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monininn
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2020
Posts: 1
Location: Vancouver BC
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 Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:57 pm Post subject: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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It does not start anymore (it did when I first got it). The interior is in pieces (previous owner took it all apart). I've never owned one of these vehicles and I am not experienced.
This sounds doomed but I am really soo determined to learn whatever I can and restore this one day!
A friend pointed me to this website.
Does anyone have any pointers on how I could go about starting? Websites? Ideas?
Thanks so much in advance  |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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sanchius 
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1455
Location: IN
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon/Westy |
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| monininn wrote: |
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Does anyone have any pointers on how I could go about starting? Websites? Ideas? |
Your friend is very wise. TheSamba is an excellent resource.
1. Buy or find a Bentley manual: https://vwt25.blog/files/
2. Learn how to use TheSamba's search function: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php
Search for Keywords: Start
Forum: Vanagon
Select [Search Title Only]
Hit [Search]
then read the threads that apply to your issue & assess the alternative explanations, diagnoses and fixes for your issue.
3. Decide if you can fix it without hurting yourself or do you need to spend the $$$ to have a pro take care of it.
_________________
The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going! |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon/Westy |
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Gifted? Sounds like a curse!  
Not really! These vans can be somewhat more of an obsession than a pastime. However, there is a lot of support for them in terms of community and vendors with a very complete array of parts, accessories, and upgrades.
When compared with troubles with more modern vehicles, one can even replace the engine or transmission pretty economically. The biggest determiner of restorability will be the body and rust situation. If they're OK then fixing the large array of missing and broken parts is more manageable.
When rebuilding or replacing the engine, you MUST include a FULL REPLACEMENT of ALL FUEL LINES. Even if these were replaced before, it's probably been decade or more and quite likely they are original 40 year old lines. Considering the fires that leaking fuels lines can create, replacing them is priceless insurance. Use only the best quality and clamps meant for this service.
Start reading here at TheSamba Vanagon FAQ collection:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798
Here's a link to a description of the 1980 new vehicle line-up which will help you understand what you have.
https://www.vanagons.org/1980.html
Best of luck and welcome to the Vanagon community!
Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon/Westy |
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I was also "gifted" an '80 Westfalia non-runner. I built up the basket-case engine, rattle canned the van primer grey and black, and then proceeded to drive it for many years. It was a good reliable rig.
_________________
Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon/Westy |
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Welcome to the forum.
Get some pictures posted so we can remind ourselves how some of ours were!
We got ours fixed and you can too and this is the place to learn how.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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My van was a gift too, from my parents who wanted it gone. It had been parked for 4 years with a worn out engine. That was 20 years ago and a lot of money spent. However it has been extemely reliable and economical. And I love it.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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hdenter
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2754
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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Someone gifted me a vanagon....Bwah hah ha 😂😂😂... That's like saying someone gave my child a drum set for Christmas. They must not like you very much! Welcome to the insanity...
Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender |
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 473
Location: Bend, Oregon
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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This forum needs a personality test. Not for behavior on the site (I'd never pass) but for Vanagon Ownership Success Factors (VOSF).
- Do you like working on quirky antique cars?
- Are you mechanically adept, willing to learn or happy to pay a shop $125 for every hour they work on your van?
- Do you see car troubles (breakdowns) as a sense of adventure? By the way, car troubles are not common in a well-maintained Vanagon.
- If your variant of Vanagon is a camper, can you imagine life w/out a camping rig?
-etc.
It sounds like you're interested and motivated. Keep in mind that getting a decent van up to a good baseline can take several years.
If the above does rant sound ridiculous, start reading some build threads to see what's in your future.
Enjoy!
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17154
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:33 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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A free vanagon is like a free horse. They are only free for the first day. This website is probably the best resource once you figure out the search engine. I can’t think of one thing that hasn’t come up at least once.
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:35 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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My DOT says you can't give someone a car/van/truck .. you have to sell it to them. Get a bill of sale, includes VIN, seller, buyer, date, and the price paid of $1. I have an '83.5 exactly as such, the person on the CL said to just get it gone, I wouldn't touch it without a bill of sale.
Never can tell when you might end up with a rig that sat around after 'disappearing' from somewhere. That is trouble you don't need.
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22671
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:40 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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It speaks to the degradation of society that it took four posts to mention fuel lines. When Hitler invented the Vanagon, it would have only taken one.
Off to watch Matlock re-runs
_________________
.ssS! |
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dabaron
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 2561
Location: Philly, mang
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:56 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| A free vanagon is like a free horse. They are only free for the first day. This website is probably the best resource once you figure out the search engine. I can’t think of one thing that hasn’t come up at least once. |
i would not own a Vanagon if this forum did not exist. no matter how obscure i think something i'm dealing with is, i can find a thread that addresses my issue.
| bobbyblack wrote: |
My DOT says you can't give someone a car/van/truck .. you have to sell it to them. Get a bill of sale, includes VIN, seller, buyer, date, and the price paid of $1.
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in PA i just titled my 1991 Westy with no bill of sale, just the signed titled. i told them how much i paid and they told me the taxes i owed. new title came 2 weeks later. if you have a signed title... i don't see it being an issue. of course, there is the Canada Factor, eh.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC
Last edited by dabaron on Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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izzydog
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 665
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:41 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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When you finally get it running and you're out there on the road for your first test drive, be prepared to wave back at other waving Vanagon drivers.
It's a bit confusing at first - "Why are people waving at ME?", but you'll get use to it... |
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kublerwagen
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2012
Posts: 104
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon/Westy |
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| dobryan wrote: |
Welcome to the samba.
There are a ton of Vanagon owners in your area. Ask for someone here to come over and take a look and help you get started. Beer helps too. |
This is the best advice you can really get. Find owners in your area and start to learn from them.
If it was running when you got it then most likely it can be started again. Pay attention to safety items like fuel lines and brakes first then go from there as you discover more to do.
One piece of advice for this forum - it costs absolutely nothing for someone here to tell you to spend money on parts. Resist doing so until you know you need to have to. It is super easy to start dropping cash on a bunch of parts and then find out all you needed to do was fix a vacuum leak or something else free. |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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Lots of good advice above.
What is your general level of car mechanic ability?
You say "It does not start anymore" but does it make any noise at all when you turn the key over?
any lights light up?
see my sig. before driving it
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RainierSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2013
Posts: 809
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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| Posting a few pictures would be great. People like pictures. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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Buy a copy of John Muir's VW Idiot Book, it is a good introduction to aircooled VW's.
Last edited by Wildthings on Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22671
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 4:33 am Post subject: Re: I was gifted a 1980 Vanagon Westy |
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Mark Ward , for the win
| Quote: |
| A free vanagon is like a free horse |
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.ssS! |
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