Another poor sap with Bus fever

[Clatter]

Mine always seems to be over to the left..
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Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[airschooled]

[TDCTDI]

[KentABQ]

As amazing as it sounds to me, it's been one year since I found Chloe on eBay. Reviewing this thread, it equally amazes me how much has been done to bring her back to life! Tires, fuel lines, brakes, drivetrain, FI, clutch, e-brake, etc. And if it hadn't been for all the insight and experience of my fellow Sambanistas, along with Robbie's invaluable instructions, she would probably still be wallowing in the garage, waiting for me to figure out how to set things right.

So, on this one-year anniversary, I want to give a huge, heart-felt "Thank you!" to everyone who has freely given advise, offered encouragement, and provided the materials to get her running again. ACVW's are such amazing pieces of machinery, especially considering they have 40+ years behind them, still running as they did when new. And we all have the common bond of having an emotional attachment to our two-ton loaves. Cheers!

And another big Thanks to Everett for being the Wizard behind The Samba, giving us all the opportunity to share our wisdom and wit. I just renewed my "gold star" membership in the hopes it keeps the website in the black and alive for years to come.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[richard123vmt]

I would say it is counter-intuitive to live in a rust-free zone and buy from a rust belt zone. But it does look like it is in decent shape. I don't know what you paid, or what you would have to pay locally.
The smog situation for an out-of-state vehicle is that it does not need to conform to CA standards but the federal standard to pass. But it must have all
the original smog equipment, even if it makes good numbers. They may have adjusted the standards since I looked into it. There used to be a required air pump which was a major expense. I heard of them being swiped from working cars. I think that snafu was rectified. Also, if the federal version did not require it then it is okay. You also have to have your brakes and lights inspected.
I would wire brush everything and then paint the underside with POR. That and the climate should take care of any rust issues.

[KentABQ]

Today I removed the shifter and bent it to make it easier to shift without banging my hand into the e-brake handle. Tomorrow I'll install and see how it works. BTW... that shifter is a STIFF and substantial piece of metal. I used an electrical conduit bender, and it was a challenge to get any bend in it except about halfway up it. It looks odd, but as long as it functions, I'll be a happy camper.

Also did a minor tune up with dwell and timing, and fixed a couple vacuum leaks. She's running muuuuuch better now. Former hills that bogged her down to 30 MPH in 2nd gear are now 50-55 MPH hills in 3rd and 4th. Super jazzed about that!

But she stills has a problem idling. Sometimes she idles fine, and sometimes she doesn't feel like it. So I bought new points and condenser from NAPA today (thanks for the suggestion, Robbie!), and will install them soon.
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On a similar topic, I found this posting in an old "Timing" thread...

[tommu]

[KentABQ]

Hi Tommu... I've noticed when I'm cruising along with RPMs up (no tach, so I'm guessing 3000 or so), and let off the gas approaching a stop, the idle gets very low when the clutch is pressed, and then dies. But if I approach a stop with lower RPMs, she keeps idling alright. So I've learned what I can do to keep her from dying.

I replaced the plugs this past spring, and used the NGK brand.

How's your hunt for a 2.0 GD coming along? Kinda frustrating, isn't it? Ride-on has a GE coming available soon, ICYI... All you have to do is drive 2500 miles to pick it up...

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On the other issue of the questionable timing scale, WilliamM had a great idea... Find true TDC by getting cylinder 3's valve to flutter, and set the scale from there. Brilliant! (I haven't done it yet, but it's still pretty ingenious, IMO.). Thanks BillM!
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Tcash]

Have you lubed your distributor lately?
Lubing the Distributor

[KentABQ]

[lil-jinx]

You could fine and mark TDC and then use a dial back timing light to set your timing,that way you won't need the scale,just a TDC mark.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[wcfvw69]

[Ride_On]

Actually, it's a GD, but yes... more than a few miles away!
Thanks KentPS!

[KentABQ]

[KentABQ]

[Tcash]

The adjustment prodedure is in the Bentley section 6
Put it in 2nd gear
Adjust shifter bracket so it is 90* to the floor
With a screwdriver push the stop plate from the drivers side toward the passengers side until it rest against the shifter.

Is the stop plate installed correctly?
Shifter Parts ID T2

[furgo]

[Abscate]

Brush off your high school maths, get a 1 dollar protractor and measure and mark your timing scale or the pulley. It's not rocket science, although vectors and angles are the core of rocket science.

If you are timing by the " full advance at rpm" method...

Decide what full advance is in your head...32,35 degrees?

Cut a sector of paper from thin cardboard at tha angle.

Apex of sector goes at center of fan nut.
One side at TDC or at zero on your scale.
The other side marks timing forever..mark scale with sharpie and take a pic to remember
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.ssS!

[williamM]

I've still got some fibre washers/oil seals- from Glen (so ya they are the right ones) and a pile of little parts, like fibre oil wicks and new spacers- if you want them-(Or you could just send it to Glen) AND will be going to Anaheim this sunday to pick up a new to me Beam for grey bus. PM if you want them.

You can borrow my "dial a number" timing light provided I get it back before Christmas.
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some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[Abscate]

A small change in angle on those pictures will cause a large apparent angle change on the timing mark - same mistake made by the Moonshot conspiracy crowd on their moon shadow pictures.
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.ssS!