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Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:55 pm

Hey guys. My name is Adam, I am from the panhandle of florida. I recently purchased my first aircooled, a 1974 Westy Camper. I saw it for sale at the local RareAir show and after a few calls and some research on here I went ahead and bought her. She runs great, leaks a little oil but nothing too crazy, tiny bit of rust under the passenger side of the windsheild and in the rockers on both sides. Poptop and canvass are in excelent condition and the cushions on the bed and poptop look to be in great condition as well. It even came with the tent set up that conects to the slider. Since this is my first aircooled project I'd love any advice or words of wisdom you guys have to offer. Thanks

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:00 pm

Nice Bus & Welcome to the addiction. Best advise is drive it and enjoy it!

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:01 pm

Yay!! another Floridian. Your westy is a beauty! :D

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:10 pm

You need to buy the correct tin for that engine otherwise it will overheat and drop a valve.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:19 pm

purplegodzilla wrote: You need to buy the correct tin for that engine otherwise it will overheat and drop a valve.

Which tin, like i said before this is my first aircooled. The PO said the motor had been replaced about 8k ago, but he didn't know much about it. Do you think they put the wrong tin on it when the motor was rebuilt/swapped?

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:34 pm

Quote: Do you think they put the wrong tin on it when the motor was rebuilt/swapped?

I think they put the wrong engine in for a '74. Technically, that should be a 1.8L type IV, as shown below, (not my photo).

Was this a European model originally?

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:35 pm

westykruser wrote: purplegodzilla wrote: You need to buy the correct tin for that engine otherwise it will overheat and drop a valve.

Which tin, like i said before this is my first aircooled. The PO said the motor had been replaced about 8k ago, but he didn't know much about it. Do you think they put the wrong tin on it when the motor was rebuilt/swapped?

You need a type 1 engine tin for the type 4 engine bay in which is what you have. Take a look here. I think they cost a little over 200 bucks or so.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=321977&highlight=type++engine+tin

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:40 pm

Both of your pop top hinges at the back are broken. The rear of the roof should stand off of the body when the roof is up. PM me if you'd like to replace them, I have a couple of extra sets. With the top up, look at the hinge, there is a pivot point in the middle that's riveted from the factory with some nylon bushings ....they're broken right there.

As far as the engine, let's not go jumping to conclusions about wether it's sealed or not. Take a step back and take another pic showing the engine compartment, including what's between the engine and the bumper. That isn't the correct engine for your Bus but it'll work in a pinch. Definitely seal up the gaping hole in the tin visible in your pic. Nice lookin Bus.

Oh yeah--and ditch that shitty "air filter" sticking up off of the carb and get a stock oil bath air cleaner like should be there. You'll have to rig up some way of supporting it on the passenger side, but your engine will thank you for it. I have a few extra air cleaners as well if you decide to put one on.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:05 pm

I've got an air cleaner to go on this weekend with the oil change.
If its not the correct motor for a 74, what size is it? Any benifit in the change? I'll take another picture in the morning of the whole bay. And go from there, I want to get her road trip-able soon. The transmission slightly klunks everytime I shift into 3rd or 4th, 1st and 2nd are smooth. Any ideas?

p.s. thanks for the heads up on the hinges too.. I'll be in touch

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:11 pm

No, there's absolutely no benefit in switching from a Type 4 motor to a Type 1 motor. In fact, to be totally honest, it's a downgrade. There's no telling what size the engine is without disassembling it and measuring. The original engine would have been an 1800cc dual carbed Type 4 as seen in the pic above. Keep an eye out for a good Type 4 motor in your area.....

Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:44 pm

74 Westfalia. Awesome year.. but I might be bit biased..

Yes the pop top should sit about 10 inches off the roof at the rear and the original motor should be a pancake 1800. Nice beast just the same bro!

Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:52 pm

It's true, '74 is probably the best year for the Westy interior layout, no matter what the "my passenger seat swivels all the way around" crowd will try to tell you.
Nice bus. If you can, get a Type IV in there like god intended and you'll like it even more. 70mph=yay!

Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:08 am

she's beautiful - WOW - even the tent - nice!

Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:19 am

What he meant to say is:

"Hi, my name is Adam. I have a cool bus! What can I do to make it even better?" :D

My guess is the engine in it now is a 1600. The same engine that came in the busses until 1971. The 1800cc type IV engine that came in that bus should provide noticeably more torque and is a much beefier engine.

But, if the bus is running reliably, changing the engine would be low on my list of priorities.

On top of my list of priorities would be changing every single fuel line, and making sure the tin is sealed as discussed above.

Enjoy!

Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:49 am

Nice Bus! My 73 with a 1600 does 70 MPH no problem at all, :P probably could cruise at 75 MPH no problem, but I don't like to push it too hard 8) buy the proper tin for it and try her out before spending lots of money replacing the engine..just my 2 cents :D

Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:09 am

The range, fridge and propane tank are missing...

And the paperboard to cover up the business under the dash is missing, I tore mine out cause it was rotting from the water that got in.

Welcome to the club.

Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:20 am

If it runs good drive it and do other projects. As i remember in my 1 trip to Orlando isn't the only 'hill' in Florida manmade?

Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:54 am

VDubTech wrote: Both of your pop top hinges at the back are broken. The rear of the roof should stand off of the body when the roof is up. PM me if you'd like to replace them, I have a couple of extra sets. With the top up, look at the hinge, there is a pivot point in the middle that's riveted from the factory with some nylon bushings ....they're broken right there.

Vdub - Damn you're good! Great catch.

Morymob - Very nice score and sweet looking bus. Good and important suggestions already made (replace fuel lines and seal engine compartment, etc...) The other "often missed" satey area are the tires. Even if they are in decent shape, I would insure they are "Load c or D" rated if me and my family were in there. Check sticky at top of this forum if you need more info.

Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:31 am

Get later late pop top hinges. Ours (a '74 also) were bent just like yours. We replaced them with hinges from a '76, which are of a much less feeble design (click here).