Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1995 12:44:14 -0800 (PST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: David Schwarze <des@teleport.com>
Subject: Re: Carb. throttle plate & shaft bushings
howard quigley writes:
>
> "The carb throttle plate is leaking and because of the leak it is going to run
> very rough, tune-up or not. The plate in question is unique to the '72 and
> has not been manufactured for quite some time. For this reason (amongst
> others I don't know about) the '72 is not a desireable year to own.
> We send them out to have the throttle shaft bushings re-built (he might
> have said to Remco?) It's going to cost $250 to have them re-built and another
> $200 or so in labor charges."
Outrageous. I had a 73 Capri with the throttle bore so worn it was oval
shaped. Still idled smooth and steady at 800 rpm. I think this thing
with worn throttle shaft bores is *way* exaggerated. But I'm sure some
automotive "expert" will flame me for saying that.
> So, is Gunther blowing smoke up my tail pipe?. After the wheelin' in
> Baja I would not be too suprised about this or any other leak, but is
> this a problem on the '72's and is his price estimate accurate?
I'd say it's about an hour's work to R&R the carbs, and $50 for a shop
to re-bush the throttle bores. Should top out at $150. Max. I'll do
it myself for that kind of money. I'm only an hour and a half from you.
Is
> there any other solution? The '72 has dual carbs, would converting
> to a single larger carb be a better solution, or would the CA smog
> test prohibit this?
Yes, and Yes, unless you are not concerned with emissions legality for
whatever reason.
> I've been planning on spending some bucks on a nice paint job and
> redoing the interior (not to mention the Westy pop-top I asked about
> lately), but with this seed of doubt planted about the inferior year
> of manufacture, would the cash be better spent on another bus?
Nope. I've been thinking about it lately, and I'm kinda wishing I had a
72 instead of my 73. Less smog and I don't really care about the access
hatch. I guess a 71 might be considered a better year, but each year
has its strong points. Not worth starting over for, IMHO.
-David
P.S. I can give you a source for the idle cutoff solenoids for about
$20 each, and used ones are plentiful at the boneyards, if you ever have
that problem again.
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David Schwarze '73 VW Safare Custom Camper (Da Boat)
San Diego (Actually La Mesa) '72 VW Westfalia Camper (Da Project)
California, USA '73 Capri GT 2800 (Da Beast)
e-mail: des@teleport.com '87 Mustang Lx 5.0 (14.17@99.34)
http://www.teleport.com/~des '93 Weber WG-50 (Da Piano)
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