Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:51:28 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Buying a Van - New Question
In-Reply-To: <ED27FE68-8DA2-463C-B630-6E186786103A@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Whatever you pay for the van you should consider it just the down payment.
Anything that has not been done recently will need attention. All sorts of
surprises will come up in a 25 year plus vehicle after it is pressed into
service. The 3-4 gear shifting issue is most likely the dreaded cracked 3-4
slider hub. A rebuild will be in order. Add clutch, motor and tranny mounts,
cylinders, labor etc. and you got a $2,000 event. The AC compressor missing
means moisture and dirt into the AC system. If you plan to fix the AC bring
more money. This is also a major indication that maintenance was done with
low cost in mind. What else is neglected?
Honestly the price is fair for what it is. But you will be working on it as
you go.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Daniel Rotblatt
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 2:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Buying a Van - New Question
The '85 that I looked at has a pretty good tub, interior, etc. The main
problem is that the stick shift bushing is deteriorating so it's loose at
the bottom of the stick shift (under the rubber boot). As a result, it's
nearly impossible to shift - they guy says that Go Westy has a bushing kit
for about $100 - which is fine, I can replace the bushing. Problem is there
is no way to tell if the transmission is good...when I drove it, I could get
it into 1st and 2nd, but not 3rd or 4th (he could though). There was a
slight gear grind as it went into one of the two each time - I don't thing a
loose bushing would cause this. I would think that as long as the clutch is
in it should slip in and out of gear smoothly regardless of the play in the
stick shift. I want to be able to travel this summer, don't want to be
switching out a tranny - which I figure would cost about $1000.
In addition, the car is missing the air conditioning compressor - just the
two disconnected lines sitting on top of the engine.
He has reduced the price to $4000. I could probably get him to sell for
$3500. Thoughts?
Thanks for the input -
Dan
L.A.
Pre-Vanagon owner
P.S. - FYI, the '82 with jetta engine was a real project, lots of surface
beach rust - didn't want to touch it.
On Apr 13, 2011, at 8:55 PM, Daniel Rotblatt wrote:
> Hi all. I'm new here, just now shopping for a vanagon westfalia. I
> was wondering if I could get some input on some vans available in the
> area that I'm interested in. I'll be looking at them this coming week
> and wanted to get some input as to what to look for. I'll modify any
> info I get with the condition of the car as i see it - especially rust
> (which I know is a real issue). I've done a lot of reading and I am
> mechanically inclined - I've just finished rebuilding a 1966 triumph
> spitfire, and I had a '67 split window van (with the mini-pop top)
> back in the day. $5k is my top dollar or i would go for an '86-91
> model.
>
> The first van is a 1982 diesel with a gas jetta engine from the
> nineties (1.8 or 1.9 liter I believe). I know to look to see if the
> transaxle (or is it a transmission in these?) is from a later model
> cause the diesel ones are geared differently and the 1980-83 transaxle
> aren't very good. Second I will check the compression on the engine
> and look at the plugs to see how worn it is. The advantage of this
> van is that the engine is more powerful and there is no smog check
> (I'm in california - smog checks are a b**ch).
> They want $5k.
>
> The second is a '85, some body dents in front and a few dings, 1.9
> water cooled engine. Also $5K. It's a westy top and weekender
> inside, which I like (wider bed, dont need the stove - I set up a
> table with a stove when I camp - fridge might be nice). Advantage to
> this one is that he has a second 1.9 engine which he says is in
> running shape. Also, his other car broke down the other day and he's
> using it as a daily driver - which I think indicates some level of
> reliability.
>
> Anything else specific to look for when I look at them?
>
> Thanks all, I appreciate any input. I'm leaning towards the '82 - I
> like the idea of no smog.
>
> Dan
> Los Angeles, CA
| 
