new 1973 bay window camper owner with mystery engine

[SBL74]

Yesterday I purchased a 1973 bus camper and I am confused about several things. Lets start with the engine. At first glance I thought it was a classic bus engine from that era. Underneath, I saw an oil filter that said Vanogan on it. That filter is on the drivers side, and is sideways (not vertical). And a diagnosic plug is present in the engine compartment. I see AK184317 stamped on the engine as I look at it straight on. And I am not sure what that is on the side of the distributer. I have attached a few pictures. Can someone tell me what engine I have?

Thanks,

steve

[orwell84]

It's a Type 1 engine. Someone will chime in with more specific information. It was used in North America through 71 and in Europe much longer. The engine tin looks homemade. People sometimes put this engine in a bus they are selling because they tend to be cheaper and easier to find parts for.

[busdaddy]

Congratulations and welcome to the bay side of life!

Somebody has adapted a type 1 (Beetle) engine in there, not a bad thing if it was done properly, but I do see a few less than optimal parts installed so you'll want to go over it and check thier work, here's how to do it properly: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=483408

From here the bus doesn't look all that bad, odd paint color, but seemingly correct tires (how old?), genuine (or good repro) curtains but an odd color interior laminate, fresh looking canvas too. Obviously it's had some work done and much of it may be good, at least they sealed up around the engine instead of hanging it out in the open like the hardcore lipstick on a pig/polished turd flippers do.
Cool bar on the front as well!
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[Wildthings]

How about some pictures of the oil filter. You can get oil pumps that incorporate a filter into their design and the filters sticks off horizontally to the driver's side.

[SBL74]

Yes I thought that engine looked familiar.

Here is a picture taken tonight. It is the best I can do. It shows the oil filter and where it attaches. The place where the oil screen goes seems larger in diameter than that of my Thing. Not sure what that means.

I am also concerned that I cannot see any heat exchanging parts, like the hoses. And there is no place to put them either on the shroud or down below.

[Spike0180]

You have a late bay. These typically came with a type 4 "Porsche style" engine. Your bus, as others have pointed out, has a type 1. The fan shroud, as you pointed out is aftermarket and does not have heater tube ports. Though it does appear to have an oil cooler (which is good). The filter is just a filter that fit the aftermarket oil filter mount that the PO installed (fairly common). Some people think these are unnecessary, I personally believe that oil filters are highly underrated in this community.

The bosch blue coil is good, the 009 distributor is typically looked down on, But if it runs well, rock it. You also have an alternator (not a generator), and aftermarket oil filler. When it comes down to it, your bus engine is highly modified from original but nothing that is unfamiliar to these forums. I suggest reading until you understand what you have before changing anything/swapping anything on your engine. Do you have any specification for the internals of your engine?

Additional photos of the bus would help us help you a lot. Im interested in the engine mount and engine hanger assembly. As well as making sure your transmission mount is being utilized (it should be, id be surprised if it isn't), but interior, brake lines, front suspension, interior. (or just keep it to the engine if you are not looking for extra opinions on the rest of the bus.)

For what your bus likely started as:

[TomWesty]

It looks like you have dual solex carbs. I could be wrong. They don't play well with the 009 distributor. They will run with it, but the advance curve is wrong for them. Jeff at Kaddie Shack is the best guy to talk to regarding a good setup on those carbs. They have a variety of air cleaners that will fit those.
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[Spike0180]

[SGKent]

considering the shroud looks aftermarket, no telling what is in there really. The case is an AK which began life as a 1973 upright 1600 in a bug. Regardless you will enjoy the camping, and parts shouldn't be too hard to find if you need to do work on it. Wonder what the transmission looks like?
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[SBL74]

Thanks everyone. All of the comments have been very helpful. I am, in fact listening and feeling the engine, making no changes for now. I runs very well, and shifts well. I have cleaned up the wiring etc in the dash (had no blinkers) and cleaned up the interior (not really much to do, frankly) and I drive it so I can see how it behaves.

I will see if I can get some more pictures in the light of day on some jack stands.

On person posted that it did have an air cooler. Where would that be?

steve

[ccpalmer]

The oil cooler is located inside the fan shroud. Read up on oil coolers and "doghouse" shrouds.

As noted it would be good to find out what transmission you have and see if it plays well with that type 1 engine.
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'71 Westy

[Wildthings]

[Multi69s]

If the oil cooler is offset (dog house style), there will be a large protrusion on the front of the engine to the left of the air intake.
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[sethpat]

Saw this bus on CL a few months ago. Welcome, and have fun!
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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[yellowCOwesty]

Never mind, I’m obviously tired.....

Carry on.

Edited
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'78 Westy
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A few other air cooled VW and Porsches over the years

[SBL74]

I was asked to show what transmission was used for this engine. Here are some pictures. It is clearly a rebuilt transmission. Clean as can be on the exterior with a superior paint job. I see 2 numbers, which are shown. The next 4 pics are of the transmission in sections.

And the transmission:

Can someone comment and identify?

steve

[SBL74]

repost

[Wildthings]

You have a three rib, 002 transmission, which assuming it has the original gearing means that it is well matched to your engine

[SBL74]

Thank you. Doing well so far!

[Spike0180]