1970 Westy Camper

[81pumagtc]

The campers are cool, but as for camping...

My idea of roughing it. If I call room service for a hamburger after midnight, and the kitchen is closed...well, they loose a Michelin star.

Anyway, the bus is really beginning to take shape. I think the checker/chess table is cooler than snot. Can't wait to see it get on the road!

Dave

[Southpaw]

I was using a pen & paper , But that is cool .

[ghiastein]

Sorry I have not updated after last weekend but all that I have to say is that metal work is not fun. I spent all day Saturday drilling out 100 plus spot welds on the black bus just to remove cut, rusty, and bent metal. Just to get down to usable metal to weld to.

I spent all day Sunday cutting and removing sheet metal from the donor bus. Once again not fun. I wanted to grab the whole passenger rear corner but somehow VW built the buses with hidden spot welds and regular welds in the corners for support. So I gave up an just removed the panel that I need. I will yank out the rest later and save it.

Next weekend will involve more spot weld removing then lots of metal cleaning. I am really hoping welding will start but the prep work sucks.

I have a new found respect for metal work it is not fun. Wiring, Interiors and Engine work is fun body work is not.

[Southpaw]

AJ ,
1) How about a photo or two .
2) You & Aki both are going DEEP on the Bus repairs are you keeping track on time ? For others that may get the urge .

[ghiastein]

Sept 24, 2009 10:48:59 GMT -5 Southpaw said:

AJ ,
1) How about a photo or two .
2) You & Aki both are going DEEP on the Bus repairs are you keeping track on time ? For others that may get the urge .

Pictures of yuck I have not been to excited about pictures because for 3 whole days I have done nothing but cut, drill, grind ........ cut, drill, grind ....... cut drill grind ....... cut drill grind ....... cut drill grind ....... cut drill grind ....... cut drill grind.

I still have nothing to show for it just 2 buses that look worst than when I started.

So for your enjoyment I have some naked bus pictures.

Here is a shot of the Black bus after I removed the battery tray and other rusty metal.


Here is a shot of the Green Bus after I removed all the sheet metal that I need to save because its just not available.


This is a shot of when I pulled the passenger rear window to save it from cracking lots of yuck.


New battery tray


Section yanked from Green Bus. The Green Bus did not want to let go of this piece with out a fight but in the end I won. This whole section is now split into its individual pieces and the little rust hole in currently being fixed.


This is a before shot of the large dent that Steven has been working on to pull it back into shape.

[Dustin]

AJ,

For that large dent I have a stud welder and slide hammer if you need it.

[dansam]

WOW hard work man!!! THink about how cool its gunna be when done!!

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

Sept 29, 2009 19:12:11 GMT -5 dansam said:

WOW hard work man!!! Think about how cool its gunna be when done!!

Please keep reminding him of this.

[ghiastein]

Sept 29, 2009 15:50:57 GMT -5 Dustin said:

AJ,

For that large dent I have a stud welder and slide hammer if you need it.

Thanks Dustin but Steven borrowed one and the dent is mostly pulled out. We have a some tweaking on it still than a skim coat of bondo and it will be good as old.

I will have a after picture on the corner when its finished.

[thatbusguy]

Hi AJ,
Wow, I just freaked out when I saw the pics. That is my old bus. If you want to see some pictures of it when I owned it look in the back ground of 2003 Bus Boo pictures. It has a Westy side tent attached to it.

busesbythebeach.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=541

I purchased the bus in Detroit from a young kid who didn't know what he had. The body was banged up but rust free and the interior at the time was excellent. He thought it would be cool to paint it black with a spray can. The moron! It looks like the last few years have been a little rough on the old girl. I am so glad you have it and going to restore it. Let me know if you need any parts. I just sold all my 68-71 bus parts to a friend and if you need it he may have it.

Wishing you many miles of smiles in your 70 Westy!
Todd Olson
Buses By the Beach.com
[e-mail]

[ghiastein]

We are going to need to talk. I love to know the history of the bus and I have a few missing parts. I will send you an email.

[ghiastein]

Bus Update

All of the replacement sheet metal has be fixed but still not welded to the Bus yet. I have replaced my electrical wire conduit running from front to rear with PVC because the old one was rusty.

I found a Flasher Switch yesterday when digging through my garage mess. Thanks for checking.

My greatest achievement came last night when I connected up a battery to check the electrical systems. All of my turn signals work, 4 ways, running lights, head lights, dash lights, wipers, and even my interior lights work. I also checked the wiring for my starter, generator light, oil pressure light, fuel gauge, and coil. All work and show 12 volts when they need to.

Whats left is to finish the install of the corner, bleed the brakes, wire the brake light switches, run the accelerator cable, and install engine and trans.

I am all most there.

[bren]

Congratulations AJ. That is great news with the wiring. Now if we could just stretch summer a little longer.

[ghiastein]

Engine and Trans are in!!!!! Along with the fuel tank and fire wall.

Engine and trans removed as an assembly note complete engine




Installed into its new home

[Southpaw]

AJ , Vary nice power plant . Did you replace all your fuel lines ?
And I was wondering why replace motor before welding was done ?