>I am planning on doing the "replace all the grommets / hoses over the gas
>tank" drill this weekend.

Michael...Allow yourself plenty of time for your plans this weekend.
I have just done the same job. It started as just something to do but
before I had finished I had a new clutch line and new brake lines from the
front footwell right up to each rear wheel flexi pipe. It took a lot of
time and even more money.

>Hi all,
>
I noticed somone else posted a long story about
>finding other things to do while he was under there.  In particular, he
>mentioned lubing a shift linkage, which is easier to do with the gas tank
>removed.  I suppose that I should do the same, and was wondering what grease
>to use and how to apply it.  Do I just buy a tube of lithium grease and
>squish is on the linkage?

 There is a nylon bush above the tank. It is a good idea to check this for
wear, mine was through to the metal was transmitting a lot of engine noise
to the floor of the van. A squish of lithium grease sounds just the job if
it's OK though.
When you are under there with the tank off I would check the gear lever
linkage for wear also. Mine was also badly worn.

> Also, a little further back from the gas tank, it
>appears that another shift linkage is rubbing the side of a plastic line,
>which I will presume is the clutch line.  What do I do about that?

The clutch line is metal. Follow this plastic line and make sure it is not
the brake servo line!! A vanagon with no servo assistance is difficult to
stop in a hurry

> Finally,
>it is amazing how one question or task becomes three real quickly with a
>Vanagon.  I have a new clutch that was replaced (with the throwout bearing
>and all of that) by my Vanagon-driving mechanic.  It works great, but the
>declutching point is very close to the floor, and almost logarithmic in
>nature.  Is there any way I can add more clutch fluid in order to bring the
>activation point a little higher off the floor?
>
Are you sure you don't have air in your clutch system?.
Following my investigation of things above the tank I have had to replace
the entire clutch pipework from the joint under the drivers footwell right
up to the slave cylinder. When I had all the new pipework in place I did
not have time to bleed it properly and I now have the same symptoms as you.
I'll bleed it again when I get a  chance.

Good luck
Martin Laycock
82 Transporter
Rainy Rusty Scotland