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Post by magikbus on Aug 7, 2016 12:52:49 GMT -8
I was sure I started a thread like this before but can't find it now, no surprise as evidently I couldn't find my bleep with my bleep. Anyway, I have a picture to share that maybe will convince some of the doubters out there that it looks very much like it is possible to do this conversion. I know I've been doing this slowly, but it has been coming along at warp speed lately, now that the house is 90% finished. I took a giant leap today and installed the clutch cable tube. Whoopeeee! It went in grudgingly but properly, in the correct holes in the frame, and through the factory installed tab on the bottom of the torsion bar. They kindly welded the little tab on there at the factory just for me evidently, even though it hasn't been used for 42 years it still bent down without too much rust flaking and sat there willingly as I forced a new tube through it. The 1/2" O.D. mild steel tubing grunted it's way forward through all the proper holes with the aid of carefully applied force from a 3 lb hammer against a block of wood "helping" it along. My measurements were right on as the picture shows the bowden tube installed perfectly. Now to hook up the shift rod assembly! Stan  |
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Post by Volktales on Aug 7, 2016 15:56:06 GMT -8
Nice to hear that your getting closer to the goal, Stan. Keep up the good work and don't go off track with more house improvements!!!
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Post by Wongai on Aug 8, 2016 7:17:26 GMT -8
Well done!
Victory is near!
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Post by PICTUP on Aug 8, 2016 17:51:34 GMT -8
Way to go Stan, looking good! Nice informative pic too, the effort is appreciated  |
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Post by camplug on Aug 9, 2016 11:44:01 GMT -8
Seems like a crap ton of work for little reward. Am I missing some thing? Or is it just another "bus owner thing a bug guy wouldn't get". Lol
All the same, keep at it.
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Post by magikbus on Aug 9, 2016 17:19:33 GMT -8
Nope, didn't have a choice. Either scrap the bus or convert. The older style bus automatic would work just fine until it switched into 3rd gear and then scream like a strangled crow so loud my wife could hear me coming from 6 blocks away. The only two places in N. America that repair VW automatics (one in North Bend Oregon and the other in California) both told me the parts for those automatics are no longer available and the trannys, once broke don't even make good anchors unless you fill them full of cement. One suggested maybe I could get a machinest to replicate the necessary parts but I'd be looking at 5 figures. People who own them won't part with them in case they need them themselves, so second hand isn't an option.
Stan
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Post by busaddict on Aug 9, 2016 22:58:22 GMT -8
Bull Frog Transmission in Victoria used to rebuild those automatics. I agree with Don, very informative. Thanks!
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Post by Volktales on Aug 11, 2016 17:58:01 GMT -8
Seems like a crap ton of work for little reward. Am I missing some thing? Or is it just another "bus owner thing a bug guy wouldn't get". Lol All the same, keep at it. Buses ain't cheap anymore and you take what you get if the price is reasonable. Automatic buses perform much better then you might expect. Unfortunately the early versions like Stan's use a different transmission then the '75 and later models and parts simply do not exist for them at all these days... |
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Post by magikbus on Aug 13, 2016 13:56:44 GMT -8
Any advice from the more experienced members (than my self, which wouldn't be hard to beat) on the best way to grease the inside of that clutch cable tube? Mine is new and dry. Maybe attach a string onto a well greased rag and drag it back and forth?
Stan
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Post by tony on Aug 13, 2016 15:54:15 GMT -8
With some creativity , attach a grease fitting in an accessible part of the tube about midway being careful not to encroach on the cables path especially if you need to replace it sometime. I'm not experienced though so there's yer disclaimer!  |
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Post by magikbus on Aug 13, 2016 16:25:56 GMT -8
Thanks Tony, I actually thought of that and dug out a zerk fitting. Unfortunately the one I have would stick inside the tube about 1/8" causing a potential rubbing action on the cable. Maybe it wouldn't be a problem because the cable is much smaller than the I.D. of the tube, but I wouldn't want to risk it. I could grind the zerk fitting down but then only about 2 turns of the threading would catch, maybe enough???
Stan
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Post by tony on Aug 13, 2016 16:49:46 GMT -8
It's probably too much work but I was thinking of drilling the appropriate sized hole in the tubing , threading the grease fitting into an appropriate diameter piece of thickwall tubing to go over the VW tubing (mild steel , pvc , abs , plastic , etc ) then cut one (if possible) or two cuts (or none !!) down the piece of thickwall then : weld it , glue it , caulk it , clamp it , gasket it or whatever. If you're mr. fix-it you'll be done in 45 minutes.........don't forget the grease. more grease---less rust!
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Post by Volktales on Aug 13, 2016 18:15:50 GMT -8
You would want to make sure the inside of that tube is smooth. If you drilled a hole in it, the rough edge could damage the cable over time. Just grease the cable generously as you install it...
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Post by magikbus on Aug 13, 2016 20:01:20 GMT -8
OK, the cable is in right now, dry. I was thinking of tying off a thin string to the back end, and pulling it out the front. Then getting my wife to pull the string slowly from the back, pulling the cable in with me pumping grease in the front while the cable is being pulled in from the back. The cable should pull the grease in somewhat as it's going in I'd think. It'll be easier than me just pushing in some cable and then pumping in some grease over and over. I wish I had a smaller nozzle on my grease gun then I could insert it right into the pipe alongside the cable.
It constantly amazes me that all the basic groundwork for making this vehicle into a manual transmission van was just sitting there all these years just waiting to be put into play. I guess it was cheaper to make just one version of the type 2 with both types of transmission "accessories" than making two distinct types of vehicles.
Going to have to miss the meeting on the 25th this month as I'll be in Port Moody. I'll take the Carerra out for her exercise at 7pm that night so I can at least be driving a VW made vehicle to remind me of you guys ;-) Wish I could be there. Maybe I'll see some of you in downtown Vancouver on Sunday.
Stan
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Post by CrazyBrit on Aug 14, 2016 19:20:14 GMT -8
How about using a squeeze bottle and injecting in some 3 in 1 oil or similar, then blow it through with an airline? Messy, but it should work. You could do the same with grease if you warm it up. Alternatively jack up one end and pour oil through?
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