Advice on spares and tools

KTetley · Aug 26, 2009

Having just got my first early bay on the road and being a bit of an amature to say the least, I'm looking for some advice on what a decent tool kit should include (to keep on the bus for roadside repairs) and what 'kit of spares' I should ideally carry with me to get me out of that spot of trouble.

Thanks

Kev
1971 Westy - Californian Import via Italy!

noddy · Aug 26, 2009

Road side tool kit should contain at lease.

13mm spanner (adjusting tappets and other things)
3 screw drivers, stubby flat blade, and longer flat blade (carb adjustment screw etc), and a mid size Philips head.
A set of feeler gauges with 0.15mm, and 0.4mm (valve clearances and points gap)
10mm socket for distributor clamp.
17mm socket for wheel bolts
Socket for fan belt pully 20mm i think?
Adjustable spanner
Strobe
Pulse tachometer.
Pliers
Manual.

As for spares that will depend on your van and its engine.
as a minimum:
Pair of rocker gaskets
spare fuel pump
Fuses
Spare spade connectors and length of wire
5l of good mineral oil 20w50 etc
Full set of bulds
Spare fan belt
Length of fuel pipe
Coil
One or two ht leads
4 spark plugs.
Condenser and points for the dissy, even if you have petronix fitted (you never know when it may go tits up).

If its any thing more serious than fuel, ignition problem its probably best to get recovered home.

Hope this help Im sure there are a few things Ive missed.

Best policy I found was to do preventative maintenance at home, work through the bentley manual service steps, and make sure you do the basic regularly, oil changes grease beam and ball joint (early type can be greased py pulling small plastic plug out of to and screwing in grease nipple, only a couple of squirts of grease required) etc.

If you keep on top of thing you should have a good reliable bus.

popcorn balls · Aug 26, 2009

Although not as extensive as Noddy's i carry...

AA card

workshop manual

Dizzy cap, rotor arm, points, condensor, spark plugs, fuses, bulbs, wire and connectors, V belt

spanners, socket set, screwdrivers, pliers, multimeter, crimping pliers, feeler guages,

I've only ever broke down once, on the M1 :shock: fixed it in a couple of minutes using one screwdriver!

KTetley · Aug 26, 2009

Thanks for this. Id better lay my hands on the manual and start finding my way round the van! Can you recommend the best manual?

noddy · Aug 26, 2009

Bentley manual, its just about the best overall manual. I wouldnt bother with the haynes one it just not in comprehensive enough.

If you plan on doing engine rebuilds there are more in depth books than the bentley one.

VWAIRCOOLED · Aug 27, 2009

noddy said:
Road side tool kit should contain at lease.

13mm spanner (adjusting tappets and other things)
3 screw drivers, stubby flat blade, and longer flat blade (carb adjustment screw etc), and a mid size Philips head.
A set of feeler gauges with 0.15mm, and 0.4mm (valve clearances and points gap)
10mm socket for distributor clamp.
17mm socket for wheel bolts
Socket for fan belt pully 20mm i think?
Adjustable spanner
Strobe
Pulse tachometer.
Pliers
Manual.

As for spares that will depend on your van and its engine.
as a minimum:
Pair of rocker gaskets
spare fuel pump
Fuses
Spare spade connectors and length of wire
5l of good mineral oil 20w50 etc
Full set of bulds
Spare fan belt
Length of fuel pipe
Coil
One or two ht leads
4 spark plugs.
Condenser and points for the dissy, even if you have petronix fitted (you never know when it may go tits up).

If its any thing more serious than fuel, ignition problem its probably best to get recovered home.

Hope this help Im sure there are a few things Ive missed.

Best policy I found was to do preventative maintenance at home, work through the bentley manual service steps, and make sure you do the basic regularly, oil changes grease beam and ball joint (early type can be greased py pulling small plastic plug out of to and screwing in grease nipple, only a couple of squirts of grease required) etc.

If you keep on top of thing you should have a good reliable bus.

Thats a good list,the fan hub is 21mm,same size as the spark plug socket and oil drain plug socket,so carry a tool for the spark plugs to do all 3.Standard wheel bolts are 19mm,but someone could have fitted 17mm if you're on alloy wheels? You could also bring a clutch and accelerator cable along,they don't take up much space and at least the recovery services can fit it for you (maybe if they can be bothered) if you break down or take you to a local garage and you've already got the cables to speed the job up.If I was going on a really long journey I'd also take a front and rear wheel bearing with me(mine haven't been changed since I've had it and they might go once driven a long way?) Going back to tools,I would pack a good bottle jack too,make sure it's a high lift one and the wheels actually lift off the floor.Oh yeah don't forget a roll of duct tape,that always comes in handy!