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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 38
Location: Central California
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 Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
You want heat to get into the manifold from the heads and the thick phenol gaskets like you are already running will greatly lessen the heat. There are two holed gaskets (use two per side, so four total) that were sold for use with the stock dual carbs. A liquid gasket maker that can handle gasoline would be good here as it will let more heat through than any gasket will.
This isn't hard to do, and I wouldn't recommend it to a novice unless he was sure he needed to rejet his carb, but if you disable the power valve in the carb, tuning these carbs becomes much much easier as the power valve is just not needed or even wanted in the Type 4 application. If you do decide to rejet your carb get back to me and I will try to walk you through it. I have been running without a power functional power valve for 20ish years at this point and see no reason to go back to using it. Many aftermarket carbs for VW aircooled applications come without power valves and some aftermarket carbs for VW's actually use reverse power valves which do exactly the opposite of what the standard power valve does, so I am certainly not the first to see a problem with running power valves on these engine. |
I am just reading this. Wishing I hadn't ordered those Jbugs gaskets. I'll PM you, Wildthings, and I would be super grateful if you would tell me more about running without the power valve. I'm not in this for power lol
Any advice that would make the execution more fail safe for an amateur like me sounds perfect. I aint proud, I just want this thing to run well.
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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Wasted youth
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012
Posts: 5173
Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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[quote="Greg Schoolbus"]
| busdaddy wrote: |
Man, this forum is pretty amazing.  |
It really is! Just try to avoid getting caught shoplifting cheese sticks or showing us your fiberglass battery door.
https://youtu.be/snckhUVo8XU?si=NBJ_7CtbDKkGQuG1 |
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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 38
Location: Central California
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| I would replace the condenser on the distributor. The poor quality today of those makes them suspect when the ignition is doing strange things. Probably I would replace it with one of these: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEP433 The page may say alternator or ignition condenser but it is an ignition condenser. |
I feel like Rocky on the steps in Philadelphia lol
I took the distributor out and set it on the bench. Got the new condenser you suggested installed, re set the points gap. Used the dielectric grease. Put it back in and set the timing. Now it's running like a champ. I'm still holding my breath a little that it will start acting up again, but also so excited to have seemingly tackled this problem.
I know for you guys around here, it's just another day in the life. But for me, it was pretty satisfying. In every project, there seems to be a low point where you wonder how you'll figure it out. Always feels good to stand up on the other side.
SGKent, I thank you for your help. You nailed it.
Everyone else here who chimed in, this was a great initiation into seeking help on this forum. What a great place.
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42439
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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now fix that vacuum leak and make it even better 
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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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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 38
Location: Central California
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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I am still having some issues with start up. When it's cold, it won't start without giving it some gas, and it needs 5-10 seconds of my foot on the pedal to keep it idling. After about that amount of time, it idles veeeeeerrry slowly, but keeps running. In about 3-5 minutes, it's idling nicely. Starts right up when driven in the past hour or so.
I have replaced the intake manifold phenolic spacer blocks, no more leaks there.
Any suggestions as to what to look at?
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42439
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| Greg Schoolbus wrote: |
I am still having some issues with start up. When it's cold, it won't start without giving it some gas, and it needs 5-10 seconds of my foot on the pedal to keep it idling. After about that amount of time, it idles veeeeeerrry slowly, but keeps running. In about 3-5 minutes, it's idling nicely. Starts right up when driven in the past hour or so.
I have replaced the intake manifold phenolic spacer blocks, no more leaks there.
Any suggestions as to what to look at? |
adjust the choke so it takes a little longer to open. If you don't have a choke then that is par for the course.
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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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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52301
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Greg Schoolbus wrote: |
I am still having some issues with start up. When it's cold, it won't start without giving it some gas, and it needs 5-10 seconds of my foot on the pedal to keep it idling. After about that amount of time, it idles veeeeeerrry slowly, but keeps running. In about 3-5 minutes, it's idling nicely. Starts right up when driven in the past hour or so.
I have replaced the intake manifold phenolic spacer blocks, no more leaks there.
Any suggestions as to what to look at? |
adjust the choke so it takes a little longer to open. If you don't have a choke then that is par for the course. |
You do know to set the choke by opening the throttle fully one time before a cold start? The choke should then be fully closed, open a bit immediately on start up, and then open fully in 3 minutes or so at this time of year. The fast idle adjustment should be enough to give startup and the once you tap the throttle once allow the idle speed to drop to a moderately high idle, enough to keep it running without sputtering.
Often people will back the choke off fully and just deal with having to keep the engine going by using the pedal for the first minute or two. I tend to like the choke adjusted slightly on the lean side and just give it bit of extra throttle for 15 seconds during the warm season and maybe up to 60 seconds during the cold season. Less fuel to wash the cylinders and end up in the oil this way. |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42439
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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I had a winter and a summer setting on the 1971. One is supposed to start them and drive away. They are not meant to start then idle until they warm up.
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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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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 38
Location: Central California
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| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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Thanks SGKent and Wildthings,
Just a quick response from me, I had a bit of a crazy day, meant to look into your suggestions, but I will punt to tomorrow. Sounds like you agree its a choke/carb issue. I'll be the first to admit that the carb is a bit of a mystery to me, and I look forward to learning about the suggestions you're making.
I do step on the gas a couple times before starting, but I'm not convinced the choke is working correctly. I'll report back as soon as I can!
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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