NPC - Ye Olde Vanagon Thread, Let's (try to) rebuild a WBX engine Options

[Chris H.]

The "Wayfaring Croat" badge



I couldn't figure out what the pink shower curtain rod was for...until I opened the rear hatch...and it closed on me.

[KELTY360]

16x7s would be a good choice. Lots of tire choices at that size, but be aware that you'll not be able to store the spare in the clamshell under the cab. Rear door struts are readily available at the usual sources...I prefer Van Cafe (think 914Rubber type support) and stay away from GoWesty (although not in an AA category). TheSamba has great Vanagon forums as you probably know.

Don't know what your plans are, but Weekender type builds are highly functional and flexible.

[Chris H.]

So Marc this van has been sitting for a while. The clutch is frozen and the brakes are totally dead so I will have to go through everything. Looks like a new fuel tank is like $90. Tempting to just go that way. I smell that sweet funk of old fuel. Did you see the dust on the engine?

The more I think about it the more I realize the engine must have gotten to the point where it was not driveable. The guy is sure it was the water jacket on the drivers side so maybe it was overheating. Is the 1.9L even worth pulling apart and resealing and then getting it running or would you sell it as a core or part it out? The reseal kit is only about $65 but I don't know if it's worth the time and energy if the engine is not worth much. I suppose I could take it apart and see if the heads are cracked. That way I could test the trans at least if it was OK.

I'd like to make it a nice driver and yes, I would add the weekender table and rear facing seats. It's fairly heavy so I was thinking I might pick up an EZ30 or a EJ25 for it. Would like it to have enough power to pass on a hill. Initially I thought I could put the EG33 that was in my 914 in it but I've done too many mods to the engine and the 914 to change that. I contacted Subaru Gears and they ARE working on a flipped automatic Subaru trans R&P. It would work with either the 4EAT or 5EAT. They have not had the time to complete the prototype. I am trying to get the time frame out of them. If it won't be soon I guess I will roll with the 4 speed that's in there with an adapter.

[KELTY360]

So Marc this van has been sitting for a while. The clutch is frozen and the brakes are totally dead so I will have to go through everything. Looks like a new fuel tank is like $90. Tempting to just go that way. I smell that sweet funk of old fuel. Did you see the dust on the engine?

The more I think about it the more I realize the engine must have gotten to the point where it was not driveable. The guy is sure it was the water jacket on the drivers side so maybe it was overheating. Is the 1.9L even worth pulling apart and resealing and then getting it running or would you sell it as a core or part it out? The reseal kit is only about $65 but I don't know if it's worth the time and energy if the engine is not worth much. I suppose I could take it apart and see if the heads are cracked. That way I could test the trans at least if it was OK.

I'd like to make it a nice driver and yes, I would add the weekender table and rear facing seats. It's fairly heavy so I was thinking I might pick up an EZ30 or a EJ25 for it. Would like it to have enough power to pass on a hill. Initially I thought I could put the EG33 that was in my 914 in it but I've done too many mods to the engine and the 914 to change that. I contacted Subaru Gears and they ARE working on a flipped automatic Subaru trans R&P. It would work with either the 4EAT or 5EAT. They have not had the time to complete the prototype. I am trying to get the time frame out of them. If it won't be soon I guess I will roll with the 4 speed that's in there with an adapter.

The tank in my syncro is plastic. Not sure about the 2wd tank but if it's also plastic I'd keep it and flush it out. I don't think I'd reseal that head. It's a pain to do with the engine in the van; cooling and exhaust have to be disconnected and set away from the head for access and once you get it all buttoned back up you may have other issues. Pull the 1.9 and sell as a core. If your exhaust pipes are solid you may get something for them on TheSamba; they're notorious for rusting. With 420k on the van, I'll bet the tranny has been rebuilt. They're a good tranny but the 3-4 slider is the weak point. Small Car has a bell housing for the conversion that's very nice. Rocky Mountain Westy also has some impressive conversion parts and accessories. I got custom bumpers and a spare tire carrier from them that are works of art. I've been in their shop and the fabrication jigs they make are incredible.

No way would I swap your EG33 out of the 914. I drool about the thought of that combo. My own opinion is that the 2.5 Subie is the sweet spot for a Vanagon, especially a non-Westy. You get 190-200 hp and way better mpg than the six. The guy who did the majority of my conversion has a 2.5 in a syncro that gets 21+ on the road. I get around 15 with the svx...granted that's at 70-75 mph. You'll definitely enjoy driving the Vanagon with a Subie. They are very will balanced with near 50/50 weight distribution.

Keep your eyes open for some Westy front seats. They have nice adjustable arm rests and swivel bases; well worth the upgrade. BTW, do you have a Bentley manual? I've got an extra if you need it.

[JRust]

ooh I have a motor that would be sweet in that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Chris H.]

Ha! Yeah Jamie this is NOT the one I was looking at originally. I'd be afraid to put that kind of hp into this old girl. I bet there would be a lot of takers if you posted that 2.5T for sale. That is a hell of an engine. Great power curve for a 914 with matching trans as well.

Marc thank you for the offer of the Bentley manual. I'm learning that is the Bible of Vanagon DIY books. Believe it or not there was one in the van so I got lucky there. Wow that thing is very thick and detailed.

I think you may be right on just getting rid of the motor now. I saw that nice bell housing Smallcar has. Seems like a great setup.

BTW what are these?







Look like engine tins or shields. Found them in the back area.

On the mileage the thing is just too solid to have that many miles. I have to think it was towed behind a motor home or something. Maybe it's not the original speedo.

It is amazing the amount of aftermarket support there is. And the stuff is not too pricey!

Thanks for the input! I welcome any and all.

[rgalla9146]

2WD gas tank is steel.
You're in for some real fun getting all the vapor plumbing tucked in as you raise the tank back into the chassis.
Them there are covers for the bottom of the heads.
And muffler support and strap.

Update picture on my '89 Westy.
Added Audi V8 BBS 15" X 7" with Continentals

[GaroldShaffer]

Well, I had to look a long time to find a really homely example but here it is!

[BTW these things are heavy as &(*&! I'm used to cars that weigh 2000+ lbs. We had to get pretty creative to get it off the trailer. And we swore a lot which helped.

Have to say I really enjoyed the journey more than usual. Garold is a great guy to hang out with. As usual he had many cars to gawk at and tons of parts.

Thanks again Garold for a fun couple of days. I admire your commitment to Mom Shaffer, of Moms Service Covers fame.

You're welcome Chris. It was interesting, that thing is HEAVY! Looking forward to seeing it back on the road. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[76-914]

So you pulled the trigger; cool. This will take a couple of years out of your schedule. You'll have the fastest van on the block. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Chris H.]

Thanks guys. It's nice to have another project. I AM working on the 914 today BTW. Will have some pics of my new heater core setup as soon as I find the windshield wiper seal things from 914rubber so I can reinstall the wipers.

rgalla those are really nice wheels! I haven't dropped the tank yet and amazingly it looks very clean externally and does not seem to be the source of the rancid gas smell. Might just drain it and see what comes out.

[Tom_T]

16x7s would be a good choice. Lots of tire choices at that size, but be aware that you'll not be able to store the spare in the clamshell under the cab. Rear door struts are readily available at the usual sources...I prefer Van Cafe (think 914Rubber type support) and stay away from GoWesty (although not in an AA category). TheSamba has great Vanagon forums as you probably know.

Don't know what your plans are, but Weekender type builds are highly functional and flexible.

Vanagon Parts Resources:

Chris, Marc & all,

Let me share with y'all the findings & sources for my too many parts, often for too much dough - which I could've saved on by going to the 1st place in Germany below, had I known about them beforehand. For example: I could've saved $500 from them for the window seals kit with the grooves for the plasti-chrome trim which we wanted to keep that look, over the per piece pricing from Bus Depot in PA.

The hot ticket on Vano parts (& Bay/Splitty Bus, Bug, etc. too) is to first look for parts at the German place where GW, VC, Bus Depot, etc. all get their parts - that way you'll save $100s if not $1000s over the USA guys, depending upon the extent of your buy - VW Bus Shop - aka Peter Gunzl.

Note that the time for parts directly from Germany will only take a week or so, whereas the GW, Bus Depot, Van Cafe, etc. may make you wait for a full container-load of their parts (including your order), & the worst for this was Bus Depot - who help me up with our Westy sitting in the paint shop for 6+ months waiting on their parts, with NO disclosure to me as to why), plus you may pay extra to ship to them + them to ship to you.

http://www.vwbusshop.de/en_GB

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Then also go to VW Classic for the OE VW/OEM parts, then I agree to go to Steve at Van Cafe to order them, since you'll need a USA approved vendor to order any not sold at the German place above. GoWesty is also aan approved vendor, but I've found Steve more helpful & responsive, since GW has become a victim of their own fame, & since they've closed their store at their shop for only online sales.

http://www.volkswagen-classic-parts.de/en/...ransporter.html
> Also use this to price check the above & below vendors vs. what VW is charging for the parts, to avoid excessive mark-ups.

http://www.van-cafe.com

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Then there is the group below in the UK for a few hard to find parts, such as the black gutter trim end pieces for the gutter rails, & the rubber tubes for the wiring in back from body to hatch (at the top).

https://www.vwheritage.com

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Also check at Fanchers before the others below, for any of the window shades, insulators, canopies & side tents, pop-top insulation & rain fly, etc. sold by the other usual suspects, since Fanchers is making & selling much of it to them, so you can price check all sources.

http://www.fanchers.com/

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Lastly, you go to the USA vendors in the order below:

http://www.van-cafe.com

http://www.busdepot.com/
> Note that if you order a minimum value with BD, they automatically give you a 10% discount, which I think is still in effect.

http://www.gowesty.com
> I mainly put them after the others because their pricing tends to be higher than the above, & it's all the same parts which they're selling.

http://www.eurocampers.com
> These guys have 16 gal Euro Aux water/Gray water tanks for Westies, & 110v AC kits for camping, & other interesting stuff.

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat...p;model=vanagon

http://www.justkampers.com/

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Be aware that many of the Van Cafe Parts are GoWesty parts, so you'll want to price check both sources on both - & see if either/both have anything on their monthly sales. Get on all of their email lists for notices of monthly & special sales, etc.

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Then there are also some vendors on TheSamba who have parts for Vanos, one of the better ones in Terry Kay in MI (??), so just look in the Vanagon Parts Classifieds for his stuff, & that of others. Some stuff you just need to go with the best used that you can find.

Terry Kay:
http://vanagonnewandusedparts.com/
http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/sea...sort_order=DESC

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TheSamba Classifieds on Vanagons & Eurovans:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=55

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If you need good repro/aftermarket interior stuff, my buddy with a `90 Carat has used these Sewfine guys & had his interior reupholstered by a shop in San Diego which used their materials, & he did a sliding curtain rails set-up using my old OE Westfalia Werke curtains (I got a new Westy set from the German Gunzl guys for my resto), & IIRC they also supply the stuff which GW & the others sell as their own.

http://www.sewfineproducts.com/

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I'm also looking at putting in a good quality Stereo unit with a 7" pop-up screen with back-up camera in our Westy, & this Pioneer looks to be a likely suspect, but I need to figure a way to mount the rear camera high enough to see over our Yakima Swing Daddy bike rack, without hacking the sheet metal or FG pop-top (maybe inside the back hatch window, if I can solve the glare problem with a film).

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car...ers/AVH-X7800BT

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car...-Cameras/ND-BC8

> but shop around & google shop, since I see them for much less that their $500 & $100 list prices respectively!

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Want a COA for your VW? .... 1/2 the Price of the Porsche COA, & they get it right the 1st time!

http://volkswagen-automuseum.de/zertifikat...enblaetter.html

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Lastly, if you're looking for tires which will fit their stock 14" steel &/or factory alloy wheels, I can highly recommend the Maxxis tires below, which far exceed the quality & life of the OEM Michelins which were specifically designed for Vanagons, & the Maxxis have a 14/32" tread depth that is almost an all season M+S depth tire. I've had their LT205/70R15C on my alloys for about 2 years now, & they're the most stable in crosswinds & 18-wheelers passing of any I've had on our `88 Westy since new, including the Michelins. So you might also consider them for other wheel/tire sizes as well, due to their Load capacity & sidewall stiffness.

Bravo Series UE-168(N) | Maxxis Tires USA:
http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-227-104...series-ue-168-n

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And just for the fun of it, I got one of these decals for the back window with "0-60: 30 mins." & they have tin-top Vanagon decals too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272172276992?item=...em=&vxp=mtr

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I've purchased from them all, & was satisfied with the parts & services, but agree with Marc above about how GoWesty has become less helpful over the years, & their prices tend to be the highest - but they too are still very useful sources, & will get back to you on questions & help on their parts, & will stand behind them (e.g.: they returned a bad set of the LED exterior light kit right away & helped with the install over several emails).

Hope this info helps the Vanagon lovers on here!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Chris H.]

Wow thank you Tom! Very helpful!

[914forme]

So you need an EG33 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) I happen to have a spare long block. You have all my sensors, you would just need to find an intake manifold and other bits. Heck I would even toss in your cam covers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I also have an early MT5, if your not going to beat the crap out of it, it would be fine 4.11 gears.




Do It (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[Chris H.]

So you need an EG33 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) I happen to have a spare long block. You have all my sensors, you would just need to find an intake manifold and other bits. Heck I would even toss in your cam covers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I also have an early MT5, if your not going to beat the crap out of it, it would be fine 4.11 gears.




Do It (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Well this is a real game changer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif). So you're saying if I have an intake manifold...like the one in my rafters right there...and maybe the runners, fuel injectors, etc, like the ones in the box next to it, along with your sensors and stuff...



I definitely have everything to stick on a long block. Let's talk!

As much as I wish I could use a 5MT it takes a special flipped R&P from SubaruGears to use one. The cost for everything to do that shipped is like $2k. It's pointed the wrong way in the Vanagon, so the only other trans option out of the box is a 911 unless i wanted to use a 90's Honda 4 cylinder that rotates counter clockwise. Would love to do a tiptronic 996 trans but I'd imagine it to be a wiring nightmare since it requires the key immobilizer module, key, etc. I think I'd just use the Vanagon 4 speed until SubaruGears does the Subaru auto flipped diff trans.

[KELTY360]

[veltror]

Another good parts supplier


https://www.tk-carparts.de

[Tom_T]

Another good parts supplier


https://www.tk-carparts.de

Thanx for adding this resource, but I wish they had an English version to their website. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

It's still handy to price check others, once you find a part you need.

Tom
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[Tom_T]

I forgot to add info on swing-away bike racks, which allow you to swing the rack with bikes mounted out of the way over to the curbside for access to the rear hatch or trunk- as well as for loading/unloading of the bikes on the parkway-grass/sidewalk area, of which there are more manufacturers' options today.

I got the the only game in town around 2012, which was Yakima SwingDaddy 4-bike rack, & have used it with great success on our Westy, & really like it. Yakima now also has a 2nd FullSwing rack rated to 160 lbs. (SwingDaddy is 150#). The design of the lower arms of my SwingDaddy is more rectangular in section, but it's basically the same deal in looks & function, also in silver (the FullSwing is black).

You can also search for other makers' swing-out or swing-away bike racks to compare their products too.

Either way, this is a long overdue way to carry bikes on your Vanagon or any other vehicle, & still get easy access to the rear hatch or trunk without dismounting the bikes, or without hoisting up a heavy loaded hatch with a hatch mounted rack (e.g.: Fiamma's), or without dropping & raising a heavy loaded tilt-down bike rack (dumb idea IMHO).

The SwingDaddy works great for us!

As always, google & shop around for the best pricing since they can vary by $100-200+ - but here's the Yakima website links to both racks.

https://www.yakima.com/swingdaddy

https://www.yakima.com/fullswing

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I got the GoWesty Vanagon 2" receiver hitch for ours, because it's the cleanest & least protruding design of the Vanagon hitches out there. That saves on skinned & bruised shins with some of the other designs! I recco you wait until it's on sale to save 10-15% though.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=2582

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Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Tom_T]

Anti-glare Film Help Please

So now a question for the experts out there on mounting a back-up camera high & inside the rear hatch glass - in order to see over the bikes/rack when backing, but without drilling nor cutting into the body/hatch or pop-top.

Any camera on the license plate frame or up under the lower hatch lip next to the license plate lights will be blocked by the bike rack &/or bikes on the rack - so it has to go high, & I don't want some goofy looking surface mounted solution .... but it needs to work visibility-wise.

Is there any type of anti-glare film which can be put on the Vanagon rear hatch glass, so that the rear camera can be mounted next to my GW 3rd brake light on the inside of the glass, which will allow the camera to "see" properly?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Mounting inside the glass to the L or R or the 3rd Brake Light at the top, & then adjusting the angle of the camera to both look down the backing lane 7 compensate for the angle sloping back of the glass - see pic below:



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BTW - that's a GW adhesive mounted 3rd Brake Light, so I'm hoping to do a similar adhesive mount for the camera's mount-frame, then run the wires to the driver's side cable boot between the hatch & body at the top left of the frame/opening, then forward to the stereo unit.

3rd Brake Light FYI - These can also be used easily in our 914s too!
http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=23669

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This is the Pioneer unit with 7" fold-out screen & their compatible camera which I'm considering for this application. Note that the fold-out screen comes out 1-5/8" to clear the dash top bolster on Vanagons, & it's been installed in a Synchro in the U-tube link below....

Pioneer AVH-X7800BT radio installed in a Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro 1990 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_vDaRmySrs

Pioneer AVH-X7800BT radio -
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car...ers/AVH-X7800BT

Pioneer Back-up Camera ND-BC8 -
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car...-Cameras/ND-BC8

> but shop around & google shop, since I see them for much less that their $500 & $100 list prices respectively! I think they can be had for about $400+/- for both with shipping + tax by state.

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TIA! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[KELTY360]

I got the GoWesty Vanagon 2" receiver hitch for ours, because it's the cleanest & least protruding design of the Vanagon hitches out there. That saves on skinned & bruised shins with some of the other designs! I recco you wait until it's on sale to save 10-15% though.

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Rocky Mountain Westy integrates a 2" receiver into their bumper that doesn't protrude.