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