Reviving a Syncro

[pnwkayaker]

This is very cool! I loved reading about your travels and adventures, so I’m looking forward to this book. Congratulations!
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[joetiger]

Thanks PNW and Erste, I appreciate it. The reader group reviews/suggestions are almost all in, next it goes to proofing, then it'll be ready to go. It might not be the greatest book ever, but it will be as clean, professional, and grammatically correct as it can possibly be.

I went to get emissions tested today after work. I started the van and went around to take the rear cushion out. In a ridiculous coincidence, I heard a clanging/rattling sound coming from the motor.

I opened the hatch and nothing jumped out at me; the sound was coming from somewhere else:

The catalytic converter. It was rattling. I kicked it (not too hard) and the rattling changed. Damnit.

I thought I'd roll the dice and see if I could get through emissions. They didn't check the engine so I didn't have the conversion nightmare that others in Colorado have recently reported, so I was feeling good about my chances. I even got a good driver; the guy did a great job on the test (you can watch them from the waiting area.)

It failed. NOx was 5.0551. Legal limit is 5.

I'm assuming it's the cat. The head is rebuilt, plugs are new, ignition components are all new, it doesn't run rich. Gotta find a 2.25 inch universal CARB compliant cat, get it installed, and try again. Bummer.
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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

[joetiger]

So, I failed emissions again, bought a Cali cat, and no muffler shops in Denver will install it on the van (I don't know how to weld) because it doesn't have the original engine. The state has them scared to death of a $30k fine. During this process I've also found a hole in the downpipe, so exhaust is on the back burner for now while I figure out what to do. I know there's a lot of interest in this topic, so I'll update everybody once I have resolution.

In order to keep momentum, I did replace the broken latch on my swing-away.

The latch was misaligning because the body bracket bolts had loosened up a bit after four years of abuse.

ERSTE--If you read this, you'll notice that there's now a bolt in the bottom hole of the bracket. Ever since you pointed out my laziness in not having that final bolt installed one year at Syncro Solstice, it's been on my list to add the damned thing. Loosening up everything allowed me to finally get it threaded.

My PS pump was absolutely dead, so I replaced it with a used one. I had forgotten how nice power steering is.

In other news, my book was released today on Amazon.

If you pick up a copy, pay attention to the Acknowledgements.

Thank you all, every one of you, for playing a part in the creation of this book.

It's currently listed as near-free for friends and family in order to shamelessly beg for reviews (which are worth more than gold in Amazon search dynamics.) Pick up a copy!

https://www.amazon.com/Vanagon-Louisiana-Two-Lane-...amp;sr=8-1

I'll probably add a Samba ad at some point, but wanted y'all to know it's live and available.

Cheers!
_________________
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

[pnwkayaker]

Bought the book, thanks for taking the time writing it.

BTW, looking at the acknowledgements section, Harvest Moon is one of my all-time favorite albums, loved to hear “Unknown Legend” prior to paddling in the South East (Youghiogheny, Occoee) - it just put me in the mood.
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[joetiger]

[DirtDog]

Ordered mine.

I want a personalized message written in it when I see ya at solstice.

[mtnhome]

Ordered. Your fan base will be demanding autographs!
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'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[joetiger]

Ha! Thanks, y'all. I hope you like it and I will definitely scribble on them. Hoping to get a fresh meetup on the calendar here soon.
_________________
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

[4Gears4Tires]

[joetiger]

[danfromsyr]

welding is easy.
do it right and it'll last for a bit
do it wrong and you get more practice..

to me there's a 'sound' to stick/mig welding... akin to a good frying pan of bacon
a nice consistent sizzle. while pushing that little molten 'hot glue'..
_________________

[joetiger]

Learning to weld is officially on my list, but has to wait until after I sell a bunch of books.

I found the source of the leak, right there in the butt crack (tech term) of the downpipe.

A welder buddy said it'd be a lot easier to work on if the whole thing was out. Twenty minutes later, I had only broken one stud.

Seems a little pathetic. There isn't much to it and I'd rather something new and with better routing, but I'll patch this up for now.

Pigpen is a main character in the book I just released and it ain't even running.
_________________
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

[Steve Arndt]

I ordered a hard cover copy of your book. I hope it is autographed
Sent you a friend request on Facebook too if that isn't too weird lol. You came up as a suggested friend then I remembered I needed to order the book.
_________________
Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project

[joetiger]

[mtnhome]

Some evening reading finally showed up.

_________________
'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[joetiger]

Thanks Carl!

So, so weird to see my book in other people's hands...
_________________
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

[joetiger]

Mike from RMW was down a couple of weekends ago and offered to take my exhaust up to Ft Collins and repair it for me. Unfortunately, it was too far gone. The downpipe was like tissue paper.

So, I'm taking this opportunity to get an improved exhaust designed. To that end, Pigpen got its first ride on a truck a few days ago.

Nestled in the bucolic splendor of RMW.

I'm excited to mark this off the list, but having my van sixty miles north is like missing an appendage. It is turning me inside out. But hopefully I'll be ready for SyncroFest and Syncro Solstice after this!
_________________
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

[mtnhome]

Pigpen is just joining the rest of the team for spring training. Should be in great shape for Syncro Solstice!
_________________
'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[Steve Arndt]

[BC_Mike]

Congrats on your book Joe. Have just enjoyed reading this thread and understanding your journey. You've done it all with a pretty standard garage, whilst holding down a day-job and all that comes with family commitments. The friends gathering for the high-top install and the humour along the way was treasure. You can change a fuel filter on the side of the road and still make the gig, and know it's every nut and circlip - surely the badge of honour for anyone wanting a van.

Love seeing this van out to concerts and hope to hear of more backroad travels and what these vans and their stories & community can teach us.
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'91 Vanagon Weekender. Bordeaux Red. 158,000kms