Todd-
Here
in Seattle I generally run 30hd since my engine is so old. (170k- just =
flipped
170k on my way in to the office this morning)
When
driving down to the warmer climes of California, Nevada for Burning Man, =
and Texas, I change the oil before I go and put in 40 just to =
help
increase the oil pressure and make sure that there's enough viscosity to =
keep
long travel wear down to a minimal. after about 300miles of driving =
around 60-65
mph- your engine will loosen up a bit and it'll drive solidly. that's =
usually my
favorite part of the trip. (these trips usually take place in the =
summer. If
you're traveling in the winter- I'd say that 30hd would be fine all =
the
way.)
thoughts on the external oil cooler- I had one on a '72 camper =
van. it
basically allowed for more oil to run through the engine, but generally =
made for
a HUGE mess because the thing wasn't designed very well. lots of little =
leaks
and new holes to punch through the metal, etc. if you feel =
that it is
necessary, then you need to get a bigger oil pump (you'll =
need it
to increase oil pressure through the new lines that run to the =
cooler
outside of the vehicle) then I'd say do it. but- really- it's not =
needed.
Also-
from past experience- driving south from here in Seattle, there are 3 =
mountain
passes in Oregon; the last one being Grants Pass, OR. make sure that you =
have
some grease injected in to the CV boots (all four of them) before you =
go to
keep the CV joints from going out on you in the passes. Westies weigh =
quite a
bit and pushing them over mountain passes without enough lube can cause =
some
pretty big problems.
Regarding the skylight- I'd take the thing off, clean it really =
well and
put fresh clean caulk down so that the seal is clean and fresh. make =
sure that
you get all the old caulking off first though- it can hide dirt and =
cause
pitting in the paint and rust eventually (we are in a rainy climate). =
really all
you have to worry about up here is the moss that grows on the older =
cars. Don't
park under trees very often, and you'll not have a problem with
that.
Tach
gauge and oil temp gauges are always good to have. If you can't throw =
down for
all of them at the same time (meaning 1 tach, 1 oil pressure, 1 oil =
temp) I'd
suggest the oil pressure gauge over all of them. lose pressure when =
you're on a
mountain pass and you might find that you've blown a gasket..... it =
won't matter
how fast your engine is spinning at that point nor will the temperature =
of the
oil since it's gonna be on the road very shortly thereafter.
;)
Headlights- as long as the ones you have work- way replace =
them? if you
insist on doing this- go for some halogen replacements- it's always nice =
to melt
the eye lids off the folks driving in front of you since the stand of =
our
Vanagons are a bit higher than the average Ford Taurus rear
window.
Glass
on the sliding glass door- Since Bry's is out of Biz for the time being, =
you'll
have to call Campbell-nelson. they'll have your part but at a much =
higher
price (unfortunately).
Any
one else?
Myles
'86
GL
Van list -
I'm in the middle of remodeling an 80 =
westy, and
I have a ton of questions:
I just finished rebuilding the engine =
(I pulled
it, cleaned & repainted the
steel, and had it professionally =
put back
together). The first road trip
isolated the alternator as a point =
of
failure (on the freeway @ 2am). Now I
know what the battery and egr =
lights
mean.
I'm prepping for a long term road =
trip...I hope
to surf Baja someday. However,
I have a laundry list of repairs =
first. Any
thoughts on this extensive list
would be great.
Van TO-DO List:
1. Add Temp Gauge =
(I'd like to
get sensors on each cylinder...overkill? At the
very least, =
I'd like
a temp gauge on the dash)
2. Add Tach Gauge (I notice there's been =
some
discussion on this lately...I'll
look thru the mail)
3. =
Clean
mildew off inside pop-top...cleaner
recommendations?
4. Clean outside mildew off outside of
pop-top...The question is how to finish
it so it looks like =
new? I
just cleaned w/ tsp and Clorox. 100%
better...but not 'new' =
looking
yet...should I use rubbing compound
and then wax?
5. =
Replace
Headlights (brand recommendations?)
6. Extend gearshift lever =
higher...it's
so low I have to bend down to reach it. I used to
ride an =
old 77
Westy, and the PO had installed an anchor bolt to the stick arm.
Does anyone make an extension?
7. Replace sink pump (any =
brand
recommendations?)
9. Add an oil level and pressure meter...I'd like =
always
know about this
precious fluid...
10. Spare tire (---found =
this in
Bentley---cool, need to see if I have one :o))
11. Paint job (where =
can I
get something cheap in the Seattle metro area? Any
places to
avoid?)
12. Replace missing sliding door window (glass is gone...is =
this a
junkyard
item...or something that can be fixed?)
13. =
External oil
cooler?...should I get one?
14. Gas grade?...my mechanic recommends =
premium
for an air cooled. Is this
necessary?
15. Recommended =
oil, after
rebuild, then later...what grade should I run for
how long =
after a
rebuild? My mechanic recommends either sae30 or 20-50.
16. Fix
skylight...some DPO used sheet metal screws to put in a
non-stock
skylight. It's in, but it leaks...the caulking or =
whatever
they used
to seal it is cracking...what should I do? Just =
add more
caulk, or pop
for a new skylight?
17. Where are all the =
grease
fittings? Didn't see a diagram in the Bentley
...and the =
front end
squeaks a bit.
18. Fuel system...when I fill the tank up, the =
filler tube
leaks a bit. Is this
normal? Or do I need to start looking at =
the
grommets and such? My plan
is to drop the tank, fix the =
sending unit
on the tank, and replace all
the rubber/gaskets/fuel =
filter/fuel
pump...anyone done this?
Thanks in advance for any answers to =
my newbie
questions!
-Todd
'80 =
Westy