Home away from Home, on wheels.

[Markus]

So, its ok if your home has a garage but you never really put the vehicle in it? because that is pretty much my situation though it is parked in an uncovered gated driveway.

Oh and thanks for the insurance info mike. I need to do something about that.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I will clarify by PM, I don't want to put anything incriminating out on the interweb... Hagerty isn't dumb!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Had an issue a few weeks back where the bus didn't want to fire up. Turned over fine, just wouldn't come to life.
Came to find the the cap and points have a lot of carbon build up on them. Just ordered some tune up parts. Got a new cap, rotor, points, and condensor.
Planning to pop my windscreen out again tomorrow. Have to get under the dash to the air box which has a jammed flap. Oh joy.

[Markus]

ok i finally just got done going through this whole thread. Your attention to detail is impressive Mike.

one thing you mentioned- oil coming out the tail pipe. This seems big to me but just got glanced over in the thread. Any more news on that?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

It was minimal, and mostly after the bus would sit for a bit.
Some folks over on TS suspect that that, might be related to a sticky lifter the bus has had for years.
It was hypothesized that perhaps some oil would accumulate in the cylinder and the first few minutes of running it would aerosolize u till the car warmed up and it burned away.
Others said it probably wasn't oil but rather just moisture that would become saturated with oil and grime then when the exhaust gasses carried it out the tailpipe it would splatter a bit.

Needless to say, I didn't open that can of worms.
Haven't worried about it, and it hasn't gotten worse or caused any other issues.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Got quite a bit done with the bus today, more than I had really thought I would.
Brought the bus to GT, let Wayne sort out a few issues rather than I mess it up and have to tow the bus down. Wound up getting new points and condenser, cap and rotor. He said my idle was hoping around a bit too, so that's back down where it should be. Also had it inspected while I was there. Who knew!

Once home, I emptied all the cabinets out. Cleaned the cabinets and washed all the dishes, cups, flatware and stuff. Threw out ALOT of clutter and garbage that had accumulated, and re-packed everything into the bus where it should be, rather than where I just threw it.

I kept a short list of things I need to replace, and what has expired or depleted.
I cleaned all the woodwork in the bus, and then shampooed the rug to get rid of a paint stain. It's 99.99% gone. There is still a faint mark, but I think it'll easily go away with another pass at scrubbing and vacuuming. I just wanted to let the carpet dry, rather than keeping it wet and moving the stain around.

I installed my NOS fuel trim - useless, but I haven't seen any other.

Then washed the bus, and put air in the tires.


I had a long list of things I wanted to do on the bus this winter. Unfortunately, as it was so cold and not conducive for working, nothing got done.
Better news than not though, the door panels I ordered in November are finally enroute to BusDepot, so I should have them within a months time. Hoping to do the door cards, speakers and stereo before Litchfield.

[EDNCAROL]

The rug looks good Mike.

[Raj]

a place for everything, and everything in its place.... looking good!

[Markus]

I got door cards waiting to go in as well. I got them from some guy on samba- Werksberg.

They look quality but substantially heavier than stock.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Werksberg makes the plastic ones too...
Did you get those?

I want to get his front kick panels, but wanted to keep my door cards stock.
There is a place in Europe that makes a perfect match in terms of color, texture and the heat stamps but they would not ship to the US.
Bus Depot worked out an order and it just arrived last week at the JustKampers warehouse.
It shipped out to the Pennsylvania shop and should be in our hands within a month or so they say.

[Markus]

yup they are plastic.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I've been long in need of new door cards. My original panels look about as good as GR in a mankini and there really are no aftermarket panels for the Westy's.
About a year ago, a few of us tried to put together a group buy of panels from BusOK. A shop similar to our BusDepot but over in the Netherlands.
BusOK had sourced a panel with the correct heat seams pressed in, and green vinyl that's as close to OEM as anyone had seen. Problem was, he wouldn't ship overseas claiming the potential for damage was too great. We had hoped to circumvent this issue by putting together a group buy and shipping via freight on a palate to li'it potential for damage. Still, no go.
Ron over at BD had managed to work out a deal. With some preorders on lock down he ordered sets in green, orange, and brown. The correct colors for the Westy's and we expected them in back in February.
As it were, the panels shipped not to BD, but to Just Kampers. BusDepot's sister shop in the UK. It took some extra time to repack the panels and get them cleared for freight to the US. But the crate showed up a week or so back and the panels finally started shipping.
Once they arrived, we started finding that the heat seams on the panels are incorrect. Missing the "up kick" on the panel entirely, some folks got real outraged.
The way I see it. $250 for the set isn't a bad price with TMI and Sewfine the same if not more. They, don't even come close in color or style and almost always look "custom", so I'm going to rock these.
Ordered new window winders and washers, as well as some new vapor barrier and lock trim. Going to Krylon the old blue door vent knobs and only now considering using the earlier bus door straps instead of the late bus arm rests. I have to decide what I am going to do for seats before installing these. If I decide I want to do Vanagon seats with armrests I need door pull straps - not arm rests. If I stay with Bay seats then the arm rest on the door is the best plan of action.



Also, Ian brought me home a new Halotron. I'm gonna store this in the cubby under the seat and keep my silly dry-chem on the bench base just because it's accessible if ever needed at a campsite.

[Big_kid]

Good call on the fire-putter-outers. I have one in the Astro and I keep a HUGE one in the buggy (it was free, maybe I'll replace it while it's apart).

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Started to get on my door panels today. Decided while I was in there, there were a few other projects to tackle.



Removed my old panels, it was simple as they largely crumbled away from the door.
Ripped away the tattered moisture barriers and tore out the old rubber boots which were also brittle and tore away in pieces.
I slid the fresh air vent/sliders out so they could be cleaned up, maybe painted and then turned my attention to my door handles which are beyond embarrassing.

I lubricated the window lift cables, though the passenger side is just a hair stiff still. It moves without feeling like you're forcing it, but it's not as free as the drivers side. I imagine it may loosen up with time now that it is lubricated per Bentley

I got the handles off the doors and was able to remove the lock cylinders carefully as to not let the tumblers fall out.
I'm curious if anyone can explain to me how I can best clean and lubricate the locks without losing the order of the tumblers?
Also, how do I remove the "flappy levers"? I'm sending the handles out to be re chromed tomorrow and I imagine it would make their lives easier and get the handles back to me quicker if I have them properly disassembled.

[Big_kid]

Not sure what a flappy lever is, but lighter fluid (Ronsonol) will clean the tumblers/wafers. Squirt some in the lock, run the key in and out/back and forth a few times, then pull the key out and wipe it on a paper towel. Repeat as needed.

[Glenn]

If you put the key in the cylinder, it will hold the tumblers in place.

To clean it, just spray with parts cleaner. Then apply a spray lube after.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Thanks guys!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I sent my front door, and side slider door handle off to be refinished.
It is taking longer than expected both because the factory handle has two pins that hold the lever in place, which had to be machined out and will be replaced after. Next, was that the handles are zinc diecast and its a bit of a process to get the chrome to lay nice.

In the interim, I need door handles. I've considered just grabbing a crap set to roll with until mine are done but even the crap sets I find online are $50-60.

Bus Depot has this set
http://www.busdepot.com/211898205n


Does anyone know if I can swap out the lock cylinder on the Bus Depot Handles for my lock cylinder just so my keys all match?

[Raj]

Mike, just for indication.. what do they get to replate handles?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I have no clue, Carmela's dad has always done my plating for free.

[Raj]

I have no clue, Carmela's dad has always done my plating for free.

oh right.....
If you feel comfortable asking, you should ask him about pricing.

[Glenn]

I have no clue, Carmela's dad has always done my plating for free.

Years ago i heard legend of a young lady that had a rather unique way of removing the chrome from a bumper. I wonder if anyone ever met her.

Sorry Mike, but I don't think she had a brother.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

What a crazy afternoon. Amidst dealing with the untimely passing of an uncle, I had been trying to get my bus down to GT for some servicing. Had gotten German Braided fuel lines a bit over a year ago, but found the line to the gas heater started to crack and was leaking fuel - great. Did some reading on TS and found a few other guys who had bought the same kits from German Supply also had issues. So, I'm not even waiting. I bought Hates Barricade multi fuel FI hose - like I should have done the first time. It doesn't come in the nice pre-cut sizes like the German Supply kit but at least idiot have to worry anymore.
Sad part is it doesn't come in 1/8" line so I may have Tony bypass rheas heater at least for now. I'd like to find a brass shut off and a brass T fitting so I can shut the heater down during the warmer months and not have this issue again.
Also on the list
Oil change - it is WAYYY overdue.
Addressing a rattling feeling in the front end.
Might also need a new fuel sender. The gauge has been acting wacky for a while, but started reading negative fuel. Great.
When the bus gets back, I wanna hit it hard and clean it. All summer it has just been wiped with detailer spray while the 13 has gotten all the love.
With AACG and Salem/Tfest coming up I'd like to look sharp.

[Big_kid]

I'm so sorry to learn of your uncle's sudden passing. Words on a screen seem so impersonal and inadequate at times like this.

I'm sure Peabody will appreciate getting some attention. Sounds like it's been a long time coming.

[AoT]

Sorry about Uncle!

I like the idea of valving off that gas heater. After getting a whiff of it last year it makes me nervous!!

BTW - Peabody always look sharp but a little love is always nice!!