Date:         Sun, 6 May 2012 20:59:35 -0400
Reply-To:     ZedEE Scooby <gtadaizee@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         ZedEE Scooby <gtadaizee@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon Digest - 6 May 2012 - Special issue (#2012-274)
In-Reply-To:  <COL0-MC1-F34F6fvuF40031d8b5@COL0-MC1-F34.Col0.hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Date: Sun, 6 May 2012 16:30:24 -0700
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Dash removed/re-installed
 
Boy I sure don't want to do THAT again.
 
Heater box opened, flaps tinkered with.
New blower motor installed.
New heater core installed.
Wiper running gear lubed.
Grounding stars cleaned, dialectrically greased.
Additional cigar lighter outlets (3) installed.
Everything put together, with much puzzlage over what hooks to what.
Power applied, all the bits seem to work.
 
If anyone can think of anything else I should have done -- just keep it
to yourself. I'm not going back in unless something is broke.
 
Thanks to all for tips, etc.
 
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott

 
I did all of that plus derusted all the flaps and painted with rust proof and used closed cell foam.  I also had to reseal the antennae as it was leaking major, also installed new wwasher tubing and jets, painted up the brake booster and brackets, After cleaning the 2 grounding stars and dialectrically greased I moved ALL grounds that people had added around to the stars.  I also cleaned each connection both male and female with wire toothbrush (badly oxidized due to antennae leak) and greased appropriately.  When done had it towed to an automotive electrician and he has everything PO added and 2 connections I broke fixed.  I have lights inside for the first time!
 
My heater blower works on all 3 speeds and man does it throw heat.  Oh yeh had to jury rig a few cables and replaced broken cable controls.  Removed a 100 w amplifier that wasn't hooked up to anything and only one speaker was wired!
 
I'm not in a rush doing it again but the fear of the unknown was the first factor for me.  Couldn't have done it without Ben's tutorial and Giles encouragement to get those rusted Stars cleaned up!!!  And lots of questions.

I wasn't surprised to find the makings of a nest and an empty nut housing in the core area but was rather shocked to find a mummified squirrel hanging head down near the bottom of driver's A column.  When I initiallly bought the van it was obvious that mice had inhabited it for years.  THAT was some cleaning.
 
Zee aka Daizee aka gtadaizee