Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 15:54:34 -0500
Reply-To: Larry Chase <lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Chase <lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Newbie >>>> Intro .. sorry ... LONG
On Thu, 22 Nov 2001 20:12:53 -0500, Data Services
<dataservices@MEDIAONE.NET> wrote:
>I took the inside out of mine to check/repair any defects, installed Q-
pads to quiet things, put in new pink fiberglass insulation (not to thick),
and vapor sealed the thing with heavy mil plastic (what a pita around the
utility ports). I decided on a Tiico replacement (a new engine), to take
care of waterboxer problems for the next 2 to 3 K miles . Add some or all
of these to your list and
>
>Happy Motoring!!!
>
>Dave
>83 Tiico Westy
>83 WBX Westy
>59 SO4 Westy (Mostly)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Larry C Chase
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 2:27 PM
> Subject: Newbie >>>> Intro .. sorry ... LONG
>
>
> Vanagon List Members,
>
> I delighted to announce that I have completed my self
> imposed Newbie initiation.
>
> 1. Scour the Archives for all areas of interest and info
> .... minimum 2 mnths.
> 2. Lurk quietly & Humbly in the background and absorb
> as much of the huge volume of incredible and knowledgeable
> dialog for at least 2 months
> 3. Test the waters by slipping a toe the knowledge pool
> by submitting a couple of non-controversial questions
> about source etc to knowledgeable members off line.
> 4. Finally ... the coming out (sort of) by submitting a
> humble introductory note.
>
> Background:
>
> Vehicle - 85 Westy GL (as yet unnamed, had a few
> ideas, but you guys beat me to it)
> Geo - Bay Area, Campbell CA
>
> Comments:
>
> Purchased my Westy (Salvage Title) approx 3 months ago
> in Sacramento - Full Camper, Exc Condition, Low Miles,
> Fresh Parts, Brown w/beige interior, 4-speed, AC, miles (105K)
>
> Second VW but first Van. Had a 69 Beetle in the early 70's.
>
> Mechanically incompetent ... or close to it.
>
> Reason for purchase ..... ~ July 2002 I plan to gently slide
> behind the wheel of my properly prepared 85 Westy and
> drive the four points of the compass for many, many miles.
> North when it's hot, south when it's cold etc. Duration only
> limited by desire. Might be a month, might be a year, might
> keep orbiting like one of those Satellites.
>
> Thus the Westy will be home.
>
> Found a good local mechanic and told him ..... we need to
> go thru it top to bottom and repair/replace anything that might
> fail within 50,000 of continuous driving. Looked at me weird,
> then I saw these dollar sign kinda of sparkles in his eyes, he
> began hyperventilating. After I paper bagged him and he
> calmed down we talked about a long term relationship and
> fair honest treatment ........ Have always been leery of
> commitment so at this point I began hyperventilating.
>
> We then put a plan together to space out what was needed
> ... chunk it down if you will over the nxt several mnths.
>
> Overall plan:
>
> 1. Mechanical repairs - Ongoing
> a. Front end
> b. Misc odds & ends
> c. Rebuild Transaxle etc
> d. Check and Rebuild trans (4 sp) if needed
> e. Rebuild 1.9 Waterboxer
> 2. New Tires & Shocks - Bridgestone LT Reinforced
> sidewall & KYB Gas Shocks - DONE
> 3. Rubber, as in hoses replacement - to be done
> 4. Awning / Shady Boy (Installed by GoWesty) - DONE
> 5. Roof rack for very light weight Kayak .... don't scold me .
> .. I know the load limit and stress factors - DONE
> 6. Rear bike rack ..... Gary Lee's wonderful creation - Done
> 7. Replace all interior carpet - On Order from GoWesty - in process
> 8. Replace Skylight - GoWesty - Done
> 9. Add more interior lighting - Parts received most frm West
> Marine / Need to install
> 10. Add 2 interior fans - see lighting above
> 11. Redo do electrical system, inverter/converter ... extra outlets,
> Deep Cycle Ax Battery etc. - to be done
> 12. Add Vented Furnace (still researching ... short list is Suburban,
> Espar B1LC, Carver) - to be done
> 13. New 3 window poptop & Install - GoWesty DONE
> 14. Purchase Honda 1000 watt generator (lots of dry camping)
> - to be done
> 15. Purchase & Install Black Metal bumpers (rear on order,
> still need front) - to be done
> 16. Upgrade/rebuild/improve AC .. recent thread on topic
> was very helpful - to be done
> 17. Install sound system that integrates Laptop (MP3), Indash
> CD/FM/AM, Sat TV - to be done
> 18. Purchase & Install RV Satellite TV System (wish internet
> version was ready for RV market) - to be done
> 19. Purchase & Install all exterior door locks & rekey to same
> (BusDepot & Steve Sandlin) - in process
> 20. Purchase and install all exterior window/door rubber - to be done
> 21. Replace almost all exterior lighting lenses - Ongoing
> 22. Purchase & Install 4 headlight grill (South African etc) - to be done
> 23. Repaint exterior / Original VW Brown color - to be done
> 24. Purchase & Install all exterior decals - to be done
> 25. Everything else I forget or don't know yet - to be done
>
> Any comments, suggestions, sources, feedback etc are
> more than welcome.
>
> Please forgive the length of this message. This will be my
> one time overly long dialog for 2001.
>
> Humbly,
>
> Larry Chase
>
Dave,
Thanks for the great suggestions.
One clarification ... what are "Q-Pads"?
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