TheSamba.com :: View topic - Cleaning Up A Mess

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:10 pm

This is my first post and first bus... Rescued a 72 Transporter Deluxe out of a field about a year ago... The previous owner had replaced the 1700 with a 76-77 2.0 (GD code) They used the 72 distributor, intakes and the dual 32-34 PDSIT carbs. Note: I've never seen this engine run! Critters ate the wiring harness out of the engine compartment and completely nested between the engine and the shrouding. I've replaced the main harness and cleaned out all of the nesting. While I have the engine out and the shrouding off, I considering going ahead and going through the motor. Couple of questions: I know this engine was originally FI... Are the 72 parts (dist, carbs) adequate for the 2.0 motor? Will it be underpowered?? If I go into the engine, any recommendations on a solid build?? (cam, heads, fuel, fire, etc...) FYI - I intend to pull a HobieCat 18 to the beach on a regular basis!! It's by no means a heavy boat but it is some added load. As far as ignition, I've heard the Petronix Ignitor works well. Carb wise, I've read mixed reviews on the Weber pregressive kits. I appreciate your thoughts and comments [/b]

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:35 pm

you're asking alot of good questions.

but i dont know the answers.

I do know you need to post up some pics of that '72 deluxe! that will get things started.

Thanks

Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:57 pm

The dual carbs should work fine on the 2.0. In markets that didn't get fuel injection they are what a 2.0 would have come with.

Putting a progressive on is about the worst thing you can do. The duals are better.

If you want to pull a boat search 'camper and special' in these forums. Prevailing opinion is that, that will be your best bet.

If the budget's tight, you can tear the engine down, determine what needs to be replaced or machined and go from there.

On an unknown engine I would at the very least get the heads replaced or redone by a typeIV head specialist. A normal machine shop won't know how to do them right. Even doing them by the factory procedure is inadequate.

Also make sure the oil galley plugs have been replaced with threaded inserts. The original oil galley plugs have a tendency to blow out and waste engines.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:05 am

Welcome.
Quote: They used the 72 distributor, intakes and the dual 32-34 PDSIT carbs. Nothing wrong with that but the carbs should be rejetted.
Quote: While I have the engine out and the shrouding off, I considering going ahead and going through the motor.
Now's the time, heads for sure as Josh says, gallery plugs and oil pump O ring too.
Quote: Will it be underpowered??
All depends on what you are judging it against, a 2.0 is the most powerful stock engine you can install and they do make some nice torque. But it isn't a V8.
Quote: I've heard the Petronix Ignitor works well.
Yes, when it's working, bring a set of points along for emergencies :wink:
Quote: I've read mixed reviews on the Weber pregressive kits.
Mixed as in "they sorta sucked" or "really, really sucked"?, don't waste you time and money, fine for a sandrail but nearly useless in a bus. Expect Wildthings to disagree with that statement :P

What does the boat and trailer actually weigh?

Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:24 am

busdaddy wrote:
Quote: I've read mixed reviews on the Weber pregressive kits.
Mixed as in "they sorta sucked" or "really, really sucked"?, don't waste you time and money, fine for a sandrail but nearly useless in a bus. Expect Wildthings to disagree with that statement :P

Add me to the list of dissenters in your above statement. I couldn't agree with you more that it isn't optimum for a Bus, but it's certainly workable and if tuned properly will run just fine. I ran a Weber on my '74 for the 4 years I owned it in temps ranging from just over 100 degrees down to a few degrees below zero. No hesitation, no flat spot, no hard starting. Decent fuel mileage and it was as reliable as the day is long. I didn't have it nearly as dialed in as Wildthings has his, but it still did the job pretty well. Dubbing it useless really isn't fair considering the numbers of people currently driving around with one on their Bus. Not the best, but it will work in a pinch.

As a side note, I've driven Wildthings' '74 Transporter with a Progressive carb on it, and it's absolutely one of the smoothest, best running Buses I've ever driven. My hat's off to Wildthings for making it work, and making it work well.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:31 am

You can't be sure it is a 2.0 until you tear it down. I could be that case was just rebuilt and could be anything from a 1700, 1800 or 2.0.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:42 am

VDubTech wrote: busdaddy wrote:
Quote: I've read mixed reviews on the Weber pregressive kits.
Mixed as in "they sorta sucked" or "really, really sucked"?, don't waste you time and money, fine for a sandrail but nearly useless in a bus. Expect Wildthings to disagree with that statement :P

Add me to the list of dissenters in your above statement. I couldn't agree with you more that it isn't optimum for a Bus, but it's certainly workable and if tuned properly will run just fine. I ran a Weber on my '74 for the 4 years I owned it in temps ranging from just over 100 degrees down to a few degrees below zero. No hesitation, no flat spot, no hard starting. Decent fuel mileage and it was as reliable as the day is long. I didn't have it nearly as dialed in as Wildthings has his, but it still did the job pretty well. Dubbing it useless really isn't fair considering the numbers of people currently driving around with one on their Bus. Not the best, but it will work in a pinch.

As a side note, I've driven Wildthings' '74 Transporter with a Progressive carb on it, and it's absolutely one of the smoothest, best running Buses I've ever driven. My hat's off to Wildthings for making it work, and making it work well.

Ok,ok,ok..... maybe that was too short an answer. If you are familiar with carb tuning and interpreting engine behavior at an advanced level you can make a prog work (in some cases really well), but if you just want to bolt it on, close the decklid and go and expect it to run and perform it's beast a prog isn't for you.
Sorry for the hijack Gypseypoet, back to your bus, how far away is this beach?

Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:57 am

Good points on the oil gally plugs and questioning the engine size! There is a lot of RTV on the motor so I know someone has been inside... All the more reason I've considered going into it. In my experience (mostly domestic autos and foriegn bikes) lots of RTV usually indicates the rebuilder did a half-a** job. Not sure about VW's though... Feel free to weigh in on that one! The beach is about 70 miles of pretty flat driving. The only hills we have around here are highway over-passes! I'm trying to upload photos... I've got to find a place to drop them on the internet first... Thanks for all the great feedback! Keep it coming! GP

Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:59 am

GypsyPoet wrote: I'm trying to upload photos... I've got to find a place to drop them on the internet first

www.photobucket.com

Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:31 am

RTV is even scarier when someones used it on a VW, nothing like a blob or two in an oil passage to ruin your day, week, etc.... Wonder what else they cut corners on?

Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:05 am

The following are right after I took the shrouding off... She looks alot better now. I'll have to go take some current pics.

Notice the Spark plug Socket... Someone had a bad day!! LOL!

Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:11 am

Got this?

http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=BVV0010&cartid=1021200981505374

Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:16 am

Interesting finned valve covers.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:32 am

Loading pics to the samba gallery is more stable platform than any of the photobucket/flicker etc type sites! :wink:

Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:40 am

I have a 2 liter with stock dual carbs in my 73 Westy. Runs just fine. I went with a 135 main jet and 140's on the airs. Should be no problem. Just replace the heads.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:19 pm

I like the way the PO lost both a spark plug AND the damn socket under the tin :shock: over #1.....lmao, and just said, Fark It!

I wonder if he ever dropped anything in the case? Have you pulled off the oil screen plate yet? or taco plate?

At the very minimum, I'd pull off both heads and have a look inside...

Add me to the list of Weber Progs are OK...when tuned proper. ;)