Stereo installed!
Dash speaker installed!
Painted rear corners! (need to buff)
Speedometer, graphite oil added
Notes:
New antenna.
Minor coolant leak.
Fuel gauge working? Yup.
To do:
Polish hubcaps.
Attach rear signal lights. Machine screws and washers. Examine old fixtures.
Paint exhaust.
Install new upholstery for seats.

Road ready! Well mostly.

I installed two new tail light assemblies with bulbs today.

Also two side marker light assemblies with bulbs.

Also replaced the license bulb.

Not sure how much of it works, but using a mirror propped against a brick I did see the break lights working when I pushed the brake pedal.

I noticed one of the side marker lights not working.

Also the turn signal is not working.

With the brake lights working and using hand signals I'm road ready!

I also replaced the wiper blades with some new Bosch blades so that's cool.

My How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive manual's author says he can't give any advice on turn signals as his are always flaking out, he, he.

To do list:

Determine why right side marker light is not working

Investigate turn signal malfunction

Paint the back corners where there is primer only

New tachometer and temperature sensor

Install a radio and speakers

Begin interior/camper restoration

Tail Light Assembly - Genuine VW

Pending 211945241RK
$59.95

Ordered: 2
$119.90

Rear Side Marker Lens

Pending 211945363A
$6.95

Ordered: 2
$13.90

Rear Side Marker Housing

Pending 211945351A
$8.95

Ordered: 2
$17.90

Tail Light Seal

Pending 411945235
$3.25

Ordered: 4
$13.00

Tail Light / Reverse Light Bulb

Pending N0177322
$1.75

Ordered: 4
$7.00

Turn Signal / Tail Light Bulb

Pending N0177382
$1.19

Ordered: 2
$2.38

Tail Light / License Light Bulb

Pending N0177192
$1.39

Ordered: 1
$1.39

Rear Side Marker & License Light Bulb

Pending N177172
$0.95

Ordered: 2
$1.90

Battery Mat

Pending W2600
$4.95

Ordered: 1
$4.95

Pedal Pad

Pending 211721173
$2.49

Ordered: 2
$4.98

Wiper Blade

Pending 40916
$6.95

Ordered: 2
$13.90

Battery Ground Cable

Pending 113971235C
$8.95

Ordered: 1
$8.95

Tach and temp working, headlights, wiper, radiator fan not.

Purchased a 12v circuit tester.
Fuses 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, and 12 all show 12v current.
Be careful as connections can come loose with the fusebox hanging loose.
Disconnected battery and moved the power lead from tachometer and temp gauge to a connector to Fuse #9.
Tachometer and temp gauge now working.
Fuses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 show no current.
3, 4, 5, 6 are all headlight circuit fuses.
7 is an accessory fuse/circuit.
10 is for the wipers, but also rear window defogger which is now wired to the radiator fan making this an important circuit.
All this stuff worked last week. I seem to recall the lights for the tach and temp, which were then on fuse 10 failing the first night I drove the van, maybe.
The headlight definitely worked and the radiator fan definitely worked via the defogger switch.
So what has changed/failed
Maybe fuse 7 is not showing any voltage as the fresh air fan motor switch must be closed.
Could the remaining fuses/circuits all be dead due to a problem with the Ignition Switch?
The ignition switch is doing is job otherwise, I just see that a black/yellow wire lead from the Ignition Switch to fuse 10 and to the headlight circuit fuses 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Or is the problem more likely two problems.
For fuse 10 maybe I tried the wiper switch and ruined the circuit?
For the headlights maybe the dimmer switch has failed

Tach and temp lights (only) work via Fuse #1.
Fuse #1 stays intact with use of headlight switch.
Headlights not working.
Tach and temp gauges not working.
Radiator fan not working (seems powered from Fuse #10).

One step forward...two back...one forward

Attempted repair of radiator leaked...leaked, probably could try again and allow to cure for longer, but a replacement reservoir is less than $8, so replaced that and replaced the tubing to radiator and topped off radiator and reservoir. I'm assuming that there is no need for the overflow to go back to the radiator. Ok, all fine. Idling and temperature reading about 190F (not sure where the sensor is or how accurate). Next on the list are the brake lights. I notice Fuse #1 appears burnt so I replace that and turn on the lights and something pops (fuse?) and Fuse #1 is clearly burnt. Also, engine will not start. Purchase a battery recharger and recharge battery overnight. I tape off all loose ends near the brake lights in the engine compartment. One set shorting appear to be the culprit. Engine starts and idles. Pull the bus back into the carport. The radiator fan is not working, neither is temperature gauge or tachometer.
Engine starting.
Coolant system working.
Fuse #1 not immediately blowing (haven't tried lights yet).
Radiator fan not working.
Temp gauge not working.
Tachometer not working.
Attempting to track down the electrical starting with radiator fan.
Printing off schematic from The Samba to carry with me.
Will turning the headlights on blow the fuse?
Is the light switch related to the functioning of the fan/gauges?

Automotive Goop

Sealed the radiator overflow container with Automotive Goop today.
Also picked up some 20w-50 motor oil and prediluted Prestone coolant.

"78 Mercury Bobcat Engine"

I just posted this on TheSamba.com
I'm a noob that two days ago inherited a 73 VW camper with a water cooled engine. I was told it has a German made Ford engine so I assumed, from reading around on the internet, that meant a Ford Cologne V6 engine. Today I was sorting through papers in the glove box and found a small piece of paper with the oil filter part number and the last line reads:
"78 Mercury Bobcat Engine"
I Googled this and found that there is some overlap with the Ford Cologne V6 engine that I don't understand.
Can somebody explain?
Should I take a picture of the engine?

Private Notes

Here are private notes regarding the bus. Boring stuff, just may have addresses so I'll put that in a private blog. http://theorangevwbusprivate.blogspot.com/

Exhaust like this...

I like this:

Note black outside and orange? inside!
Note that these paints require a baking period. How stressful on the vehicle is this?

Pretty sure the engine is a Ford Cologne V6 engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine

New VW forum discovered:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=9068df672e7fe0ffa64ea8b485d8ee86

Video explaining automobile water cooling. Some errors, but acceptable.

Current tasks:
find replacement coolant recovery tank or Automotive Goop
air filter
repair break lights
check radiator fan wiring

Making sure the water cooling system is functioning is important, of course. The white plastic reservoir you see below is busted. I've posted on TheSamba for suggestions: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7662735#7662735
Also I've posted a general thread about the bus here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7662587&highlight=#7662587
and here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Westfalia/comments/2xfnjm/gift_from_sick_friend1973_vw_busneed_your_advice/

Made an aborted attempt to drive the bus home last night, but chickened out as was worried about water level in the radiator and lack of break lights. Hire a flatbed to transport, C. Furrer. Chase did a good job and was friendly and professional ($219).

Bus arrives!

Here's the first video of the bus at home: