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Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:22 pm

I am considering buying a '77 Microbus that has been mostly gutted. i have been searching for engines and transmissions with little luck. I am under the impression that the heart of these bay buses may be hard to come by. Does anyone have any advice on where to find a reasonable engine/tranny to go into this project. If it proves too difficult I may try to find a different Bus to start off with, but the price is just too good to pass up.

Thanks,
Hopeful Super Beetle to Bus Convert.

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:44 pm

I have a 69 that was also pretty gutted. It needs brakes, tires some floor pans etc... I am working to get everything else in line while I wait for a motor and transaxle to pop up. Every now and then you will see them, usually they look as though they need to be rebuilt. I say if the deal is good, get it and fix everything else, you'll find some running gear eventually...

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:46 pm

69 uses a Type 1 engine and 77 uses a Type 4 engine.

Apples and oranges.

BTW... A Bays are not a "Micro Bus".

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:48 pm

I apologize. I know super beetles, but clearly do not know buses. (Micro, Bay, or otherwise) Any thoughts on the engine situation?

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:50 pm

redsupervert wrote: I am considering buying a '77.............. I am under the impression that the heart of these bay buses may be hard to come by.
Yes, it's rough with a late Bay such as a '77. But with an early Bay the engine is just as easy to round up as it is for a Super Beetle.

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:50 pm

Contact Gary LeBlanc at suburbanengine.com

He worked with "Boston Bob" and has built many Type 4 engines.

Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:56 pm

The heart of any bus is not the drive train but the amount of rust. You can spend a good amount of money on engine, transmission, brakes and suspension. That's nothing in comparison to cutting, panel fitting, welding, smoothing and paint. Buy it if the body is good and find a running rust bucket for the drive train.

Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:00 pm

^^Good wise advice^^

Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:06 pm

if you are willing to pay shipping there are lots of rebuildable 2.0's around, some running. Unless the bus is in remarkable condition, it will be an expensive restoration, in fact, the pieces in your restoration may be more than it would cost you to go find one that runs.