'73 Bay window type-4 automatic Bus rebuild

arn29

[img]Hey guys! New to vw buses and new to the site! Its always been a dream of mine to own a bus and go on surfing trips... (I know I have a lot of work before going on any trips anytime soon) But I'm no expert when it comes to these bus I'm ambitious and want to learn as much as I can. And I appreciate every comment and word of advice!!!

I bought this 1973 vw transporter hightop with a type 4 automatic in it. Running and driving. Heres the breakdown!!!

The good:

58,000 miles
Runs and drives
New tires/ hubs
Brand new disc breaks up front
New drums in back with all new hardware
Frame was undercoated
Little to no rust other than rear corners
New wiring harness

The Bad:

Wiring harness a mess

****Huge KNOCK between reverse and drive*****
Not painted (in primer)
Single carb
Suspension seems weak
Seems to idle high
Bypassing ignition to get start right now

there is much more i bet good and bad about the bus but i need help on figuring how to get this mechanically sound. At the end of the all i want is to get it running and driving down the road without having to stress to much about it. I can't wait for the feedback and I thank all of you in advance!

Cheers

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

wcfvw69 · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:41 pm Post subject:

Welcome and nice looking high top. Is that mileage correct? If so, that's a nice thing to have.

Tcash will post with a lot of great threads and links to information that will benefit you. Most questions have been asked before so a strong suggestion would be to get familiar with the search function. If your not sure, post the question in your thread that you started.

Most of the guys here are friendly and helpful (most) lol.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

Wasted youth · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:06 pm Post subject:

Congratulations on your new ride! Cool

Your search engine prowess will save you a lot of frustration and time, but it takes awhile to figure some things out anyway. A good place to start with the Technical pull down tab seen above. There you will find a lot of helpful guides.

Sometimes, there are better threads regarding some topics, or other ways to find what you need, not listed there.

For instance, I typed in automatic transmission troubleshooting in the Google Custom Search box in the upper right of the screen, and I found this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/automatic_troubleshooting.php

GMATech · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:31 pm Post subject:

Check your axles before you condemn the trans, and replace all your fuel and fuel vapor hoses sooner rather than later. Invest in a couple of fire extinguishers
_________________
77 westfalia vr6 project
72 standard beetle project - for sale
ASE Master Tech since '03 A1-A9 L1 L3 G1
PA safety and emissions inspector
General Motors guru

Tcash

Automatic Transmissions

Wasted youth · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:02 pm Post subject:

Once again, Tcash blows 'em away with the info. Cool

arn29 · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:02 am Post subject:

I appreciate it guys! I will start hoarding manuals and guides! And never stop reading!!! And yes odometer is original and accurate!

I replaced the points and all new fuel lines so that should be fine right now! Those diagrams are already helping so thank you!!! I will become best friends with the search bar. The bus was cold started in 14 degrees so the guy i bought it from set the idle a little higher so that is probably why. Im engaging reverse definitely to high. Ill read up on tuning progressive carbs for sure

1967250s · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 2137

I think if you really want to improve it, get rid of that carb. Find a set of original carbs and air cleaner( not very expensive). That will get all the vacuum signals correct and get rid of the overly hard shifts, and get rid of the nasty icing, probably improve mileage and drivablity, too.
_________________
'72 Elm Green Deluxe

arn29 · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject:

wcfvw69 · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:46 pm Post subject:

Xevin · Samba Member Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 7632

Volkzbitz will rebush. Not rebuild PDSITs. But get him to rebush.

arn29 · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:31 pm Post subject:

Would running dual solex 32-34 carbs be better than the progression carb? I read the Solex carbs have linkage problems

Wasted youth · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject:

^^ Yes, no question about it. The caveat is that the ENTIRE dual carburetor set-up must be set-up without a failure in craftsmanship. Here is an interesting thread on that:

http://www.itinerant-air-cooled.com/viewtopic.php?...djustments

arn29 · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:38 am Post subject:

Would this kit from Chirco Performance work???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Type-4-Dual-EPC-34-Carb...mp;vxp=mtr

Wasted youth · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:34 pm Post subject:

Maybe. My concern with any setup is that it meets OEM specs. Will it have the right intake air preheating like the original air cleaner? Their picture says no. But maybe you can install the original air cleaner housing with these? Also, will the vacuum signature from these carbs be correct for the distributor you have?

It's easy to burn up an air cooled engine with incorrect air fuel ratios and bad timing. Try to find out if thier setup will accept those requirements. Obviously, they will likely say *yes* when you ask them, so now you will have to learn more about this on your own.

Which distributor do you have?

arn29 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:33 pm Post subject:

Didn't go with the kit but got a full set up of the Dellorto FDR 34B's... Have a big oil leak under the engine so need to figure that out before I fire it up again. Also stripped the whole thing down. Missing heating unit but have all pieces running up to the front.

Also my steering cables are slack is the normal?

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50351

Tcash · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:57 pm Post subject:

Which parts are you asking about?
Good Luck
Tcash

Thanks to jerseylooker.
Steering Parts

Early parts maual

sccasey · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 6:46 am Post subject: Mpre info

Hey Arn,

Congrats on the buy and small world. I looked at that Bus before buying a ’72 Westfalia (from Samba classifieds), and have some additional info you may find useful.

Did a bit of research and am pretty sure your camper is an Adventurewagen conversion. See below for more info. First link is a raw Samba search, second is the Official Samba High-Top Thread, third is a UK site showing Bus camper interiors, including Adventurewagen, and fourth is an interesting/funny ad they did comparing the Adventurewagen to the Westfalia.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/search.php?cx=partner-p...;sa=Search
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=476579
http://www.camperinterior.webfotos.co.uk/html/camper_interior_-_adventurewag.html
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/adventurewagen-versus-westfalia_topic32628.html

I also found a Yahoo! Group for Vanagon Adventurewagen, may be helpful.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Adventurewagen/info

If you decide to add/renew the interior, check the BayWindow FAQ for a couple of great threads on where to get laminate and how to do it.

Last thing, you might want to check the tires – I know they’re new, but not sure they’re C or D rated, as I learned is necessary from this forum (Ratwell and BusDepot also have similar articles on tires):
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=162278
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=162278

Btw, my Westy tires were shite so I’m planning on Hankook RA08s – WalMart has them for about $110@ installed.

Enjoy!

Steve C.

Greg in GA · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:03 pm Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

'73 Bay window type-4 automatic Bus rebuild
Page: 1, 2 Next

	Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2