.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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| Back to top |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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Welp, ain't nothing left to do but drive it. Leaving for New Orleans in an hour or so.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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| Back to top |
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sanchius
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1450
Location: IN
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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| sanchius wrote: |
| joetiger wrote: |
| Welp, ain't nothing left to do but drive it. Leaving for New Orleans in an hour or so. |
Good luck, may you have strong tailwinds, low road noise, flawless mechanicals, enthusiastic fans of your van, and continuous fun adventures all along your way... |
Thank you! Going to a reunion in N.O. I'm going to camp in Kisatchie National Forest tomorrow night on the way down if all goes according to plan. It's deep, dense, remote, and possibly haunted, a place I never would have considered venturing into when I lived in Louisiana. Also seeing lots of family and going to see my beleaguered LSU Tigers play football.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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Around 3300 miles and not a single mechanical hiccup. Could it be that I might know what I'm doing? Frightening to consider.
Lots to unravel after a week on the road and I think this one deserves its own trip report when I get a few minutes.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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| Back to top |
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Schnippzle
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2021
Posts: 288
Location: Swede in London, UK
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:53 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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Excellent times! Just don't start imagining worrying noises 
_________________
1988 Caravelle - FB25B - Syncro converted
2016 MB E63 AMG S - The daily driver
2019 Harley Davidson FXFBS Fat Bob - The leisure |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3010
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Reviving a Syncro |
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Nice pic! I love to capture those reflection pictures as well. 
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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