TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Oct 16, 2002 10:22 pm

(Yes I did have a post about this before...but lets try again!)
Just curious...trying to see what kinda gas mileage people are getting in their buses...I'd love to get some specs on their buses, engine sizes, and mods, oil temps? and Tranny size? I found this page on type2.com it's decent, but has only 2-3 split bus owners opinions.
http://www.type2.com/library/fuel/specs.htm
I know everyone could use better gas milage in their bus! So if everyone could post something in reference to this, that would be awesome! I'm only getting like 16-17MPG on my country road trips...so I'd love to hear what people are running in their buses...etc.
I have a freeway flyer(newly installed)
I run a 1600SP, and a 30/31 carb, 009 with Pertronix in it(my new spark plugs make a world of a difference!) I have a Single-QP header, but I also have the stock heater boxes(gonna lose them when the summer rolls around) So Tell me what you got! :)
Peace!
James
www.geocities.com/indianavwkid

Wed Oct 16, 2002 11:10 pm

I get 24 mpg in my 62 Kombi Swivel. I am running a 1600 single port w/ a 28 pict carb(manual choke always open),09 w/ pertronix(soon to be a 205 vac w/ pertronix) and a bus muff w/ tip. trans is stock og. Tires are 165/15's @ 36psi. I usually cruise the fwy @ 58-60 mph. The fastest to date is 70 mph but that is a very rare case. As far as drivablity it is great. I am thinking about going with 205/75r15's as they are the same cross section width as the 205/70's just a little taller. With the 165's my speedo is dead on correct (via a radar board).

Bob
'62 Kombi Swivel

Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:39 am

I can give you two set ups and the mileage I achieved. 1641cc, dual Kadrons, 009 Bosch,
headers, low profile 15" tires, bug tranny yielded 23 MPG (This is taking into account that my odo was registering approx 14% more miles than I was actually driving).

My new set up is the same, except I now have a '67 bus tranny with reduction boxes and 195/70R14 tires with a stock front end. On a recent 1000 mile trip, my mileage was 21
MPG; HOWEVER, most of the drive was into headwinds and at speeds of 60-65 MPH with a lot of hill climbing (I-5, LA-Eugene). This also takes into consideration an odometer reading approximately 3% higher (must be the tires). Driving a more prudent 60MPH on the flats with no wind, I would expect at least
22 MPG.

Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:11 am

With a 1600dp, 34 pict 3 with larger main jet (140 or so), doghouse cooling, 094 dizzy with petronix and blue coil, stock bus exhaust single tailpipe, 165x15 wheels at 35 psi, I get around 20-22 mpg all around, running about 190-200 degrees on the oil temp from sump sending unit.

Thu Oct 17, 2002 4:11 pm

Ooops forgot to mention it's a '60 panel with a '65 big nut transaxle and redux's, running around in sunny Aridzona.

Wed Dec 25, 2002 7:05 pm

Like you, I only get 16-17 mpg. Ouch! That's only 175-180 miles per tank in my '67 Kombi. Here's the deal: I'm carrying an 80" length roof rack (it's very heavy), 1500 stock engine - - everything. Actually, I'd looking to sell the rack. Asking $250.00. It's in excellent shape.
Paul

Thu Dec 26, 2002 8:25 am

I've got a '66 bus with a stock tranny, 195/70R14 tires and a 1600dp with a 34pict carb. Cooling system is a doghouse with stock heater boxes and stock oil bath cleaner. I still use the thermostat flaps to get me warm fast. Around town, my temps have only been running about 160 or so. On the freeway, I've been hitting about 180-190.

Like 60freak, I also have a larger main jet installed (used to be a 145 but recently went to a 140). In town, I'm only getting about 16mpg, which is up from a low of 14.5mpg a few weeks ago. I don't do enough freeway driving to know what I get now but at last check, it was only about 22mpg. My speedo seems to be accurate and so does the odometer.

I've had people tell me that they are getting 25-3? mpg on the same set up as mine but it's hard to believe. They might be using "fuzzy math".

Thu Dec 26, 2002 6:51 pm

james I'm on bob petzels side. my 59 bus with 1600 s/p & 28 pic cab. I got 29 mpg on the way back from the octo. at least for one mile (last gas for 29 miles as I pasted the turn off and hit reserve) and made in a head wind @ 45 mile per hr. Again I fill the best way to improve gas mileage. Is to stay away from the 009 distrb. Take a look the curve on the vac distrb and the 009. the vac reaches high end very quick and will come back down on the crusie speed. 009 will always stay at the rpm speed. I will be going back to the vac as soon as I get it rebuilt. sure miss the 2nd gear scratch from the old stock distrb.
Bill