parts bus not so busted!

Well what a week. I have a '74 bus in need of much bodywork and a new motor as my 1.8L dual carb has way too much crank end play. So my friend and I bought a parts bus, a '78 FI Westy, so I could get the motor and he is missing some cabinets and the table from his Westy. We have bought and stripped a couple of buses now.

We get this one towed to my place and start going over it and too our surprise it's way more solid and original than either of our buses. So I guess I am keeping and restoring this '78 for me and he and I will split mt '74 between us. The plan now is to find another parts bus and restore the '74 later and sell it. First though we get both ours perfected. His is on the road and not bad but no heat and a Weber progressive. It's a Hi Top.

Here is my new project. Only thing messed with is the 2.0 FI motor which was replaced with a 1.8L in '95 but they retained the FI. It has sat since '98 and was driven one day in 2003 to move it across town. The rust is only in thin sheet metal along the rockers etc. Most can be repaired without buying custom panels. Battery tray is solid as is under the tail lights and the rear seat belt mounts. Front floor still mostly painted like new except near pedals. Dash is hacked for a stereo but I have a spare good one if it bothers me. Canvas is intact but showing it's age.

$500 Cnd. Guy thought it was unfixable. (his name is actually Guy)

Door track is not rusted, unlike my fiber glassed and foam filled '74

By far the worst rust spot.

I was looking forward to the BA6 gas heater in the '74 but I do have a BN4 to put in this bus. I don't imagine much heat gets up that long hose.

I drained the skanky gas and rinsed the tank, put some oil down the spark plug holes and charged up a battery. I plan to crank it over tomorrow, first by hand, then with the starter, without fuel or ignition, to build up oil pressure, then give it a go. Is there anything else I should do before starting it? After I confirm it runs the motor and tranny is coming out for renewing and POR15 underneath. No holes underneath!!

Dusty motor from sitting in the desert. No booster fan but I have 3 in my basement. I have so many parts from wrecks.

jim

Last edited by jamesdagg (2009-06-16 00:44:02)