As mentioned any number of times, I have a new to me 1991 Carat. There are
many things wrong, but they are mostly old age problems. Things do wear out
eventually and if not taken care of will bring down the vehicle, making it
unfit for anywhere but the scrap yard. I have chosen to refurbish this one.

Remember Joel (Unca' Joel) Walker who used to keep all kinds af Vanagon
statistics, often wrote poems and ditty's about Vanagons? Well, when he
retired and gave up Vanagons, he gave me a ton of parts, a great many of
which were new, many in sealed boxes and bags - all brand new. Now, I'm
putting that stuff to work.

First step was to install a new engine harness, change engine oil, add new
oil filter, (Joel gave me a case of genuine Volkswagen Vanagon oil
filters), install new spark plugs, new ignition wires, distributor cap and
rotor finger, fuel hoses. All parts courtesy of Joel.

Next came replacement of leaking brake master cylinder and switches. Then
came replacement of  rear brake cylinders, brake shoes  and bleeding of
brakes. New parts were courtesy of Joel.

looming project is the front suspension and power steering rack. I have all
new bearings and bushings courtesy of Unca' Joel. Just have to get them
installed. The power steering rack with tie rods is brand spanking new
still in the original vacuum pack.

For the front wheels Joel gave me two brand new discs, which I have already
used on another van. But I have all new front wheel bearings and races plus
a box full of brake pucks. No brake caliper rebuild kits however.

An immediate project is to replace/repair the driver and passenger electric
windows. The driver window operator motor is missing. On the passenger side
the window operating system is all there. Just doesn't work . Could be
wiring, Could be motor, could be the window operator. Joels gave me all the
parts to redo all the components of the windows. No operators or motors
however.

The van gets a new rear heater this weekend

eventually I must remove the dash and tackle a few faults in there but in
th meantime as long as the engine is warm and