1963-1964 1500 CC ( 42 hp ) bus motor build

[Rain's Westy]

I am building an exact correct for November of 1963 1500 cc (42 HP ) bus motor for a restoration of a 64 21 window that had a dealer installed upgrade to a 1500 when the bus was sold new .

I have a few questions for any experts on this specific motor who might have one in their buses .

What are the correct single port intake versions for this bus ? With the speed governor? without? What part # would be embossed on the intake (s)? I guess we can build it ether way since both were available in 1964.
Or did they just use the speed governor delete intake extension and have only one intake?

If you had then optional 12volt system in 1964 what distributor coil would the bus have had ? What generator and regulator and where would the regulator be mounted?

I dug through my dealer parts lists but do not have one updated only to 1964 so I am not sure . progressive changes was not helpful on this question ether .

Any photos anyone could share or post of original correct builds or unmolested early 1500's in their buses would be great !

I was able to locate a correct 1963-1964 unnumbered case with no cam bearings in very good shape for the build and NOS P&L set etc . This should be a fun motor to recreate! I love recreating history !
I am sure I will have a few more questions on this as time goes on . Thanks !

[EverettB]

I will answer what I can.

Here's the May, 1964 engine from my old low-mileage '64 13-Window

I feel like a US Bus would have the shorter Bus intake and a governor, even though this one does not. It was U.S. spec but was Tourist Delivery so that may be the reason.

I have definitely seen governors dated 1963/1964 (did you know they are dated?)

I'm not sure which intake would be 100% correct but there is a thread here in the Bus FAQ:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=221031

A 1500cc Bus would have the regulator mounted on the side panel by the battery, as seen above.
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[Rain's Westy]

thank you Everett That is a nice looking engine compartment! Our bus is a SWR / GRAY bus so this photo is exactly what we are striving for . I know the governors were also put on (some)? 40hp's as well as it was listed in the parts list as such .
I have noticed some have dates on them as you describe but I will be leaving it up to the next guy to find a properly dated governor and just use what I have kicking around for now .

Looks like I need 211 129 701D intake

Was the generator and regulator the same used on 12 Volt Porche's ?

[tasb]

Early and mid range dated governors are actually quite rare. My bet is not governor. late governor have the stamping DR-1 on them the early ones do not have the -1.
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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[Rain's Westy]

Interesting Thank you for sharing this tidbit.

[Alan Brase]

Is there some advantage to having a "no cam bearing" case other than it establishes an authentic date?
I'd be temped to have it bored for cam bearings.Or am I missing something?
Also, did these early engines have the M number stenciled on them?
Al
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Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[Malokin Martin]

This wouldn’t be a visible change, and would improve the life of the engine that someone is dropping a good amount of money (or) work on. Same as adding 10mm studs. It would make sense.

[Alan Brase]

10mm studs? You mean head studs? I guess I was under the impression the 8mm skinny ones worked better and made more consistent clamping.
Case savers of course.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[Malokin Martin]

I just read up on a few threads on here. 8mm is better apparently. I learned something today! I always assumed bigger was better.

[Rain's Westy]

The case and cam journals are in really good shape and with proper oil changes should last a long time . The bus is VERY unlikely to be used as a frequent driver so it seems not worth it to upgrade the cam bearings. I will build it with a HV oil pump . As for the studs, yes the smaller ones are much better but again for an engine that will get little use the OG studs will work fine . It has been case saver though, I have built hundreds of motors over the years and for this sort of application (a stock motor with 83 mm pistons) running a 28 pcit carb with stock1500 jetting and stock exhaust you are not going to have that much engine stress . I am also going to have DPR balance everything so that will add to engine longevity. I am not dooing this motor for my self but for a friend's business that is restoring the bus . I am on a bit of a budget but want it as meticulously correct as I can within monetary limits they have .
Early bus 1500 engines used the same 311- xxx-xxx engine case castings as used in early type 3 cars but with the oil dipstick in the correct place and no place for the type3 oil filler tube ... they are rather unusual now a days it seems ... and not something I ran across very often when I worked as an engine builder ... especially ones with no serial number .
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My motor in my daily driver 66 bus is a fully balanced 1600 on a late case, counterweighted forged crank with a type4 oil cooler stuffed in the doghouse, full flow filter ,single port , small studs ... thermostat installed and working , stock carb jetted for lower octane modern gas . not a stock but super reliable motor that runs in the correct operating temp range even on hot days!

[Alan Brase]

[Rain's Westy]

[tasb]

[Alan Brase]

[velvetgreen]

^^ always wondered about that. if mem servers they were in white paint on the back of the shroud. Paint comes off quite easily which might explain why it is not common knowledge

[Lind]

[mr. lang]

[Rain's Westy]

[tasb]