The doo-hickey sounds like an ignition module. The CA vans had electronic
ignition, or maybe your previous owner just had a few extra bucks when
Pep-Boys had a sale. (Or maybe the BAP chap recommended it?). Without
instructions, it is virtually useless. I am not sure I would trust many
brands of ignition... "Ignitor (sp?)" makes a great one that fits inside
the distributor. I've been using it for about a year and love not having to
reset the dwell/advance.

You choose well for low-maintenance reliability. Once you have un-done the
damage of the previous owner, your 1980 will give you miles of smiles, and
years of worry-free service. The 2.0 air-cooled motor was at its pinnacle
of design by 1980, and its reliability is unquestioned.

I would recommend a certain attitude, however: "Spare No Expense". What I
mean is, if you truly want to leave your toolbox at home, and be able to
drive anywhere, don't flinch an inch when you have to sink $600 into the
brakes, or $450 into the front end to make it right. The point is, MAKE IT
RIGHT, then you wont have to worry.

My wife and I spent somewhere around $6,000 repairing/replacing mechanical
stuff on her 1976 (and a couple grand on noise/rust/heat stuff). The nice
thing was, as she drove out of the parking lot in the morning, I didn't
have a bit of fear of the thing breaking down in DC traffic or on highway
trips.

Best of luck,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

"I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses
herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis punitor
delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal!      -Wonka

-----Original Message-----
From:   Sean Garrett [SMTP:SGarrett@MI.STATE.AZ.US]
Sent:   Wednesday, January 19, 2000 10:31 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        80 Vangon mystery part?

Seeking the wisdom of the list again. I am lacking a manual at this time
but
just sprung for the Bentley yesterday. In my engine compartment on the
drivers side there is a (aftermarket brand) 2"x4" do-hickey that has
cooling
fins on it. about 4-5 wires come out of it and have been cut and are
disconnected. Sorry but I can't remember the brand name. What is this?

BTW my van is not parked at my house and its hard to get time to work on
it.
Also it is a salvage yard special that was (is) not running. I am restoring
it in hope that it will serve me well. We bought a 95 camper in July and I
fell in live with the VW campers. However my wife drives it and have
learned
that it is a costly SOB to keep maintained. I wanted something simpler in
design, cheaper, and more ground clearance for Kayaking and Hiking jaunts.