Monday, October 22, 2012

1973 VW Bus Build

Bus is revealing its sorted secret. Based on tags, it's been sitting for over 20 years. So far, minimal rust says it was probably inside or at least covered. 



Constant velocity Joint may not have been so constant for the last few decades.

Bus people say this is mandatory. Easily the best written manual I've ever owned. 

Pulled our first window the replace the rubber (it's outside for the next few months, so will need to be sealed). No rust. Cleaned it up and installed fresh rubber. 

Boy decided it needed prettier wheels. 

Second window had some surface rust and a light sanding revealed a mismatched color. Seems door is not original. Movement and fit is excellent, so still unclear why it was replaced. 

Interior is currently "patina" style. 

Ten is about the right age to learn the air gun, right? 

Oddly, this still spins. Suspect I'll need new discs and pistons are probably frozen in calipers. Much work ahead. 


So, current plan is to have all the window rubber replaced before month end (October) and all surface rust from beltline up cleaned up and primered. We're about halfway into that (rain slowing things down). November we hope to rebuild the brakes and coat the gas tank. December we'll start working on the motor and trans. Well, at least that's the plan! 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Bus Build - Motor saga continues

 Stripped the 2L we scored last week to discover some ugly corrosion. Loving seeing my youngest wrench.



Yes, those are the valve springs. Looks like motor had saltwater on it and it must have pooled right behind the valve cover. Totally dissolved the metal. Never seen it that bad before. Motor is likely a throw away, but we'll strip it down just to see how things look. 


Early Sat morning bonsai run out to LA and we scored a correct year trans! Came with a usable motor core, too. Special place in hell for people that leave open motors outside. 

and a box of correct year carbs. 

Motor mostly stripped and on the stand. Turns over fine. Will get it down the block and inspect.