all New to Me and Rearing to Go!!!!

[Lloydjr72]

Hi all,
I just got my hands on a 72 Ghia. Other than the body and a new gas tank, she’s pretty much all original. The previous owner had her for 17 years and before that another owner since new.
That said, looking to tune her up at first to get her running as she should. She goes but sputters and not too much power. The transmission linkage will need some adjusting as I’m finding myself looking for the reverse and first gear; not too worried about that.

So my engine stamp below the generator says D0943118. Does that provide the engine size to purchase all my tuneup parts?

As I said she’s a ‘72 with a VIN code preceded with a 142........

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Also, looking for a couple links to purchase engine parts, body parts and interior parts and bits as well.

I’m in south East Louisiana if anyone is close by.... looking for a VW club to share stories, trade and learn.

Thanks y’all.

[jeffrey8164]

Welcome to the Samba!

142 is a ‘72 Ghia. If the AD 0 engine has been basically left alone, it’s a 1600 Dual Port, dual relief case.

Do the basics first, adjust the valves, compression test, set the timing, verify spark and dwell if you have points, clean the carb and make sure the choke and idle solenoid are working, fuel pump too.

Could be something really simple, like a plug wire, that kind of stuff will be caught with these tests.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[Paul70Ghia]

If it’s a D engine it’s a 1200 which definitely will feel lacking in power although it should still run smoothly.
If it’s an AD then the manifold from the carburettor will go down to two rubber joints which connect it to cast aluminium end pieces bolted to the cylinder heads in which case it is a 1600.

[Era Vulgaris]

Congrats on the Ghia!

Double check that engine number.
72 Ghias should have an engine number that starts with AE.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/chassisdatingkg.php

AD series engines were in beetles and busses.

Both AE and AD engines were 1600 dual port, so no harm in that swap if it is an AD that you have. If you have a D0 series engine, then as mentioned that's a 1200cc with less power than your car should have.

It's not uncommon for our cars to have had their engines swapped at some point, since they're mostly all interchangeable. Also be aware that the engine number doesn't necessarily tell you the size if the engine has been rebuilt, because engines can be rebuilt to larger displacements fairly easily. Pics would help in determining what engine you have.

Lots of info here on the samba on adjusting the shift linkage. It's fairly easy to do, and you'll likely want to replace the shifter bushings as well.

Vendors for parts: Airhead Parts, JBugs, Cip1, Air-cooled.net, West Coast Metric, Socal Auto Parts, Wolfsburg West, etc etc...there's literally tons of them! One of the best thing about these cars is the aftermarket parts availability.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[Lloydjr72]

Great information and feedback. I’ll post pics as soon as I get to it today. I’m mechanically inclined with an auto hobby shop (military base) full of tools and lifts about six miles from my house.
Pics coming soon for more clarity. I’m not too familiar with (points), etc.

It’s definitely apparent the previous owner did not change the oil and bits lately, so that’s the first thing. Any suggestions on oil for a humid, really hot climate...we do get a cold snap at times during the winter season.

Any links to tech manuals for spark plugs gap, etc?.

[Lloydjr72]

..

[Lloydjr72]

Here are two pics. One closeup with the engine number and another pic of the entire engine....hopefully this will help you help ME... !!

[Trylon]

I am a newbie in training but let me be the first to say that a fuel filter in the engine compartment can be problematic.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire

More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel!

[Lloydjr72]

Got it. I’ve read that in other post. Any suggestions on a more robust fuel filter. This is the same type filter my rider-lawn mower uses. Major fire hazard; I know

[Trylon]

[Lloydjr72]

Yeap, I just found a video suggesting that exactly. Now gotta replace all the lines, so I’ll reconfigure it all to set under the car. Thanks for the detail look at the pic

[Lloydjr72]

[Lloydjr72]

[jeffrey8164]

The engine has definitely been reworked. You can tell by the dual port end castings it has dual port heads on it so who knows what’s been done. I lived in Florida for a lot of years, kind of similar weather to Louisiana except maybe not as humid. We ran 10/40 and 20/50 usually but that was before they took all the zinc out of the oil so you want to be sure to add some of that back in.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[Lloydjr72]

[Trylon]

[Lloydjr72]

[Trylon]

[Era Vulgaris]

[Era Vulgaris]