Warren’s Conversion - Turning the Corner
So I finally got the two new radiator hoses installed and I was able to use the original spring clamps instead of the supplied screw clamps, but one was a bit difficult to get on, even using the special clamp pliers I purchased for the job. ?
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The radiator mount is back in place and I hope I’m done with that.
What’s important for me now is that I am actually installing parts instead of taking things off, so that’s turning a corner in my book. ?Although I still have a few things to remove in the engine area and need to install new boots on the shift lever at the transmission, I’m putting it back together, piece by piece, component by component. ?
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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
Cary, you were exactly right. There were two little clips holding the hinge bar in place. Popped those two off and it was easy to remove.?
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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
Great Idea!
I assume the U-bolts fit horizontally; any idea on the size? Or a picture?
Thanks, Rick
On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:39:15 PM CDT, Wayne Sitarz via groups.io <wesitarz@...> wrote:
Get rid of the bars and put two U-bolts into those hinges? to drop the clamshell down to fit a larger than stock spare.
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
Wayne, that’s similar to what the previous owner did on my bus. ?Near the coolant tower in the back, there was a long bit of thick rubber hose (Gates I think) extended over the coolant pipe. It never leaked even though when I pulled it all apart it was clear that the metal insert was almost falling out.  --
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
Get rid of the bars and put two U-bolts into those hinges? to drop the clamshell down to fit a larger than stock spare.
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
I slipped marine exhaust hose over the ends further on from the metal ends and double clamped them with no problems.
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Re: Warren’s Conversion - Clutch and Pressure Plate, Fuel Tank Refresh, and Coolant Pipes
It may be way but because its so shiny I am replacing things I would have otherwise lived with. I ordered a bunch of sensors at the dealer, the coolant bypass pipe, most of the hoses I changed to silicone on the intake, its been fun? and expensive?
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Wow. ?That is going to be nice! ?That’s an A+ way to do it. ?I’m envious!
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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
Wow. ?That is going to be nice! ?That’s an A+ way to do it. ?I’m envious!
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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
Yes sir. I didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter.
I had the heads rebuilt with new exhaust valves new seals and all new springs and then decked?
Fingers crossed for reliable?
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On Sat, Mar 15, 2025 at 7:14?PM SubieVanagon via groups.io <wklail@...> wrote:
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
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
|
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
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