Date:         Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:27:53 -0700 (PDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         jgindhart@popmail.ucsd.edu (joe gindhart)
Subject:      Re: Further adventures of Ras Bulli Split [Part the fourth].


>Today's little treat was the "horn which hasn't worked since I have
>had the Bus.  I was planning to pull the horn off the Thing for the
>purpose of passing this year's inspection and in the process of
>removing the old bus horn decided to blow it out with the compressor
>just "to see".  I then hooked it to the pos. terminal of the batter
>and intermittently grounded the other terminal...after a few
>"clickity-clicks", my head was almost taken off by a sound that could
>nearest be described as a 'moose in rutting season'.  Hey, inspection
>doesn't require that the horn be "polite", just that it make
>sufficient noise...and that it does!  So, for the first time, Ras
>Split has a fully functioning horn :-)
>

Excellent! My bus has a dual air horn put on by a PO. It puts out 120
decibels, easily. It definitely gets people's attention, although I worry
that someone will be so surprised that they will run off the road after
they pull out in front of me.

>Inspection is the end of the month and provided that "they" do not
>insist on seat-belts, we will be ready...more or less.
>

I put shoulder belts in my '66 Bus. I salvaged them from a '72 or '73, and
attached it where the coat hanger on the pillar used to be. I feel a little
safer that way, especially after reading Muir's description of how driving
a bus is like being an aztec god strapped to the front (or something like
that).

>However, there are a few things that are needed before I can do any
>amount of 'transporting':
>
>1)  New seals for headlight and front turnsignal assemblies...I also
>need those little rubber "nibs" that go inside the headlight
>assemblies to cushion the sealed beam and adjusters.  I was hoping to
>put this off until after the body work and painting was done...but I
>am growing tired of draining the headlights after every rain...plus I
>do not need anymore rust...I already have my share.

WCM has the headlight seals, but I don't think they have the turn signal
seals. I've toyed with the idea of using 1/4" rubber tubing instead. It
would do the same job, and look ok, too, if you hid the ends somehow.

>4)  New engine seal gasket [whatever it is called].  This is the big
>gasket that goes between the engine tin and the floor of the engine
>compartment to keep all that nasty hot air out.
>
I got one from a salvage yard. Maybe 69-71 seals would work, too. 

>5)  Air-cleaner and duct that attaches to the carb. --trust I, these
>things do not bounce very well, no enjoy falling off the back of a
>truck :-(...

My PO had an EMPI air filter that sat directly on top of the carb. He said
it improved performance, but I wanted to pass the smog test, so I hooked up
my oil bath filter. Still have the EMPI filter if you are interested in it.

>
>6)  Sun visors and mounting brackets...PO had removed the originals to
>put in another Bus.
>

A VW salvage yard in Vista, CA has them for $11-$14, depending on its
condition. I don't know their name offhand, but I could find out about it.

>8)  windshield washer bottle and pump  .... anyone want to part with
>one of these?
>
Get me one, too. ;
)
>9)  I need the rubber seals that go where the clutch/brake/accelerator
>pedals come through the floor of the van...the local VW dealer
>couldn't find them...does anyone still make these?
>
I got these from WCM. The brake and clutch seals are VW parts, but the
accelerator seal is repro. They are less than $5.

Good luck.

Joe Gindhart
'66 Kombi
San Diego, CA