Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 11:58:07 -0500
Reply-To: Racer X <akimmons@PDQ.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Racer X <akimmons@PDQ.NET>
Subject: Re: dumb questions?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"
We've got more in common besides the name....tony.
I've also got an 87GL that I want to last FOREVER.
I'm in the process of rebuilding the entire engine. It's in pieces in my
garage right now awaiting new bearings from Bus Depot. My van's got around
200k on it and this is the first time I've ever pulled an engine to do this
much work myself. Be glad to help with what I know. I'm planning on putting
up a website very soon on the rebuilding process. I've been photographing
the entire process. (I am also an artist and web site designer).
About the only thing I've done on a regular basis is change the oil
(faithfully...20w50). I've paid for two clutches to be installed over the
years, both $900. But after this rebuild, I'll know better than to pay
anyone else to do this job. Taking this engine apart has really boosted my
knowledge and confidence of repairing the car. I feel as though I can do
anything on it now.
Serious danger points I've come across....
Fuel lines...keep a close eye on them and always replace them with the
CORRECT type!!
I've also bought some inferior distributor parts that have cause
problems, though not dangerous ones. I always stick to the OEM parts now
for that.
Good Luck!
TonyK
tonyd wrote:
> hey everyone,
>
> I've been on the list now for a few months and have to say that this is
> a great place! My passion for volkswagens goes back quite a long way. My
> first car was a '73 bug, after that a '71 bug that I dropped, shaved,
> and stroked to show, but never did. Then I ventured into bus territory
> with a '70 transporter that I fully restored including factory number
> paint and a camper conversion from a '69 (without pop-top). Shortly
> after I bought an '84 westy, then another a short while later. Both were
> sold within a short period of time because of my being monitarily
> challenged and retarded at the same time.
>
> Anyhow, my latest purchase, and one I expect to hold onto for a while,
> is my '87 vanagon GL. I have a few questions that may be common
> knowledge for all you veteran watercoolers out there, but I'm relatively
> new to this area, and who knows, maybe there are some others out there
> that are too shy to ask, eh? (no, I'm not canadian)
>
> O.k., first, what should I be doing on a regular basis to my vanagon?
> Like lubricating what and where, changing out what, keeping an eye on
> what, adding what to what. How often do they need to be tuned? Do the
> manual tranny's need any regular maintainance/attention? Clutch? Next,
> what is the skinny on synthetic oils etc?? I've seen much talk here
> about fuel additives, but only a mention or two about synthetics.
>
> I know that these are pretty broad topics, but I would really like to
> keep my '87 running as well as it does now. And, I think the answers
> could greatly benefit the list. Plus, If any of you are like me, you
> love to spout forth endlessly about vw's.
>
> Thank you in advance. you all have been very helpful in the past.
> p.s. hi jon and kev.
>
> Tony
> '87 GL
>
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