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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
Comments: To: Vanagon DougF <vanagon@astound.net>
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 >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> + To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to >> + listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON >> + in the body of the message. >> ------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > + To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to > + listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON > + in the body of the message. > ------------------------------------------------------------ >

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