rebuilt lacks power

[iamdonquixote]

I have a rebuilt engine in my 61' bus, engine runs good but seems really doggy on hills.

here are the specs:

61' bus,
* big nut tranny , unknown gearing

Singleport 1600, rebuilt by Bob Donalds (RIP) rebuilt heads, dual relief case (AS) , doghouse oil cooler, alternator, 30/31 and an 009.

jetting is a 130 main I think I started with.
timing on the 009 set to 28 at full advance.

about 400 miles on the engine at this time.
runs smooth, no oil leaks but it just has about the same (lack) of power as the old unknown GEX did up the hills.

Any advice on what to check or double check?

thanks

[Erik G]

check compression and leakdown

is your distributor advancing?

what do your spark plugs look like
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[rusbus]

If it were me, I would start by figuring out the gearing in the trans. You can easily compute the final drive ratio by jacking up one tire, making a chalk mark on the tire, and one on the crank pulley. Count the rotations of the wheel per rotations of the pulley and divide by two (since one wheel is stationary). Maybe you have a freeway flier with really high gearing.

[[email protected]]

Did Bob use his special low compression heads?
I know they did not put out the power of stock heads.
He like the lower comp head as he thought the engine ran cooler and lasted longer.

[iamdonquixote]

numbers from the compression test.

I did it with the engine cold because I didn't want galled up plugs.

#1 - 120
#2 - 120
#3 - 105
#4 - 130

a little bit of a bummer there, I wonder if I overheated it.

plugs looked normal though.

more diagnostics needed I guess

[krusher]

Have you tried total advance of 30 and 32 as a test, and what gas grade are you using?
_________________
(06:31:07) RoachGhia: "i drink dick way too fast"

[quartermilecamel]

105 on #3....valve adjustment?
_________________
Waiting for santa to drop off funky green. I can wish can't I????

[TinCanFab]

I would double check your valve adjust for sure! A couple hundred miles after the break in.......everythings expanding and contracting for the the first time as a fresh unit

[iamdonquixote]

that was after valve adjustment!

but I will double check it.

yes, I did try 30-32. In fact, I think that is where I was.

[krusher]

[iamdonquixote]

no, advanced timing didn't seem to help.

using 93 octane but its the %10 ethanol stuff since thats all you can get in Massachusetts.

[2Pack]

Just throwing out some other ideas:

- Choke not opening fully due to incorrect adjustment.
- Throttle not open fully (or close) when gas pedal is at floor.
- Power fuel system in carb is clogged or restricted.
- Brakes dragging slightly.

And the worst one:

- Nothing is wrong with the engine.
_________________
Please buy my Treasure

[krusher]

[Stanagon]

I have a similar set-up, but small nut boxes in my '61. Boston Bob 1600cc single port with 6v generator, single advance dist. (chinese made) and a Solex 30pict 1 carb. The engine is well broken in now, but always seemed to suck wind going up big highway hills. This Spring I changed from a 125 to 135 main jet and it REALLY helped a lot. Now I'm cruising along with plenty of power, for the most part.

Might want to bump that main jet up a bit if it's a 130.
_________________
Stan's Classic Service, specializing in air-cooled VWs:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=614073

www.stanagon.com


My '61 Mango bus thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=110367
My '64 vert thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=386344
My '71 squareback thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=637709