Restoration Blog

DIY guides, parts reviews, and real stories from the workshop

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Fuel
Engine March 2026

Fitting an Electric Fuel Pump to a VW Bay Window: Facet Pump & Malpassi Regulator

Why I ditched the mechanical pump for a Facet electric unit — more reliability for family camping trips, and how to set the Malpassi regulator correctly.

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Solar
Electrics February 2026

Adding Solar Power to Your Camper Van Setup

How I added an Eco-Worthy solar panel to Jenny — a simple, portable setup that keeps the leisure battery topped up off-grid.

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Battery
Electrics February 2026

Setting Up the Leisure Battery Including Split Relay

How I installed a leisure battery, split relay, 12v panel, and circuit breaker in my VW T2 — a beginner's guide to campervan electrics.

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Family
Van Life February 2026

Family Campervan Trips: Making It Work with Kids

Everything we've learned about taking young children on VW campervan adventures — sleeping arrangements, entertainment, safety, and the honest version.

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Winter
Van Life February 2026

Winter Van Life in a VW T2: Staying Warm When It's Freezing Outside

How we use Jenny through the colder months — insulation, heating, gear, and why winter trips are actually some of the best.

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Tools
Essential Kit February 2026

Essential Tools & Spares for a VW T2 Bay Window

The toolkit that lives in Jenny permanently — and the spares that have saved us from a roadside call-out more than once.

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Cooking
Van Life February 2026

Cooking in a VW Campervan: Our Favourite Gear & Recipes

Everything we've learned about cooking proper meals in Jenny — from gas setups to the kit that actually works.

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Camping
Van Life February 2026

Camping in a VW Campervan: How to Make a Tiny Space Actually Work

Everything we've learned about eating, sleeping, and staying warm in a 50-year-old van — and the gear that makes it possible.

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Heating
DIY Guide February 2026

Fitting a Chinese Diesel Heater to a VW T2 Campervan: Full Guide

Step-by-step guide to installing a Chinese diesel heater in a VW T2 Bay Window. Which size to choose, where to mount it, and what I'd do differently.

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Breakdown Kit
Essential Kit February 2026

The Essential Breakdown Kit for Your Classic VW Campervan

My essential VW campervan breakdown kit built from 8+ years of roadside fixes  from fan belts to fuses, plus the breakdown cover that gives you peace of mind.

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Engine Rebuild
Engine January 2025

How to Rebuild a 1600cc VW Engine: Step-by-Step Guide

How I pulled and rebuilt Jenny's 1600cc Type 1 engine. Full parts list, torque specs, cost breakdown (£1,250 total), and the mistakes that cost me time and money.

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Weber Carb
Performance January 2025

Weber Progressive 32/36 DGEV: Installation Guide for VW Bay Window

Step-by-step Weber 32/36 DGEV carburetor installation on a VW Bay Window 1600cc engine. Jetting, tuning tips, and the real-world difference it makes.

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Suspension
Suspension January 2025

Bilstein Shocks on a VW Bay Window: Are They Worth the Money?

I upgraded to Bilstein shocks after the anti-roll bar snapped. Here's what they cost, how they fit, and the difference they actually make to the ride.

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Exhaust
Performance February 2026

Vintage Speed Exhaust on a VW Bay Window: Is It Worth £600?

My old exhaust was noisy, badly fitted, and frankly dangerous. Here's what the Vintage Speed sports exhaust costs, how it fits, and whether it's worth it.

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Engine
Engine February 2026

VW Push Rod Tube Seals: How to Fix Oil Leaks with Fast Fab Tubes

VW push rod tube seals leaking? I upgraded to Fast Fab spring-loaded tubes and fixed the leak for good — including the o-ring mistake to avoid.

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Maintenance
Maintenance February 2026

VW Bay Window Maintenance Schedule: The Complete Guide

The complete VW Bay Window maintenance schedule from someone who actually drives one. Valve clearances, oil changes, timing — what to do, when, and what it costs.

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Body Work
Restoration January 2025

How to Choose a VW Campervan Restoration Specialist

Two years and several false starts before I found the right VW restoration company. What to look for, what to avoid, and the questions to ask before handing over your van.

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Buying
Buyer's Guide January 2026

Buying a Classic VW Camper: What I Wish I'd Known

This is not a decision you should take lightly. Learn from my expensive mistakes. Essential books, red flags, and realistic costs.

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Interior
Interior Coming Soon

Interior Restoration: Upholstery & Flooring

Choosing upholstery, installing new flooring, and bringing the interior back to life. What worked and what I'd do differently.

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Buying Guide
Advice Coming Soon

Buying Your First Bay Window

What I wish I knew before buying Jenny. Rust spots to check, mechanical issues to look for, and realistic budget expectations.

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Tools
Tools Coming Soon

Essential Tools for VW Restoration

The tools that got me through the rebuild. What you absolutely need versus nice-to-haves, and where to spend your money.

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Learning
Resources Coming Soon

How I Learned to Rebuild an Engine

The YouTube channels, manuals, and forums that taught me everything. Resources for learning VW mechanics from scratch.

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