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Eaallred
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 5756
Location: West Valley City, Utah
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 Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject: Yee Haw, got my governor working/adjusted! *Video!* |
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Governor summary from tasb
| tasb wrote: |
| There were several different variations of the Bus governor. They came out in 1958 as a very limited option. The first governors were shaped differently than the later ones. They didn't have any interference from the throttle return spring since it was on the cable and not an arm on the carburetor. There were a small number of 40 hp governors as an option. Most but not all were made to clear the throttle return spring and the housing lacked the 1,5 designation next to the 28 DR. Next, came the governors with the 1,5 designation on the aluminum housing. These are the common place ones. The last modification of these included an additional adjustment screw at the bottom of the housing. The governor continued in use into early Bay window production. They have manufacture date stamps on the backside of the horizontal surface of the housing. The topic link above has pics of the various versions of the governor. You don't have to gut them to keep them from functioning. They can be adjusted to the point where they never "kick in". |
Oh man, these things are badass!
My 62 DD Panel runs 4000 rpm @ 65mph. But being empty and running a peppy 1600 single port I have been able to get it up to abotu 73mph on the flats. Down hill really gets the thing winging if i'm not paying attention!
My problem is it about kills my ankle trying to maintain 65mph while driving for extended periods of time. (anyone lelse have this issue?)
So I found a couple used governors, did some mix and match, and got a good working one. I "test ran" the engine with the cover removed to see exactly how it worked and was impressed!
The governor does absolutley NOTHING until the set RPM (or rather, CFM)is reached. It does not limit the amount of power the engine will make, it just makes it hit a wall when the adjusted amount of airflow is reached. Equate it to a rev limiter. Except you can ride on it without it killing your gas mileage!
People that disable them thinking they are freeing up any HP are wasting thier time. These things are cool! Just set the adjuster at the top of it to allow your engine to drive the mph you want on the freeway (based on the safe RPM you feel comfortable letting your engine spin up to, to me that's 4000rpm) and it's like you have your own built in cruise control!
Man, no more sore ankle for me! I just rest my leg on the pedal and floor it. My bus cruises 65mph and no more. It pulls just like normal up to 65mph and just sits there. The little lockplate that holds the adjuster on my governor allows it to be 'set' every 1/8th of a turn so it is very fine-tuneable.
Lots of adjustment in this thing though, if I cranked it all the way up I bet i'd never hit the 'limiter'. If I crank it all the way down, it won't rev high enough to get to the next gear, lol! I remember my first single port bus (back in 95) had the governor but it was wired 'open' so it didn't work. Never got a chance to really play with it and after that motor went it's been dual port motors from then on. Until I picked up my newest bus that is.
Anyone else just plain dig these governors? Who else has played with the adjuster on the top to dial in thier top speed?
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Last edited by Eaallred on Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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thom
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Joined: October 12, 2000
Posts: 6261
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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I had one on my '56 bus years ago with a 1600, and my ambulance has one - a 36hp version, although it was already hacked when I got it.
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1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
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Culito
11010101
Joined: December 07, 2006
Posts: 5882
Location: Columbia Missourah
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds cool. How does it work, anyway? Is there an exploded view anywhere?
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Braukuche
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Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11229
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:10 am Post subject: |
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I had a governor on my old '66 Westy. I didn't like it because in those rare occasions when I had enough steam to pass a truck or something I would get up to about 68 and then pfft it would drop back to 65 and I would be stuck there in the fast lane with several upset drivers behind me. I do have one sitting around the garage if I ever feel nostalgic and want to install one.
--Dan |
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Eaallred
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 5756
Location: West Valley City, Utah
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:44 am Post subject: |
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I'll see if I can't take some quick video of it with the cover removed for everyone to see.
It's suprising that it isn't 'gradual', killing power over the entire drivetrain, it only kick in once that specific RPM/CFM is met.
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Eric Allred
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mynameismud
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Joined: October 23, 2002
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Location: Middle of a corn field
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:49 am Post subject: |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
I had a governor on my old '66 Westy. I didn't like it because in those rare occasions when I had enough steam to pass a truck or something I would get up to about 68 and then pfft it would drop back to 65 and I would be stuck there in the fast lane with several upset drivers behind me. I do have one sitting around the garage if I ever feel nostalgic and want to install one.
--Dan |
 - that would be me..
you get that feeling of ..YAH- I'm going to pass this bastard,,then you look over and see him waving at you.. 
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Eaallred
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Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 5756
Location: West Valley City, Utah
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:20 am Post subject: |
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Half the time I can't get past the semi's because of the air coming off the front end of them. Getting past them pretty good until I hit that wall of air coming off the front of them, LOL.
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Eric Allred
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Ian
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:00 am Post subject: |
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I never get past the semis. Right lane for me. I let them pass.
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Zundfolge1432 
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Joined: June 13, 2004
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:04 am Post subject: |
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| Eaallred wrote: |
| Half the time I can't get past the semi's because of the air coming off the front end of them. Getting past them pretty good until I hit that wall of air coming off the front of them, LOL. |
Hey I like these too and felt left out as everyone around here just looks at me like I'm crazy .... Most of them went in the S can a long time ago...... I put one back on when I did my resto of a 67 deluxe and I got 2 more govs but I need the long studs for the carb.... They are about 2 & 1/2 inchs long and I cant find them anywhere.... As you know VW studs have rolled threads ....
My question who has these or where can replacement stock be found now? Hey anyone wanting a factory look? I got lead seals and can safety the screw heads using .030 stainless wire or give you a good how to ... PM me I'd be interested in buying the studs if anyone has them .. |
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Andrew
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Joined: October 27, 2000
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Location: Who in the what now?
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:26 am Post subject: |
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| thom wrote: |
I had one on my '56 bus years ago with a 1600, and my ambulance has one - a 36hp version, although it was already hacked when I got it.
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...Is that a rust hole in your apron?
And I wonder if I could get 4 governors and put them on my dells...
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Eaallred
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Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 5756
Location: West Valley City, Utah
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: |
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Link
As you can see, when the throttle is applied, the throttle plate is pulled to the fully open position. It only closes once the set RPM/CFM is reached. Adjusting it higher or lower is done by turning the square headed adjster on the top of the governor. It moves the spring up or down to change the resistance of the governor.
Note when the governor is operating, moving the throttle anyhigher than needed does nothing to the engine rpms at all. It is a very smooth working system for sure.
Turn the adjuster clockwise to raise the rpm limit, counter clockwise to lower it.
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Eric Allred
You have to remember something: Everybody pities the weak; Jealousy you have to earn. |
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Eaallred
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Joined: May 18, 2003
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Location: West Valley City, Utah
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:39 am Post subject: |
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Oh yea, dig my extra long throttle cable too! Oh yea baby!
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Eric Allred
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Stocknazi
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Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5530
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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you guys actually pass other drivers?
makes me want to install the governer on my 1500 sp just to play around with one.
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Alan Brase
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Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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| Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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Neat video, for sure. I bet that VW put them on to reduce warranty claims. It would sure take the stress off the engine!
Al
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Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
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Last edited by Alan Brase on Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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thom
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Joined: October 12, 2000
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Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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From what I've seen, governors were common on special models, ie fire trucks and ambulances - why?
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1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type |
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tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6857
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:17 am Post subject: |
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Some observations from an "old school" bus driver:
I've seen governors up for sale in the classifieds starting at $35+ shipping and then after months with no buyers they go down to almost $5 shipped and still no buyers... They do indeed get canned. People just don't understand these gems.
Your thread and "research" are an excellent resource. Might help to increase the popularity and resale of the governor/rev limiter.
I believe there are two versions of these units. There was one for 36 horse (1.2) and one for later engines (1.5). Does anyone have an earlier one they could post a pic of for comparison purposes? Anyone running an early one? I have a 36 horse in my 57 Kombi and live in the moutains. When going down a steep grade my engine is just ripping and the governor should help with over-revving. |
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Gomer_Pyle
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Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 233
Location: Lake Stevens, wa
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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I think yr belt is loose. 
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EverettB
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Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71767
Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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Here are some governor photos from my "collection":
Governor dated 02.64
Characteristics - No spring on bottom and no screw there either (see governor below or view movie in this thread above) The 2 allen screws on the right are also slightly different.
Dated 11.62:
Note spring and screw in bottom. Someone also backed off the screw in the upper left to allow it to open further for some reason. I believe this is incorrect.
The 11.62 governor above had a cover plate without a "1.5" on it. I initially bought it thinking it was a 1.2/36hp governor but I am no longer sure of that since the internals appear identical to some others I own. Someone must have swapped the front cover. An earlier one I have dated 09.62 does have "1.5" stamped on it.
Another difference is the top adjustment bolt lock plate.
Early style, dated 02/64:
Later style. from a 11.66 governor:
The 66 governor also has only one screw with a hole in it for the lock wire, like they didn't lock every screw. The screws all have lock washers on them, similar to the earlier governors.
I have an NOS governor somewhere as well but I'm not sure of the location right now.
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EverettB
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tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6857
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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searched the governor box and I had six of them. Four are from 1966 one from 1968 and a sixth from 1958, so I actually have an oldie.
Next question for the 36 hp governor to mount correctly is there a specific intake manifold (shorter neck) that must be used when paired with the governor? I've got the long studs. I know that later buses had a specific manifold in order to accomodate the governor and clear the generator. |
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