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Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:53 am

I'm adding an FI system to a 1972 engine. The FI system I picked up happens to be from a 1975 bus. It doesn't have the TS1, but this might work out perfectly as I can route the carb preheat hose to it.

I'm pretty sure this should work, but want to confirm. Looking at the air intake from the FI system it has this spring and flap. Can someone confirm that this operates on its own? I read something about it working based on vacuum? I don't want to go accidentally pumping lots of hot air into the engine if I need something more to make this flap work.

Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:08 am

It should work on it's own, but time may have rendered it useless, here's an interesting thread on a similar system including a fix for dead ones: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581562&highlight=wax

Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:23 am

In an L-jetronics system for most air cooled bus/vanagon the TS1 reads air inlet temp into the AFM, and TS2 reads head temp. I think the early 1975 bus FI system did not have the TS1 that is inside the later AFM's. Using both signals the ECU adds duration to the injection cycle as needed. Buses stopped using preheated air in the system that began being used in the second half of 1976.

Don't know if a 1600 bug FI system is mapped to work on a larger displacement engine, you might have to adjust the mixture. I think Telford set one up on a Type 1 engine in his panel van, and might have some input.

Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:32 am

It works on its own with that wax pellet thermostat cutting off the pre-heated air once it gets hot enough. Avery's air-cooled has an NOS snout listed under the 411/412 parts that uses the same thermostat. It is different from the 71 bug/bus/ghia thermostat.
I would snap that up at the current price they have it listed for if you plan to use this system, it's likely the last NOS one on the planet.
Steve, wouldn't the six pin AFM from a 76 FI setup with the TS1 in it swap right in?

Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:48 am

SGKent wrote: Don't know if a 1600 bug FI system is mapped to work on a larger displacement engine, you might have to adjust the mixture. I think Telford set one up on a Type 1 engine in his panel van, and might have some input.

I should clarify. The 1972 engine is type 4 and I had it rebuilt into a 2.0L. The 75 ECU is for the 1.8L engine. Will I notice a problem using it with the 2.0?

Quote: Avery's air-cooled has an NOS snout listed under the 411/412 parts that uses the same thermostat. It is different from the 71 bug/bus/ghia thermostat.

It's actually the exact same one that I've got. Going to try and get the thermostat to work via the crimping method first though.

Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:48 am

ROCKOROD71 wrote: It works on its own with that wax pellet thermostat cutting off the pre-heated air once it gets hot enough. Avery's air-cooled has an NOS snout listed under the 411/412 parts that uses the same thermostat. It is different from the 71 bug/bus/ghia thermostat.
I would snap that up at the current price they have it listed for if you plan to use this system, it's likely the last NOS one on the planet.
Steve, wouldn't the six pin AFM from a 76 FI setup with the TS1 in it swap right in?

I think so if the same wiring harness is used. I am thinking that this is a case of already owning the bug FI system. If so maybe someone might trade. I can see the logic of using a bug 1600 on a type 1 motor so all the brackets etc are there, but on a type 4 it seems like there would be too many brackets, manifold changes, etc to chase down. My own experience buying FI systems is find someone who is putting a carb on and make them an offer for everything FI. Nuts, bolts, brackets, even the air cleaner pedestal which can be taken off by drilling spot welds. The last couple I bought cost maybe $250 for everything but that was back when I was restoring my bus. The secret is don't be in a hurry when looking for full systems like that.

Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:10 pm

I have an early '76 bus FI system on the engine in my 411 with no form of preheat. It doesn't seem to be negatively effected at all. I will note though, that even on a watercooled Vanagon I have found the engine will run better in cold weather if the intake air is heated a bit. I just nestle the intake hose for the air clean into the mess of hoses and wires on the top of the block, it likely doesn't give but a 10-20°F increase in temp, but it makes a difference in how the engine runs on a 10-20°F day.