First drive from Nottingham to London

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by mi2itsdl, Aug 25, 2011.

  1. Just picked up my bus and driven him back from Nottingham. In at the deep end as never driven any campers of any sort before !! (72 bay)

    I don't store pics on any websites so not sure if i can add pics here.

    Anyway, few things I need to look into.

    Steering very vague and wheel off centre slightly. Seemed to have to constantly keep moving the steering wheel while driving to keep him going straight. No vibrations at all though.

    Gear change does make you laugh. Pulled into a service station for a stop and when I left it took about 5 minutes to select reverse. Was inching closer and closer to the curb !!

    Once off motorway and back in town, had to even select 1st gear for a few roundabouts as 2nd was as flat as a pancake !! Was not expecting much more, but even with the 1641 TP engine (single carb) there is just not enough ommppphhh !

    Each door has a different key and I can't even shut the front doors as it feels like the key will snap in the barrel. Ending up locking from inside and climbing out sliding door. Will have to check this out in the morning.


    So things I need.

    steering looked at

    Gearstick - which is best?

    Door locks all changed to use one key.

    Engine upgraded. Not sure what to do here? Not after a racer, but something that can get me about everyday without holding anyone up and must be reliable. Could just add twin carbs and a cam or could go for a larger engine. 100bhp would be nice.

    New interior.

    Stereo and alarm

    Should keep me busy.

    Any ideas????
     
  2. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    the gearchange may just need rebushing

    steering may be one of the draglinks or the steering box adjustment

    door locks...Custom and Commercial do lock matching to one key for all
     
  3. You just described my van ;D
     
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  5. Welcome to VW Baywindow motoring - this is why you purchased it - as I keep reminding people its a warmed over 1940's design they are all the same. Just ensure its safe and set up as Vw intended and you will be fine.

    Enjoy your van mate its the reason I love mine over say a Vauxhall movano !!!
     
  6. It all sounds normal reverse is hard to find(maybe fit a empi shifter) as is second took me two weeks of driving it to find that
    Steering sounds about right to me
    The power thing you just have to drive em a bit different just go a bit further in each gear some spedos a have marks on em tell ing you what gear you should be in
    Just kick back and enjoy it
    It has nt even broke yet
     
  7. ;D
     
  8. Cheers guys. Had another spin out in him today. Was great fun. Don't get me wrong, I am fully aware its an old boy. Safety is my fist priority, so I am having him serviced on Tuesday. However and hints and tips on the things I mentioned are a great help.

    Noticed today, that going from 3rd to 2nd was a lottery and the smell of fuel in the cabin seemed quite high. Also noticed that the steering wasn't that bad when reversing off my drive or out of a parking space, so not sure about getting power steering, as I thought I was.

    Need to get a cover as well, but due to having a visor on the front, not sure if I need to buy one that is meant for a pop top, just have that extra room. Anyone else got a visor??

    Please bear with me for a while, as I get all my newbie questions and queries out the way. Have to start some where :)
     
  9. steering looked at-


    Sounds pretty normal to me get under the front end and have someone turn the wheel so you can look at the joints and check for play. But most people are pretty shocked at the steering when they first drive a bay.


    Gearstick - which is best?-


    You get what you pay for do a search. Gene Berg and CSP are best. The EMPI one I had on my bug was worse than the stock shifter very cheaply made.

    Door locks all changed to use one key. -


    Its pretty rare to find one with all the locks working. You can buy new lock sets but they are pricey. I would just live with a few keys and label them up so the didn't stress me out.

    Engine upgraded. Not sure what to do here? Not after a racer, but something that can get me about everyday without holding anyone up and must be reliable. Could just add twin carbs and a cam or could go for a larger engine. 100bhp would be nice.-


    You would get more torque from a type4 but there endless things you can do to a 1600 to get more grunt. If your going for everyday reliability you just bought the wrong vehicle.

    New interior.-


    Have a bash yourself :)


    Stereo and alarm-


    Cant give advice as I have 4 VW's and 1 working stereo ;)
     
  10. thought you was driving our bus for a minute there .......oh hang our engine went ti45s up on the way home
     
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  12. Ha ha, welcome to the club. :) Steering might be as mork says, or more likely the steering idler bushes are worn as they probably ain't been greased often enough.
    Fuel smell is likely to be either breather pipe connections or fuel filler pipe between filler cap and tank.
    As ned says, all normal on the lock front !
    As far as the gear shift goes, you are probably better off replacing the bushes first, before you start looking at alternative gear shifters, you should be able to select gears easy enough once you get used to it even though the throw is a bit longer than what you are used to !
    Power? just chill and take it easy, you get used to taking life at a slower pace driving an old bus! if it really is that bad, it may just need tuning/servicing
    Most of all, just kick back and enjoy ;D
     
  13. Well, I have messed up a few gear changes and come to halt a few times, but no one has honked or overtaken me yet !!
     
  14. Your van is perfectly normal . Always drive a vehicle to see what it's like before you buy :D
     
  15. Just check out the thread on fuel lines. You should not smell fuel in the bus.


    Get it checked urgently.


    Sorry, but it's likely that all the pipes are 38 years old and knackered. You don't want a pipe to fail.
     
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  17. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

     
  18. I have an Empi shifter and it's fine , not that I know any better as it's all iv had
     
  19. Same here with the empi, mines fine. If you get the door cards off and spray the lock mechanisms with lithium grease or even wd40, it will make the lo k smoother
     

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