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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).

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