Date:         Fri, 16 Nov 2001 09:30:23 -0800
Reply-To:     David O'Shea <DOShea@GEOMATRIX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David O'Shea <DOShea@GEOMATRIX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Extra screw syndrome (Friday)

18 years ago I picked up a very tired '73 BMW 2002 for a song. I made a
project out of it and redid the entire engine/drive train, front end,
interior, and body work. I ended up with essentially a new car for about
$5000. For the body/interior work, I removed everything I could and towed it
to the body shop. 10 weeks later (that's how you get the special, no-rush,
discount) they towed the car back to me. I opened the trunk an found a
carton with a few miscellaneous parts. Some I recognized, some I didn't.
Several weekends of work later, my "new" car was assembled. I'd used all the
extra parts taken off by the Body shop except one. I had this mysterious 8"
aluminum brace or bracket or something and, for the life of me, I couldn't
figure out what system it was a part of. The car was complete and rolled
down the road just fine. I spent a few head-scratching hours examining the
car and my factory service manual diagrams.

Next time I had the chance I stopped by German Auto Salvage in Berkeley
(VANAGON CONTENT: great source of VW parts and knowledge in SF Bay Area) and
showed the owner the part. He didn't recognize it and pointed out that
"...hey, this doesn't look like metric threading here". Duh! On my way home,
I stopped by the Body shop and walked into the office holding up the part.
The owner jumped up and said "All right!, I've been looking all over for
that." It seems that it was part of a Corvette steering assembly for one of
his own projects. He apologized for my grief and I went on my way. The 2002
ran like a champ for 170k miles until totaled by the SF Fire Department. I
love my Westfalia but still I miss that car.

I never mind finding an occasional left-over screw.

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Stann [mailto:ChrisS@INFORMS.COM]
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 6:10 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Extra screw syndrome (Friday)


Back in the days my father and I weren't satisfied with our tinkering until
we had a screw left over.  We have been know to disassemble entire
carburetors and put them back together until the desired "screw-over" effect
is achieved.  Now I just take my car to Goober-Lube and I get screwed over
with out all the sweat and knuckle busting.

Chris
'85 Westy in balmy Minnesota.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Debbie Walters
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 6:34 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Extra screw syndrome (Friday)


We are all aware of the missing sock theory - the dryer eats them, but what
about the extra screw syndrome?  Every time I take my van in to have some
work done, it never fails that I find an extra screw/bolt or two lying
around the engine compartment when I get home.  How many times can I take
Gypsy in to get work done before there's nothing left holding her together
and I find her splayed out flat in my driveway one morning?

deb
85 Westy "Gypsy"