I think I may have said summat similar earlier in the the thread but you really do need to have a bit of knowledge to enjoy and keep these buses running, if not they just ruin your dreams time and time again, Get something a bit more modern if you can't coz it'll just keep getting you down
http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/eclipse/ This will work with a 2 point lap belt. It is brittax and so will meet safety standards. You will have points for a second lap belt. We have 1 3 point belt and 1 lap belt with our 3/4 bed.
If ur short of money you can get a cheap exchange engine (like I have ) it's cheap so u take ya chance but it comes with wty less that a grand ect Iv had a issue with mine but sorted it and the engine company sent the part and I fitted it and Iv since gone on to do do 17,000 miles but again u really do need to know a little bit about these engines I don't mine lending a hand to anyone local but would not like the responsibility of someone else's new engine it's a good day job ect but there a a few companies local to us there is a guy who would possibly come to u called muscle bus (Martin his name is ) he allso does engine rebuilds he actually helped me when I fitted mine as I was still a learner Just don't jump into anything uv got a nice bus there and u know what u got if I was u the 1st thing I'd do is get some quotes for a company to rebuild ur own engine remove /fit and allso please please get the oil pressure light fixed this could of saved ur engine but what ever u choose if u need a hand u got my number and I'm all ways willing to help in no expert but do have a good idea with vws now (all due to the smashing guys on this forum ) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would say the best option is to stick with the bus you know, buy it a recon engine and get it fitted by somebody who can check the basic tuning. And then to drive it more gently, and get a temperature gauge fitted to act as an early warning that you are pushing it a bit hard. Buying a different bus because it has a different roof may mean you simply buy into a new set of problems. With these busses, if you have deep pockets and no knowledge you will get on fine as there are many companies that can provide and maintain the package. If you have less money and some knowledge or friends who can help and you dont mind getting your hands dirty, you will get on fine as you learn by doing. I look back on my story of five years with a bus and there have been several incidents where a lack of knowledge caused the problem, but I was prepared to fix it myself so the bus is still running. If you have not much money and no knowledge you may get lucky. You may be unlucky enough to break the bus before you realised you were doing something wrong.
Seems to me you have no idea what you want or have or need ....you can't afford an engine but can afford to take a loss and buy another 45 year old van that will probably not suit your needs or romantic image ....All old cars go wrong and are constant money pits .....you need deep pockets a family machanic or learn yourself ...they are slow ,expensive often rusty 45 year old vans ... You can do anything you want to the bus you already have .....your not the only person that has ever tried to fit a child seat in the back .....isofix can be fitted or 3 point seat belts , your interior can be changed to suit you and you can just get a replacement engine .... You can even change the roof to suit your needs ....or just sell it at a loss and buy something more modern
If I'm honest- we totally bought with our heart! Having grown up with them I know they are money pits and totally accept that.. We are happy to pay for maintainence generally but we've just moved house/have a 3 week old and I'm on maternity leave so therefore trying to do things on a budget- purely so we could have the summer in her but on the other hand if we decide to hang on to Vera then we are happy to wait until money is available to do what's needed- It's the common situation of 'the one that got away' as I think in heinsight we should have bought the Viking but whose to say we wouldn't have had the same problem... We took it to a garage before we drove her home and they said she would be fine to get us home (not blaming them btw) but we obv pushed her to hard and are now paying the price! We've even talked about going for a t25! But I'm a bay lover through and through and if it means we never have any money in order to own one! So be it!!
Who was the engine people you suggest then? We spoke to stef at a.c.e today and I know he's supposed to be amazing but we are looking at £3500k rebuild :-(
@1973daisey got his from the place in London I think. If you do get one from there ask them if they can do it without painting the case
£3500 that is a lot for a 1600. Have you tried Robert Parry? He is on here. It costs about £40 to have an engine moved each way.
Elite Vw engines I used it's not brand new and it will never be but it's a budget engine I have had an issue but they did send the part but it's only like £600 plus shipping but u only get the long block (this is the bit that's broke ) but u see how cheap it is u pay ur monies u take ur chance but it will still have to be built up with tin wear and fitted ect but a lot cheaper
Buy something like this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/222065946917?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Fit it , use it, get your engine rebuilt as and when you can afford it, You'd have your existing engine available as a spares source as well.
That is worth a punt if only to get them on the road this year, Plus your just round the corner to bail em out And the forum is here to help them keep it on the road until it either blows up or the end of this year which ever is first . Then flog it and get a T4
Don't let them^ put you off. There is middle ground between your £3.5K estimate and cheapy budget basement. The middle ground is getting yours rebuilt by a recommended someone. But as a rule of thumb, the better/better value they are longer you'd have to wait. If you decide to go mad with the engine £'s, please ask on here first, your £3.5k could build you a very nice type-4 2l complete with suitable 6 rib and a nice pair of carbs, or a totally unsuitable high spec racing engine.
