Introducing Walter

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourselves' started by Walter, Sep 3, 2021.

  1. Hello all…..

    Finally got around to writing an introduction after spending plenty of time reading and learning from your great posts. My name is Jon and I am the mechanic/chauffeur of this camper named Walter - my wife is the owner/passenger.

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    We bought the van in late 2018, and I set about figuring out how to keep him on the road having never owned a VW camper or even tinkered with cars before.

    He’s a 1979 Westy Berlin, one of the ones from California with all the (as I am finding out) tricky one-off specifications/modifications these models came with.

    It was pretty much unmolested apart from a re-spray. And whilst it still had the original interior and engine, both needed plenty of attention. So I have spent the last couple of years reading lots, watching you-tube and slowing learning to service, fix and bring the van back to it’s original condition, with a few upgrades along the way. Just replaced the hydraulic lifters this weekend (after a failed attempt to fix the original ones) and he’s now sounding much better. Apart from a health check at Type 2 Detectives and a regular MOT it so far hasn’t been to a restorers or garage, although we have broken down a couple of times - due to simple issues. And I have to admit I starting to hit the limit of what I can achieve with a basic set of tools and axle stands.

    Anyway, would love to share knowledge/experiences, especially with any others who have one of these fuel injected California vans. Next jobs on my list are:
    Replace rear wheel bearings and CV boots - I need some more tools for this;
    Do something about the pain in the arse “birds beak” fuel filler elbow;
    Replace the holey exhaust - not a straight swap on a 79 Cali bus;
    Replace the fuel tank - rust blocking the fuel filter has given me starting/breakdown problems;
    The list goes on…….
     
  2. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Howdy. Get yourself to Victoria Farm this weekend. There's loads of knowledgeable people (and me) with vans. :)
     
    scrooge95 likes this.
  3. Birds beak filler neck can be replaced with a normal. One. It was only there for california emissions stuff.

    Victoria farm thisweekend (LE17 5AU) and you can look at at least 5 other usa import Westy 's for inspiration.

    And even do your cv boots

    Holey exhaust, eurospec or usa federal exhaust and heat exchangers are what you want.

    Fuel tank can just about be done without dropping the engine but you'll have to remove a fair amount of the fuel injection stuff. Have you used a camera to prove it is rust causing the breakdowns?

    Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  4. Welcome :)
     
    Walter likes this.
  5. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Good shout!
    Yep, @Walter , I'll have a couple of CV boots on board and can chuck in the Oetiker pliers and clips if you like.
    Chip is a Campmobile Deluxe...(US Berlin) and there's nothing too unusual apart from the lack of a 3 way fridge as per the actual Berlin and a 120v hookup and city water mod.
    Does Walter have the factory electronic ignition as per the very last models?
    Love the colour and it'd be great to see the bus in person if you can make it to Lutterworth, even if it's just for the day...:D
     
  6. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Welcome along. Do as you're told and get to Techenders :thumbsup:
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2021
    scrooge95 likes this.
  7. @Walter welcome :)

    your bus looks awesome

    another Cali spec Westfalia Berlin here, but 78 not 79 like your, similar exhaust complexity on mine too although it’s much simplified now.

    great help and advice available from the knowledgeable folks on this forum. I knew absolutely nothing when I got mine in 2014.. still learning but the help and guidance from this bunch has been fab
     
    Walter and theBusmonkey like this.
  8. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Welcome to the forum Walter, lovely looking bus!

    I too have a westy, one of few WestyRu variants on TLB though :D
     
    Walter likes this.
  9. Little Nellie

    Little Nellie Supporter

    Welcome. I bought a 79 Californian bus too, in similar condition a few years back. Exactly the same interior too. Little Nellie is crimson and white though. luckily previous owner converted her to RHD. Also to twin 34 ICT Webers
    My hydraulic lifters are sometimes slow to fill if not driven regularly, but otherwise ok.

    I needed new heat exchangers so changed to uk spec flanges

    rust in tank and blocking filter was fixed with just swilling tank out and new fuel lines
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2021
  10. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    Hello and welcome! Lovely looking bus.

    Sounds like you should come camping this weekend and get those CV boots done in the process… you won’t regret it :)
     
    Walter likes this.
  11. Lovely looking bus. I’m quite envious of these nice non rusty unrestored buses. Having kept my Brit market basket case on the road for the last 25 years it would be nice to have something where corrosion wasn’t a constant issue. Enjoy it and keep the tin worm at bay. Mechanicals might be elusive sometimes but are only nuts and bolts. Welcome!!!
     
  12. Got exactly the same bus!
    Same year, same spec, same colour.
    You're right, being a '79 Cali bus can be a pain if anything goes wrong!
    But give me a shout if you ever need any pointers on sourcing bits.
     
  13. vinnyboy

    vinnyboy Supporter

    Fantastic bus you have there. I have a similar 78 westy Berlin from Arizona. If I ever paint it again I might go for this colour.
     
  14. Fantastic looking camper. What is the frame under the front bumper for? spare wheel or heavier duties?
     
  15. It'll be for an a frame towing arm. So it can be towed on all for wheels behind a larger motor home or similar. The 'Mericans love them

    Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
     
    martinvention likes this.
  16. should be brown ;)
     
  17. vinnyboy

    vinnyboy Supporter

    It still is under the blue, and that’s where it’s staying :thumbsup:
     
    rob.e likes this.
  18. I quite like the brown :)
     
  19. Thanks for the invite @CollyP, I am new to posting and although I was notified of “Likes”. I didn’t get anything for replies, and I’m sure I ticked the right box. Anyway, I completely missed all these messages until now. Not sure I would have been able to make it anyway as a busy weekend was already planned. However, sign me up for the next one!
     
    CollyP, scrooge95 and pkrboo like this.
  20. Hi @pkrboo, also thanks for the invite.
    I had read (on the Samba or somewhere) that the steel pipe the “birds beak” rubber filler neck is attached to is a larger diameter than “normal” so regular replacements don’t fit. Heritage also states on their replacement: “Not suitable for pickup or 1975-79 California emissions vehicles“. But the Bus Depot says there’s is suitable for all inc. Cali. Anyway, at some point soon I’ll tackle it and probably take a chance that the one I buy fits.
    Exhaust: I’m weighing up my options. I will post when I have plan.
    Can you really get the fuel tank out without dropping the engine? Have you done it before? I assume it would come out of the rear hatch not the top? I’d probably give it a go if it’s feasible. And yes, I’ve stuck a camera in the tank and from what I could see, there is rust. Plus I could only clear the last blockage by blowing back into the tank through the outlet pipe - not a nice task!
     

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