I purchased a '79 Bus a while back at a bargain rate -- $200 -- because the dealer said the emissions control computer (the "black box" near the engine) was kaput. I figured this was a steal of a deal -- but I've had the dang bus at my local mechanic now for nearly EIGHT WEEKS. . .this is getting very annoying. I've heard a "new" computer can cost over $600, and the mechanic is searching local junkyards to find a used one cheap. This is probably what's taking so long. A couple of questions arise out of this little dilemma: 1. Is 8 weeks a reasonable time for a Bus to be tied up at a mechanic? (It's a VW specialist, but not very large.) Should I be getting antsy? 2. Is there any cheap way out of a problem with the emissions computer on this van (It's California model, if that makes any difference.) I've heard that in worse-case scenarios, one can remove all the computer-ignition junk totally and stick on a couple of carbuerators. The negative, I'm told, is a loss of performance, plus the late engines were simply not designed for carbs. Is the switch worth it? Will I have problems with emissions if I switch to carbs? In short -- is there hope for my "bargain" Bus? PJL
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