67 Bus Engine Decision

[67splittwist]

I am new to the VW world and am trying to learn as much as I can. I recently picked up a 67 Deluxe to restore. It is in need of an engine. I have done alot of research and am trying to figure out what my best option is. The bus will mainly be driven in town and on day/weekend excursions. I would like to keep it looking as factory as possible. I know that a 1500 is stock and I am okay with sticking with that. From what Ive read, a 1600 is 'identical' looking and a little better performance wise. I have recently run across a AH coded 1600 (73-74) out of a type 1. I am thinking that I am going to have to find a type 1 1600 as type 2 engines are harder to come across. It is stuck at the moment and it is dual port. I would assume that it has the dual oil relief. Most forums I read indicate that the torque of the single port is better than the top end gains of a dual port when it comes to a bus. One of my questions is, do I buy the AH for the dual oil relief, doghouse oil cooler and change it to a single port? I assume it would just need different heads, intake, carb and tins? Would it be better to keep searching for a factory 1600 single port? Unless I find one from a type 2, I believe 1970 was the only year the type 1 was a 1600 single port....but then I dont believe I would have the dual oil relief?? I am looking for input on which way to go. Search for a 1500 or factory 1600 single port? Take the 1600 dual port and change to single port? Run the 1600 dual port? I have read numerous posts on this topic, but cant quite come to a consensus. Are the dual oil reliefs and doghouse oil cooler the most important factors in the decision? I want a nice driving, RELIABLE bus when I am finished. Thank you.

[Lind]

Type 1 and type 2 engines are virtually identical. The differences are the air cleaner and the exhaust, and then only if you are using stock components. Just call it a type 1 engine or an upright engine. Pretty much the same for 1500 versus 1600. You will not really notice the difference. Dual ports have a bit more power and run a bit hotter, but again, not a big difference.

The easy thing to do is to stick in the dual port 1600 which should have the doghouse fanshroud, etc. Singleport is great, but generally not worth putting a lot of extra effort into.
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[Braukuche]

If you are doing a stock restoration and want a stock appearing engine then you for sure should use single port heads with whatever case you choose. Your bus would have come with a single relief H case. If you are going to build a stock 1600 then it doesn’t matter that it’s single relief.
Now if you want to maintain stock appearance while upgrading the power and cooling you could use a dual relief case with single port heads but increase displacement by running bigger pistons and cylinders and a crank with increased stroke while using a modified stock carburetor. Increasing displacement to 1776 or 1800 cc makes for a much more drivable bus should you need to take the freeway. You would want to increase cooling so you would want to run a 1971 up doghouse fan shroud, but it would appear stock to most eyes.
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Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[69aircooled]

Welcome to the VW world. I believe these first 2 posts are spot on. Since you are new to VWs I would advise trying to stay near stock as possible. A nice single port or dual port 1600 should provide you with a more trouble free experience. You can always upgrade to a bigger engine later.

[Pepperbilly]

Nothing like a nice reliable single port engine. I like stock. I was fortunate to keep my original HO engine case and used it for my stock rebuild on my ‘67 Westy. Be aware when you go with more power you also create a louder engine. Been there, done that!

Bill

[Eric&Barb]

[Lind]

[Help Help]

If you want to keep it "stock" do the research and get what it was born with and scoff at everyone else that didn't go that route.

If you want to fun to drive bus, refine what is "fun to drive" and where you drive it. For some people 200+HP is fun and for others bone stock 36HP. Think about this one, will it be around town or will you be going 2 hours away to camp? Freeway or surface streets? Loaded or empty? Hot weather or cold?

What is the level of involvement you want to have? I tinker with my bus so I am OK adjusting valves, syncing carbs, etc. on a regular basis. If you are not inclined, don't have a place to work on it or don't have the tools, simpler might be better.

Also, do you still have or plan on keeping the RGB's? If you want a straight axle or higher gear ratios for freeway driving you'll want to factor that in too.

I've got a 67 as well and have been scheming on what my next motor will be. It won't be bone stock, but it'll be fun to drive!

[Pepperbilly]

My ‘67 has been in the family since 1967. I kept all the bits and pieces over the years knowing that some day it would be a very special resto. I even kept the original case even though I had a couple of different engines installed over the years. Yes, it is a 1600 today but only because 1500cc parts are not available. The motor also sports it’s original thermostat and cooling mousetraps and links. The engine warms up much better from a cold start. Some people throw out this stuff but really that is a mistake in my opinion…

Bill

[67splittwist]

Thanks to everyone for their input. There is just something about being stock to me...so I'd prefer to keep it that way or at least period correct as it will never truly be stock. I know I want to go single port. I would love to find an H0 motor. I have run across a couple of H5 engines, but I dont believe they were ever in buses. If I find an 'H0' block, I may take it and bolt 1600 cylinders, heads and intake onto it. That way I have the 1600 but still have the 'original' H0 block.

Im not sure...just know I want to go single port and try to be period correct looking. A couple more questions...

Are single port 1500 and 1600 heads the same? Are there different castings that are better than others?

Is it possible to get pistons/rings for a 1500 if I decide to go that route?

Thanks again.

[Eric&Barb]

[Danwvw]

Yes and if you still want to put a single port engine in it it could be built to look stock even stroked 74mm or 76 or 78 maybe that would be pushing it for a bus, However. I would use new 1600 single port heads opened for 92 bore so it could run 88mm thick wall piston and cylinders. The AH case is way better though.
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[hydro50]

I had a engine built for my split single cab last year. New dual relief case, stock single port, 76mm stroke, 90.5mm pistons (1956cc) straight cut ‘cheater’ cam, dog house w external oil cooler and filter. Everything else looks stock. This engine runs and drives fabulously with a big nut trans and 4.12 r&p and 0.82 4th. So happy and substantial improvement over stock 1500 with standard gearing. Great torque and rolls on the highway at 65 easy peasy.
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Dang this Type II thing has gotten expensive!

[Lind]

[Bruce Amacker]

All previous posts are correct. I've had plenty of engines in my busses and will never go back to a single port. IMO, the basic choice should be a stock DP, especially if you ever go on the highway. If you NEVER went on the highway (and who does that?) a SP would be fine. After many engine changes I now have strokers in both busses and still only drive 62ish on the highway. The 1600DP would probably be the most reliable (excluding the 34PICT).

Good luck with whatever you choose.
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'66 Deluxe Bus
'65 Standard Bus
Build threads:
'66- http://www.leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&sid=54d8dedfb3822f99c7f2ea430cb4e856
'65- http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4263

[Zundfolge1432]

[ToolBox]

If you stay stock or not a counter weighted crank and a full balance will get you a much smoother engine.

[FarmerBill]

[BulliBill]

[Erik G]

Brian_e just posted about an easy flow gain for single ports. I like a well built singleport with a big nut trans myself https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=682243
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