TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1971 Bus-to-Ghia Engine/Cooling Tin Swap

Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:06 am

I am considering swapping the stock engine from my 1971 bus temporally into my 1971 Ghia, as I miss driving it around town on the rare sunny days in Seattle. (My current Ghia engine needs an overhaul.)

As you can see, the PO did a cool job making the Ghias' engine look kind of vintage "performance".

But - he modified the cooling tin considerably. I want to get the Ghia engine back to basic stock. Personally, I love the simplicity of a stock - single carb engine for cruising around town.

My bottom line question: Is the stock cooling tin much different from a bus much different the Ghias? We are talking doghouse, of course. I am hoping for a simple swap. Just to reiterate, they are both 1971 models.

Obviously I realize that welding on a new oil bath air filter stand for the Ghias engine compartment is in order, but I will have to compromise with an aftermarket paper element filter for now. The welding will happen in the future. I just wanna drive my Ghia again!

Thanks!

Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:43 am

I put a bus engine in my ghia, the tin was the same except the front firewall tin, the carb jetting was different and the intake manifold was slightly higher.

Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:20 pm

Are you sure that is not a VW Thing/Safari fan shroud? They did not have heater ducts. If it is, I am sure you can sell or swap it with no trouble at all.

Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:24 pm

CLKWRK wrote: I put a bus engine in my ghia, the tin was the same except the front firewall tin, the carb jetting was different and the intake manifold was slightly higher.

Thanks for the info, even though the manifold was a bit higher will it still work? Or will I have to find a stock manifold?

Mark33563 wrote: Are you sure that is not a VW Thing/Safari fan shroud? They did not have heater ducts. If it is, I am sure you can sell or swap it with no trouble at all.

No, the previous owner -(my brother) is a very good welder, and modified the fan shroud.

Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:57 am

it will work, there might be some rubbing with the rain tray