2.1L Vanagon automatic starter in a '75 and earlier Bay

[Wildthings]

Just wondering if anyone has successfully used a '86 and later Vanagon automatic starter on a '75 or earlier Bay with a manual tranny. If so, did everything fit right out of the box?

Just looking for cheap reliable cranking HP.

[SGKent]

I have never had trouble with any VW starter failing to turn a motor on my 1971 or 1977. The only thing that ever went bad on mine were the solenoid, or the pivot screw wore out.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

The watercoold Vanagon starters are a couple of decades newer than an early Bay starter, and likely haven't been abused as bad. Lots of reasons to want to go with something newer that also puts out more HP as part of the bargain.

I long ago bumped my early watercooled Vanagon (manual tranny) up to the later watercooled Vanagon manual transmission starter as it not only put out more HP, but was cheaper and more readily available. The possible problem with the watercooled Vanagon starter is the clocking of the solenoid. I don't think the Bay starter will fit the Vanagon, but the Vanagon WBX starter may fit the Bay.

[SGKent]

Mike - Whatever you want to use in your cars is totally your choice.

I was just commenting that I have seen a lot of Bosch starters fail because of the solenoid getting sticky or worn out. I have seen Marelli starters throw solder. I have seen Ford and Chevy starters swell up and seize when hot but I have never seen a Bosch starter that wore out brushes or an armature unless the bushing went away in the bell housing if the starter was the kind that needed a bell housing bushing.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

[Vee Dub Nut]

Why not use an even newer TDI starter? The adaptor to bolt these to older air cooled transmissions are readily available. I'm using this on my Subi swapped Bus. Doesn't even flinch turning over the high comp 2.5L, and I was able to get an actual Bosch starter.

Maybe not the "cheap" option you are looking for, but a good quality high power starter none the less.
_________________
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

[alman72]

where would one find said adapter plate? better yet, post a link?

[Wildthings]

I really want something that I or others could use to get a rig going that was sitting in a FLAPS parking lot at 4 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon. I have no interest at all in something that needs to be ordered and that I would have to wait days to get.

The Vanagon Automatic starter might be a viable option for all '75 and earlier Bays (and later automatics) and the Vanagon manual starter might be a viable option for '76 and later Bays. Whether they will fit the Bay without the solenoid bumping into something or some other hard to surmount problem is the only question I have any interest in being answered. Heck if there was a starter off of a Rabbit or some other VW product that was common enough and would bolt up and work that would be fine as well.

[WhirledTraveller]

I'm using one of the TDI starters with an adapter plate which I think I ordered from Westy Ventures is memory serves but it's available from many places.

http://www.westyventures.com/parts.html
https://www.vancafe.com/WV-001-p/wv-001.htm
http://www.busdepot.com/mt1

Just went and started the bus since it's been sitting. 32 Degrees. Cranks over so enthusiastically it's almost startling.

I made the switch because the quality of rebuilds for the stock starter had been going downhill, so this was my way to pay now instead of crying later. These TDI starters are very available anywhere.
_________________
1977 Westy, Automatic. Big Valve heads, CS Cam.

[Vee Dub Nut]

[Vee Dub Nut]

[Mispeld]

My TDI Golf has 255k with the original starter. I would think with such a low compression engine compared to the TDI, it should last almost forever in a bus.
_________________
Tom
1977 Westy. 2.0 Fuel Injected.