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K.A.D.
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Arizona
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 Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:07 pm Post subject: Building My First Bay |
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Hello all,
Well I guess the time comes in every mans life when he has to do something cool. So I've decided I need a bay. I have a pretty solid plan and ideas of what I'm looking for and what I plan on doing with it. My main purpose is using it for work and trips. Work for me entails highway driving and mountains, though dirt and a tad of off roads is also common. The vehicle I need to create is something reliable and simple.
I would like to keep it a 1600cc single port. I've definitely been tossing around the ideas of bigger engines, but this will be my first VW (I've worked on Fords and Chevys nearly all my life), and the 1600cc is where I want to start. Planning on doing a full rebuild.
I'm looking for some advice on parts. Been reading lots, have Tom Wilson's book on the way in the mail. And I've been reading tons here on the Samba trying to learn as much as possible.
Of all the options out there, given what I want from the bus, one of my biggest questions is what carb/distributor setup would you guys recommend? Any tips on what I could do during the engine build that would get the most out of that 1600. Also just looking for some tips on best places for parts.
Any ideas/suggestions you guys may have on this endeavor would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all very much! |
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 13491
Location: West Coast, USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: Building My First Bay |
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| K.A.D. wrote: |
| …So I've decided I need a bay… |
Excellent choice of vehicle for the intended use you described. I find that all the working buses I meet on the road seem happy and ready for those kinds of challenges. It's the occasional Sunday driver Volkswagens I meet that are skittish and nervous to get out and play…
Do you have a certain bus in mind? Does it currently have an engine? The 1600 won't have any heat issues that you could have with a more powerful engine. I think I was the only one at most of the Phoenix car shows with no power and cooling system modifications. We made the Phoenix to Los Angeles drive twice the summer after college, and that engine eventually died in the winter from over-cooling.
Having an engine built for you would be fine, because you could specify single-port heads, a low (stock) compression ratio, and make sure to use the 1971+ "doghouse style" oil cooler setup. But if you've worked on cars before and can forget any preconceived notions of VW's being loud, leaky, or smelly, you can absolutely build your own if:
A) you have a clean and uninterrupted work space
B) you can focus on the project for several hours at a time
C) you accept the fact that you'll be spending more on shipping than on some of the materials needed (or have local VW-specific resources of occasionally-dubious repute)
Balancing is some of the best engine bang for your buck, making the engine smoother, cabin quieter, efficiency better, all while boosting longevity. Don't fall into any advertising/magazine traps about chrome doing anything good, or oiling system modifications keeping you from a catastrophic meltdown. To "get the most out of your Type 1," the number of time-proven modifications than can "upgrade" the 1600 in the Arizona desert include:
- Doghouse style oil cooler system
- Using the rare 900mm belt with 38-amp generator for additional fan cooling speed in summer
- Porsche swivel-feet valve adjusting screws
- Late bug fuel-injection
I don't like using the word upgrade, because it's really subjective, but my list assumed you'd be operating year-round, which people not from the SouthWest can't comprehend.  There are a few other things that you can do, like a counterweighted crankshaft for longevity, which are excellent but not specific to your application. Carb and distributor generally depends on your needs from the bus, and MANY vendors will be required to build an engine, let alone an entire vehicle! Don't be alarmed when the best person for a job is a member on this site, or when you have to buy parts used and they show up with cobwebs.
Money helps too, as does education. The Bug Me video was decent, but I did fall asleep halfway and woke up when they finally fired it up. This engine build thread has excellent pictures and detail. There are a few no-nos, mostly regarding oil cooler assembly, cylinder paint selection, and towel lint,  but it's a solid start. (Ignore the parts about the automatic transmission it's for.)
http://vwar.org/forum/index.php?topic=713.0
Do you have any VW builders near where you live that would walk you through some of the processes?
See you on the road!
Robbie
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K.A.D.
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Building My First Bay |
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Robbie! god damn, thank you! very helpful! Truly appreciate all that info! And that link is exactly what I needed to see.
I do not have a specific bus I'm closing in on yet. There are a few I've got my eyes on, but I'm still in the learning phase. Really want to make sure I have as solid an understanding of these things as possible.
I definitely agree with the a,b,c's of must haves for building the engine myself. With that being said, I would definitely prefer to do it myself. Again that link is super helpful!
So an additional detail, I do live in AZ. But my work takes me all over the southern rockies as well as into the cascades on occasion. So definitely will be dealing with the heat and dry of AZ, but also some other mountain conditions as well.
And yea I know of a couple good shops around Phx. My buddy who kinda go me all jazzed about this in the first place also has some sources I believe. So I will definitely utilize that as much as possible.
I'm just super stoked. I mean talk about an incredibly badass utilitarian vehicle. So capable in so many facets, between the clearance, forward control, engine/transaxle placement, size and storage, engine workability, it's just a badass ass rig. |
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1107
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Building My First Bay |
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| K.A.D. wrote: |
| one of my biggest questions is what carb/distributor setup would you guys recommend? |
Hands down, one of the best investments I've ever made in any of my VW's, was to get a matched carb and distributor rebuilt. Tasb did the 30pict1 carb, and Volkzbitz did the 113905205K distributor to go with it. Talk to them and see what they suggest for you. I think even with shipping it was in the $300 range total. That's pretty reasonable considering a junky aftermarket carb can cost about the same money.
I've done lots of 1000-2000 mile trips, and my 1600 Bus has always run like a champ. |
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ImAddicted
Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2012
Posts: 1199
Location: Unorganized Territory, Maine
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:29 am Post subject: Re: Building My First Bay |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
Excellent choice of vehicle for the intended use you described. I find that all the working buses I meet on the road seem happy and ready for those kinds of challenges. It's the occasional Sunday driver Volkswagens I meet that are skittish and nervous to get out and play…
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So accurate. To paraphrase Mr. Newton... a bus in motion prefers to stay in motion.
_________________
1979 Transporter (sold)
KC1MUR
| strfish7 wrote: |
| Original condition, which means something different on this forum than anywhere else! |
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Spike0180
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2015
Posts: 2269
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: Building My First Bay |
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I suggest you take that 10k or 20k you were going to put into you bus, and buy an f150 for work. Reliable, cheap, go anywhere do anything, and comfortable.
But if you're going to get a bus, keep it stock for your application, and the suggestions so far are spot on.
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Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp
Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic" |
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