Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 94 9:01:02 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Schwarze <schwarze@io.nosc.mil>
Subject:      Re: asking for help once more...(bread loafers)

Harmon Seaver writes:
> 
> > 
> > >Barry Nichols writes...
> > > I have a line on a 1978 bus with a 1974 SUPER BEETLE engine (???!!!). Does
> > > this raise any hackles? Also the bus is possibly in need of some carb 
> 
>   I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that -- having the upright
> fan, etc, makes it very difficult to even get the engine in and out in
> the first place. The older bus w/TYPE I engines had a removeable rear
> panel so you could just slide the engine out. 

No argument here.
> 						Anyway, I bought a '69 new
> and ran it for 10 years or so, and did an awful lot of rebuilding. That's
> why VW went to the 914 engine -- the old 1500-1600 engine is just a hopped
> up 40hp (1200) and the case, et al, are not up to the stress of pushing
> a van around. 

I think that the type I engine is fine for a bus, as long as you aren't
in a hurry.
>		The 914 case, etc, is much stronger, and the oil cooler
> problem is better resolved (not blocking #3 cyl, and has a filter).

The case is stronger, yes, but cooling seems to be a major problem.  With
the type I, adding a doghouse shroud will solve it's cooling problem.
Having a filter is nice, but the success of the type I engine has proven
that it can do just fine without a filter if you change the oil regularly.

> Also the engine I'm rebuilding currently for my '73 is growing
> from the stock 1700cc to 2000cc -- I think that's what you need for the
> weight and aerodynamics of a brick, although the 17-1800 engines are
> simply much more powerful than even my Type I with a big bore kit, 3/4
> race cam, and roller-bearing crankshaft.

You can do an awful lot to a type I to make it more powerful without
sacrificing reliability.  I have a hard time believing that my 1800cc
type IV motor is better than those ever could be.

>   Go ahead, buy that bus if it's really cheap, but I wouldn't pay any
> more than what I would pay for the same year non-running. Less, in fact,
> if he butchered any stock body parts on the install. Then pull the
> 1600 and put in the right engine. Maybe you can sell the bug engine to
> someone, buy a 914 at a junkyard and rebuild it.

I'm not advocating swapping type I engines into 72 and later busses, but
if someone else has already done it, great!  I'd throw some dual-port
heads, a doghouse shroud and some decent carbs on that puppy and enjoy it!
I myself am growing weary of type IV motor problems.  

-David

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David Schwarze			'73 VW Safare Custom Camper (Da Boat)
SAIC Comsystems, San Diego	'73 Capri GT 2800 (Da Beast)
schwarze@nosc.mil		'87 Mustang Lx 5.0 (Da Bruiser?  Soon...)
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