Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:25:30 -0700
Reply-To: miguel pacheco <mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: miguel pacheco <mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Newbie '86 Vanagon owner here
In-Reply-To: <003c01c94c69$332c7b40$6501a8c0@ibmt40def>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Wow, welcome to the list, Mark. You got quite a reception and,
normally I wouldn't chime in, but I just wanted to say that your new
bus looks pretty good to me. I've always been a sucker for those hub
caps on a clean bus. Also, wish we saw more for sale postings with
this many good photos.
Gracias,
Miguel
On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 11:11 PM, Vanagon DougF <vanagon@astound.net> wrote:
> Hi Mark,
>
> Very nice van, one can tell it has been treated well.
> Amazing to see the condition of that interior!
>
> Some thoughts,
>
> 1)spray down the entire engine compartment with WD/40 or LPS or similar
> light oil spray as it looks very very dry and has been subject to moisture
> as seen from pics.
>
> 2) IF (just by chance) you are not quite ready to change out all of the fuel
> lines (which can take some doing) you can SIGNIFICANTLY preserve your
> vanagon in the event of a fire with a simple flame proof barrier over the
> engine lid, (today)
>
> With an engine fire the engine hatch panel is made of fiberglass and will
> simply melt down onto the engine and become part of the fuel for the fire.
> The rear sleeping cushion is next and it will help to engulf the whole
> interior of the van.Once one of these fires starts with no extinguisher (or
> even with) and the fire enters the van through the engine access hole, just
> sit back and take photos and enjoy the show, cuz its a gonner!
>
> Some VERY simple cheap protections.
>
> 1) Go to Home D. and pick up a sheet of 1/4 inch "Hardie Backer" cement tile
> backer board and place it over the engine lid under the cushion. You could
> also use USG's (United States Gypsum) "Fiberock" 1/4 inch which is a bit
> lighter as its cement with gypsum (drywall). Stay with 1/4 inch fiberock as
> its a cement blend.
> 2) Also works is a sturdy piece of sheet metal on top of the engine lid.
> (early vanagons even had metal deck lids if you find one at the wrecker
> 3) REI sells a camp fire blanket that is a non combustible fabric for
> campfires. This could also be used to stop the entry to the interior of the
> van.
>
> 4) Carry a GOOD fire extinguisher of decent size right away. Halon if you
> can still get your hands on one as recycle is very very good.
>
> (not saying to not do the fuel lines, but you definitely want to be sure to
> use the proper hose and fittings and its a bit of a job to do it right.
> The plastic "T" fitting at the bulk head is a BAAAAAAD culprit! be sure to
> change it or switch to brass or whatever but its a huge culprit!
>
> Congrats on graduating to the "over the front wheels crowd."
>
> Vanagon' - The Porsche 911 of vans......literally!
>
> Doug in Calif
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark A Kippert" <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:40 PM
> Subject: Newbie '86 Vanagon owner here
>
>
>> Greetings list members!
>>
>> I've been lurking for a short while and have just recently purchased a
>> very nice 1986 Vanagon GL. At 52 years old I've been a VW fan for many
>> years. I had a Bettle in my teens and later had a nice '73 bay window
>> which was totaled about 25 years ago. I've wanted another VW van ever
>> since. While it's in very nice condition I'll be posting questions
>> about a few minor issues that I've noted and see what kind of
>> improvements I can make in the future.
>>
>> I was lucky enough to purchase it from a 73 year old Dutch gentleman
>> who was a VW mechanic many years past. For the last 35 years he's
>> owned a little foreign auto repair shop/dealership specializing in
>> european cars, especially early VWs. He's now semi-retired and even
>> though the place is a bit run down, he seems to still enjoy working on
>> the few cars that roll in, at his own pace of course.
>>
>> He'd owned the van since 2000 and put about 10k miles on it. The
>> odometer shows 215k miles but it looks good and runs strong. He
>> doesn't know (or remember) the history of the engine so I don't know
>> if it's been rebuilt. It starts right up, even with the 20 something
>> degree temps were having here in Indy. The tranny is a 4spd and shifts
>> through all the gears but it is a bit stiff (I'm guessing due to
>> limited of use). I've missed a shift once or twice because I didn't
>> get a gear fully engaged. In the time he owned it he has only replaced
>> the exhaust and water pump. The tires have plenty of tread but they
>> have cracking in the side-walls so I'm planning to replace those soon.
>>
>> I could go on but I thought I would just introduce myself for now and
>> say hello to the list. I have posted a page with plenty of pictures if
>> anyone would like to take a peek at the van. Let me know if my $1900
>> was well spent.
>>
>> Pics: <http://www.kippert.com/vanagon/>
>>
>> -Mark
>>
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