1977 Sportsmobile/Westfalia Build

[tootype2crazy]

Damn son, for 18 years old you have some skills. I love it when people dive right in and discover it's not all that hard if you have patience and an eye for detail and don't mind a few frustrations. Of course, it helps tremendously to have the correct tools at hand. Anyway, good job and congrats on the bus, I got my first one at 16; 20 years ago!
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air-cooled or nothing for me
1978 Sunroof Deluxe Bus (daily driver)
1978 Transporter (mom's, making into a camper)
1970 Single Cab 2.1 turbo/EFI 6 Rib, 78 front beam, vanagon backing plates on rear (project)
2001 GTI VR6 (wife's)

[Ericlottaallthat]

I do kinda like that wild westerner color combo. Looks pretty awesome.
Definitely a contender for the color of the bus.

Just to clear it up I did cut out the windshield piece before I welded in the new one. Just forgot to take any pictures of it. Thanks for the tips though!

[alman72]

what welder/setup are you using? looking great so far!

[Ericlottaallthat]

Using a Millermatic 141 with .023 wire and argon/CO2 mix.

Just tested the fridge and seems to be working.
Anybody know if they came stock with them?
It is a norcold DE-251B

[Ericlottaallthat]

Getting some more welded

Split the case on the engine, Measured the crankshaft and it measured like new (well within spec) Pistons and cylinders also looked pretty good. Couldn't feel any lip on them. Need to measure but probably just a hone and new rings for them.

Camshaft could have looked better? What do you guys think? A couple of the lifters had a little bit of pitting on them so probably just going to get a new cam and lifters.

I had the fridge turned all the way down and it was definitely getting cold enough.

[Ericlottaallthat]

Pretty much done welding those pieces.

This valve seat looks worn out right?

And has anyone had experience with these heads from bus depot?
Trying not to break the bank here.
http://www.busdepot.com/022101061lx

[vwwestyman]

[vwwestyman]

That fridge wasn't stock on that Westy interior (or any Westy interior). But it looks like a decent install. Awesome that it works!
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[Ericlottaallthat]

Haven't updated in a while so there is a decent amount of stuff.
Almost done with the welding part of the body work.

Repairing the front end and planning on making a bumper like below to get the tire off of the front end.

Cleaning out the transaxle and replacing the plastic shift ball.

Cleaned, sandblasted and painted the beam along with new Lemforder ball joints.

[SGKent]

might be an optical illusion but that valve looks like it was stretching at the hottest point. Might have been running lean for an air cooled engine. If you don't replace the valve seats or heads at least stake them to help hold them in. Use a blunt punch and not a pointed one to reduce stress that might start a crack.

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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[vwwestyman]

[Ericlottaallthat]

I ordered AMC Heads as i have read that they don't have the best hardware but they should last me a long time.

[Ericlottaallthat]

Wet sanded the nosecone down on a piece of glass to get rid of the groove.

Stripping the paint, I have a little bit of welding to do underneath and then I’m going to POR15 the underside and the floor.

[Ericlottaallthat]

Had a friend help me bend up the bumper today.
Still have to add a bar and the spare tire mount

[Ericlottaallthat]

Finished the bumper.

[Ericlottaallthat]

Had the bus sandblasted today.

[Ericlottaallthat]

Painted underneath the bus

Also painted the wheels. Hopefully will get the General grabbers mounted up sometime this week. Anyone know how long I should let the clear coat cure before I get tires mounted?

[Ericlottaallthat]

Got all new brake lines and brake parts put on. Also all new suspension and steering bushings and bearings all around. Along with the new tires mounted.

[Tcash]

Looking good!
Tcash

[Ericlottaallthat]

I got the interior and engine compartment painted.

I also got the outside of the bus in primer so the next step is to block sand/flat the primer and then I will be on to painting.