Re: where do I go

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

Quickly scanning my messages I don't see any replies so...

First thing, you need to buy at least ONE Type 3 (T3) manual.  Going on 
*my* experience I have found that the fabled Idiot's Guide by John Muir is 
your *best* bet for the *beginner* to intermediate backyard mechanic.  The 
next manual to get is either a Haynes Workshop manual *or* a Bentley 
Workshop manual.  I actually recommend you get both.  Reasons:  The Bentley 
only gives info from '68 and on (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) 
while the Haynes covers all years; the Bentley has a very good collection 
of photographs and hard measurements while the Haynes lacks in the photo 
department.  Honestly, buy all three manuals and you're set!

Second thing is to search around for a good VW mechanic who knows air 
cooled engines.  Once you're happy with this mechanic and you trust him/her 
(I'd love to meet a "her", BTW!) then stick with them so they will get to 
know your car.  Me and my mechanic have a loyal and trusting 
customer/service relationship.  He knows my car and is flexible when I have 
a sudden request or money problem.  But always ask questions and know your 
car (blind faith can be expensive!).

Third thing to do is subscribe to at least one VW specialty magazine.  For 
the US it would be "Dune Buggies & Hot VWs" or "VW Trends" (FYI everyone:  
DB & Hot VWs just had a very cool article on a TURBO, FUEL INJECTED, 
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SQUAREBACK).  At the last VW club meeting I was at I 
saw a British publication that I would *really* like to subscribe to as it 
was bigger and had a lot more color photographs in it (can any one help me 
out?).  The magazines will have all the suppliers -- just remember that the 
T3 is a little more rare than the Bug so many parts will be difficult, or 
very expensive, to get (if not down right impossible).

Finally, there is quite a bit of T3 tech talk that goes on in this list.  There 
are some very knowledgeable volks.  My friends thought I was too crazy about my 
Squareback!  If they only knew...

     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 stock 1.8L for sale

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: where do I go
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    2/25/97 7:13 PM


Hello fellow volkswagen enthusiasts.  I've been out of vw's for a
couple of years, but since I've gotten married my wife and I have gotten
the bug again.(this time the type 3 bug.)  We've just recently a vw
fastback, but since I've been out of vw for a while and I haven't really
dealt with t3's before I could really use some help.  I would really
appreciate any info you could give me on where to order t3 parts from
and who to talk to about t3 tech.

     So, with your help I can get back on the right track, "the volkswagen
track."

                         sincerely,
                         t3 beginners
                         Sean & Ellen Scattergood
                         sespar@kalama.com