Scored a local ‘71 Westy

[Magion]

[richparker]

[richparker]

I felt the tach and aftermarket gauge lights were over powering the factory instruments so installed 2.3w bulbs in the factory instrument cluster. Originally I wanted to install 1w bulbs in the gauges, but I couldn’t find them so I just went brighter.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

I installed a 4 way 5x7 dash speaker today. What a difference in the sound, Lil P will even be able to hear the tunes in the back now.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[Manfred58sc]

Lap siding and flip flops! Best post of the whole thread, that's how its done!!!!
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Fat chick owner/operator

[richparker]

Been thinking about some sort of partial air intake cover for winter driving. As ACVW drivers we all know once the temperature gets below 25* or so the engine doesn’t get warm enough and the heat suffers. I’ve seen pics on the forum of a winter intake cover that VW produced. A few winters back Robbie seemed to have good success using blue painters tape to partially cover his intakes. My idea was to make a cardboard template, cut it out of fiberglass and use threaded J hooks to hold them in place. This is not my final product, it needs to tweaked with spacers and I need to cut the threads down. But, it’s a start.

This isn’t something I wouldn’t run all the time. I’m thinking I’m gonna run some tests and record some data to see how they work. If it doesn’t work or I feel it’s hindering performance in some way it only cost me $10.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Here’s the final product on the partial intake covers. I wanted to cut down the threads, but if I leave them long it makes installation and removal easier and faster. Since I have my external cooler installed on the drivers side of the engine bay, I think I’ll install only the drivers side one to start and see how that changes things.

This is not something I’m planning on running all the time. But, Miles is getting older, crushing it on the slopes and I want to start doing father son ski camping trips. Im thinking load up on a Friday, drive to Snowbowl in Flagstaff, camp in the lot and ski for the weekend. Our winter Power Pass gets us unlimited skiing at 6 ski areas in the four corners and 3 days at Monarch out side of Salida. I’m gearing up for winter camping/ski adventures with my kid. Super stoked for this!

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Wifey and Lil P hooked me up with a CB billet alternator pulley for Fathers Day. Thanks guys!!!

Since the CB nut for this pulley is aluminum and the guys in the engine forum have reported it backing off. I’m gonna go with this steel EMPI one, can’t believe I’m putting something EMPI on my engine. 🙄. I gotta turn it black first tho.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

I got the pulley installed, looks pretty good. I have two EMPI nuts so I’m gonna powder coat the spare one, wifey can powder coat it in her studio. The chrome one doesn’t look half bad tho, maybe it’ll grow on me. I also lubed the speedo cable and the speedo itself, the needle was bouncing a lot. It’s a lot better now, hopefully it’ll smooth out as the lube works in more.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[Xevin]

I run deez nuts too Happy Father’s Day.

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Keep on Busin'

[richparker]

Been working on little stuff to dial the bus in some more. This week I decided I wanted to hook up an aftermarket windshield washer pump. I’ve owned 5 buses in my day and none of them have had a working washer. I did some googling, got some ideas and then searched the forum. Looks like this is a pretty common upgrade and I can’t believe I didn’t do it on Bones. Anyway, I bought a pump from Autozone, found a L bracket in my garage to attach it to, got some hardware from ACE and went for it. The pump came with hose connectors and I was able to use all of the factory hoses. My bus did not come with a rear window and the only one I could find locally was out of a ‘69, so I do not have a rear defroster. So I decided to hook the pump up to the factory defroster switch and it works great!

I also turned the LED light bar around in my ARB awning. The power wire for the light came out in the rear and I wanted it in the front so I could run the wire thru the passenger vent window. It took a little time, but I got it done. Then I installed another 12V outlet which I hooked to my second fuse box. This way I can plug the light in. It’s pretty hidden and looks clean.

I also scored a free 20lb propane tank, which I’ll be carrying to power my propane fire pit (every summer there is a fire ban, so now I have a propane pit. Those are still legal to use), camp stove and grill. I bought a splitter with hoses that have the ends for the 1lb camp accessories. I’ll also be able to run my Buddy off it too I want.

Washer pump on a modified L bracket

Here it is installed under the reservoir, I also took down the head of the bolt on the grinder.

Reservoir installed, can’t see the pump

12v outlet, the screw I hooked the ground to was already there. So I used it

Looks pretty clean after I got it all put back together

Here the LED light bar built into the ARB awning. It has 3 light color modes and they are all dimable.

Here’s one of the pump in action. I’m missing the tip on the passenger side, but it still works. I’m sure I’ll come across one someday day.

Link

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[Jeff Geisen]

Good job on the washer Rich.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

[ImAddicted]

Nice job, looks better than mine (I mounted the pump to the bottle bracket). You will love it. Now to get better nozzles, that’s next on my list.
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1979 Transporter (sold)
KC1MUR

[richparker]

Got this today. Hopefully it won’t be necessary, but now that I have a solid hitch I wanted on for 4CORE. It was hard to find one with a a high enough load rating, this one is 4000 lbs and it is the highest I could find for a 1 1/4”.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Received a back up 65/70* thermostat today, I bought it from Manfredsc58. It’s pretty clean and it works. I used my wife’s sliver solder torch to test it. It didn’t take much heat to get it to expand. As soon as it moved I removed the heat, I didn’t want it to expand too far. As the expansion size is limited by the bracket.

Thanks Manfred!!!

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Oil change and valve adjustment today. It has only been 800 miles since my last one, but figured I should do it before the 9 day trip at the end of the month. All the exhaust valves were a little tight.

Gotta order a few more items and I should be ready for the adventure.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

So…yesterday after I posted I went out to start the bus and nothing. Not even a click. 😳 WTF! I check all the fuses and then checked my aftermarket hot start relay. I tried a jumper wire to jump the starter and nothing. I had the dikes in my pocket cause I just made the jump wire, so I smacked the relay a few times and tried to jump it again. Bam, we had power! Then I tried the key and it started right up. I tried several more times throughout the evening and it started every time. Today I went to Napa and bought a new relay. Not sure where the old relay was from, my guess is O’riellys, but the Napa one looks nicer and is heavier. Took about 10 minutes to swap out, it started right up and I put the used on in my stash in case of a roadside emergency.

There are definitely some differences between the two relays.

Here it is installed, it’s mounted to a custom bracket that is bolted to the transaxle

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Today I took apart the passenger rear wheel bearing, cleaned it all, repacked them and put everything back together. I did this because I buried that tire in a mud hole last week for about 45 minutes. I was worried that the bearings would be full of clay or water. There was some water, not much and no clay. I wanted to get this done ASAP because we will be leaving for another camping adventure on Friday.

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

Changed the oil and adjusted the valves. It has only been 700 miles and 2 trips since my last oil change/valve adjustment, but I wanted fresh oil before our trip this weekend. Looks like we are gonna cover around 900 miles in 3 days. Number 2 intake and exhaust and the #3 intake were all a tad loose. They measured at .007, all valves are set at .006 now. Just gotta pack up and we’ll be ready.

This engine is finally loosening up and I can feel the power!!! Zoom zoom!

Running good and still looking good!

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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[camit34]

Nice work Rich! Going to steal a lot of your ideas!
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In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)