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jstrother123
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Tulsa, OK
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 Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 8:52 pm Post subject: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| my 78 bus blew its engine, cracked the block on both top and bottom so there doesn't look like there is anything left to rebuild. So I am looking to get a new engine for it. All of my sources have dried up, is there any reputable builders still in business? I know Raby does a good one, but it is $25,000 and a year wait so I am hoping for something a little bit more affordable and still reliable. From what I can tell I want to run away from GEX, Bus depot, mid-america motorworks, jcsvwparts, and mofoco.. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
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old DKP driver
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2005
Posts: 4145
Location: Los Gatos,Ca.
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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Contact Adrian @ www.headflowmasters.com
He is in Southern CA. and does great work
Is your Bus stock with fuel injection?
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V.W.owner since 1967 |
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jstrother123
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| Thanks for the tip. I was running dual Weber 34s, other than that it was pretty much stock even though I managed to find a 70a alternator for it. |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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Bus engines are getting a lot harder to find in the condition of a good core. While I think highly of Adrian, there are a lot of folks who have seen issues the last year or two with his engine. Part of it I think is that core engines are getting harder to find and people who have them think they are gold. It is really hard to rebuild a poor core without problems.
It is not uncommon to find ads for cores that are boat anchors where someone wants $1500 for it. Seven years ago we paid $125 for a good long block with only a real 90,000 miles on it. Times have changed. Even so Adrian might be your best bet if you have patience. There is also a guy in the Midwest who always advertising cores - his name is Recycled Jack or something like that. I know nothing about him other than his ads.
Sorry about your engine.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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That might be Recycled Jack in Auburn Hills MI, perhaps?
I used him all the time with my w/c Rabbits and Quanta..but that was back before the internet
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| Abscate wrote: |
That might be Recycled Jack in Auburn Hills MI, perhaps?
I used him all the time with my w/c Rabbits and Quanta..but that was back before the internet |
yes - he lists several engine cores of that era.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16878
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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https://www.rallysportdirect.com/part/short-blocks...hgod_dkJPA
you guys just knew I was going to do that 
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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ROCKOROD71
Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2012
Posts: 2770
Location: Boston, MA
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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he only does 2000cc builds. From Samba business listings:
Name Suburban Engine Exchange
Categories Engine
Location Waltham
Description WORKED FOR BOSTON BOB FOR OVER 15 YEARS HAVE ALL BOBS SPEC'S AND MOST OF HIS TOOL AND EQUIPMENT . DOING ENGINES AS BOB LIKED THEM , 2.1 WXB 1600CC AND NOW A 1600 DP TO A 1700CC DP ENGINE AS A LOW RPM STOKER FOR BUS,S AND 2.0 ENGINE IF PART ARE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF ORDER HOPE TO HELP ALL TO KEEP YOUR V W ON THE ROAD Gary.
Contact Info E MAIL [email protected]
OR CALL 1-781-652-1722 Gary leblanc
WALTHAM MASS 02453
Website http://WWW.SUBURBANENGINE.COM
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1971 STD BEETLE- DD-1st car, 1st love. keepin' it stock! 1600DP, Solex 34-3 Mexi Bosch SVDA Dist NOW w/POINTS
1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI
| 79SuperVert wrote: |
30 years from now, the next guy may not want your girlfriend, but he may want your classic car, depending on how nice you were to it. |
| asiab3 wrote: |
Careful guys, a petulant child can grow up to be president these days. |
**winter drivers: no survivors!**rust warrior**#keepbodyshopsbusy** |
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jstrother123
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| I have considered going the subaru engine route, I am a little intimidated by the radiator install/location and also locating a good engine that would work. |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| jstrother123 wrote: |
| I have considered going the subaru engine route, I am a little intimidated by the radiator install/location and also locating a good engine that would work. |
Good call on your part. Call Gary at Suburban Engine and he will do you all right. |
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drozdenko
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005
Posts: 200
Location: CT
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 3:55 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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I've been driving one of Gary's engines for the past ~15k miles with no issues.
Couple minor things during the install but nothing major.
Overall a pretty good buy in today's market.
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16878
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 4:57 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| Randy in Maine wrote: |
Good call on your part.. |
why? are you going to bring your bus to Litchfield this year? I don't think I have ever seen your bus in person
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| The OP is not likely the welder/fabricator you are. A stock engine swap is an easier operation for most people. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16878
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| Randy in Maine wrote: |
| The OP is not likely the welder/fabricator you are. A stock engine swap is an easier operation for most people. |
several have pulled it off to varying degrees of neatness. suppose it's all in what you want to do.
totally forgot about suburban engine. gary is a nice guy. my biggest complaint with him is he needs to get out of the 80's and stop hemi cutting the heads. other than that, I would trust him
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Jake Raby
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003
Posts: 7433
Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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Two Camper Special Plus engines will be on the shelf this year. One in October, and one in December.
Turn key, with Nickies and all USA made performance parts, topped off with Dellorto carbs, or stock EFI (EFI adds 1750.00). 25K is the cost outright, no exchange necessary. Keep your old engine.
We only have the components, and quality cores to build two. I'll assemble them both as my signature series.
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Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
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jstrother123
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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Thanks for the post. I know your engines are top notch and worth the money, I just don't have those kind of funds available at this time.
Jim |
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Gregg in the 603
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2013
Posts: 404
Location: New Hampshire, USA
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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$25K? Wow...
Gary@Suburban is building my engine right now. I gave him my deposit in January and we have spoken regularly regarding the build. He has sent me pictures and called me often to update me. It has been a little while, but I'll tell you what, quality takes time. I have never questioned his commitment to providing the best product available. Sometimes that takes a while.
I just talked to him yesterday and he said this week it should be done. Getting excited!
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1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH |
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customcityjim
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 114
Location: Arkansas
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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| Jake Raby wrote: |
Two Camper Special Plus engines will be on the shelf this year. One in October, and one in December.
Turn key, with Nickies and all USA made performance parts, topped off with Dellorto carbs, or stock EFI (EFI adds 1750.00). 25K is the cost outright, no exchange necessary. Keep your old engine.
We only have the components, and quality cores to build two. I'll assemble them both as my signature series. |
I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I promise. However, I simply can't wrap my head around why any re-built aircooled VW engine would cost $25k, turn key or not. I do understand your experience, R&D and your excellent building skills and reputation. Just doing some fast math in my head for parts and what would be a generous amount of labor to build/assemble the motor, break it in, test it on an engine stand, etc.., get's no where near $25k.
I'd love to better understand the price point for this engine if you'd care to expand.
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Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
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Jake Raby
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2003
Posts: 7433
Location: Aircooled Heaven USA
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Where to get new engine for 78 bus |
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The cost is the cost. Justification is not necessary.
These two engines have top shelf everything, and I'm spending over 100 hours of my life to assemble each one. I don't work cheap.
The time I'm taking to build these two could be equally spent building a 50-85,000 dollar Porsche engine to my specs, so the cost is the same for my time between the two.
Parts and processes make up about 15k, the rest is my time. I'm probably not charging enough for them at 25k, but there's emails rolling in everyday for the CS, and I finally decided to let go of some parts and build a couple.
There's lots of cheap things you can buy, but this isn't one of them.
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Jake Raby
Raby Engine Development
www.rabyenginedevelopment.com
"I've never given anyone Hell, I just told them the truth and they thought it was Hell" |
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