1977 Volkswagen Bus (transporter) Type 2 - Champagne Edition I on 2040-cars

The rest of the upholstery and interior panel will all need re-working. This includes the driver's door panel, which I gave up on because I couldn't do it right. The headliner is in pretty good shape, but it is discolored. The seats all need re-upholstery work, as the mice pulled out a lot of the wadding and the fabric covering is threadbare. It has all the original seatbelts, except the middle ones.

The powertrain (engine and transmission):

This is where I spent most of my time and money, and it has made it very nice. Rather than type up the things I did, you should check the internet link I provided above. If you have any questions, please ask!

Here are a few things that should be looked after soon...

The oil pressure bleeds down when it has been sitting overnight, so when it first starts after parked for a long time, the oil pressure light stays on longer than usual, about three seconds after starting. Running around town with many stops and starts, the oil pressure stays up where it should. Oil light never comes on when stopped, idling or coming off the freeway, or any other time. It just stays on a little longer than it should when it hasn't been driven in awhile. I am thinking the oil pressure check valve spring is getting weak. There is a small oil leak that I think is coming from one of the pushrod tube seals, and it drips right onto the driver's side heater box. So when you use the cabin heater (that works just fine), you can smell a little burned oil.

There is a rattle on the rear passenger side, it might be the CV joints. They were cleaned, re-greased and installed with new CV joint boots, but they showed high mileage when I re-greased them...they are likely the original CV joints.

Not all of the engine parts were replaced when I had it pulled. All of the fuel injection parts were tested per the Bentley service manual, Chapter 10 - Fuel Injection. I have taken this bus on several road trips, but a lot of these parts are very old and could fail at anytime. But I drive it about three to five times a week to work, that's about 23 miles at 70 MPH. We've taken this bus up into the mountains, over steep grades and many miles to the beach, and it's a great ride!

The engine and transmission were pulled out for inspection and seal replacements. I checked cylinder compression, crankshaft endplay and did a cylinder leak-down test using the Bentley service manual. Advice and techniques were also referenced using Richard Atwell VW pages (Ratwell) and The Samba online library. You can search those out, too. They are an excellent source of information and learning about these cool machines! The engine had good compression and crankshaft end play was less than .004", so I did not rebuild the engine. I replaced numerous seals, and swedged the oil gallery plugs.

All of the engine management controls were checked per the service manual and a new clutch, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing and some transmission parts in the nose cone were replaced to repair worn shifting parts. The entire gear shift linkage was disassembled, with all bushings and grommets replaced with new. It now shifts very easy!

Electrical:

All lights, turn signals and horn work as designed. I previously replaced the voltage stabilizer for the gas gauge, but I think it is out again, so the gas gauge doesn't work right.

Wheels, Tires and Brakes:

I cleaned and repacked the front wheel bearings and also completely replaced all four (inner and outer) rear wheel bearings with brand new parts and seals. (N.O.S. Timken and F.A.G. bearings and seals).

This bus has four Hankook Radial RA08 195R14/8 tires purchased for my 1973 bus, but moved over to this bus earlier last year. They have about 2,500 miles on them.

The brake Master Cylinder was replaced with a remanufactured unit from O'Reilly's Auto Parts, and the Brake Servo booster unit was rebuilt by Karp's Brakes in Upland California, all work done within the past two months. All of the flexible brake hoses were replaced new. The brakes were inspected by me and lines flushed. Parking brake was adjusted, and the brakes work great and don't pull to either side when stopping. No squeal or drag.

Please ask questions early and often...I cannot look at this listing every day!

Warranty:

None, expressed or implied. As is where is condition, no cooling off period or grace. This is a nearly forty year old car that most automobile mechanics have little or no experience with. Please consider your intentions carefully. You are responsible for your bid, please do not do so if you cannot complete the sale.

Thanks for looking!