72 Westy - first bus

[Schwing]

Hello my name is Jon Schwinger and I just picked up this Westfalia built in June 1972 in the Lancaster, PA area. Its originally from Brooklyn, NY and is in excellent original condition, aside from 1 respray in the early 90s. It came with all of the original keys, owners manual, owners card, and the original tool roll. This is my first bus even though I have had a handful of aircooleds over the years.

The purpose of this bus is camping and fun, plain and simple. I have a 5 year old daughter, and a 7 year old son so I hope to go out on my first trip in the next couple of months.

This will not be a restoration, just a mechanical rejuvenation and weld up any significant areas that need love. Just wanted to share, as I will have a lot of questions along the way. Thanks for looking.

So far we have about 6 hours of just straight cleaning and vacuuming. My son has been a huge help. His dream car is actually a bay westy, awesome.

[Schwing]

I have had this front VW emblem since I was 16, and I recently turned 40, its been on walls in college, first apartments, and on display in my office at home. Finally it found a home since this bus was missing one. As crazy as it may sound its things like that which confirm this will be a great bus.

The 1.7L is seized. I decided I should just pull it to get a better look. I think I am going to build it out to a 2.0L, but I am not really sure.

I hooked up a battery and everything works - exterior lights, horn, wipers, even the radio! Never in all the aircooleds I have owned has this happened haha.

[Xevin]

Sweet! I have one just like it. When you are ready for a straight 72 one year only bumper let me know. I know where to find a couple if you can't find local.
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Keep on Busin'

[zoobum]

Congrats!!! It's going to be a fun journey.

As everyone here is going to tell you....

Change ALL those gas lines
Check to make sure your tires are rated for that bus.

Looks like a pretty solid bus otherwise!!!
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-Zach
1979 CA Riviera 2.0L FI

[Schwing]

[j10nbom]

Very cool! I think I remember seeing this bus on CL a few weeks back and thought it looked like a pretty clean and original bus. Glad it went to a good home. Looking forward to the progress!

[Schwing]

[wcfvw69]

Welcome to the bay forms. It looks like a nice foundation to build on. It doesn't look too rusty for a NE bus either though you should get a plan in place to start addressing the rust issues on it sooner than later. My 70' is a SW USA bus. In a few spots I had some "surface" rust. When I went to remove and treat it, it was not just on the surface. I learned that it can look like harmless surface rust but in fact, it's eating deeper and deeper in the metal.

I hope you update your thread as you go through its mechanical rejuvenation. If you're a veteran air cooled guy, you'll know the original VW parts that can be restored are vastly better than any of the chinese replacement parts sold today.
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40+ years of VW repair, and VW parts and vehicle restoration experience.
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[Tcash]

Welcome to TheSamba, Bay Window Bus Forum!

1972 Bay one year only list
The '72 only photos thread

[Xevin]

[airschooled]

Hi and welcome to the Bay forum! That looks to be a nice surviving bus, without too much PO tinkering... (Though the Surly sticker.. yours?? Buses and LHT's practically go together...)

I want to play devil's advocate with your future engine choices. The 1700 engine has a lighter rotating mass than the 2-liter, AND the 1.7 has a shorter crankshaft throw. This all adds up to an engine that is happy to rev higher and faster for longer periods of time than the 2-liter. Volkswagen exploited this, because the transaxle gear ratios in the '72-'73 bus transaxles are matched to the higher rpm range of the 1700 engine. The later bus transaxles mated to the 2-liter engines take advantage of the larger engine's higher torque output, but the "Porsche-style" high revving system was lost. So I would definitely consider the "system" as a whole, not just the numbers game of power output measuring. I personally would take a well-balanced 1700 at 4,200 rpm all day long over a 2-liter that is never going to be as smooth so high in the RPM range as it simultaneously consumes more fuel than the 1700.

Enjoy your "everything works" electrical system. Some of us take years to get there! But it really is a treat when you can honk at other air-cooled cars on the road!

Robbie
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[secretsubmariner]

Badass bus. Ol' Yeller.


Keep up with the good work & updates!
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-Tony
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ
1978 Champagne Edition Bus FI
1970 Auto Fastback FI

[Pinetops]

I love it, congratulations.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[Vee Dub Nut]

Nice bus! Keep the pics coming.
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Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2006

67 Beetle (TBD)

74 Transporter (EJ25 Swapped) - Build Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

See all my VW pics on Instagram @ vee_dub_nut

[71whitewesty]

Great looking bus! Hope you get it on the road quick, those kids want to go camping!
You going to replace the canvas tent?
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[Millennium Falcon]

[hansie]

I too agree with everyone else about the engine choice ! Stay with the 1700 or up grade to the 1800 if you have the chance to. I also have a 72 for about 18 years , I run a 1800 and have been very happy with my motor / trans (stock) combination ! As far as your rear bumper , is it a 72 bumper ? They are a one year only ! If it isn't don't redrill it pass it on and get one for a 72, also the dust pans are one year only also !
By the way NICE Bus !
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Karl Bower

[Schwing]

Great feedback guys, and I really appreciate all of the intel. I like the idea of building the engine bigger even though I am usually a stock guy. Do they even sell 1800 rebuild kits? I guess I had assumed I HAD to go 2.0 due to no one making pistons/cylinders etc. for 1700/1800.

Can anyone provide any links to a 1700 or 1800 rebuild kit or maybe a vendor you may recommend?

Also the bumper, it might not be a 72 I will have to look into that one. The brackets look the same to me, there is a slim chance I got lucky here. What makes the 72 a one year only? Is it just how it mounts to the corners since they are unique being the first year for a fixed apron?

[hansie]

You can buy AMC 1800 heads right here off the Samba. I think I got my sleeves ,pistons and rings from Wolfsburg West or CIP1 has them. The reason the 72 bumper is different is because the frame is wider than a 71 down and it was the last year for the early style bumpers.
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Karl Bower

[VW 66 Doctor]

Nice bus good luck with it .