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  View original topic: 1978 vw bus
philmorrill@attbi.com Tue Sep 10, 2002 1:46 am

i recently purchase a 1978 bus with no motor. i know originally it was fuel injected and had the pancake style engine. my question is, will an upright style 1600 work in this bus? i had a 1974 bus with a 1500 in it years ago, but i don't remember how that worked/ and or if it was different from the '78. i have a 1600 dp in good running shape on hand, but no pancake motor. i any one knows or has any suggestions , let me know.

keifernet Tue Sep 10, 2002 6:53 am

It would work but it's not the most desirable combo. the gearing in the tranny is different for one thing... and...
years ago people used to do it around my area and the engines would burn up due to the engine compartment not being sealed up.
Makeshift "tin" was marginal at best on some.
However 'Innovations' fiberglass co. in Fla.
makes a pretty slick gelcoated piece to solve that delima... I saw it somewhere but I think they have a website... I think it is like 160 bucks though...
I would say sell the upright and use that money plus some to get the correct engine.
a 2.0L hydrolic is sweet for pushing the Bus around... the 1600 and the way the late model gears are isn't.....

static Tue Sep 10, 2002 2:33 pm

If you cannot, for some reason, afford or locate an engine for your '78, you can (in theory) buy some used tin from a European '78 bus, since they came with the upright 1600 until 1979.

Look in the back of VolksWorld or Camper & Commercial (which are far better VW magazines than anything published in the USA)
and respond to some ads there.

However,I agree with the esteemed keifernet, who is correct as usual.

keifernet Wed Sep 11, 2002 6:55 am

"are isn't" LOL! yes quite esteemed indeed!
thanks though! (my apologies to all my Engilsh teachers......)



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