HELP! bought two Westfalia's PICTURES/VIDEO where to start

[Jbarnestennis]

I haven't tried to turn the motor. both buses have the key in the ignition though which is cool. Is the gas tank missing? and I don't think the orange one had a fire it doesn't look like it. I cleaned out the inside yesterday and it looks beautiful. I'm taking the fabric to get dry cleaned. I am going out now to clean it up on the outside. On the white one with the engine, there is a box of parts in the engine bay, but im not sure what they are. I will keep you updated.

[Jbarnestennis]

also on the inside of the drivers side I looked at the plate and it says the orange is a 76 and whitey is a 78. whitey has the actual fridge that has the wattage board or whatever you call it.

[Tcash]

[Jbarnestennis]

hopefully his upload works


Link

[Jbarnestennis]

[Jody '71]

The '76 looks to be pretty complete. Originally it would have had a 2 ltr. type 4 FI engine, like the '78. That '78 engine looks like it still has most of the major components that could possibly be swapped over onto a new long block; I doubt you will want to fuss with determining if the '78 engine is worth rebuilding. You're certainly gonna need the rear engine support bar off of it for a new engine. And the '78 shifter should (but maybe not) work with the '76. The new pop top tent replacement can wait. That's a good $3-400 right there.
Consider all new brake lines, condition of the brake booster, M/C, calipers, rotors and pads up front and shoes and drums in the rear. New tires are a must. CV boots/joints and trans mounts and all parts associated with the shifting inclusive of all bushings.
The '76 is a good candidate for fixing up!! Use the '78 for parts that will work with the '76. Get yourself a green Benltley and start reading.
Hope you have a fat wallet!!!! Start pricing a re-built type 4 long block and you'll get the idea of just that cost alone. That won't include any FI parts you will need.
Best of luck
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[notchboy]

Congradulations on the score! '76 is a cool year

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579301&highlight=bicentennial


Let me know if you want a pair of theses.

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[khalimadeath]

Wish my 70 had the bed and interior of yours O well. I will take those extra hub caps off your hands if you want to sell them!

[sonofamitch]

Hot damn. You got yourself a nice solid bus.
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'77 Westy 2.0L FI

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=568454&highlight=

[Jbarnestennis]

thanks guys I appreciate it. I will post a video of the white one tomorrow. and I have plenty of the caps if you need some

[khalimadeath]

[Bala]

You've got some work ahead of you, but it's well worth it!
Nice bus!
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[Jbarnestennis]

so I have tried to remove the engine and I removed all the bolts, but this thing won't budge. the two supports on the sides came loose, but the bell housing isn't separating from the engine. I don't know what to do.

[Wasted youth]

Congratulations for deciding to pull the engine instead of dumping a bunch of gas in it and trying to drive it. You have a long, but character building road ahead of you...OK, did you follow the procedure in the Bentley, Chapter 5, Sect. 3?

There is also the Ratwell tech article:
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/EngineRemoval.html

Once you do get the engine out, it will be time to adjust the valves so you can do compression check then a leak down test. Then you can completely renovate your shifter system, fuel tank and fuel delivery and your CV joints, and also the transmission.

[Jbarnestennis]

It has been awhile fellas. I haven't been making too much progress, but have been trying to do what I can with the time I have. I pulled the engine from the 78 and took it apart completely. Plenty of things are wrong with it and it was priced at $4,000 to completely rebuild. So I started to look into buying a rebuilt one for the 75 and have found some as low as $900.
I would like your guys opinions on what to buy and from where. I called the company gex and they said the engine I pulled from the 78 wouldn't have fit in the 75 anyway so which engine do I need to buy for the 75? It seems that when I did some research that the engines were changing a lot through the 70's and I want to buy the right kind that will fit into the 75. Also, will the parts from the 78 engine fit onto the engine I plan on buying considering most don't come with accessories. I plan on buying the engine as soon as possible to get this baby running as I am putting her in the garage this week to stay out of the cold. Thanks fellas

[Tom Powell]

[Murphree11]

I also have a '76 that I bought this summer. Not a camper but I bet its the same engine. I asked the same question after I got mine- "where to start" and a friend who has restored some older vehicles answered "from the ground up." Turned out to be sage advice.

I'm just a couple months ahead of you on the Samba and have found it to be a huge help. Search for your answers and start saving thread links in a folder for quick reference later.

I wouldn't rush into an engine rebuild and if you use a local mechanic make sure you ask if they have ever worked on a type 4/Porsche 914 engine before and when was the last time. I've already been burned. My engine died the day after I got it and my local "VW" mechanic told me I needed a rebuild. I went local because I was excited but I realize now I should have waited. My mechanic may have worked on them before but it was ages ago if it was true. Since then I have found resources through reference on the samba and buried in threads that I think would have been a better path.
If I had it to do over again I would have searched out a working turn key engine to have the satisfaction of getting her moving. Then found someone I was confident in to rebuild the original to my specs or have just taken the time to rebuild it myself. Either way I like the idea of having a backup runner.


Eventually you'll see the logic in owning these:

you won't need the super beetle ones of course.

and these:

You can find many of them used on eBay for less. I bought new from Amazon. Its just money and I'm a noob.

Believe in the advice to buy the best quality parts and do your research. Aftermarket is a big business and there are tons of online suppliers. At first I was stoked - "hey I can get anything I need!" I quickly found it takes a little more effort and even after the effort I've been left with a suspicious feeling.

[Bala]

^^^Good advise right there.

[1967250s]

$4000 is too much. You should be able to rebuild it for 2 or 3,000, or buy a great long block for that. Read as many threads here as you can. What exactly is wrong with the various bits and pieces?
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'72 Elm Green Deluxe

[Jbarnestennis]

I don't know too much, but from what my friend explained and what I noticed was the cam lobes were completely worn. They have huge grooves and one cylinder head is cracked. Also, they said it will need new pistons and cylinder heads. I have ll the parts if you would want to see pictures of it all. they said the block is in fine shape and that it had been rebuilt once before.