Volkswagen: 1973 Pop-Up bus, torsion bars, rear shoes

Question
Im looking at buying a 73  pop-up vw bus. But I know almost nothing about VWs other then its an air cooled flat 4. rear engine rear wheel drive.
Im pretty mechanicly inclined but, i would like to know if there is anything i should look for in the bus as big no noes ?  
I will mostly use this bus as a rainy day vechile or when i have friends with because i have a motorcyle for a DD.

The guy said it has sat for about a year but he drove it about a week ago and it ran good but a problem with the brakes. How expensive are parts for the brakes on these ?

thanks for the help.

Answer
Hi Andrew,

You can buy an entire new braking system for that bus (exclusive of the booster) for about $500.00.  

That includes:

Master cylinder
Front Pads
Front Rotors
Front Calipers
Rear Shoes
Rear Drums
Rear Drum Hardware
Flexible Rubber brake lines for all wheels
Rear wheel cylinders
Emergency Brake Cables

That's basically the entire brake system which is available at www.mamotorworks.com/vw

The engine should be compression checked and completely tuned up which includes:

oil change
new oil filter
new oil strainer
new fuel filter
valve adjustment
new points
new cap
new rotor
new plugs
new condenser
timing adjusted
new air filter
check condition of all fuel lines

As far as big no-no's, I would make sure there is compression in each cylinder of at least 70 PSI with no more than a 20 PSI swing between any two cylinders.  If that doesn't check out...I'd say you will need a new engine, weigh your odds.

Also, I'd make sure the clutch is ok, try to start out in second gear with the emergency brake on.  If it stalls out, it's ok.  Be careful, do this only once.

While driving in each gear, suddenly let go of the gas pedal, if it pops out of any gear, the tranny will probably need to be replaced.

Check underneath and look at the front end.  There will be a beam under there that looks like a sideways "H" almost.  Those are the torsion bars.  Make sure none of this is rusted, as this means a new front end.  Buses are prone to rust there.

Aside from that, as long as you aren't spending a fortune, you should be OK.

Lots of luck, let me know how you make out.

Ron