Macwesty |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:14 am |
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Looking for some advice. I found the exhaust leak I've been hearing and it turns out to be the left (driver side) exhaust manifold which is cracked between cyl 3 and 4. The crack is 75% around the pipe. Could be welded perhaps but I'm looking for advice since the manifold itself is NLA. As I live in PA I do not need to maintain the CA exhaust but would want to retain the O2 sensor. We do not have emission testing for inspection here in rural PA.
So is the CA exhaust manifold unique? I guess so. Is there another piece from a different year that will fit or do I need to pitch the whole exhaust and start over? I want to maintain the heating system. I've read that switching to an earlier (bay window) federal exhaust might be the way to go.
Any advice appreciated! |
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ShultzRoadHouse |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:44 pm |
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What I did was aquire a driver side heater box from a non california model vanagon and I used an exhaust for a 72-74 Bus. I picked the exhaust up fron JBugs for about a 100$ It eliminates the NLA crossover pipe and adds some more heat. |
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mross |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:25 pm |
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I've had an aircooled Vanagon in the past; and the heater box for a baywindow bus ('79 only) will fit it, but will not mate up to the fan shroud. A bus has a square connection here, while a Vanagon has a round connection. You'll need some spacer plates to fit a 72 - 74 (or 79) bus exhaust, as the heater tubes may not clear the muffler. The O2 sensor shouldn't be tough to install unless you run a stock 72-74 bus (or 412 car) muffler; as there won't be a good place to weld in the bung. |
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Macwesty |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 5:23 pm |
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Thanks to both of you! Exactly the kind of info I was looking for! =D> |
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RCB |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:14 pm |
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Have you checked with Avery's Air Cooled out of Washington ? They have a good selection of air cooled parts; especially the California Westys. They may have the part for your after to keep it stock. Good to hear of another air cooled on the road, I have an 82 California Westy. |
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Macwesty |
Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:59 pm |
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RCB wrote: Have you checked with Avery's Air Cooled out of Washington ? They have a good selection of air cooled parts; especially the California Westys. They may have the part for your after to keep it stock. Good to hear of another air cooled on the road, I have an 82 California Westy.
I had not found Avery's previously. Looking at the Vanagon engine photos there really helped me understand mross and shultz's suggestions. Again, thanks! Great community here at TheSamba! |
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Microbusdeluxe |
Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:41 am |
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I have the same set-up ('81) and the same problem. If the crack is in the exhaust header, the two pipes into one before the heat exchanger, I'd remove it and get it welded. Mine is stainless steel, use a magnet to check yours. Any good welding shop should take care of you. The danger is breaking off a stud in the head when you remove it. Days of soaking with PB Blaster &/or Kroll oil should loosen thing up before you do the removal.
I've also seen this part for sale here on the Samba in the classifieds. |
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