Automatic 79 Westy

tonyinabq · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 7:14 am Post subject: Automatic 79 Westy

I am getting ready to put in a new engine and transmission into my 79 westy. It is an automatic and I really enjoy the way it drives. However, both the engine and trany are shot.

My father in law has built a new engine for me and is trying to convince me to convert the bus to a standard transmission. He states the automatic is a bad thing in general, and worse here in Albuquerque NM because we are 6000 feet above sea level.

I love the automatic but if a standard is really that much better I would think about converting it. It does seem a shame to alter this classic old bus. I haven't seen another automatic in Albuquerque, but maybe that is because automatics are troublesome.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

VW Addict · Samba Salesman Joined: January 09, 2003 Posts: 3930

If both the engine and tranny are shot, you would be better off putting a std tranny in. It would make the core value worth more and the conversion would be much simpler if you already have to replace both. If it were me I would change it to a std but if you prefer automatic you can do which you like. Good Luck!

keifernet · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

If at all posssible ( budget etc.) I would change it to a standard as well.

steve74baywin · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject:

I voted to leave it automatic...... I'm not a big fan on altering these old VW's, especially when there are more standards than automatics already.
But to more directly answer your question, It might be more economical for you in the long run to convert to a standard if money dictates, but if not, keeping it original is cool and even better if you like the automatic.

dstefun · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 11:44 pm Post subject:

I agree with steve74 - automatics are very reliable when done right, but may be more expensive to rebuild upfront. I've never heard anything about altitude affecting automatic operation. If you're happy with it, get it repaired. To convert to manual is going to be a hack of a challenge too - something about a clutch pedal and cable? How many of those brackets & tubes are welded on? And if they are, where are you going to get them?
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ratwell · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 1:00 am Post subject:

I'm glad I don't have to make this decision.
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tonyinabq · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 7:46 am Post subject:

I have a donor bus for parts. I would have to cut off the clutch cable tube and weld it on to the automatic to convert it. That seems the hardest part, welding and getting everything lined up right.

VW Addict · Samba Salesman Joined: January 09, 2003 Posts: 3930

Bob D. · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:31 am Post subject:

I would leave it automatic simply because that is the way it came. I am all in favor of minor, logical modernizations (e.g., points replacement, better tires) on our vehicles, but otherwise I think there are so many of these buses that have been "frankensteined" that keeping it in basically original configuration is nice.

I love my manual trans (light clutch, easy shifting, etc.) but if I was in your shoes I would leave it A/T. Just my humble opinion.
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Randy in Maine · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject:

I guess I would also leave it an automatic if:

1) my wife just couldn't do a manual shift, or
2) I had a cast on my foot.

Happy New Year Bob!

vwjosh6070 · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject:

id say, leave it automatic. ive never heard of altitude or whatever effecting a trany. plus i dont really "dig" customization. but, thats just me. Smile

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NeverHadaBeetle · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 8:53 pm Post subject:

I have had 3 automatic Westys including my current 1976. I always say that most people who complain about automatics have never had one. I wouldn't go through the trouble converting either one. Standards are too easy to find to go through that much trouble. My auto loves the flat sandy beaches of Florida, but I have been through Albuquerque a couple of times and if I lived there I would certainly be looking for a standard. Good luck.

Amskeptic · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 9:08 pm Post subject:

Read the PV4 review of the '76 automatic Bus when it was first introduced.
They could not understand how in the hell that thing was exactly as quick as the standard transmission, they went through torque/horsepower graphs, they studied the torque converter slip, pored over the gear ratios, they concluded that this was one fine engineering job. They also noted that the automatic pulled off excellent downshifts with no annoying hunting because it traded the horsepower peak for the next gear up's torque peak.
I have driven the automatic bus and respect its road manners and smooth acceleration.
Colin

mattcuddy · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

tonyinabq,
I converted my 79 Westy from an automatic to a standard roughly 6 years ago. It really isn't an expensive project (Assuming you already have a standard donor bus, which you say you do) but it is time consuming. Most of the parts from the standard will just bolt in to the automatic bus, as it seems the automatics got most of the mounting holes etc. as the standard did. For example, the mounting bracket for the clutch pedal assembly is already there you just bolt it right up to where the factury would have. The two biggest 'fabrication' issues would be the previously mentioned clutch cable tube. I ended up using copper plumbing tube as I forgot to cut the one off my standard donor bus before I sent it to be scrapped :( And the other major issue was for the front shift rod mount. Its the front most guide for the shift rod, actually just in front of the shifter. A little plastic/rubber guide ( part F in this picture http://www.bus-boys.com/shifter79.html ) sits in the bracket. Now the bracket was actually included in both auto and standard busses. Its was cut out of the 'frame support rail' (or whatever it might be called)and bent out into place for the standards and not bent into place for the automatics (it would get in the way of the automatic gear selector) so you have to bend out that piece and tack weld it into place like the factory did.

I've been driving my bus without any problems (well none do to the conversion anyway) for about 6 years now. Though as a side note, in retrospect, I wish I'd just stuck with the automatic. Seems I have too many friends who can't drive a stick :) It makes for sharing the driving on those long trips just a bit harder........

Thor · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:00 am Post subject:

I have had both, and I love both they way they are. My avatar is my 79 Westy Automatic. I love it. Very Comfortable driving and can drive everywhere. I live in Idaho and have never been stuck in the snow either.

Stay with Auto.
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crukab · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:18 pm Post subject:

Well there ya go - lots of opinions- What ya going to do ??????
My 1st thought is I'd NEVER buy a auto trany VW Bus, but thats just me.
The conversion seems pretty straight foward, If you can weld in the tube , your good to go.
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ratwell · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:43 pm Post subject:

theguywiththevw · Samba Member Joined: August 05, 2003 Posts: 57

wel i have an automatic and i have never had a huge problem the biggest problem is that it is weak in reverse sometimes but i love it i would definately not change it if it is already an auto. they ride very smooth and it basically has the same ride as any standard bus i have ever rode in.

I would just stick with the automatic

_doug-

tonyinabq · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:46 pm Post subject:

I am gong to go the local bus club meeting tomorrow (Albuquerque Air Alliance) and bounce the thought around. I am leaning heavily towards keeping it automatic. I like it, it’s the way the bus was built, and I love my bus. It is hard to find a pea green vehicle with orange stripes that sleeps 5.

Adventurewagen · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:14 pm Post subject:

Standard. It just adds to the ambiance of the bus. Cool

Anyway, then you can get a really cool 8ball shifter or something like that.


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