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Shianne's New vanagon


Moderators: TN Jed, Lickity Split, docric, sweetbus, Tom., Collie

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GreenBus

Mon Jan 10 2011, 01:08PM

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Location: Windsor NY
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We braved the winter weather yesterday and drove an hour and a half to pick up her new bus.
While driving it home i started to try and figure out whats going on with the clutch. We knew it had clutch issues when we bought her, amoung other things like seam rust, and a bad front heater blower motor. But we only paid $700.
it seams the clutch pressure bleeds off as you stop using the clutch. around town after a few minutes it would pump up and work great, but after being on the highway it was easier to float gears then try and use the clutch. the other issue was that 1st gear is where reverse should be second is off the map, you really have to use a map and compass to find second. however 3rd and 4th are about middle of the shift pattern, so hopefully between a new hydro system and a shift adjustment we can get her shifting smoothly.
We found also the title is for a 1991 vanagon, and has a build date of 1989, so we are trying to track down the original title for her.
She came with lots of spare parts, four new studded snows, a bike rack, lots of camping supplys, including somebodys homemade kitchen cabinet that holds a stove, and all your pots, pans, plates, and so on, however most cool, a repair manual from Europe! if anybody needs MOT specs let me!
the interior is a bluestar right down to the working sub in the side panel. however it does not have the white dash, and the instrument cluster has a clock, and not a tach. so at somepoint its had some changes made to her.
the mileage only reads 300,650.
My wife is really happy, and can't wait to get her all fixed so she can start driving her around town.

"Where you invest your Love, you invest your Life "

www.HippyMotorsUSA.com
1987 westfalia "Abby Rose"
Windsor, New York, 13865

Collie

Mon Jan 10 2011, 02:37PM

collie

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I have never had a Vanagon (but have drove one), but that shifter looks like its facing the wrong way? Am I going crazy??

Like 90 degrees out of whack.....

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Tomasz

Mon Jan 10 2011, 03:20PM

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I love Vanagons, congrats

yes, the shift stick appears to be off

Meinvw

Mon Jan 10 2011, 03:27PM

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Nice score! Yeah looks like a bushing kit and a new master slave are in line but for $700 great deal!

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GregWhitmore

Mon Jan 10 2011, 03:32PM

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Cool! She must be a happy camper.

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GreenBus

Mon Jan 10 2011, 03:50PM

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I was going through the book off paperwork and it has a berg short shift kit... maybe that might be why it looks the way it does? anybody have any experience with a berg short shift?

"Where you invest your Love, you invest your Life "

www.HippyMotorsUSA.com
1987 westfalia "Abby Rose"
Windsor, New York, 13865

GreenBus

Mon Jan 10 2011, 04:33PM

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Location: Windsor NY
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I was looking at Van-cafe.com and see they have shifter bushings, but all together they cost more then what i paid for the bus. Which bushing are most likely to bad ones??

"Where you invest your Love, you invest your Life "

www.HippyMotorsUSA.com
1987 westfalia "Abby Rose"
Windsor, New York, 13865

Tomasz

Mon Jan 10 2011, 06:36PM

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GreenBus wrote ...

I was looking at Van-cafe.com and see they have shifter bushings, but all together they cost more then what i paid for the bus. Which bushing are most likely to bad ones??

none of mine were worn out at $150K, so it's best you crawl under and have a look yourself, lift up the boot/cover on top and check those as well, any unusual play will give you an idea

GreenBus

Mon Jan 10 2011, 06:52PM

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Location: Windsor NY
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Tomasz wrote ...

GreenBus wrote ...

I was looking at Van-cafe.com and see they have shifter bushings, but all together they cost more then what i paid for the bus. Which bushing are most likely to bad ones??

none of mine were worn out at $150K, so it's best you crawl under and have a look yourself, lift up the boot/cover on top and check those as well, any unusual play will give you an idea

Thanks! I have always had an Auto Vannie, I don't think i am going to want to drive my auto anymore. a 4 speed is so much more fun!
I'll take it over to the garage and get it up on a lift, we are due for another 6 inches tonight! I an not going to want to lay in the snow and lose parts!

"Where you invest your Love, you invest your Life "

www.HippyMotorsUSA.com
1987 westfalia "Abby Rose"
Windsor, New York, 13865

Japhy

Mon Jan 10 2011, 06:57PM

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I really like the weekenders! nice Vgon man!

Tue Jan 11 2011, 05:19AM

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I would guess the shifter issues were caused by the bone-head effect, iow someone who had no clue as to what they were doing probably installed the shift kit, voila, sloppy sideways shifter. I would dis-assemble, study, and re-assemble, probably solve all shifter issues.

jt
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paintedbus

Tue Jan 11 2011, 07:50AM

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jt wrote ...

I would guess the shifter issues were caused by the bone-head effect, iow someone who had no clue as to what they were doing probably installed the shift kit, voila, sloppy sideways shifter. I would dis-assemble, study, and re-assemble, probably solve all shifter issues.

agreed. there is something wonky about how its put together now. I am sure that if you pull it apart, take out the short shift kit and re-assemble you will be shifting easy in no time.

your shifter should look like so:

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