TheSamba.com :: View topic - 72 Westy

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:21 am

Hello my name is Jon Schwinger and I just picked up this Westfalia built in June 1972 in the Lancaster, PA area. Its originally from Brooklyn, NY and is in excellent original condition, aside from 1 respray in the early 90s. It came with all of the original keys, owners manual, owners card, and the original tool roll. This is my first bus even though I have had a handful of aircooleds over the years.

The purpose of this bus is camping and fun, plain and simple. I have a 5 year old daughter, and a 7 year old son so I hope to go out on my first trip in the next couple of months.

This will not be a restoration, just a mechanical rejuvenation and weld up any significant areas that need love. Just wanted to share, as I will have a lot of questions along the way. Thanks for looking.

So far we have about 6 hours of just straight cleaning and vacuuming. My son has been a huge help. His dream car is actually a bay westy, awesome.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:25 am

I have had this front VW emblem since I was 16, and I recently turned 40, its been on walls in college, first apartments, and on display in my office at home. Finally it found a home since this bus was missing one. As crazy as it may sound its things like that which confirm this will be a great bus.

The 1.7L is seized. I decided I should just pull it to get a better look. I think I am going to build it out to a 2.0L, but I am not really sure.

I hooked up a battery and everything works - exterior lights, horn, wipers, even the radio! Never in all the aircooleds I have owned has this happened haha.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:33 am

Sweet! I have one just like it. When you are ready for a straight 72 one year only bumper let me know. I know where to find a couple if you can't find local.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:38 am

Congrats!!! It's going to be a fun journey.

As everyone here is going to tell you....

Change ALL those gas lines
Check to make sure your tires are rated for that bus.

Looks like a pretty solid bus otherwise!!!

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:39 am

zoobum wrote: Congrats!!! It's going to be a fun journey.

As everyone here is going to tell you....

Change ALL those gas lines
Check to make sure your tires are rated for that bus.

Looks like a pretty solid bus otherwise!!!

Oh yeah I feel like I only get 1 year out of the lines on my other aircooleds. For sure! And yes I will get LT tires. I want a 3/4" white wall so I may need to hunt around.

Thanks!

Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:49 am

Very cool! I think I remember seeing this bus on CL a few weeks back and thought it looked like a pretty clean and original bus. Glad it went to a good home. Looking forward to the progress!

Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:03 am

Xevin wrote: Sweet! I have one just like it. When you are ready for a straight 72 one year only bumper let me know. I know where to find a couple if you can't find local.

As luck would have it, I had just purchased this bumper 3 months ago. I was going to modify it for my 66 single cab, but its meant to be on this bus. Matching patina!

And then I randomly found this beer in the beer fridge from my 40th bday party a month ago haha
Taste pretty bad, but what are the odds.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:03 am

Welcome to the bay forms. It looks like a nice foundation to build on. It doesn't look too rusty for a NE bus either though you should get a plan in place to start addressing the rust issues on it sooner than later. My 70' is a SW USA bus. In a few spots I had some "surface" rust. When I went to remove and treat it, it was not just on the surface. I learned that it can look like harmless surface rust but in fact, it's eating deeper and deeper in the metal.

I hope you update your thread as you go through its mechanical rejuvenation. If you're a veteran air cooled guy, you'll know the original VW parts that can be restored are vastly better than any of the chinese replacement parts sold today.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:21 am

Welcome to TheSamba, Bay Window Bus Forum!

1972 Bay one year only list
The '72 only photos thread

Tcash wrote: Here is a little information. Good Luck

Pictures would be cool.
How to post photos/How to post a photo in the Forums

Pronunciation (Samba) English

I am thinking of buying a VW van
Cleaning+Rodents+Hantavirus
Up in smoke... Bus fires... don't let it happen to you!
M-Plate Location
M-Plate Decoder Volkswagen Type 2 Bus
Bus VIN / Chassis Numbers
Type 2/Bus Owner's Manuals
Bus repair manuals
Bus parts manuals
Early Baywindow Bus Parts Book
Late Baywindow Bus Parts Fiche
Type 2 Wiring Diagrams
Model and Year Variations
Type 4: Secrets Revealed
Distributor Parts & Specifications
PARTS INTERCHANGE MANUAL
Youtube Videos

There is a ton of information located at the top of the Forum section.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:40 am

Schwing wrote:
And then I randomly found this beer in the beer fridge from my 40th bday party a month ago haha
Taste pretty bad, but what are the odds.

And there's even a thread for Beers and Bays :wink: Cheers! You forgot one Tcash :lol:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...74110c2de5

Thu Jun 16, 2016 10:04 am

Hi and welcome to the Bay forum! That looks to be a nice surviving bus, without too much PO tinkering... (Though the Surly sticker.. yours?? Buses and LHT's practically go together...)

I want to play devil's advocate with your future engine choices. The 1700 engine has a lighter rotating mass than the 2-liter, AND the 1.7 has a shorter crankshaft throw. This all adds up to an engine that is happy to rev higher and faster for longer periods of time than the 2-liter. Volkswagen exploited this, because the transaxle gear ratios in the '72-'73 bus transaxles are matched to the higher rpm range of the 1700 engine. The later bus transaxles mated to the 2-liter engines take advantage of the larger engine's higher torque output, but the "Porsche-style" high revving system was lost. So I would definitely consider the "system" as a whole, not just the numbers game of power output measuring. I personally would take a well-balanced 1700 at 4,200 rpm all day long over a 2-liter that is never going to be as smooth so high in the RPM range as it simultaneously consumes more fuel than the 1700. :P

Enjoy your "everything works" electrical system. Some of us take years to get there! But it really is a treat when you can honk at other air-cooled cars on the road! 8)

Robbie

Thu Jun 16, 2016 10:20 am

Badass bus. Ol' Yeller.

Keep up with the good work & updates!

Thu Jun 16, 2016 4:47 pm

I love it, congratulations.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:48 pm

Nice bus! Keep the pics coming.

Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:04 pm

Great looking bus! Hope you get it on the road quick, those kids want to go camping! :D
You going to replace the canvas tent?

Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:39 am

asiab3 wrote: I personally would take a well-balanced 1700 at 4,200 rpm all day long over a 2-liter that is never going to be as smooth so high in the RPM range as it simultaneously consumes more fuel than the 1700.
Robbie

I have to agree with the above 100%.. A 1700 is a great running engine. And it is already mated to the proper transmission, as well as properly jetted dual carbs. If you stay with a 1700 you will also save yourself from having to get the engine case machined to accept 2l cylinders, not to mention other internals. However, if you happen to come across a good deal on solid 1800 heads, cylinders, and pistons you could go that way as well...nothing wrong with that set up either. I am just a bit biased for a 1700.
All the best.

Fri Jun 17, 2016 4:25 am

I too agree with everyone else about the engine choice ! Stay with the 1700 or up grade to the 1800 if you have the chance to. I also have a 72 for about 18 years , I run a 1800 and have been very happy with my motor / trans (stock) combination ! As far as your rear bumper , is it a 72 bumper ? They are a one year only ! If it isn't don't redrill it pass it on and get one for a 72, also the dust pans are one year only also !
By the way NICE Bus !

Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:26 am

Great feedback guys, and I really appreciate all of the intel. I like the idea of building the engine bigger even though I am usually a stock guy. Do they even sell 1800 rebuild kits? I guess I had assumed I HAD to go 2.0 due to no one making pistons/cylinders etc. for 1700/1800.

Can anyone provide any links to a 1700 or 1800 rebuild kit or maybe a vendor you may recommend?

Also the bumper, it might not be a 72 I will have to look into that one. The brackets look the same to me, there is a slim chance I got lucky here. What makes the 72 a one year only? Is it just how it mounts to the corners since they are unique being the first year for a fixed apron?

Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:14 am

You can buy AMC 1800 heads right here off the Samba. I think I got my sleeves ,pistons and rings from Wolfsburg West or CIP1 has them. The reason the 72 bumper is different is because the frame is wider than a 71 down and it was the last year for the early style bumpers.

Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:23 am

Nice bus good luck with it .