TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:44 pm

I was looking at my engine today trying to figure out which way to go with it and noticed that there is a firewall between the Engine and the fuel tank. I thought that '69s did not have this. It also has dual ports so I know that the PO has changed some stuff. I wonder what else they changed. Unfortunately not the HCode case :cry:

Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:49 pm

All of the '69s I had came with firewalls. I believe the '68s were the only ones without and even then it was some funky mid year change thing, IIRC.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:35 am

Installation began around April/May of '68.

Purchased & installed one in my early '68 Westy in the course of getting it road-ready; no desire for any extra invitations to a raging fuel-fed fire in an A/C VW.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:56 am

WestyPop wrote: Installation began around April/May of '68.

Purchased & installed one in my early '68 Westy in the course of getting it road-ready; no desire for any extra invitations to a raging fuel-fed fire in an A/C VW.

ditto, I am installing one in my 68. Every year after did have the firewall.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:45 pm

if i go the route of installing one in my 68, is the installation straight forward? thanks..

kris

Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:26 pm

kooldub wrote: if i go the route of installing one in my 68, is the installation straight forward? thanks..

kris

Hey Kris,
Fairly straight forward. You need to dry fit the firewall and mark the spots to drill holes for the mounting screws. I am also replacing the sealing foam.
Sorry no photos yet as I am still in the process of spraying the undercarriage, but hopefully I will have some in a week or so.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:09 pm

sounds good, thanks brian. i take it i need to put the firewall in with the motor out?

kris

Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:30 pm

This might be a good idea for my current bus project. I just never thought of it. Question, do you use an existing firewall from another bus or do you fabricate one from scratch? If it's an existing firewall from a donar then what years fit, 69, 70, 71?

Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:30 pm

aeromech wrote: This might be a good idea for my current bus project. I just never thought of it. Question, do you use an existing firewall from another bus or do you fabricate one from scratch? If it's an existing firewall from a donar then what years fit, 69, 70, 71?

Seems like (in 1984) I pulled one from a '70 without an engine, that was up on blocks at a boneyard. Wasn't expensive, since it's a low-demand item. As expected, some firewalls are a bit age-gunked in place. Be sure to take out all the screws, including the 2 that are underneath, before dragging out the BF metric prybar to break loose any 'sealant'!

In deference to the frequency of A/C VW engine fires, I glued some layers of closed-cell ensolite to the tank side of the firewall for some extra thermal protection against overheating the tank. Maybe not necessary, but figured it couldn't hurt, along with replacing all non-metallic fuel lines.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:52 pm

The early non firewall busses don't have the channel to hold the top of the firewall but it's not tough to create something to hold it.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:07 pm

Thanks everybody! Now I just need to decide whether to build a new engine from scratch or buy a turnkey from Chico.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:01 pm

Mountain Minstrel wrote: Thanks everybody! Now I just need to decide whether to build a new engine from scratch or buy a turnkey from Chico.

Depends

I think we would have saved money if we had purchased the turnkey.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:30 pm

aeromech wrote: Mountain Minstrel wrote: Thanks everybody! Now I just need to decide whether to build a new engine from scratch or buy a turnkey from Chico.

Depends

I think we would have saved money if we had purchased the turnkey.

If you don't mind me asking, Who (no not who...HOW...) How much do you have tied up in that in parts and machine work?

Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:32 pm

busdaddy wrote: The early non firewall busses don't have the channel to hold the top of the firewall but it's not tough to create something to hold it.

BD, I have looked at how I am going to install mine, and I am just going to screw the top in at a few spots on the cross member that runs from right to left, just in behind the breather tube. You can see it in these photos.

BTW, I know I have one good one and may have another if anyone is interested. I will have to check on the second one.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:21 pm

aeromech wrote: Mountain Minstrel wrote: Thanks everybody! Now I just need to decide whether to build a new engine from scratch or buy a turnkey from Chico.

Depends

I think we would have saved money if we had purchased the turnkey.

$3000 long block
$1000 Exhaust
$760 carbs
$300 alternator

should I keep going?

Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:26 pm

[quote="aeromech
$3000 long block
$1000 Exhaust
$760 carbs
$300 alternator

should I keep going?

[/quote]

No that is enough for me! Thank you!

Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:27 pm

aeromech wrote:
$3000 long block
$1000 Exhaust
$760 carbs
$300 alternator

should I keep going?

No, that is enough for me! Thank you!