looking for vw mechanic in NH to finish putting my bus together

[dubdork]

It's been ages since I've logged in here...

I use to know some local names (New Hampshire)...but not sure anymore, who is still around and taking on jobs...

[Gregg in the 603]

Hey man. Where you at?
I don't know of anyone in NH specifically working on aircooled's. I had to do mine all myself, with lots of help from some good buddies from here and the Samba itself. Gary Leblanc at Suburban Engine Exchange built my motor, he's in Saugus, MA I think. His ad is expired, and his website is down so I'm not even sure he's still doing it. Foreign Auto Supply way up in Maine is mostly doing Vanagons, and really only does full restorations anyways. Stanagon is another guy in MA who works on Vanagons, but does any busses really. Precision Auto in Portsmouth is an awesome shop, the owner dailies a Vanagon Westy and they'll work on anything. Or at least try to guide you where to go.
Other than that, it's up to us to keep these things going!
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1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH

[skills@eurocarsplus]

do not use brim bell...ever. look up his feedback

I do stuff here in CT...licensed real deal shop. depending what you need/or if your willing to travel may be a deal breaker. on a side note, I have had clients from texas and Canada ship buses to me, so I must be doing something right
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[wcfvw69]

Do yourself a favor and use Skills. He's the real deal technician who knows these VW's inside out. You only have to look at one of his build threads to understand the level of his OCD attention to detail and quality work.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[metz]

[Spike0180]

If you can afford it, I'd trust Skills with my car. And I don't trust anyone with my cars.
_________________
Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp

Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic"

[aeromech]

Trust Skills with your bus, just not your wife or liquor cabinet
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[cmonSTART]

What part of NH, and what do you mean by "putting together?"

Albee Automotive in Sunapee might be worth a look. They do some restoration work in addition to the normal routine. I've seen one Bus they've done and it looked decent (better than mine anyway.) I've seen stuff in their shop stripped with proper body work being done.
_________________
'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[Bubba119]

There is a guy in Southern NH on YouTube, he goes by Mustie1. Hes always working on VWs

[Gregg in the 603]

Questions asked, great answers given. OP disappears.
_________________
1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH

[Abscate]

If you come for the snark, getting thanks is just a nice cream topper.
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.ssS!

[dubdork]

Hiya...thanks so much for all the replies...I'll check with the most local suggestions first...

And pardon me for not logging back in to thank you all sooner...I didn't realize immediate replies were required these days...it's only been a couple days since my original post.

The story is this...my husband got me a 1970 bus on my 40th birthday, more than 5 years ago...he was working on it as time and funds permitted over the years. It's a solid bus and he got so much done for me...

In May of 2017, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 4, and so very sadly, passed away in February. There's so many things going on right now, besides obviously grieving. So again, I very much appreciate the suggestions on who might be able to help me finish it...this is one of many things I hope to accomplish this year...to honor his wishes, to take our 11 year old daughter camping in it and carry on living life to the fullest as he would've wanted...

To answer specifics, we're in the Lakes Region, central NH.

It needs new carb installed (already have it)...I think I need to order some adapter (?) for the carb, electrical sorted out...I have loads of parts...etc...doesn't need body work, like I said, it's solid...key broke in ignition, need to get a blank made somewhere...anyhoo...wish me luck and thanks for any advice...

[dubdork]

[cmonSTART]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Good luck with the Bus and camping!
_________________
'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[dubdork]

[WM971252]

as far as the key broke off.... You should be able to get it out yourself, depending on how it broke it can be a challenge but not very technical.

But before you start trying to get it out.... Do you have another key that works the lock? If not keep it in till you can have it down for a bit (and not have to move it) as it can still be used to start/ unlock steering wheel/ remove cylinder/ etc.

I can help you out as far as the key goes. The best at this point is to cut a new one from the code. Did one key fit everything as it did originally. If so the easiest place to get the code is from the cargo door handle (the one screw on the inside releases it ) and the code is on the shaft that you can't see right now (or if you have the original key the code is on the head of the key).

[Abscate]