[Vwdiesel] FW: New Vanagon Owner - 82 Diesel - Saying Hi, Questions

[jon.sykes at ps.ge.com]

Just saying hey!

I recently  purchased a 1982 Diesel Vanagon camper:
        http://www.pbase.com/js3150/82_diesel_vanagon.

This is my first Vanagon, first VW, first camper so I have lots of
questions!

I drove the van about 150 miles the first night - taking the previous owner
home.  The diesel sure is slow!  I only got shown the finger once though -
pretty good seeing as it was all highway and the speed limit was 75mph!
Funny enough though, I've slowed down when I drive my other vehicle too now.

The van has about 185,000 miles on it, although the speedo stopped working
at 169.  That's probobly the first thing I need to take a look at.  Also the
bulb for the clock/temp/fuel gauge has dropped down behind the heater
controls.  This is the original engine.  A refurbished head was fitted a
year ago and new piston rings at the same time.  I'm wondering how many
miles this engine may run and what I should look out for when she's getting
close to the end?

There's a little bit of rumbling as I accelerate and turn at the same time -
perhaps this is the CV joints, perhaps something else (gearshift linkage?).

There was a slight oil leak from the oil
filter gasket which suddenly got worse (probobly due to the temperature
dropping 40 degrees F over the last few days here) but the previous owner
graciously took care of that for me.  I took it to the local spray washer
and cleaned it up as best I could.  I drove with the engine cover off and
found the interior got quite smokey!

This Vanagon camper isn't the Westfalia.  Instead, it is the ASI Riviera
kind (I think).  I was wondering how I might go about getting camper parts
for it.  I know I need a pilot knob for the fridge and the pop up plastic
canvas material could use replacement too.  Any know a source for these?

Apart from a few knocks, cosmetic rust and generally dirty, this van seems
pretty awesome - nothing that a good steam cleaning, a wash and a little
elbow grease should fix.  All we need is some warmer weather here in Denver
and I'll be taking the family camping ASAP!

I'd love to hear from anyone who has a similar vehicle - who may have tips
or comments.  I understand I'm in a good position for an engine swop down
the road, due to the fact that this is an inline 4 VW already (albeit not in
such a good position for the Suburu boxer?).  I'm in no rush though.  I was
wondering which engine might be the best in terms of value for money, ease
of changeover and performance?  The TDi sounds awesome, but would obviously
be the most
expensive and probobly entails quite a bit of tweaking?  I wouldn't be doing
the work myself anyway, but would be very happy if the van would cruise at
perhaps 70mph instead of 55mph (when it's flat!) after the upgrade!  The
national speeds limits have gone up since this van first hit the road.
However, I love the fact that my 'RV' gets close to 30 mpg and wouldn't want
to sacrifice that too much.

Any other Denver/Colorado Vanagoners out there?

Cheers!

Jon

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