Hi, I am new to this forum. Not sure if this is correct in creating a new 'self introductory' thread, or if I am supposed to post in a thread that is current. Also, I am unclear on how I should contact the Administrator for questions. I have several buses. I will probably post some pictures soon.
Your of to a flying start , you've posted in the right place. If you have technical questions post in mech and tech.
Here are three of the money pits. The 1968 doublecab is a very dry California truck. Virtually no rust on the body, except the front floor pan is very rotted away on the driver's side. I plan to install a Gerson sheet at some point. The front clip has some dents, but not terrible. I have already pulled some out. The left rear gates were very badly dented, but I beat the hell out of the damage and they are fairly straight again. The nature of the original damage calls for a sectional repair to one part of a side gate and one half of the tailgate. The left rear bottom corner also needs replacing or someone deeply talented to bring it back true. Power train is complete, engine turns over but I have never tried to start it. All seats are there, and most of the glass. Needs windshield, driver's side glass and windwing and the side window. The two-tone 1978 yellow bus will be up for sale soon... I bought it to replace the 1977 CE-1 that I foolishly sold to someone in Germany after I brought it back to life with a lot of work. This one has a lot of previous owner problems. They used expanding foam as sound deadening in the front doors and front clip. There is a lot more elsewhere in the bus. The engine is unknown, but I suspect poorly maintained. I have it running again, and it will need to pass the California smog Check prior to sale. It is a sunroof model, but the sunroof was sealed up. It has the nice late model automatic transmission. I have one of those in my 1987 Westfalia, and I really like it. It has all the seats and seat belts and it does have some body filler on the front clip, but seems to have very little rust when I look underneath and poke around, except the front clip under the right side and the windshield sill is rotted through there, too. For some reason, the cab floor is solid. I just don't have the time and money to make this one nice again. The headliner is nearly completely gone. The blue bus is a 1973 model with the early automatic transmission. I have done quite a bit of mechanical work to this one, including brakes, all wheel bearings, extensive front end overhaul including steering box. The engine in this one is fairly worn out, but I have more of the Type 4 engines so not terribly concerned. I rebuilt the transmission a few years ago and was a bit mystified by fluctuating fluid levels, but it seems to have settled out. I have verified the ATF did not fill up the gear box. It's a daily driver. I welded in a new battery tray and also repaired the rusted windshield frame. It has all the seats, a full set of the early headrests and all the seat belts, floor mats and interior panels. The headliner is in great condition with just two small rips and it has air conditioning; not functioning. A/C will be researched thoroughly at some point. I am in the process of removing the spry paint finish to reveal the nice Orient Blue. I also have a 1987 and 1981 Westfalia, and previously had a 1967 and 1970 Beetle and a 1970 Bus. I grew up in our family's 1969 DeLuxe bought new by my parents.
