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Been a busy week after returning from vacation. My VW Bus performed very well out on little Block Island, despite nearly non-stop rain. Probably more rain than I've ever driven the poor thing in for the 7 years I've owned it.
Yesterday, I finally junked my parts car. The 89 240 is outta the driveway, and I can actually get to one of the garage doors now! Amazing thing. Of course the knuckleheads who towed it away didn't send a flatbed, even though I definitely described it as "gutted out". It was on total garbage tires, one of which I put a little air in just so it would roll. By the time it was up the street, it was looking almost flat. Hey not my problem once it's hooked to your truck, guys. What I want to know is, with steel at record high prices, why are they charging me more than ever to haul off junk cars? Bastards.
Anyway, today was very productive, getting the 88 244 ready for my neighbor. She's excited to be getting rid of her 85 Peugeot 505STI. Wouldn't you be? Realistically, it'll be great for her to have a car that can safely go 80 mph for as long as she needs to drive it.
Yesterday we saved a bunch of last minute parts from the 89, including the whole driver's door, both spare tire wells, a rocker panel (yes, it's full of leaves), and the taillights. I also decided to dive in after the heater fan. Looks like a nice original motor.
Today, we got into the 88 big time. My neighbor helped and I gave her plenty to do, as she can turn a wrench pretty well and at least knows what you're talking about when you ask for the 12mm over there.
Tasks done:
Flame trap service
Valve cover gasket
Throttle body service (looked like it had never been touched)
Cap and rotor (wires were new and correct)
Timing belt (Oh My God was the timing cover a mess inside. Full of goo!)
Front engine seals (crank was very tough going in)
Replace both taillights (thanks, parts car!)
Replace driver's window regulator (manual window, stripped gear!)
Found driver's window fixed with duct tape to frame, replaced whole window.
Replaced missing "tuning fork" guide in the regulator track
Replaced missing clips in lock rods (someone managed to use a window clip?)
Fixed door pocket
Replaced broken driver's lower door hinge (used rear door hinge from 89)
Reattached missing side trim (new plastic clips)
Got wipers working. And the horn. (Crusty fuse #2)
Replaced headlight switch* (more later)
Fixed driver's door speaker so the wire is actually connected not twisted around the tab. (Nice n professional, guys)
Made a hole in the radiator. Well, not on purpose. Rusted stuck screw for teh fan shroud turned into a misadventure when the drill bit slipped. It was a crappy radiator anyway but it wasn't terrible. Now, it'll be new so no worries. At least it's a stick so it's the cheap radiator.
Still unresolved electrical problems: headlights turn on, key in or out, in the parking light position. They go off in the headlight position, unless the key is on, in which case they work normally. Right parking lights aren't getting any juice under any conditions. I'm kinda thinking I got a white wire crossed at the fuse block somewhere. It's certainly possible that ANYTHING has happened to this car. A previous owner "did stuff" to it, not apparently anything good, just cheap. The driver's door was a mess, and half the pieces were down in the bottom of it. As another example, the car had a 4+OD shift knob top in it- it's an M47 5speed, so that switch was just for show. Also, the car has an aftermarket junk radio in the bottom position in the dash, with the coin box up top like an 84. Dunno why there are early parts in a post-86 car except I figure someone had an older parts car hanging around. Weird I tell ya. So one possibility I figure is that maybe, just maybe, it had an early headlight switch in it. And maybe the one I had, might have been the one from an 84 we parted out. I'll have to dig up the one from the 89, it's around somewhere. I can't otherwise figure how the parking lights can energize the headlights. If it's any clue ( I don't think it is) the power locks don't work at all either.
More fun is in store tomorrow... good night!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244-M47-207K ::: 90 745GL-M47-268K ::: 88 245DL-AW70-230K ::: 88 244 SOLD! 87 244 SOLD! Still looking for a bright red or black 244 with sunroof...
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