My itinerary

[72Hardtop]

Leaving on the 23rd from Renton, WA. will head down 167 to I-5 then south to Grants Pass. Then cut across the 199 to Crescent City, Ca. then onto San Francisco, CA. From Frisco I'm going south on the 101 to 156 then over to highway 1 PCH. Then south on 101 to highway 126 (Ventura) then east over to I-5 (Magic Mountain stop for kids). Then onto Huntington Beach, Ca. (real home). This trip will be for ~ 16 days. Will also head down to Lego land for the kids as well. Camping included on this trip as well.

Bus is near ready...waiting for arrival of fuel pump bake-lite flange (small hairline crack). Redid all exhaust fittings/gaskets from the heads out to tail pipe. Gear oil change for some Amsoil 80w-90. Full tune-up. Dropped in 47.5 idle jets. Greased front end/adjusted rear brakes. Cleaned/inspected CV boots and silicone sprayed them. They have been holding up fantastic, still very pliable after close to 15 years (no cracks). When I packed them last I was meticulous for cleanliness and used Valvoline full synthetic CV grease. Can't say the same for todays CV boots

Ideas for camping stops?? Include any free ones as well... l like free a LOT.

[asiab3]

Sounds like the kind of trip you (and the kids!) will cherish for a long time. While I'm not too sure of many free campsites, I do know of some good ones along the way.

Jamala Beach (north of Ventura) is wonderfully secluded:
http://www.countyofsb.org/parks/parks06.aspx?id=9186

Near Six Flags, there is a plethora of Forest Service land, just check the signs to see if fires are allowed. Usually in summer you're out of luck, but far enough up in the hills you'll get some nice peace, quiet, and stars. All the hills are graded dirt, first or second gear, but easily done in anything larger than a Civic.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.56792 ... 8&t=m&z=13

Through Los Angeles, you're pretty much looking at RV parks (if that) until you hit San Clemente and San Onofre. Both are nice in their own way, Clemente for families with bikes and small children, and Onofre for surfing or beach-going.

Next to Legoland, you have Carlsbad South State Beach, which is a bare campground for RVs mostly RIGHT ON the bluffs overlooking the ocean. Nice, but pricey.

Also, shoot me a PM when you get close to Legoland... ;) I may be up north meeting with Colin, but if I'm working that day your kids are welcome to a behind-the-scenes tour.

Robbie

[72Hardtop]

I know Colin is going to be in the area perhaps we can get together? Maybe at the Yardhouse? I'll be in HB. I'll PM you when I'm down there to let you know which day I end up going to Legoland.

[Amskeptic]

Ideas for camping stops?? Include any free ones as well... l like free a LOT.

Be creative. Get off the beaten path and you can camp with a view for free all over the place.

Pictures. We need pictures.
Colin

[72Hardtop]

Got home on the night of the 9th at roughly 2200 hours.

I had a total of 2925 miles over 17 days (23rd - 9th)

Oil consumed - between 1/2-2/3 quart total (20w-50 Valvoline ZR-1).

I didn't keep track of total amount of fuel used but rather my MPG's I had a low of 17.3X (due to traffic thru Portland on the way back). Stopped in Coburg, Or. for fuel and between there and Portland I had only used ~1/4 tank ~ 4-4.3 gallons and that was with a wind from the northwest. But that damn traffic in Portland-Vancouver,Wa. dropped what would have been great mileage.

I had a best of 24.3Xmpg (tail wind/s) While my average was ~ 20-21mpg.

Most of the time I was doing 60-65mph. Exception would be the coast drive (highway 1) Monterey, Ca. - south and then 101 from (Eureka up to Florence, Or.) where you have a bit of grades and speeds anywhere from 35 - 45+ mph. This is when the oil usage begins.

Bus ran great but I have developed an exhaust leak right at the flange collar #2. I removed both heater boxes today and am going to check both for cracks and tig them if found. I found it using a hose and could hear it clearly when holding near the bolts that hold the heat exchangers to the heads.

After removing everything I did take note the the heater boxes were sealed well where they meet the head and also where they meet at the heat exchanger>header (S&S).

[Amskeptic]

Got home on the night of the 9th at roughly 2200 hours.

I had a total of 2925 miles over 17 days (23rd - 9th)

Welcome to the world of the Air-Cooled Itinerants. Lessee, checking my log . . .
June 23rd . . . 96945
July 09 . . . . . . 98250

You drove twice as far as I did in that time frame . . .
Colin

[72Hardtop]

Give me a shout when your nearing Renton, Wa. We can get together for a meal/drink and shoot the breeze.

I did get both heater boxes off. I know for certain that the collar has a crack somewhere near where the bolts pass thru on cylinder #2 and a much smaller one on #1 cylinder (could be heard with hose). I'm going to tig weld both 1&2 and 3&4 sides. The copper seals at the head were very nice and leak free once I had them down I took note of that based on carbon tracks...or lack of any extending beyond the outer edge of the copper seals and flange.