Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
My Vanagon is essentially a shell right now; no engine, no transmission, no fuel tank, no coolant lines, no wiring harness, etc. ?However, today was the first day that I felt like I was putting something together rather than just continuing to tear it down. ?A small thing, but very rewarding, was when I affixed one new radiator hose. ?It was a tight fit and I had to spray everything down with windex to get it on. ?But one hose is installed!?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
In order to get to the radiator hoses, one can simply lower the spare tire clamshell, remove the tire, and get to them. ?However, they terminate (meet the coolant pipes) in a sort of awkward place, so I decided to remove the clamshell. ?It turns out that, at least on mine, there were two circlip type things involved. Once I removed them, it was just a matter of prying out on the metal “hinge pins” I would call them and then it was out. ?Much easier to get to everything after that.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Not without some grunting and groaning, I managed to remove the radiator hoses and the long plastic coolant pipes in preparation for installing the RMW stainless pipes. ?I pulled one pipe out intact but I just used a multi-tool to cut the other one into smaller pieces. ?I will admit, those original VW plastic pipes were made of some heavy duty thick material. ?I can’t imagine one failing any place other than the ends, where those metal pieces routinely work their way out of the pipe. ?Mines were barely there. ?It’s a wonder I didn’t get stranded somewhere far from home!
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
I got the vent tank grommets from RMW and installed them. ?Some folks have reported having a difficult time installing them, but I used a tiny bit of silicone grease around the opening and a tiny smear on the grommet itself and pushed them in. ?Pretty straightforward.?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
John is that a brand new short block you’re building? ?Nice!
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
If I remember correctly, the clamshell bars are each held in place by a single clip at the lower end, next to the clamshell hinges hinges. The other ends of the bars stick into the crossmember.
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Sounds good John. ?I sent you a text.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Warren
It comes off easy. You pinch the bracket at the rear together. I pull one arm out at a time. You’ll obviously have to lower it first and get the wheel out of there. ?You’ll see what I mean when you’re under there. Have you seen the “auto” bleeder for the rad? I bought it a long time ago, have yet to install it.?
Pretty slick and I also bought his air flap blocker which will cut down on road noise I hope and that I did install and it’s great. Also regard to the van cafe stainless lines did you get the syncro ones or the regular ones? I was told that the syncro ones land in a better place in the engine bay for the RMW kit, so I’m really hoping that’s true as that’s what I bought. Fingers crossed….. ?
I agree with the little bit everyday. I force myself to do that also. Sad thing is pretty much every day I discover another part I’m unhappy with and have to order a new one.?
If you’re interested I’d like to keep in contact with you directly outside of this email group as it seems you’re ahead of me and like minded and I could use the help I’m guessing.?
My cell below, I’m also on whatsapp and Facebook if that’s better?
John 6042173955?
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On Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 7:56?PM SubieVanagon via groups.io <wklail@...> wrote:
Congratulations. ?Bit by bit, day by day, it comes together. ?I have a good friend who is forever working on his 1960 split window bus. ?His philosophy is “do at least one thing every day, no matter how small or trivial it may seem. ?Just do it.” ?So I’ve adopted that philosophy and sticking to it so far.
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That said, I did not accomplish much today (did get the front radiator hoses removed) but I’m getting up tomorrow morning determined to remove all the plastic coolant lines, hoses, and the coolant tower. ?I’ve thought of removing the spare tire clamshell just to get it out of my way, but ?I’m not entirely sure how to remove it. ?Any ideas?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Congratulations. ?Bit by bit, day by day, it comes together. ?I have a good friend who is forever working on his 1960 split window bus. ?His philosophy is “do at least one thing every day, no matter how small or trivial it may seem. ?Just do it.” ?So I’ve adopted that philosophy and sticking to it so far.
?
That said, I did not accomplish much today (did get the front radiator hoses removed) but I’m getting up tomorrow morning determined to remove all the plastic coolant lines, hoses, and the coolant tower. ?I’ve thought of removing the spare tire clamshell just to get it out of my way, but ?I’m not entirely sure how to remove it. ?Any ideas?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Got the water pump and the piece above it (pulley mount ? And backing for the timing belt cover) on today as well as the PS pump mount for the alternator. I need to fabricate up a mount for the alternator cover but it’s starting to come together, piece by piece
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On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:02?PM John A via groups.io <xstreamcanadian@...> wrote:
lol I stored it exactly that way, with an arrow on the box.?
And yes warranty is meaningless with most. RMW did send me a new adapter plate as the one in my kit was made poorly so I was happy about that and offered to ship me bolts as the ones for my crossover were way too long so they’ve been decent that way. I ordered my timing belt kit from six star Bernie as he uses all Japanese oem but stuff can def still fail.?
On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 6:36?PM SubieVanagon via groups.io <wklail@...> wrote:
I really doubt the veracity of any warranty from any manufacturer on any of the parts I purchase. ?It’s just a reality of today’s world that many (most) big companies just don’t care. ?So I approach every purchase as a “buyer beware” type of thing.
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John, I bled my tensioner as well, but it sure was a slow process and I’m not sure I went as slow as they recommend. ?But remember, if you don’t install it right away, I think you should store it right side up (as in the orientation that it will be installed), just to keep any air bubbles from migrating to the wrong place.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
lol I stored it exactly that way, with an arrow on the box.?
And yes warranty is meaningless with most. RMW did send me a new adapter plate as the one in my kit was made poorly so I was happy about that and offered to ship me bolts as the ones for my crossover were way too long so they’ve been decent that way. I ordered my timing belt kit from six star Bernie as he uses all Japanese oem but stuff can def still fail.?
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On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 6:36?PM SubieVanagon via groups.io <wklail@...> wrote:
I really doubt the veracity of any warranty from any manufacturer on any of the parts I purchase. ?It’s just a reality of today’s world that many (most) big companies just don’t care. ?So I approach every purchase as a “buyer beware” type of thing.
?
John, I bled my tensioner as well, but it sure was a slow process and I’m not sure I went as slow as they recommend. ?But remember, if you don’t install it right away, I think you should store it right side up (as in the orientation that it will be installed), just to keep any air bubbles from migrating to the wrong place.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
So today, as I promised myself I would do, I power washed my fuel tank. ?It is in such good condition that I only painted the bottom because of a few scratches. ?It seems to have a rubberized coating on it and no rust, so I just pushed the easy button.
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I installed new grommets and cut new vent lines and attached everything with oetiker (ear) clamps. ?Strangely, the ball that was at the end of the filler was missing, but I heard something rolling around inside the tank. ?It was the ball! ?So after much trial and error, I used a long piece of metal with sticky aluminum tape on it to retrieve the ball and put it back in its carrier. ?I’ve seen videos where there is no ball at all, but my guess is that in many of those “missing ball” situations the ball is in fact floating around in the tank.
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The little ball before extraction.
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I had also purchased a new send in unit, even though my fuel tank registered properly before. ?So after some thought I decided to use my original send in unit and just use the new green o-ring. ?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
I really doubt the veracity of any warranty from any manufacturer on any of the parts I purchase. ?It’s just a reality of today’s world that many (most) big companies just don’t care. ?So I approach every purchase as a “buyer beware” type of thing.
?
John, I bled my tensioner as well, but it sure was a slow process and I’m not sure I went as slow as they recommend. ?But remember, if you don’t install it right away, I think you should store it right side up (as in the orientation that it will be installed), just to keep any air bubbles from migrating to the wrong place.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Sure, but good luck with any kind of warranty claim. I showed Gates a collapsed cogged idler from a Gates Kit and all I got was crickets. It was SKF too! Luckily, no engine damage.
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Bled my new tensioner today. I’ve never heard of doing this but apparently it’s a thing. Tried the old one too as a test and it was a bit easier to compress but not much. Likely was ok.?
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On Wed, Mar 12, 2025 at 9:15?PM SubieVanagon via groups.io <wklail@...> wrote:
That looks great! ?Let us know how well it works, how difficult to install, etc.?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Did mine like that 13? years ago and no issues..Just did it on a friends?van last week, also smooth install.? Its nice since its all pre-set?tp push?up, just connect the one crossover and since its flexible its easy. Andy Vanis USA and Whatsapp +1(505) 304-5306
That looks great!? Let us know how well it works, how difficult to install, etc.?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
That looks great! ?Let us know how well it works, how difficult to install, etc.?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Andy Vanis USA and Whatsapp +1(505) 304-5306
a permanent fuel tank solution is possible
 Andy Vanis USA and Whatsapp +1(505) 304-5306
After much struggling I got the fuel tank removed.? My original intention was to remove it in order to install the stainless coolant lines, but as I got into the job it was obvious that all the hoses and fittings needed to be replaced.? I’m thinking there won’t be a better time than now to take this on.? So I will replace all the fittings and hoses.? This is a California bus so there is no rust on the tank at all ( just lots of dirt).? Tomorrow I will seal it up and powerwash it and paint it with a Rustoleum paint of some sort.? Some people paint them with high zinc content paints, but I’m not sure that is necessary.
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
a permanent fuel tank solution is possible
 Andy Vanis USA and Whatsapp +1(505) 304-5306
After much struggling I got the fuel tank removed.? My original intention was to remove it in order to install the stainless coolant lines, but as I got into the job it was obvious that all the hoses and fittings needed to be replaced.? I’m thinking there won’t be a better time than now to take this on.? So I will replace all the fittings and hoses.? This is a California bus so there is no rust on the tank at all ( just lots of dirt).? Tomorrow I will seal it up and powerwash it and paint it with a Rustoleum paint of some sort.? Some people paint them with high zinc content paints, but I’m not sure that is necessary.
?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
|
Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Please let me know if any of my experiences in this process can be of benefit to you! ?Essentially all of us doing these conversions are in this together.?
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Warren
89 Westy?
88 Tintop
70 Westy
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