The Stupid Question Thread

[DocNexil]

I'm going to be timing my engine, do I need to disconnect my vacuum hose between my distributer and my carb? I've done a static timing but will be doing one with a strobe light.

Also, do I need to do any special adjustment in the timing for altitude? I'm at 5,800' above sea level. I'm not sure if it quite high enough to make a big difference.

Thanks!
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1971 Dormobile "Juliett"
1970 beetle "Rudie"

[busdaddy]

[DocNexil]

[busdaddy]

[Slip356]

Always remember to re check timing once you re connect the vacuum hose. It should advance 10 or more degrees from the 28-32 as the vacuums advance works.
Your Bentley manual has a neat chart showing the exact amount of additional advance for the distributor you have.

[clabby93]

Back with more stupid questions... rebuilt my dual kadrons and now they're both weeping gas out of the backs. Seems like the fuel strainer cap and the main bowl gasket are both leaking, but honestly it's tough to see back there and determine if it's all from the cap alone.

I torqued the main gasket in a star pattern to very snug with a screwdriver, and the strainer cap nice and tight with a wrench. Surfaces are level and were resurfaced by kaddie shack 5yrs (and maybe 100 miles tops, bus just sat) ago.

Is this definitely a gasket issue or could it be something else to do with the carbs? Fuel pressure is right at 2psi, at least according to my cheapo gauge. I assume using gasket sealant is a bad idea on the bowl gasket but I'm not sure where to go from here.


EDIT: After a bunch more poking around and fishing a camera back there, it seems like it's 100% seeping from the brass fuel strainer cap. I lowered the FPR down to 1.5psi and it's still seeping. Reinstalled the fitting a few different times with varying torque and finally some permatex, nothing fully seals it up though.

Is my float level wrong? I believe the only adjustability on kadrons are the 2 shims on the needle seat, I have both on exactly as they came from kaddie shack originally. What am I missing here?

[mahontim]

Any suggestions on a new battery for a 1968 Bay Window? Auto Zone says: Duralast Battery 42-DL Group Size 42 500 CCA. Figured you'd be a good bunch to confirm with.

I'm new to the board. The wife and I bought a 1968 Bus last summer. No idea what we're doing. But we're having a great time doing it!

The battery died over the winter.... Started the bus every few weeks over the winter and could hear it run down each time, took longer to turner over. Luckily I live on a small hill so I could roll it out of the garage and pop the clutch. Feel like it's time to invest in a brand new battery.

[Wildthings]

Better to remove the battery from the rig during the winter and keep it somewhere where it stays above freezing than to damage your engine by repeatedly starting it and never getting it hot enough for long enough to boil out the water that accumulates when an engine is run cold over and over.

A T6 battery crosses to a Group 42, while an H6 has the same foot print, but is a tad taller.

[chift]

Hey Folks,

Couple questions I'm hoping you all can help with! I need to do the clutch so I'm pulling the engine out (this is my first time!) I've followed Ratwell's instructions but i'm struggling to find where to put the piece of wood motor. Note I will be using a motorcycle jack.

Looking at the picture I feel I want to put it in front of the two lines that come out of the bottom (they are flexible I figure they would be squished), but I feel if I put the piece of wood in front of them the center of gravity will be off.

Second question. I've read multiple post that pulling both the engine and the transmission at the same time is easier. I do need to pull the transmission to do the drive axel flange.... So my question is (a) is it easier to pull both at once? and (b) where do you put the jack to support both if you do pull both at once?

Thanks!
[/img]

[busdaddy]

[chift]

Thanks Busdaddy, as always your are a great help.

Sounds good, I'll prep the trans to remove both at once. I'll put the jack at the joint and block up (with a piece of wood) the transmission as I have a feeling it would tip over? Maybe not since the motor weighs more than the trans?

I hate to ask, but is there a list of things somewhere I should do while I have the motor/trans out? I rather not have the motor out for the rest of the summer but makes sense to do as much as I can now.

[busdaddy]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320201&highlight=while+engine
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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[Wildthings]

What are you doing to the drive axle flanges? Removing them to replace the seals is easy. I wouldn't dream of pulling the tranny solely to do this. Now if something in the nose cone needs work or if you want to replace the shift rod bushings that would be a different story.

FWIW I find mating the engine to the tranny with the tranny already installed in the van to be very easy, I don't understand all the claimed problems with doing it this way.

[alman72]

Took the 73 out of winter rest and took it for a 8 mile drive, parked it had dinner, then drove home. seemed just fine. Smelled a little warm, and the rear bumper was pretty warm/hot, as was the rear apron. normal stuff, or cause for concern? i read retarded timing may cause detonation in the muffler? it was avout 80 degrees outside

[busdaddy]

[Wildthings]

[KentABQ]

Is it possible for a new oil filter to cause very high oil pressure?

My engine suddenly developed high oil pressure (pegged the 80psi gauge) while running above 2000rpm, and around 40psi at idle.
And the only work done on the engine prior to this problem was an oil/filter change and valve adjustment.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[alman72]

[busdaddy]

[busdaddy]