Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:01:55 -0700
Reply-To: jbclem <jbclem1@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jbclem <jbclem1@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Need help with a 78 Bus
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Since no one has mentioned this....how about checking the spark plug wires
and spark plug connectors. Look at the connectors real closely for cracks
in the area where they fit over the spark plugs. Ohm test the plug wires
and the connectors, and bend/twist each wire all over the place while the
test wires are hooked up, looking for a bad spot in the plug wire. Look in
the distributor cap for carbon tracks, or a burnt center post. Ohm test the
rotor. Although spark plug wire misses usually get worse at higher rpm,
anything is possible. Also make sure the plug connectors are twisted on
tightly to the plug wires. Look for green crud where the plug wires press
into the distributor cap and into the coil. Look for cracks in the coil
tower and carbon tracks anywhere on the top of the coil.
I'd also look for a substitute brain to plug in, just in case. Are there
any local garages that might have a running 76-77-78-79 and would lend you
the brain for a few hours? I don't remember which years are
interchangeable.
jc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 5:00 P
Subject: Need help with a 78 Bus
> Hey guys I have been struggling with a 78 Bus that came in here on
> Tuesday. He has been having a bucking and hesitation problem for his
> entire trip across the US but lately it is getting worse and he wanted
> me to look at it. I found one cylinder (number 3) with low compression
> (60 psi) and thought I had found the problem. So we repaired that but
> it still does it. If you go to take off, the bus will start to
> accelerate and then start hesitating until you get above a certain rpm
> then it feels like a turbo boost and you have your power back and no
> hesitation. Once you get up to speed it drives smoothly with no
> hesitation. Has any one experienced this with a Bus before. They are a
> bit different than a Vanagon so I thought I would seek advice from folks
> that have worked more on aircooled vans. One other thing I am wondering
> about is where the ground connection for this engine is supposed to be?
> I know in the Vanagon that if you don't have a good ground to the engine
> it can cause all kinds of problems. Where does the air cooled Bus
> ground to the motor? Right now there is a place on the motor with spade
> connectors on it and ground connections go there, but there is one that
> nothing is on (there are three together). There is no other ground
> cable going to the motor that I can see. I didn't take one off. If
> anyone can throw me a thought out there it would be appreciated.
>
> For those of you who may have been wondering why you were having a hard
> time reaching me this week this is why. These folks are stuck here
> until I figure this out so I have been working on it all day long for
> the last several days. Hopefully I can figure this out tomorrow and get
> them back on the road and get my life back as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
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