Minus ten points for Off Topic posts....:)

On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 5:59 PM, aatransaxle <daryl@aatransaxle.com> wrote:

> I put a Zetec engine in mine..Carry waaay less shtuff....
> Now just a small tool bag and a serp belt and a gal of water...
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> (425) 788-4070
> aatransaxle.com
> 86 Syncro Westy
> Zetec in the trunk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 11:29 AM
> Subject: Re: Minimal vanagon support kit
>
>
>  Wow, look at all the stuff some of you guys find necessary to carry to
>> make sure your vanagons get you wherever and back!
>>
>> GoWesty has another idea, of course.  Spend 40 or 50k with them to make
>> a vanagon equivalent to new (or better, they claim).
>>
>> Not difficult vehicles?  Reliable?
>>
>> Sure, they're old.  And they're difficult.  But, oh well.  So am I.
>>
>> Dave Mc
>>
>> Oh, my van is a '91 Vanagon GL Campmobile.
>>
>> Oh, I guess what I need is a list of all the do-overs that I need to do
>> to make sure my vanagon mechanical systems are all sound.  Let's see --
>>
>> I've got a nearly new rebuilt engine (22k miles.  chassis has 145k
>> miles).
>> Transmission drained and refilled (manual transmission).
>> I've redone all the ignition parts -- plugs, points, rotor, cap, wires.
>> New air filter.
>> New fuel injection lines (they were part of the engine rebuild).  New
>> fuel filter and new fuel lines from tank to filter and filter on.  New
>> fuel pump.
>> New AFM.
>> five New heavy duty tires, Kumho 857s: 195R14C.  More than meet specs
>> for weight capacity (load level D, spec is for C), 8 ply rating.  tires
>> come with lifetime rotate and balance, including spare.  I'm a nut about
>> keeping this up on all my vehicles.  Van drives well with these tires.
>> Run these at 53 psi rear, 43 psi front per VW spec.  Tire spec allows up
>> to 65 psi, which I will go with if I think I may be carrying the maximum
>> weight.
>> Brakes inspected, fluid flushed and refilled, and good to go.
>> Alignment (but, was unaware that one needs (according to some of you
>> guys) to load the vehicle before doing the alignment, do the alignment,
>> drive it, do the alignment again).  Wow.  Of course, that's not
>> DIFFICULT.  Fortunately, mine drives with the steering wheel dead on
>> center, and will track absolutely on a straight, level road, whether
>> loaded or not.  Good enough?  It is considered so on most vehicles.
>> New cv joints.  New ball joints, upper and lower.  Shocks check as
>> excellent (fairly new).  No steering play, no vibration or bounce.
>> Wheel bearings good, newly greased.
>> New radiator, new radiator temperature switch.  Complete flush.  New
>> phosphate free coolant with distilled water (the expensive VW stuff,
>> probably not necessary, but ............ ).  New temperature sender.
>> Fan motor hot post repaired where broken during radiator replacement.
>> New coolant distribution manifold (the one that reportedly fails
>> catastrophically.  Mine broke during another repair, so not so
>> catastrophic).
>> Plan to redo all coolant hoses, and plastic pipe ends, pending new
>> funds.
>> New water pump (twice, due to failure of first new one).  New
>> thermostat.
>> New oil pump (not needed, mistake).
>> New motor mounts.
>> New drive belts.
>> Oil pressure monitoring system redone, including new sensors, new wire
>> to gauge and instrument cluster.  Idiot light and gauge both working
>> properly (gauge reads about 5 lbs lower than actual according to
>> independent mechanical check).  BTW, pressure senders set up on a single
>> tube (with a T) from the engine case for both high and low pressure,
>> eliminating the difficult to access high pressure sender location.
>> Senders and tube secured with a bracket to engine case to minimize
>> vibration.
>> Currently running Valvoline 50W due to extreme summer temps in some
>> areas I've been driving.  Will change to multi-vis (15W-50 if I can get
>> it, otherwise 20W-50 Castrol) next month or so with cooler weather.  If
>> I decide to drive during winter, and can't get the 15W-50, I may go with
>> 10W-40, or with 30W.
>> Clutch engages and disengages well.  No idea when it was redone, if
>> ever.  Evidently not with engine replacement, as paperwork does not
>> reflect it.
>> New wiper blades and rear hatch struts.
>> Very slight leak from oil cooler, will replace o-ring at next oil change
>> (not leaking enough to spot under the vehicle, and not enough to require
>> adding oil between changes).
>> I carry spare fuses and bulbs, and spare drive belts.  Guess I'll get
>> some of that "Rescue Tape."
>>
>> I keep my AAA card and cell phone handy.
>>
>> What have I missed?
>>
>> Dave Mc
>>
>