Restoration of 1971 VW Baywindow Microbus: Back on Road!

[Cyrus43]

Come on pawan, you know that we dont like suspense on TBHP. But knowing you, It is definately a VW. hoping for a Karmann Ghia or a fastback!!

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Stan Bhai,

It certainly not a Herald.

I know that anna! I could tell when you mentioned the weight itself (herald wighs 786 kg)
'was saying that it too was in production in 1971.

[PAVAN KADAM]

anjan,Sir Alec, Bluestraveller, Cyrus and Stanbhai.

I Would still insist on keeping the vehicle name under wraps(some kind of superstition u see)

Yes Folks is a Folkswagen(Volkswagen) of course. I would not like any other.

My dearest VW's heart (engine) was lifted and put into my Beetle, after removing the rear seat. Reached home and put the engine behind my Beetle in the parking lot.

As i said i jumpstarted the project by towing, moving,pushing,lifting and finally stripping the engine. The shroud in this engine is a bit different from the Beetle engine, has a nice looking oil cooler and what i loved the most its a "dual port" and ahoy 1600cc engine whoppeeee, could i ask for more.

Actually the 1600cc dualport for my standard is as good as getting a V8 engine.

The shroud came out neatly after removing few bolts,
Some sort of flap arrangement is made on the doghouse cooler, i read the manual and since i dont live in a city that snows, i instantly removed the flap.

The oil cooler looked new and came out easily after that, The inlet exhaust also came out neatly from the head,

Since the valve door cover does not exist, i could see a bit of dirt and grime inside it.

Did not venture to remove the head fearing damage while doing so.

Next step was to get to the clutch and the loader plate. remove few bolts and the clutch was out, looked a bit worn out but anyways thats easy to find.

[anjan_c2007]

We would now like to see the 1160 Kg car parked in the 20 x 8 feet space!

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

We would now like to see the 1160 Kg car parked in the 20 x 8 feet space!

Now thats a real problem Mr anjan, Already there are 4 other cars in the parking lot and two of the old 2 wheelers parked inside one room in the house.

There's absolutely no space for one more to come. How am i going to overcome this issue after restoration is a million dollar question that runs in my head day in and day out.

Pheeewww....hope i get some parking place for this VW.

[leadf00t]

Pavan

is it the Volkswagen Kübelwagen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by leadf00t

Pavan

is it the Volkswagen Kübelwagen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No anna, my ride is a 1971 and comes under classic category.

More over JayD, $@~t0$#, and smsrini have given 100% clue on what my new ride is all about.

Anyone wants to get the name out of my mouth have to wait for a reeaaalllly loooong time.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Its been a week since my mech has touched the engine, shucks..Still lying without any work on it.

Got some useful information from 71Convertible.

[S@~+#0$#]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Its been a week since my mech has touched the engine, shucks..Still lying without any work on it.

Serves you right for not posting pictures of your 71 VW Baywindow Bus .

[PAVAN KADAM]

O K,

Finally on the Independence Day my mechanic arrives home to my surprise.

Gets going with my other regular cars first, later asks me why have you called me, all your cars are fine.

"BROTHER" hold it, i've been calling you for a VW Engine.

I see a smile on his face,(He's so fond of VW Engines) . He sits in front of the engine and swiftly moves his hand with all tools he requires.

The tappets came out within minutes,and goes into a small tub filled with diesel
The oil sender pipes comes out and again dipped into the diesel solution.
One by one bolts are removed and to my relief the head is completely removed.

Similar steps were followed on the other side of the engine.

Now comes the Pistons. He looks at me and says, what is this sir, this engine is damn new( i am so damn happy on hearing this).

He says, there's little of carbon deposit on the piston. The valves are still looking so good, the head looks nice, i could not hold on to my excitement, i jumped on the spot.

O K getting back to business. He neatly splits the engine body and examines, finds the inside of the engine is neatly smeared with oil and I dont have to do anything on the pistons.

Anyways since i had already sourced the engine kits, suggested him to change the set of piston rings.

Now the head will head to the lathe for valve grinding.

Week later the engine will be coming together.

[mjothi]

Nice pavan. I am not sure how you are holding your eagerness, enthu etc, but we are not able to hold it. Waiting for the 1971 classic to be out for us to see it in flesh

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Nice pavan. I am not sure how you are holding your eagerness, enthu etc, but we are not able to hold it. Waiting for the 1971 classic to be out for us to see it in flesh

Somehow i'am holding my enthu.

90 more days, my Classic ride will surely be there for the next T-BHP December meet

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Somehow i'am holding my enthu.

90 more days, my Classic ride will surely be there for the next T-BHP December meet

Good steps in the right direction.All the best Pavan for the ultimate goal.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Good steps in the right direction.All the best Pavan for the ultimate goal.

Thanks Anjan,

Even though the engine is getting its preferential treatment, the body is lying elsewhere, cant get it home, no parking and "Dad's Fear",

With the rains on now, my biggest worry is it should not worsen those 4-5 tiny rusted patches on the body. I fear if i leave it just as it is my tinkering bill will rise. Since i'am doing this restoration with a shoestring budget, dont want any more expenses.

Taking my mech there sometime by end of this month to get the brakes done and tow it to the tinker.

The engine will anyways be ready to go in by end of this month, the exhaust will be custom made and hope to drive the ".....ride ..." to the tinker, hurray (Not able to use a 3rd smiley)

[PAVAN KADAM]

Huh..

Finally the chassis was moved to the tinkers place yesterday night at 1.45 in the mid of the night.

My brother had a horrid time behind its wheels while being on tow. Our DICOR has never run this way all its 2 yrs of life. imagine being on second gear and under 25 kmph throughout 21 kms, phew.

Over and above all this, since its a power assist brakes, there were no brakes, he had to do with the hand brake all the way and to add more insult to injury a Left Hand Drive and over it no lights and to top it he never carried his cell for communication.All we had was a LED head gear,which he used to flash from inside if he wanted me to stop.

After all this we reached home so damn late but without any incident, left both the cars outside the house as it is to move it over to the garage the next day morning.

Now just waiting for the tinker and the painter to assess and hand over the estimate to me( this is the most intolerable part of dirtying your hand for restoring a beautiful classic)

Anyways it'll be the most happiest moment to put life in a classic thats been dead since years.

MODS: I am missing out on using more than 2 smilies here.