Andyo11's 1969 Kombi - Shortys Old Bus

[squareweave]

Great news on your MOT, now lets see some more pics arty0021:

 

[68_early_bay]

Happy days on the mot arty0003: arty0003:

 

[Foz]

Marvellous news! Congrats mate! :mrgreen:

 

[aspro]

Great to hear you're finally on the road Carl. Roll on summer. arty0049:

 

[Dave.P]

Sweet ! 8) well done

 

[Shorty]

 

[squareweave]

Awesome job man. Feel free to post more pics for this audience!!!!!!!

 

[mr scoops]

Have those plates turned up yet?

 

[Shorty]

Have those plates turned up yet?

No! Ordered them 10 days ago... Nothing arrived yet.. Beginning to get a tad annoyed now...

 

[faux]

Nice one, now go and enjoy.

 

[Shorty]

OK, so , the shakedown continues....

I have had a problem with starting the engine when it is hot.. the starter motor turns but very slowly - like it would if you had a flat battery, but leave it alone to cool for an hour or so and it will start straight away - so can't be a flat battery.

I started by having a hot start relay fitted, they are a good idea to have in buses of this age with OG (45 year old!) wiring. The difference to the enthusiasm to start was immediately obvious telling me that there was a voltage drop between the battery and the starter which is hardly a surprise. However, the hot start problem was still present.

I read up about this on t'internet and found that this problem is not uncommon, not only amongst the aircoooled fraternity, but across all sorts of cars.. the culprit is quite often a worn starter motor.. So, with the help of my friend Mark Lewis (Howling Wolf Speedshop) I have parted out the old one and temporarily put in a motor that is known to work well... I haven't been for a drive yet to see if the problem is gone, but from the way in which it started the engine on the first turn of the key, I'm pretty confident this is the issue.. time will tell..

Old one out

'New' one in

Now, Slam Fans.. you need to look away now!

I found the ride at the rear of the bus to be particularly harsh and have been concerned about the proximity of the driveshaft to the chassis rail... 2 options 1) raise the bus 2) notch the chassis..

Not too keen on number 2 for a number of reasons, not least of all the cost involved, so I have opted for option 1..

I haven't raised it loads, but have reworked the rear set up such that I now have up and down adjustability (previously I only had 'down' as it was already sitting as high as it would go), as well as a little more suspension movement..

Whilst doing this work I also found both rear shocks to be cream crackered, so they are next on the list.. isn;t the list supposed to be shrinking now?!?!?!

Before:

After:

 

[Shorty]

Plates arrived! Got them straight on the bus, no messing!

 

[gninnam]

They work well - look just right 8)

 

[Shorty]

Some picks taken in the last few days - finally getting out and about!

And the second I get back my seat is commandeered!

 

[Grazy]

Looking good 8)

 

[jay dee 101]

Looking good, cool bus!!

 

[gvee]

Love it 8)

 

[Foz]

Very nice!! so chuffed for you!

 

[Harry UK]

Looking good karl

 

[Shorty]

Looking good karl

Cheers Harry! Hope you, Sally and the family are all well..