Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:11:46 -0800
Reply-To: Vanagon DougF <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Vanagon DougF <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject: Re: Newbie '86 Vanagon owner here
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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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