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cactuschris
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: the woods.
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 Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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| you guys should go take a look (link above, scroll all the way down) at his progress. i'm getting antsy! |
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AndyBees
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:16 am Post subject: Engine tilt |
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Well, in the days of Chrysler's slant six, it was sort of a new concept. There were a lot of skptics. Just like when FORD built the first V-8 back in 1932 (I think that was the date). People were skeptical about that design.........GM didn't build their first V-8 until 1955.
I'm thinking Toyota's small mini-Van (don't remember the name) has a 4 banger laying on it's side at mid-point of the body with a long shaft going to the front for the rad fan!
Laying the Zetec on its side is not an issue... maybe, unless it would affect a future turbo add-on.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:03 am Post subject: |
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| thummmper wrote: |
| I'm lost about Zetec too! anytime you have to tilt something so it can fit somewhere is just a bad start. they should call it the slant four. be proud like chrysler was. |
Not on the Zetec/Bostig conversion, it fits with the engine sitting straight up and proud. Some of the VW inline 4 conversions tilt the engine to the side, but not the Zetec.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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thummmper
Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2009
Posts: 2015
Location: Meadow Valley, California Republic
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| Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm lost about Zetec too! anytime you have to tilt something so it can fit somewhere is just a bad start. they should call it the slant four. be proud like chrysler was. |
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cactuschris
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: the woods.
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| Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| rsxsr wrote: |
| You should determine why your engine failed! For an air cooled engine to give you years of reliability, the engine compartment must have no air leaks. That means a good seal and all of the tin work. Second, they are prone to run lean and melt the pistons, you need to be sure the engine is getting the correct amount of fuel. I would suggest having the injectors sent out to be cleaned and tested. Last, some of the air cooled vanagons still had ignition points. There was a tendancy for the point gap to close up and advance the timing also leading to piston failure. You will need the degree band that fits around the crank pulley to be sure when you start the engine, the timing is correct and advancing and returning properly. I think you have made the correct choice having done my own conversion. Regards |
I believe my engine failed for various reasons, one of wich being that it looks like someone bent the tin back to get to the bolt that holds the tranny to the engine, and the starter in place. never bent it back and prob didnt allow it to cool properly.
front main seal (i believe, either way a seal, next most likely {if not including} oil pump failure) it overheated smoked lost power etc etc on a camping trip. either way, i wanted a new or rebuilt engine so i could start from scratch and maintain it properly.
As for fuel injectors, i may run the old ones while timing the engine (sound ok?) and then just buy new ones before i drive it regularly. It was burning very rich based on smell coming out of exhaust and i couldn't get it to idle low enough (an air cooled guy at a campground got it to idle properly once, but when i replaced vacuum hoses, it went right back to high idle, and i personally couldnt seem to get it down) note that it wasnt fluctuating, just idleing high and burning rich.
before any leaks, it was burning oil (approx .5-1 quart every tank or few hundred miles depending on driving conditions.) i was told since there were no leaks at that time, it was prob worn piston rings valves and/or
related parts.
Also, the exhaust system was as rusted as it possibly could be to be honest. which reminds me, i gotta find ALL exhaust components...any ideas?
Finally, other than various other small problems, it boils down to my ignorance, i admit. I am/was brand new to air cooled (or really working on anything mechanical) and severely underestimated what i needed to replace, check on, or properly tune before driving it miles and miles at a time. over a 1k's worth of mistakes that i learned from. with this new engine, i plan on starting RIGHT, and keeping on top of things MUCH better, taking the advice i have been giving from everyone and this website, and doing a much better job this time.
Also, occasionally, the tranny acts up. I was told (and shown reciepts) from the PO that the clutch was replace/adjusted very recently before my purchase. The prob i was having didnt come around until winter of this year. It has problems getting out of gear (mainly reverse) when its cold. 99 percent of the time only when its cold anyway...once i drive a few blocks though, everything seems to be ok until it gets hot, as in 100 miles down the road, when the clutch seems to have a problem engaging. What does this sound like to you? (also, it should be noted that this only started after two events: wouldn't get out of reverse once winter set it, and wouldnt engage until it got hot after i changed tranny fluid {proper levels were ensured to be correct and no leaks})
i hope its purely a clutch problem, and i dont have to replace the tranny as well as the engine.  |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 19045
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| You should determine why your engine failed! For an air cooled engine to give you years of reliability, the engine compartment must have no air leaks. That means a good seal and all of the tin work. Second, they are prone to run lean and melt the pistons, you need to be sure the engine is getting the correct amount of fuel. I would suggest having the injectors sent out to be cleaned and tested. Last, some of the air cooled vanagons still had ignition points. There was a tendancy for the point gap to close up and advance the timing also leading to piston failure. You will need the degree band that fits around the crank pulley to be sure when you start the engine, the timing is correct and advancing and returning properly. I think you have made the correct choice having done my own conversion. Regards |
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cactuschris
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: the woods.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm so giddy with excitement lol! I can't believe he started it only a few hours after i confirmed the purchase, and is awesome enough to take the time to take and post pics! At first i thought it was too good to be true, but this huge grin washed that away quickly! I appreciate all your support guys! Will keep you updated! |
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Chris, I think you made a great choice. Bear has a great reputation among the FMBC community, and you will be getting an engine that you can drive for years. Between Bear, the FMBC, and the aircooled guys here, you have lots of people to help.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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wcdennis
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Joined: July 20, 2004
Posts: 955
Location: Winston-Salem NC
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cactuschris
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: the woods.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Rereading it, it looks like the poster "tom in pa" wants to konw what it'd take to rebuild what Bear has to fit his 78...am i mistaken? |
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cactuschris
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: the woods.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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yea and i called him and told him EXACTLY what i had, he said it'd be fine, and going off what i've heard about him, and the general good vibe i got from him, he wasn't pressing and actually kinda seemed like he could care less if i bought it or not wich gave me a (false?) sense of trust. ill double check though.
Though i did call him to explain what i had, he asked if i saw his ad on the site, i read one post and he said no the other one (that that one i read was for a dif motor apparently) so i just scrolled up and read another and he said that was it, maybe he meant that thread to be seperate..idk...ill hit him up and see |
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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Chris, did you discuss with Phil (btw, he has a great reputation) your exact application? Specifically that you are putting this in a Vanagon? Looks like his ad is for a bus engine that fits "up to a 78 bus". Not the one you are looking for, I'm thinking.
Might want to make double sure what you're wanting and what he is selling are the same thing, I think there's still some discrepancies here.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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cactusthechris
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2009
Posts: 11
Location: Trinity, NC/Beaufort, SC
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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http://fullmoonbusclub.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?186733
there's the link! i just called and confirmed my purchase! Says it won't be ready for a week (really? thats it? AWESOME!) but i prolly can't afford it for another 2 weeks so i told him to take his time on it. He's real nice about my ignorance wich is a plus haha. Seems like a helpful nice man. His name is Phil but goes by Bear. I'll keep you guys posted on how everything works out and im sure ill post a few threads about newbie questions. Have a great day guys! thanks for the encouragement DoBryan!
And a special thanks to wcdennis for the hookup!! |
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reluctantartist
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006
Posts: 1929
Location: Bloomington, IN
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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You need to make sure the rebuilt is a vanagon engine or a 79 bus engine. Like the previous poster said talk to the seller. At that price it is probably a long block which means you will swap everything from yours to it. Plan on buying some replacement parts like vacuum lines and fuel hose since it will be easier to do it with the engine out. If he is selling you a 79 bus engine you need to modify the oil dipstick location.
Good luck
_________________
1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them. |
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dobryan 
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17289
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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| cactusthechris wrote: |
Thanks to a link provided to me by a poster, i found a guy 4ish hours away with a rebuilt for 1100, he's a member of Full Moon Bus Club. sweet! i think ill go with this for now until i can afford a more extensive upgrade. I appreciate all of your input you guys!
One more question though, i understand ill have to provide my own exhaust, use my old distributer and vacuum hoses and such, but what other things will i need that i should be aware of? (i have brains from my van that i can use on this new engine right?) what about things like fuel injectors and what not? i know where to find those kinds of parts, its just a matter of what parts..i'd like to have everything ready for when he's done building so i can drop it over a weekend ya know?
any help would be appreciated, and thanks again for the help provided so far! Looking forward to seeing you on the road... |
You'll need to have a detailed conversation with the guy selling you the engine. He'll know what you need to put on from your current engine. You should discuss what you may want to replace as maintenance when you do the work. Fuel lines are a must. Good luck. It sounds like you'll get there fine. 
PS Don't worry about some of the comments. Everyone here tries to help, but some are a little blunt about it.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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ajdenette
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Joined: February 15, 2009
Posts: 768
Location: Hope Valley RI
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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| 240Gordy wrote: |
| jeremysmithatshawdotca wrote: |
| Andrew A. Libby wrote: |
| I imagine a jack was involved. |
I was thinking something along the lines of a perfectly executed "Rockford"! |
Chuck Norris lifts the van with one hand and pops the engine in with the other. |
Not the Chuck Norris I know. Chuck would just tell the damn engine to get in the van........and it would.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| jeremysmithatshawdotca wrote: |
| Andrew A. Libby wrote: |
| I imagine a jack was involved. |
I was thinking something along the lines of a perfectly executed "Rockford"! |
Chuck Norris lifts the van with one hand and pops the engine in with the other.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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cactusthechris
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2009
Posts: 11
Location: Trinity, NC/Beaufort, SC
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks to a link provided to me by a poster, i found a guy 4ish hours away with a rebuilt for 1100, he's a member of Full Moon Bus Club. sweet! i think ill go with this for now until i can afford a more extensive upgrade. I appreciate all of your input you guys!
One more question though, i understand ill have to provide my own exhaust, use my old distributer and vacuum hoses and such, but what other things will i need that i should be aware of? (i have brains from my van that i can use on this new engine right?) what about things like fuel injectors and what not? i know where to find those kinds of parts, its just a matter of what parts..i'd like to have everything ready for when he's done building so i can drop it over a weekend ya know?
any help would be appreciated, and thanks again for the help provided so far! Looking forward to seeing you on the road... |
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jeremysmithatshawdotca
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2002
Posts: 2530
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Andrew A. Libby wrote: |
| I imagine a jack was involved. |
I was thinking something along the lines of a perfectly executed "Rockford"! |
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