Tracing fuel lines is my next project, thanks for the advice!

The plastic firstarter is not there, the PO had the engine rebuilt and
claimed it was taken care of.   Since he was a long time owner of vanagons
(and had 2 burn on him) I think he is probably right but since it will be
my fat in the fire Ill check it on my own.

I messed up I usually ask for parts so I can fiddle with them but with the
time crunch to get the new plates I did not this time.

It was not a big expense in any case but I suspect it did not really fix
the problem so I will make it my 3rd or 4th priority.

#1 fuel lines

#2 Check electrical lines, add fuse next to battery and put in relays for
the headlights (electrical fires bad as well also old eyes need more light).

#3  Fix lose shifter gates, hard to find the gear,  I have driven other
vanagons and have a friend that has owned a few so I know it can be made
better than it is.

# 4  make sure the engine is burning the fuel correctly, I dont know much
about engines but incorect combustion can only be wasteful at best and
dirty things up at worst.   Fortunately in Washington state after 25 years
I no longer have to pass smog and with a 24 year old van that means Im done.

Somewhere between 3 and 4 I hope to make a trip or 2 with my family to
enjoy the van.

Thank you for the warm welcome volks!

ARt.

--
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not
expect to sit.  ~Nelson Henderson

"You don't pay back, you pay forward."  Robert A. Heinlein