Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 18:12:59 -0800 (PST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: H Steven Dolan <dworkin@netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Help me! I've just purchased a pit to throw money into!
On Tue, 6 Dec 1994, Alice C. Gibb wrote:
> Actually, there is little wrong with the engine, per se (except some
> misguided previous owner removed the cooling flaps from the engine and to
> replace them is $350),
If you want this done, have a shop do it. You got to pull and strip the
engine to get to the flaps. A major pain. IMHO, this is a repair not
worth doing, but if you want to or must, definitely shop work.
> but the fuel lines need replacing ($375)
Easy to do yourself. All the bits are right out in the open. Lay the
replacement parts on top of the old parts and unscrew clamps one at a
time. Use only new clamps, and rubber. See below for fuel manifold.
> and the brake rotors need replacing (I'm not sure how much this is
> going to run us).
Also do this yourself. New rotors (for a '78) were ~50.00 at my FLAPS.
Yours shouldn't be much more. Installation is easy, all you need that
you don't have immediately at hand is the right socket for the calipers,
and a 1/2" drive bar (both under $25.00 at Sears). While you are at it,
do the pads and springs. Your new rotors will thank you.
> Plus we need a lot of other long term stuff done (front shocks, etc.)
Bad shocks (~$25.00) wear out good tires (~70.00) real fast.
> He mentioned a few things that are just expensive because VW parts are such
> a rip-off. Does anyone think I would have much luck getting the following
> things from a junkyard?
>
> Driver's side window regulator
Yes, but a knuckle busting bear to get out or in. Do-able, but ouch!
> Sliding door locking mechanism
If you are very, very lucky. These break way too often. and are among
the first things stripped of a bus as it comes thru the gate.
> replacment muffler (can we replace the muffer ourselves or is this a pro job?)
Don't bother, buy new. You *can* do it, but remember all's fair in love
and mufflers. Use the WD-40, use the wrenches, use the hacksaw, use the
angle grinder, after all it's only 6 nuts, right? ;-)=
> EGR box
Only VW can sell you one (by law). I cut the ends off my old one when it
rusted out and re-fastened the ends to the carb and muffler with a sheet of
copper flashing sandwiched to seal each end. No one has noticed yet.
> windsheild (we have two small cracks in ours)
Junkyard for sure! I used to put them in myself (easy, but messy and
nervous) until I found a local shop that would do it for 25.00. If not
found at a junkyard, buy an aftermarket one. Not only are they cheaper,
they leak less, IMHO.
> engine cooling flaps
See above.
>
> I would appreciate advice from the wise ones on the net as to which if any
> of these parts will be practical to get from junkyard dealers.
>
Well, until Joel posts, here's my uninformed opinion. On the cooling
flaps, exhaust, and fuel manifold, what I did was look for a dead engine
with all three systems in place, bought the engine, and stripped what I
needed. Consider doing the same. My dead engine cost only $150. YMMV
H Steven Dolan
dworkin@netcom.com