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My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:03 pm
by Priscilla
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This is my project I'm working on at the moment, she is my first bus, had a Beetle in the late 80's.
Needs plenty TLC, started on some small cosmetic stuffies like door handles, lock and wipers, fixed the window winder, small steps for now.
I need to replace the brakes with disc brakes, was told to get Alfa Romeo inline brake booster with old Merc wheels. Any suggestions would help alot,
my car knowledge stretch as far as "thingy and stuffies". Which Alfa uses the inline booster?
I'm going to tear out the interior and replace it with some plastic/rubber stuff that lookis like "vastrap plaat".
Early next year the major work will begin, my husband will seperate the body from the suspension? or something and replace the 1600 with a 2L enjin.

Will post some pics as I progress.

Marlene

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:35 pm
by retrovan
Nice bus.

Welcome to the Brazilia bus family, we growing here day by day.

This being the rarest form of VW Bus ever made (OMO)

Also fitting a type 4 motor into mine....... :D

Herman

PS;- Eben, you have to add new category to "what do you drive" we feeling left out..... :roll:

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:41 am
by Bugger
Congrats and hope you comming to George in 2013

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:07 am
by Golfmad
Nice !! I like it !

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:26 am
by MarshallGTi
how funky is that paint...? love it

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:18 am
by jolas
8) Cool bus - is this all the photos you have :twisted:

Don't rush into doing all these conversions - i.e don't strip the bus completely all in one go, focus on one thing at a time. The last thing you need is your bus growing roots in your back yard.

I'm not a mechanic or that way inclined, but think seriously and get as many opinions as you can before you redo the brakes (the Alfa parts way). Drum brakes can be a pain in the ass, but when they are set correctly, there is'nt anything wrong with them. Start getting to know all the mechanics in PTA who who have a passion for aircooled VWs.

Same with replacing the motor, it would be good to watch people like retrovan, get input from the buggers, impis, figs, dawies, tonys to name but a few ....... don't be shy to ask questions, if no one replies, ask again .............

Don't throw any of the interior stuff away when you strip it out - someone might need something there - and as Herman said, there are'nt many of your these particular Kombis around anymore

Cheers :hangloose:

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:11 am
by Priscilla
Thanx guys! My internet was knocked out by a storm, will post more pics in a few days.
Will keep everything I take out. My beloved bus has some accident damage on the rear corner and needs some work done to repair the poor job done before and we decided to do a propper job. If it isn't nessesary to take off the body, we will fix the bump and respray her with some flower stickers added afterwards. Oh, some nasty rust to deal with aswell!
Will give you an update as soon as internet is on again.

Till later.

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:32 pm
by jolas
Hi, unlike a Beetle, you can't remove your Kombi's body from the chassis. The front suspension is simply bolted on. Same with the gearbox/rear suspension. If you have serious rust issues under the bus, give splitbusaholic a shout, he imports complete repair/replacement panels, jacking points, outriggers, etc, etc

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 7:56 am
by Priscilla
Thanx Jolas.

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 6:30 pm
by Priscilla
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Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 6:48 pm
by Priscilla
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Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:00 pm
by retrovan
Your van still looks good.

My old lady looks like an 80 year old night club hooker, with all its Poly fillet.... :lol:

Will be looking at bringing in parts from Brazil in the near future, also for Johan Eagle, who also has an Brizilia like ours.


Herman

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:03 am
by Priscilla
Bugger, what's on in George and when will it be?
Jolas, we took a good look under the bus and saw the brake booster wasn't connected, fixed it and brakes are much better.

We took a good look at the rust, isn't that bad but the doors need some work.
Taking the bus to sort out wiring this weekend.

The big work will begin early next year.

Cherio

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:24 am
by Priscilla
retrovan, an 80 year old night club hooker got plenty of experience! ha ha !

I spoke to a guy at a windscreen centre, he's got a compleet set of windows for a Kombi, must make him an offer, any ideas on what is a good offer, and I won't use all the windows, so anyone who needs it, let me know.

Re: My 1976 Brazilia Kombi

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:11 pm
by jolas
Great news re the brakes :D Once you have new shoes fitted, drums skimmed (if necessary), everything set and tweaked and cleaned up, I'm sure you will be happy. Make sure you use a reputable aircooled mechanic or brake company recommended hopefully by someone here on the forum - you can get messed around BIG time with brake issues and someone who does'nt know what he is doing .....

Is your windscreen needing replacement ? Offer R300 and see what the dude says ?

Good news re the rust - from your few pics, it does'nt look like a rust bucket. You might get a shock when you remove the windscreen, can also be nasty surprises when the 2 rear corner windows are removed. Cargo door bottoms don't look too bad ! You can get bottom repair sections from splitbusholic for the cargo doors.

Are you missing the lens for that interior light?

Cheers