IAC's visit with Soulful66
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:32 pm
Wow! Another visit with Colin, and the buses are better than ever. This is the third year I have had visit, and once again I am wiped out.
Our '79 westie was the focual point of this visit, as I could not get it to run. viewtopic.php?t=2173&highlight=
After months of trying my best at it, Colin guided me through a very indepth troubleshooting of the engine. Turned out to be an ECU problem. In only 3 hours, I learned more "tricks" and knowledged than I had expected. The bus was running like a top, and Colin ensured that every adjustment was perfect for the elevation here in Colorado. I was made aware, last year, that my dizzy was "dancing" a bit at higher rpm. I had bought a new SVDA, and we timed it for the elevation as well. I have not yet been camping in the bus, and now we are stoked to take our new baby camping! Colin has an eye for detail. He discovered an exhaust leak, not quite right t-stat flap rod, and dressed the engine up.
Since the night was still young, we went through some parts I have, and I was taught how to inspect them in areas that the "books" did not even mention. The day was full of little bits of knowledge being passed on to me, as well as several tuturials on various aspects of my bus. To get a jump start on the next days work, Colin inspected the carburetors I had on hand for the next phase of repairs.
We converted my '73 bus back to the dual solex carbs. While I had spent a lot of time gathering the parts, I thought it was going to be a fast swap. Boy was I mistaken about the complexity of this improvement. Colin started rebuilding the best two carbs I had, and I started removing the single webber carb. While the weber was removed, Colin noticed that intake manifolds studs were bent, so I got to work replacing them. After the carbs were rebuild, and on the manifolds, I was tasked with building the neccessary wiring harness for the dual carbs. Colin busied himself with getting all of the pipes, dual vac dizzy, and other components on the engine. After a crazy few minutes of driving rain, we continued our adventure. What a joy it was to hear my bus running on those carbs! We did have problems with the carbs & tuning. It was very late, so we called it a night.
Here is the measure of Colin's character. I was very concerned when the little grimlins were acting up, and this was my last day of my 2 day visit. Colin must have been aware of the panic that was in the forethought of my mind. He stated that he was going to get the bus running properly while i was at work, the next day!!! Where can one find resolve and commitment to a customer like that?!?! When I arrived home, my bus was back to his former glory, with his smooth idle and drive-ability. We had some more tuturials, and explainations of the workings and tuning of my "new" dual carbs. Although Colin was needing to get on the road the previous night, he stuck to his word and ensured that I was completely satified before he left.
I look forward to next years visit. I hope to retain at least a quarter of the knowledge that was imparted to me. For the next customer on his tour, Colin will arrive happy, knowing that his dual carb relay shaft is pleased. I , too, am very happy although worn out. My '73 with dual carbs is every bit as smooth as my '79 F.I. bus.
Keep the rubber side down Colin! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Regards,
John
Our '79 westie was the focual point of this visit, as I could not get it to run. viewtopic.php?t=2173&highlight=
After months of trying my best at it, Colin guided me through a very indepth troubleshooting of the engine. Turned out to be an ECU problem. In only 3 hours, I learned more "tricks" and knowledged than I had expected. The bus was running like a top, and Colin ensured that every adjustment was perfect for the elevation here in Colorado. I was made aware, last year, that my dizzy was "dancing" a bit at higher rpm. I had bought a new SVDA, and we timed it for the elevation as well. I have not yet been camping in the bus, and now we are stoked to take our new baby camping! Colin has an eye for detail. He discovered an exhaust leak, not quite right t-stat flap rod, and dressed the engine up.
Since the night was still young, we went through some parts I have, and I was taught how to inspect them in areas that the "books" did not even mention. The day was full of little bits of knowledge being passed on to me, as well as several tuturials on various aspects of my bus. To get a jump start on the next days work, Colin inspected the carburetors I had on hand for the next phase of repairs.
We converted my '73 bus back to the dual solex carbs. While I had spent a lot of time gathering the parts, I thought it was going to be a fast swap. Boy was I mistaken about the complexity of this improvement. Colin started rebuilding the best two carbs I had, and I started removing the single webber carb. While the weber was removed, Colin noticed that intake manifolds studs were bent, so I got to work replacing them. After the carbs were rebuild, and on the manifolds, I was tasked with building the neccessary wiring harness for the dual carbs. Colin busied himself with getting all of the pipes, dual vac dizzy, and other components on the engine. After a crazy few minutes of driving rain, we continued our adventure. What a joy it was to hear my bus running on those carbs! We did have problems with the carbs & tuning. It was very late, so we called it a night.
Here is the measure of Colin's character. I was very concerned when the little grimlins were acting up, and this was my last day of my 2 day visit. Colin must have been aware of the panic that was in the forethought of my mind. He stated that he was going to get the bus running properly while i was at work, the next day!!! Where can one find resolve and commitment to a customer like that?!?! When I arrived home, my bus was back to his former glory, with his smooth idle and drive-ability. We had some more tuturials, and explainations of the workings and tuning of my "new" dual carbs. Although Colin was needing to get on the road the previous night, he stuck to his word and ensured that I was completely satified before he left.
I look forward to next years visit. I hope to retain at least a quarter of the knowledge that was imparted to me. For the next customer on his tour, Colin will arrive happy, knowing that his dual carb relay shaft is pleased. I , too, am very happy although worn out. My '73 with dual carbs is every bit as smooth as my '79 F.I. bus.
Keep the rubber side down Colin! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Regards,
John