Oil change and a valve adjustment should be the first items on your TO-DO
list.  Air-cooled motors love valve adjustments...

BTW: the oil bath thingy is only for the air cleaner.  The Thing engine only
has a oil screen in on top of the drain plate on the bottom of the case.

BTW #2: one of the main differences between a '73 & '74 Thing, is that the
'73 has a gas heater (flammenwerfer), whilst the '74 has the nasty heater
boxes.

BTW #3: I have a '73 Thing as well.  Anybody want to buy it?

Happye Thing'ing.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Donna Skarloken
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 8:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Happy Frydae - VW Thing Question - LVC

My son and I inherited my parents' 73 Thing.  It has been sitting a long
time but runs.  I haven't done anything with air cooled VWs in ages.  I
assume I should change the oil (it has the oil bath thingy, not a regular
oil filter).  I assume we should also do a tune- up and change the spark
plugs, etc.  Any recommendations for parts vendors to buy our tune up
items?

Also, since it sits most of the time, are there other places to check that
need lubrication?  Knock on wood, the brakes seem fine.

Is there an internet list for Thing owners similar to the Vanagon list?

Thanks for any help.  I need to move it out of the driveway and just use it
and enjoy it.  The Syncro gets most of the attention but that is because it
is our main people and grocery hauler.

I have three more projects besides this one.  My Farmall A is broke down (my
husband thinks it is the condenser); our 1960 double cab has no brakes and
won't idle, and my motorcycle is broke down - possibly voltage regulator
and/or stator.

Happy Friday,
Donna