Page 33 - Transporter Talk Issue 144

temperature, oil is one of the most important components of the engine, so it is good to see evidence that the oil has changed regularly. Oil leaks are common, but some are trickier than others to repair and may require engine removal, something worth thinking about with any potential purchase.
Blue smoke when revved can indicate worn valve guides, lack of power could be a number of things but could be a compression problem. When the engine isn’t running, give the lower pulley a tug as excessive movement/end oat could mean main bearing wear, resulting in an engine rebuild.
Running gear
Lots of Split Screen vans have been lowered. If done sympathetically it can improve handling. This is commonly done using adjusters on the front beam. If this has been carried out it is worth checking the quality of the welding and the adjuster itself. The rear is usually adjusted by turning the rear spring plates on the torsion beam or by using adjustable plates, these should also be checked for condition.
With regards to brakes, there’s not too much to worry about as everything can be replaced inexpensively, but to check things are set up ok, make sure the van pulls up in a straight line on a test drive.
Interior
There have been various companies o ering camper conversions over the years and generally there’s little to choose between the di erent conversions. It’s worth viewing as many di erent vans as you can to see which internal layout works best for you. If you’re a purist, original condition will be important. Otherwise, as long as items such as the sink and cooker are working, the rest of the
interior cabinets and upholstery can be easily refurbished. Watch out for home conversions, items such as fridges need to have proper external ventilation, so make sure these are in place.
What to Pay
As you’re no doubt aware, all bus prices have gone through the roof in the last few years which is good news for owners, and rubbish for anyone interested in buying. Realistically, you are unlikely to nd a split screen bus in any shape or form for anything less than £10,000 with the cheapest kombis likely to be £15k-£20k. Half decent bona de split campers that are ready to roll will be anything from £20,000 right up to £60,000-£70,000.
Buying an import from the US or Australia might be the best option to avoid bodywork issues. The key will be to swot up on where they rust and go into the buying process with your eyes wide open. If you do buy a rusty project, rest assured if you are able to do the work yourself you’ll be sitting on a great investment. If you propose to pay someone else, bargain accordingly and bear in mind there’s always going to be more rust than you rst envisaged!
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club.
Transporter Talk No 144
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