Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:47:56 -0500
Reply-To: Jonce Fancher <strtbug@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonce Fancher <strtbug@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: 85 westi FS for a 78 westi
In-Reply-To: <003d01c3ff2b$f46c22f0$fbef79a5@jw1dy3621>
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Thanks Neil, Joel, and others
im going to Look at the 78 westi this coming week still. im not sold on
the purchase of it yet. but ive been in the air cooled vw realm (type
1) for some time. the natural progression would be type 4 then water
cooled. i dont drive my vws in the winter due to ice and snow and salt.
this is a 3 season vw with fair weather only. im not aposed to engine
and suspension mods to enhance handling and comfort. the bus will be
used to haul my wife and 2 girls around to enjoy the sights and sounds.
i also have 6 other air cooled vws in my stable from stock to
performance fun. i probably wont take it off road and will more then
likely only go up to a 300 mile radius. thanks for the info and i am
still looking to sell the 85 presently but im in no hurry. since i want
it to go to a good home. thanks Jonce
>> 1st of all i need to know what the goods and bads are for a 78
>westi?
>> motor size what to look for etc. i may have one lined up to look at
>> this coming week.
>
>goods ...
>- better offroad ability. higher ground clearance, better traction on
>rear wheels. can go pretty much where syncros can go IF you have
>decent tires (for dirt traction).
>- same engine and transmission as the 80-83 vanagons. tough and
>reliabile.
>- easy to change oil and work on cv joints.
>- dash is a whole lot easier to work with. :) can even get to the
>wiper arms to grease them.
>- round headlights. get some Hella Vision Plus halogen headlights and
>put them in. ain't cheap ...$35 each .. but well worth it. a
>rectangular fog light on the rear bumper, hooked to a relay/fuse and
>switch on the dash, makes a MUCH better backup light in the woods and
>at night. have to find a place on the rear bumper to put it, though
>... bumpers aren't designed for any sort of additional lighting.
>
>
>bads ...
>- much more sensitive to cross-winds and passing trucks on the
>highway. that higher ground clearance that helps offroad hurts on the
>highway. to counter this, you NEED the reinforced sidewall tires!
>- engine harder to work on ... just kinda cramped inside that engine
>compartment. i always found it difficult with the rear access door
>open, and the upper hatch open. be nice if you could easily take the
>rear access door completely off!
>- engines tend to need new valve seats at about 150,000 miles or so.
>other than that, they are pretty tough little buggers.
>- seats are not as comfy on long trips. my back always started hurting
>after about four hours.
>- not as good fuel economy. higher ground clearance and
>not-as-streamlined shape.
>- parts are getting harder to find. :( especially rubber parts.
>- heat in winter isn't as good. tends to dry out your eyes and mouth.
>also needs a booster fan to get heat up front when the engine is
>idling at a red light.
>- not very well insulated. definitely needs some work.
>- spare tire takes up room inside.
>- fuel filter much harder to get at when you want to replace it.
>- old style beetle fuses getting harder to find.
>- don't recall wipers being two-speed at all. but could be wrong on
>that one.
>
>that's about all i can think of. overall, 78 is a very good year for
>vw bus and campers. much better than, say, a 73. not quite as good
>(imho) as an 80-83 aircooled, however ... just from the comfort and
>ease of working standpoint. :)
>
>good luck!
>joel
>p.s. don't forget about www.thesamba.com to advert your 85 for sale!
>
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