Well John you can't say that you didn't do your part. It's really on them
that they didn't head your advice.

 I wish them the best - they aren't traveling in my area, I'd offer help if
needed if they were, but I'm sure there are plenty of others out there who
will lend a hand.

On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:37 PM, John Reynolds <kayakjr@comcast.net> wrote:

> A friend's nephew (recent high-school grad) and 5 (count'em 5) of his
> buddies bought an 81 Westfalia off Craig's list for $800 and are taking it
> across country.
>
> The van is one with the sink/ice box (no stove - P27?) so it has seating
> for 5.  I gave him a jump seat, along with belts so all 6 would have a safe
> place to sit.  The ice box was, unfortunately replaced with a dometic fridge
> - it had somewhat newer lines going to where a propane tank was at one time.
>  They removed the fridge, as I suggested, it to get more storage.
>
>
> Before they left, I asked that I see the van, mainly to see that it had
> proper tires and to check the fuel lines.  It had LT tires on it.  I
> stressed that the fuel lines and firewall fitting should be replaced.
> (showed him my van with proper clamps) Ditto for fuel filter.
>
>
> I showed him the extending oil, filter, where the brake fluid was,
> windshield washer fluid, informed them of tire pressure. The van reportedly
> has a newly rebuilt trans and that the former owner was asking to get his
> money ($800) back on the new trans in the sale.  The trans was very clean.
>  Brake lines were done recently.  The crimps on the electrical lines at the
> fuel pump (hanging, no metal mount) were not comforting.
>
>
> Unfortunately, I should gave looked at the age of the tires, as they had a
> blow out this morning.  I talked his father through the BusDepot site for
> info on tires and suggested that he call BusDepot.  His father suggested
> that they buy new tires before the trip after hearing my talk on tires.
> Unfortunately they did not replace any fuel lines, even though dad offered
> to pay for the kit.  (I sent them plenty of info, Ben's site, AIRS, etc)
>
>
> Anyways, I don't know exactly where they are right now, but they are
> heading from Mass thru knoxville TN to New Orleans, then to San Diego and
> then to Denver and then hi-tail it home to Cape Cod.  Well that's what they
> planned!  I just learned that they have 2 weeks - LOL!  I would have pointed
> the van to Yellowstone, hit the Tetons and Badlands and called it a good
> trip.
>
>
> They reported only getting 10-11 mpg at 65 mph.  At 55 it increased to
> 13-14.  I pushed for them to get the van checked out a good shop (Stan's in
> Natick) and get the valves adjusted.  I'm sure this would have payed for
> itself in fuel savings.  Maybe along the way we can get them to hook up with
> a good shop - but with only 2 weeks..
>
>
> Anyways, I may asking this list soon for help for these 6 souls.  They
> wanted an adventure and it has already started!
>
>
> More later...
>
>
> John
> LiMBO
>

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'90 Carat (Grover)
'86 (We call this one Parts)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus