'64 - Split bus resto....my project

[Dutch_Diver]

Look good Frank!!

Is that being done at McCarthy's in Broadlands?

Barry

I used McCarthy Auto Trimmers in Strand....guy called Donovan...very good job but not that cheap but I did have everything redone including making up of new panels (for the front cab) and roof lining. The also did the carpeting for the cab and above the engine compartment.

[Rabid_ant]

Outstanding Dutch!! Hope my stuff looks that nice....are you willing to pm me what they charged for the seats? I need to find a trimmer for my stuff! No pressure though......

[Dutch_Diver]

Done RA....

[lowlight]

Dutch, looking very nice indeed.

[Dutch_Diver]

nice work mate!!!! I gotta see that in person

TonyZ...when you coming over then to do a run? Still planning mid Feb?

[1972]

congrats dutch dit lyk baie

[Tony Z]

yea Dutchie... still early to mid feb in CPT.

[VWCrazy]

The bus looks awesome. Nice Job Dutch

[Dutch_Diver]

UPDTAE TIME:

Spent the morning with the Mechanic (Jurgen) and Mo (The Bus) . Well I'm so glad that I have taken it to get checked after the wheel incident. It appears that there's a load of work still to do and some that needs redoing.....

I learning all the time and one thing I have learn in SA, is if you can, take your vehicle to someone with a lift and get underneath with the mechanic. It's amazing when they can show you the challenges and "botches".

- So I now know why the bus steering was so vague. The ball joints can be moved more the 5mm in all directions on each joint
- In order to get the handbrake to work, have you ever hear of putting a loop into the cable and securing with a jubilee clip
- The linkage to the gearbox had play...not surprising when all the bushings are missing and someone welds the shaft to the gearbox directly
- Then you take the time and spend the money to get all the heat exchangers and piping together for the hot air in the cab....maybe it would help to put in the cables that allow you to open the valves
- And rear drums, So does the handbrake cable really go behind the pads ?....i.e. the wrong way round for the lever hit the square hub
- Then the flexi brake pipes are gone....and I mean GONE! seeping brake fluid... I could be dead


I could go on but I think a lot of this might be historic. I did stupidly assumed that when you pay a lot of money, people do care....and check a bus over when you ask.....That's another thing I have learnt "Don't assume anything...is done to make safe or properly". At least I'm not dead, the bus is not damaged and all this can be fixed but as always, it's more money.

So "Mo"'s in great hands with Jurgen and Stan...the drums are all off already, been skimed to remove loads of high spots and the new flexi hoses are ready to be fitted and that's in 4 hours!

I managed to fit a new external door handle on the drivers door in 3 hours!

One thing to anyone wanted to do a restoration or even try and tidy a bus......forget about the money (double or triple the amount you think of initially) and check EVERYTHING!!!!!

The problem now is that the clock is ticking to George show and I really hope that all the work can be done....HR is booking my accomodation so I hope we have some good luck and that the garage can manage to help but it's a huge ask on them when they have to fix a bus that's been botched over many years!

[Dutch_Diver]

please tell me the 6x9s and the sub dont share the same box...

Tony.....I today purchased 2 12" sub woofer enclosures and two 6x9 ones. I'm going to move all the speakers to the back shelf behind the seats and replace the under seat panel so no speakers in there at all. Thanks for the advice as I really didn't know.

[lowlight]

Glad you saw all those problems espesially the brakes, Think who ever bought an old car should alway make sure about the brakes silinders and hoses

[Barry]

Right on Lowlight - except Frank has already spent quite a bit by the sounds of it, supposedly for all these things to have been checked out.

Botched restorations, now let me see, I had a soapbox around here somewhere.........
I guess it's the same all over - I used to work in the buiding trade and maybe half my work was fixing other people's f#Ck ups, not to mention dealing with all the half assed work from trades that were there before me. The only thing for it is to PROPERLY check out and research who you are getting to do the work for you, if you are not in a position to do it yourself.
Hope you've got the right guys now Frank, Mo deserves better

I'll be holding thumbs you'll be ready for George - it may be a PITA for them (or cost more....) but maybe they can leave some of the non-essential (if any) work for after. Don't think you'll be needing the heater.....

UPDTAE TIME:
I managed to fit a new external door handle on the drivers door in 3 hours!

The previous "mechanic" had some door handle recesses made up for early split door handles - were those for you?

Barry

[Dutch_Diver]

[quote="The previous "mechanic" had some door handle recesses made up for early split door handles - were those for you?

Barry[/quote]

Yes they were but and I bought the ice pick ($200 for USA) handles but I couldn't fit as the internal door mechanism is different I did post a wanted thread to see if anyone had the internals so I can do a transplant but no response so I purchased some original handles from the UK (£75) and picked them up from the in-laws in Oz.

On the critical stuff first, that's the plan.....

1) Brakes, drums, pads, pipes and cables -> all being replaced or skimmed
2) The Generator & Regulator not charging issue
3) Paint off the wheels
4) Fuel pump replacement
5) The steering play and issues with the bushings
6) Gearbox linkage and selectors....

If the above is done then I'm coming....just can't camp in the bus as haven't thought about a table or how that would turn into a bed yet....that's this years project......

Then the rest can wait! I'm sure I have a good guy now as the first thing he did was physically show me the issues and asked what I wanted. I said fix it all properly and original as possible....his response was "Glad you said that, otherwise the wheels would be back on and you could take it home now"....and I don't think german's joke with pommies....

Actually he's great but I've been really lucky as he has a set of people that he works on and doesn't take new ones as he's trying to restore his own beetle and working all the time on othe people's cars.....

When I left on Saturday....he was still deciding if he was going to take on "Mo" as he found out that he has to remove the rear bumper to remove the engine due to my custom exhaust (which he hated!). I'm hoping he feels sorry for me as I have been trying to save something and had some challenges.

[Spex Dallas]

Sweet bus Dutch_Diver, looks great

[Dutch_Diver]

Been called tonight for a 8am meeting tomorrow morning before work. Hope Jurgen's going to say yes to fixing "Mo". Wish she luck.