69 Westy Rusty Patina

[Dustin]

I was thinking the same thing Jerry sounds like a worn shift plate.

[ghiastein]

Sorry folks its been a bit since my last update. Well I have removed well (cut) all of my hard metal brake lines. Everything was just a bit to rusty for me. The last thing I need is my brakes to fail at the wrong moment because of a rusty brake line.

I have gathered all of my brake lines and hoses. Soon I will be connecting everything up. With Steven's help we have relocated the bus to the other garage now its time to get busy.

I have finally also installed the rest of my engine tin and the rear engine apron. I installed my engine lid and got my hatch latch to work.

Also with Stevens help we removed the rotting remains of my camper top. My bus is so much cooler now. I have this escape hatch at the top of my bus. It is so cool to stand up through the existing sun roof hole. I still have not figured what to do about the hole yet.

[Southpaw]

AJ , I still have my old top . I don't know if inch for inch if it will fit but it's a top . I think it's a bit larger . If you would like it and my help to try to fit it let me know .

[ghiastein]

I have spent some quality time with my Bus today. I changed out the wiper motor. That was not a fun job all of the front air ducting had to be removed to get at the wiper motor. Every time I removed a fresh air duct I found more goodies like pens, bubble gum, sucker sticks, and candy wrappers. Well at least my ducts are cleaned.

I started on my brake system first by replacing all of my hard metal lines and hoses the job was not all that bad. The hard part was the drums them self. The front was easy I checked and cleaned all 4 of the wheel cylinders and cleaned and re-greased the adjusters. The real problem was the rear both wheel cylinders were rusted the the backing plate and the adjusters were rusted solid. I had to brake out the torch and burn off the adjusters and a few well placed hammer blows to the wheel cylinders freed everything up.

The front brakes are all done and only the driver side rear. Tomorrow I will finish the passenger rear and hopefully I can persuade wifey to help me bleed the brakes. Then I can finally finish the brakes.

I need a new turn signal switch the wires are torched and unsoldered. I think that is why my signals don't work.

All thats really left before I drive it is to finish and test the electrical and a tune up then I can drive it.

I cant really drive it for real until I fix the front floor. Currently its a Flintstones bus

[dansam]

get out the welder Why not put in convt top buttons around the hole and make a soft top piece? I have an old tonnue cover I think would work for the material

[ghiastein]

That is an excellent idea dansam I think my Grandparents have a button stamper. How much you want for the old tonnue cover?

[ghiastein]

I managed a few hours out in the garage today. I finally removed the very stubborn steering wheel. That was the worst steering wheel removal of all the VW's that I owned. With that done I re-soldered my turn signal switch back up. Now I have all working lights even brake lights. My wiring is finally done now it time for brake bleeding and engine tune up. Then another jaunt around the apartment complex.

[ghiastein]

Update

I have bled my brakes with my Wife's help now my pedal is rock hard and not spongy.

I have also managed to install all of my ignition stuff and replaced my defunct fuel pump.

I have found out the problem for my failed trip around the apartment complex. I seams to be that I managed to screw my Volume Control Screw and my Bypass Screw all the way in until they bottomed out and my Electromagnetic Cutoff Valve was not working correctly. No wounder why it was not running correctly. Its all fixed now.
I tried to start the Bus again and adjust the timing and carb correctly but my battery was low. I will try it again later with a fresh battery from my truck.

[dansam]

You can have the tonnue cover. Ill get it to you as soon as I can.

[ghiastein]

Today looked like a good day for a bus drive. So I set forth to prepare for that journey. Spent the day cleaning out the interior of my Bus. I checked and rechecked stuff. Then purchased 2 gallons of go juice from the gas station. Fired the Bus right up and this time I adjusted the timing and the carb before I took off. But I noticed the generator light is on. I will just choose to ignore it for the time being because I am in my element with a perfect running engine. So I once again do my victory lap around the apartment complex. Everything is finally running so nice I completed 2 laps even exceeding the speed limit and grabbed third gear. All except for the generator light laughing me in the face.

After my jaunt I wanted to see why my generator light is on. First thing to test is the Voltage Regulator. So I did a quick swap with the Ghia's because I know that one works. After the test fire the light is still on. Ok lets polarize the generator that usually helps. Still the light is on. So I fire it up again and grab my voltage tester. I have 12 volts at the battery and 0 from the generator.

Now I have to pull the engine from the bus just to change the generator because there is no room to do anything in that engine compartment.

Any one have a good working standard generator? I have a few that are questionable but I would hate to do this again.

[Ruffuss]

I have one AJ. come get it. Later Kenn

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

I have the one out of my bug you can borrow.

[Southpaw]

AJ , Can you try just changing the brushes and not pull the unit ? Maybe ?

[ghiastein]

The funny thing is that I hooked it up to a battery before I installed it. The Generator spun at a reasonable speed. So I was thinking its good.

Generators are not always good if they spin when hooked to a battery. From now on I will spin the generator with a drill then check the voltage it produces before I install it. For a baseline I will use the Ghia generator and test the voltage coming from the known working generator.

I pulled the bushes out checked them and re-snapped the springs. Still the light was on.

[Ruffuss]

Just come get the dam- generator, don't tear up the Ghia, I have two or three or more with or without fans. I know they worked or I wouldn't have kept them. Don't pull the engine again. I'll be all day and evening. Later Kenn