Lots of bits coming from Germany

Have a few things coming from Germany that are difficult to come by here.  Traveling for work has its benefits; going to Germany and bringing things back for me.

Do not know if I will like them or not once I start fitting, but after seeing what these pieces sell for here, I wont lose any money.

There are some nicely useful parts, and some blatant 'bling' parts.

Will be like Christmas again in a week or so.

Also got a set of coolant pipes from Rocky Mountain Westy that will need to get installed once garage defrosts.  20 degrees out now, Spring is coming!

Cold out

My heater in the garage cannot battle successfully against a 7 degree day.

Have not done squat in a couple weeks except order more parts.

And holy crap, the parts I have ordered.

Will expand on that in a week or so when everything arrives.

Pinewood Vanagon

It's Pinewood Derby time for the Cub Scouts. 

Since I am the Cubmaster, I have created a 'parents and siblings' class that will be raced after the normal Scout races.  This is in attempts to keep the Cub Scouts cars made by the Cub Scouts, and the parents can focus on their own cars.

So why am I mentioning this in my Vanagon blog?

Here is why. . .

Although the wood work is not my forte, that came out great.  I was very pleased with the overall fit, size and shape of the pinewood car.  The painting, in that small of a scale is not the best, but it will run and be fun for the kids.  I will probably be doing touch ups until race day. 

My son has not seen my smaller version of the Thingamajigger yet.

How did I do this and keep it under 5 ounces?

Cut the block in half, used 1/4 inch plywood to build sides and connect two halves like a clamshell.  Height was adjusted to be under 3 inch rule by sanding the mating surfaces of the two halves. I then dremeled out the 'pop top' and the bottom chassis until I got the results I wanted. I had a small piece of the bottom block protruding past the rear bumper - to mimic the cargo carrier I frequently use - but that got cut off when I needed to reduce weight. Start weight prior to Dremel and the fat lady reduction plan was around 6.7 ounces.  Removal of two ounces by Dremel was a pain in the butt.

Once that was finalized, it was glued together and the rest of the detail bodywork began.  

I am still adding details like the awning tube seen here.  I have a small antenna and the hookups for the camper elec and water that I made from some lexan pieces.  Thought about gluing one open, but since I have already dropped this and chipped paint, I would do it again and break the utility box anyway.

The wheels are also painted like the AMG wheels I have on the van, they will not go on until last day.  Everything else must be completed first. 

Going to do some paint touch ups. 

Update - 12 Jan 14

Finished much of the Thingamajigger copy, and my son was only somewhat impressed. Was not as excited as I had hoped.  So moved on to plan B.

It's just placed together haphazardly until I correct the finish and the build itself, but what kid doesn't like a obnoxiously large motor and a ridiculous wing?  Throw them with a rockin Doppelkabine drag body and voila!

Think I will paint it black (maybe matte black) with a red rim and white walls. 

 

UPDATE: 10 March - little further along. Windows have been made from tinting.  Lightweight, glossy and easy to apply.  hub caps will attach to the axles.

 

The end of an era

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/31/travel/kombi-production-ends/index.html?hpt=hp_c3#cnn-disqus-area

Moment of silence please.

Shifter revisited

Installed a Gene Berg short shift kit today.  Bought it through Van Cafe. 

NOTE: if you are unsure of the age of your shifter mechanism and are experiencing sloppy shifting, buy a rebuild kit to do this at the same time.  Saves a bunch of time overall and the difference is considerable.  Also check the condition of the 'ears' at the base of the shifter, if they look worn or are not there at all- contact Chris at T3 Technique for a set.

 

At the time I started, there was 5 inches of snow, with 10 more expected overnight. Only 8 degrees out made it a perfect project to accomplish today in a garage that only made it up to 40 degrees with my propane heater blasted. Damn tank kept freezing up and restricting flow.  Rant over.

 

Thought this project would be ideal, and I would have something to occupy enough time to enjoy a La Aurora 107 maduro cigar.  

I was wrong.  Shift kit took about 15 minutes . . . Tops. The process is quite easy and it can be done without removing the shifter, and from inside the van.  Turn your seats sideways if you can to provide some work room while you kneel in center aisle.
 

Remove the shift knob and extension if you have one.  Then remove the boot to expose the shift mechanism.  Set up a piece of something to protect your carpet and lay out your parts.

 

At this point, locate the chamfered collar, and the drill bit provided within the kit.  Slide the collar down the shifter shaft and use the collar to locate the correct spot to drill a depression into the shaft.  This becomes the new location for the set screw in the collar.

 

Remove the chamfered collar. Loosen the set screw, slide off the collar and spring and set aside.  With a sharpie or scribe, mark the position of the washers and nuts holding the base plate to the floor.  With a  10 mm wrench or ratchet/socket remove the two nuts holding the shift mechanism base plate to the van floor an set aside.

 

There are two 3/4 inch long hexagonal pieces that serve as extenders for the factory studs in the floor.  With a spot of Loctite (did not come with kit, although kit instructions states it should have) screw on the hex extensions and secure with wrench.  If you pull up on the shifter shaft, you can get some lubricant into the lower parts through the hole in the floor.

 

Large aluminum base plate spacer slides over the shift shaft and over the two hex extensions that you just installed. Take the opportunity to lube up your shift mechanism now and slide it into position on the shaft.  Use the two bolts that came with the kit, along with washers and install with a drop of Loctite the mechanism using the marked positions you previously scribed on baseplate.

Take the opportunity to test the mechanism now.  Shifting should be easy, and you should be able to shift into all gears easily.  According to the directions, if you are able to find reverse without pushing down on the shift shaft, you need to go back and correct the position of the baseplate.

Reinstall your shift boot, extension and knob. clean up and admire your work.

Sitting in the drivers seat, the throw was dramatically reduced.  The test drive will have to wait for better weather though.