Hi there, I've not long joined the forums and just starting to get acquainted with things around here so thought I'd post a few more pics of my 1978 camper Walter, some of my plans for him so far (sure there'll be plenty of surprises to crop up too!) and post an open invitation for tips and recommendations for his restoration. I'm a complete newbie both to VWs and classics in general but I'm in for the long haul now and more than willing to learn! Incidentally can anyone confirm for me what type of conversion I have here? I'm guessing Devon but would be good to be sure! So here's the pics I took of 'ol Wally a few months back: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenwagg/sets/72157631547658651/with/7991316231/ Since then he's had most of the interior removed and has now gone in for some welding. I'm told by the previous owner that a full restoration had previously been done around 8 years ago, but he has been laid up for nearly 2 years now since failing the last MOT. I am praying that there will be no major work in the sense of major rust and panels to etc to be cut out and replaced, but we will see. Initial plans are to get any necessary welding done, brakes completely overhauled, electronic ignition installed and get him running. Realistically I'd like to do a complete engine overhaul but I also want to be able to use him, so I'm thinking maybe of buying a second engine to overhaul and swap them over in time. Cosmetically I know he will need a respray at some point but hoping for now to get rid of the spots of rust, touch up and re-spray further down the line. I know this is probably a more difficult way of doing things but unfortunately funds have to dictate this one! Inside I am taking a guess that the cupboards etc are non-standard, probably home made somewhere down the line but they are solid so the idea for now is to clean them up, take off the old carpet and paint. Same idea with the cushions and curtains to be recovered/re-made. A few other little things here and there with the pop top canvas slightly frayed around the join with the roof and also thinking about moving the spare wheel into the back. So rather than me waffle on any longer, does anyone have any suggestions, advice, major warnings or the like? Any advice is greatly appreciated! And I shall post all progress pics here Thanks Jen
Hehe, thanks for the advice. That is most definitely the plan too! A few short trips here and there to get used to things but the first big goal is to get him to Glasto in June
First thing I'd do is get that fuel filter out of the engine bay. Put it under the tank, over the top of the gear box: that way, if it springs a leak it will be away from your hot engine. If you don't want to do that, at least make sure the fuel line is pushed right onto the spigots and that decent fuel line clips have been used (not jubilee clips...). Worth checking the fuel lines themselves too.
Thanks Baysearcher, these are exactly the kind of nuggets I need to help me along. Is that a big job to do, moving the fuel filter? The previous owner left about 3 or 4 fire extinguishers dotted about inside the van so maybe he knew it needed doing too?!
Nope, not difficult to do, you just need to be methodical (ish)! I find it easiest to do it when the tank is fairly empty. Then make up the replacement line (fuel line - filter - fuel line) and clamp the end that's not going to go on the tank outlet. Get underneath and remove the old line from the tank and put your thumb over it before quickly pushing the new line on. Dont get petrol in your eyes or ears, it'll hurt like hell! Then route the new line over the gearbox (there should be clips welded to the floor) and clamp it to the metal line that goes through the bulkhead. Then replace the line in the engine bay and job done! Make sure you use proper fuel line clips on all joints! You can get kits from T2customs.com
Thank you, I'll definitely do this when I get it back. Sounds like it will be a safer option as well.
And when you buy new fuel hose, make sure you buy proper R9 rated hose, that's built to withstand modern fuels. That old braided crap gets rotted by the chemicals in the fuel, and you end up with a bonfire in the back of your bus.
Hi all, it's been a while since my last post as the van has been stuck in the garage for the last 5 months. With not being able to afford a proper mechanic it's been worked on by a family friend in their spare time so it's taken a while. I finally have it back though, with MOT (hurrah!) and chassis welded. After it passed the MOT I was told that the engine was still running like crap with poor compression, loads of oil leaks and a cracked cylinder head. So we took the engine out and did a very quick strip down. Now all of the seals have been replaced, new cylinder head, tinware re-furbed, plus all of the spark plugs, leads, distributor cap and points replaced. The engine went back in this weekend (see pic below) and after some missfiring on one of the cylinders we found a duff spark plug. Now that's been replaced it is starting first time and running fairly well. Compression is up to 9.3 and only a really small oil leak left as far as we can tell. I'll post more pics of the engine build soon. Had my first drive in it last night. I've never driven anything this old before and er what an experience! Had a bit of trouble with the gears and finding 3rd. And anything above about 30mph the steering feels quite loose. But I'm sure I'll get used to it, or I hope! One thing I did notice was it seems to puff white smoke out of the exhaust when changing gears or on acceleration. Any ideas what might be causing that? I'll post it in the mech/tech area as well. Next I'm getting the interior back in and getting out and about in it. There are lots of little rust patches to deal with and it, needs new seals and loads of cosmetic stuff but for now I think I'm gonna enjoy the summer
