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Post by hawthorne on Apr 18, 2023 1:20:35 GMT -8
Lots has happened, but still ALOT to do before… the end of May!! To strip the paint - mostly ‘Easy Off’ ovan cleaner was used, with some citristrip, various scotch brites, and fine wet sandpaper, then a cut polish and some wax/linseed oil to top it off. I have to give credit to my old man - who did most of the stripping on the bus. Split case trans was pulled apart and I did a quick once over on it - my main concern was the shape the axles/fulcrums were in, and they seemed ok - Quick polish and check over the rest of the trans and it is back togeather (although not installed yet - waiting on some nosecone shims). Front axle was pulled apart and to my surprise there were no broken leaves. Beam is in and starting to get built back out to brakes. Main focus right now is to get it rolling, but nice to be able to bolt stuff on for keeps now that the paint is ‘dialed’
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Post by clay on Apr 18, 2023 10:08:59 GMT -8
Nothing like a deadline to make things happen! Coming along nicely
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Post by hawthorne on Apr 24, 2023 10:47:49 GMT -8
Had a bunch of help in the bus over the weekend, we got a pile done! Still no drivetrain in the bus, but it’s becoming more compete. The original logos ‘touched up’ by a local sign painter - they came out amazing. Love keeping the history of these old work vans alive.
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Post by Volktales on Apr 24, 2023 11:32:00 GMT -8
Awesome! Love original type logos!
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Post by PICTUP on May 7, 2023 17:52:05 GMT -8
Looks great Andrew. All commercials should be Dove Blue, lol! Are you going with "commercial" grey hubcaps, or chromie "deluxe" ones?
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Post by hawthorne on May 8, 2023 16:49:32 GMT -8
Don, I am going to run original chrome caps. All buses through to ‘57 had chrome caps, it wasn’t until later commercial splits where they used painted hubcaps. I actually have some proper original Barndoor era caps for the bus - but that’s getting real nerdy. Less than 3 weeks to go, still need brakes, steering box, toe rods, electrical hooked up, side windows, test the trans… oh… an Engine, the list goes on for the final push before I leave for California!
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Post by PICTUP on May 8, 2023 18:30:15 GMT -8
I didn't know that. Cool! BTW, Nerdy isn't a bad thing on this site Good luck with the deadline.
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Post by hawthorne on May 14, 2023 19:41:54 GMT -8
Lots to do before I leave but… It moves under its own power now!!!
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Post by 1hotvw on May 14, 2023 20:35:18 GMT -8
your going to make it just in time for the barndoor meet.
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Post by PICTUP on Jul 5, 2023 8:26:20 GMT -8
So Andrew, did you have success in your endeavours?
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Post by CrazyBrit on Jul 6, 2023 9:07:20 GMT -8
I saw him cruising one the Pat Bay highway a couple or maybe three weeks back. The bus looked fantastic. I think that this is probably the earliest bus I've actually seen being driven on the road, other than when going to a VW meet
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Post by hawthorne on Jan 8, 2024 20:39:27 GMT -8
Loooong overdue update here - sorry guys. As many - er most of you know, I got the bus on the road and made the trip down to the OCTO 2023 Barndoor gathering. It was an amazing trip, We had 5 island split buses make the trip down. I had no major issues, used a little bit of oil, and the starter slowed down (yea, still 6v) but luckily I had the hand crank handle with me, so that made it easy. A few days before we left Rick Hogg offered us to get all the buses that were making the trip up on his hoist and do a once over. A couple others stopped by to see the excitement This was at the ID buzz launch party in Huntington beach, lots of cool buses Pretty cool to have 2 island barndoors parked together at the Barndoor gathering - both I have owned over the years. Almost needed a lowered bus here, but we managed to drive through the tree Also made the big trek to the victoria show And the comox show and some of the local islands (this was Cortes) This has been a great bus to finally get on the road. I’ve logged just shy of 5000 miles since the end of May and even through the winter I’m still driving it at least once a week.
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Post by 1hotvw on Jan 8, 2024 20:44:41 GMT -8
good stuff
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Post by clay on Jan 8, 2024 22:32:00 GMT -8
Nice!
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Post by beetlejuice on Jan 9, 2024 20:40:21 GMT -8
thanks for sharing all of this- really enjoyed the stories and pics. Now I want a van...!!!
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