MessageTodd-

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).

Any one else?

Myles
'86 GL
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
Todd Greenwood
  Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 12:52 AM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: Monster TO-DO List

  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

[text/html]