TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bay window NooB with an engine swap question

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:29 am

I have owned my '71 Doublecab for a few years now but I will start working on it this summer.

I stumbled upon an engine deal last week and picked up an AH case '73-'74 1600 dual port engine for $100. It's tested, runs well etc. While I am rebuilding my non-running engine that is currently in the '71, I was hoping to put in the 1600 just to get the DC moving.

The question I have is, will this work? Do I need to modify anything? The engine I picked up has a generator, not an alternator so I am thinking I don't have to swap anything there. Is there anything else I need to know? I will be getting rid of the current exhaust on the engine as it won't work with the DC apron (the engine came out of a rail build).

Any extra info is apprectiated.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:37 am

you will have to carefully drill & tap the bosses on the rear of the engine for the engine carrier (mustache bar).

you may need to change your voltage reg to match the bug 30amp generator.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:38 am

Sorry, I can't remember case numbers, but does the new/used engine have the 3 bolt holes for the mustache bar? I would think that would be your only issue other then the ones you mentioned.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:01 am

If it is just for temporary. They sell an oil pump cover that you can mount the rear support bar to. Make sure you seal it up good otherwise the stress from the mounting will cause a leak.

As for the generator. Why don't you swap out the alternator you have from the engine that you are rebuilding? However unless someone did the swap, the 71 should have come with a generator.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:10 am

I think those holes could be tapped into the case while it is in the machine shop.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:29 am

19super73 wrote:
The question I have is, will this work? Do I need to modify anything? The engine I picked up has a generator, not an alternator so I am thinking I don't have to swap anything there. .

Any extra info is apprectiated.

yeah I'm not to clear on this if you have a Alternator w/internal regulator you may need to swap it, if you have a generator you have the external regulator hanging behind the air cleaner stil, l dont think you need to change it.

note the Bus gen had more out put than the bug, the regulator should handle this i dont know if vise versa

if they came with that extra metal you could tap it but AH shows up as a bug only 73 to 74 avoid the temp thing if you can

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:38 am

Thanks for all the replies.

The engine that I purchased that I want to swap in currently has a generator on it with an external regulator fixed to the fan shroud. I could try to swap the generator off the engine I want to rebuild but the bus has been sitting outside for 31 years (last registered in 1979) so it could be dicey if the gen on it is even any good.

Yes, an AH case is a Beetle engine. I am pretty uniformed about Buses as I have been a Super Beetle guy up till now. What you are saying is that even though it is a Beetle case I could drill the 3 holes needed? I guess I could use the '71 case that is currently installed as a template?

I was unaware of the 3 holes so I never looked for them on the used engine I purchased. My guess is that no one has drilled them but you never know, I could get lucky. I know that in '72 the engines were no longer upright fans for the Bays. Before that did every case produced have the 3 holes drilled, even ones installed in Beetles?

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:53 am

19super73 wrote:
Before that did every case produced have the 3 holes drilled, even ones installed in Beetles?
No, only bus specific cases and universal replacement cases.
An AH may have all or some of the bosses, the last one I worked on only had 2 and they needed drilling, but those 2 provided an excellent reinforcement for the adapter. An AH may also have dished pistons, great for a bus engine. The adapter makes a good drill guide.
It'll likely have a 30A generator so you'll need a matching regulator, maybe get both tested before they go into the bus, it's not easy to swap later.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:35 am

topic on the mounting.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2898307&highlight=tap+size#2898307

if you have all the bits and pieces use that gen