Jon,

Welcome aboard!  An 85 Westy for $ 2,500 Cdn (about $ 1,700 U.S.) is a real
steal.  The parts alone are worth more than that.

Be sure to check out all the info at www.vanagon.com and try the Archives
to research almost anything.

Also, use only VW oil filters (or those sold by the List vendors); never
use Fram or similar.  20-50w Castrol and 10-40w Castrol in winter are the
oils of choice.

Phosphate-free coolant (Prestone or Havoline) is a necessity, and purified
water (Prestone) is a good idea also.

CHECK YOUR FUEL LINES!  Replace them with appropriate high pressure hoses
if they show any wear or cracking.

Use only reinforced sidewall tires.  Light truck designation is fine.
(There is lots of tire info in the Archives.)

Have a competent mechanic (or do it yourself) give a thorough look to the
entire van.  If you do preventitive maintenance, you will love your van.
If not, remember you are driving a 13 year old vehicle that almost
certainly has many items that are nearing the end of their useful life, and
that some of them will certainly fail at the start of a long-anticipated
trip, or halfway through it.

One more thing; read the List.  There is a lot of wisdom and experience
available almost every day, even though you sometimes have to wade through
everyone's bull (including mine) to get to it.

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 73 Super
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky-Blue Waters)