1983.5 Vanagon L Westfalia 2.2L Vanistan Engine Upgrade

1983 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Vanagon L Westfalia Full Camper

1983.5 Westfalia Vanistan 2.2L Engine
Engine upgrade to (tencentlife) Vanistan 2.2L 2014. 13K miles on the motor,Information on the engine at visit vanistan dot com for details on the motor.There is currently a waitlist to get these custom built motors.4 speed manual transaxle
First The not perfect:
Rust. Under windshield, Front panel behind bumper, Passenger side rear wheel well seam and The Drivers side lower seam.Not horrible but it's there. This is a 34 year old van which has been on the coast the entire time. So she has held up pretty good.This was all present when I purchased it and progress has been pretty slow.I have been holding off body work and paint until last. When she is stripped down and prepped the work is pretty straightforward.Front Heater Core is bypassed. It sprung a leak and I have not wanted to pull the dash until doing the body work.
Pop-Top. The Canvas has some tears around the window. I was planning to replace in 2017.Fiberglass top need gel-coating/painting.
The slider door has a dent. See photo.
Various chips and such to the interior cabinets but no functional damage. (See photos)
The driver's front side has body damage around the headlight. This was here when I purchased it.
Different key for slider and front doors/ignition. But I have two sets of keys for you.
Now The Good: All mechanical work, engine installation suspension work and maintenance done by Van Café in Santa Cruz, CA.
List of most important upgrades/replacements:
Chris Corkins (tencentlife) Vanistan Engine 2.2L Currently has 13K miles on it.
Vanistan Fanless oil cooler kit 1.9 2wd
Brand New (September 2016) stock exhaust system.
Air Flow Meter
New Complete Engine Wiring Harness
Alternator
Water Pump
Fuel Lines
Fuel Injectors
Fuel Rails
Throttle Body
Coolant hoses
Radiator 2011
Low Temp Fan Switch
Air Horn
Hella Fog Lamps
SA Grill and headlights
Transaxle
GoWesty High-power headlight kit
LED turn signal and side lamp upgrade
Hella additional back-up light kit
Van Café second battery kit.
GoWesty 2" Lift Springs
Front Suspension Refurbished at Van Café
Shocks replaced 2012
Rear axles / CV joints replaced
Rocky Mountain Westy Bumpers with receiver rear bumper
Rocky Mountain Westy Air Vent Covers
Water Temp, Oil Temp and Oil Pressure Gauges
Sunbrella fabric on Bench Seat and Rear Cushion. (Original upholstery still underneath.)
GoWesty Wheels and Michelin Tires
GoWesty ABS front door interior panels
Rear hatch replaced. (Painted with black bed liner)
Complete refurb of dometic fridge (It still will not cool anything. . .)
My To-Do List:
In planned order:
2017
Replace Dometic with Truck FridgePaint Poptop.
Replace Tent.
2018
Body Work/Paint/Front Heater Core
Story
I purchased in 2007 with no idea what I was getting into. . ..the best advice I have seen is this. These are 30+ year old vehicles and they get used regularly. They will have repairs and need regular care and feeding ($$$). If you do this they will make you smile. But NEVER travel with out AAA Platnium 250 mile towing service. I learned that lesson and I don't pretend to to think about the cost in dollars over the years.
In the last 9 years I have kept up on all maintenance and repairs. A lot of work done to fix the POs "experiments" with the wiring. All upgrade kits were installed per instructions and there are no shorts or power drain at all. The only current issue is the old switches for the dome light. They work intermittently.
Additionally Like all diligent Westy owners I think I purchased a summer home for the Owner of GoWesty! So much stuff. Of note there is a nice folding hitch mount cargo rack that comes with the van (see photos) as well as all the interior window covers and misc knick knacs specific to the bus . Including a custom step up for getting in the top bunk.
Her name is Serena and she is fantastic. But alas, I have purchased a 1971 bus and its time for the next person to get to know the my gal.
I take this bus to Lake Havasu each year (Monterey CA to Havasu AZ), I have taken her to Joshua Trees, Phoenix, San Diego and of course the SF bay area and North cost of CA to Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino. Some photos are from SyncroFest as well.
NOTE: This is a working camper and I use it. She shows her wear and I'd say has absorbed the best of Monterrey county. There is definitely a LOT of Big Sur in this van.
In 2014 I installed a Vanistan engine and refurbed the entire fuel delivery system: AFM, Throttle Body, Fuel Lines, Injectors, all sensors, fuel rails, hoses clamps and engine wiring to the tune of $12,000.
That's it. All-in-all she is a great van and has brought me a lot of good memories.
Now it's time for her new home. Lastly none of the dogs in the photos come with the van. Sorry.