79 Bay Window - dead engine - looking for options!

[mabutt]

My 79 died a death a few weeks ago (valve stuck open, made nasty noises). It's been clacky & leaking oil for a while now & slowly losing power, so trying to figure out what to do next, would love to get some opinions from this group. It's a 2.0 with EFI, hydraulic lifters and I just spent $2k+ getting it through CA smog.

So my options that I'm considering:

1. Minimal repair - pull the engine, replace the head (maybe both)
2. Replace with a stock EFI
3. Replace with a twin carb (I'd prefer this, but not sure if this will pass CA Smog?)

Anyone else been through this? What would you suggest? And where would you recommend I get a replacement engine in CA (SF Bay Area)?

Thanks!

[SGKent]

1. No such thing. If it has a stuck open valve it likely has piston damage, maybe more. It is a full rebuild. Heads, piston and cylinder set, cam, lifters, bearings, etc..

2. Will have to be a stock FI bus to pass smog tests in CA. There are two configurations for 1979, California and Federal. The electronics don't interchange.

3. never can pass CA smog with a dual carb setup. Nationally it is an EPA violation too but most states have more things on their mind that to look around in engine bays. That said, if a state has remote sniffers looking for gross polluters, then that can be a different issue. A cat would clean it up in those circumstances but the mixture would be turning the cat cherry red until it failed.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

Check Bus Lab for engine builders in your area. You are likely going to want new AMC heads with the components upgraded. Whether you need new piston and such will have to be determined through careful examination after you tear the engine down.

[aeromech]

Bus lab is a place to try even though I’ve never had dealings with them. I’m thinking in your area they are probably the top choice. If you have a choice.

Please post some pics of your bus so we can see if fixing the engine is a good investment for you.

Sorry, if you were in Southern California I could offer more options
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

Actually, here’s a thought. These days a lot of people are doing the Subaru mod. That means that the shops doing the mods may have complete T4 engines pulled from these buses. Some may be good, used engines. Maybe Skills would be able to comment on that
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

at least he got 8 years out of it.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Gregg in the 603]

[mabutt]

Thanks for the advice everyone. She's starting to get rusty around the edges, but not ready to give up on her yet! I'll give Buslab a call and track down Skills.

[/img]

[aeromech]

Nice looking bus.

Instead of bothering skills, do your research and find other shops that do the Subaru mod.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Gashog]

I’ve a type IV that was pulled three month ago for my Skillz conversion. It’s listed in the classifieds.

[aeromech]

[aeromech]

Oops, this guys engine won’t pass California smog I’m afraid.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[airschooled]

[aeromech]

I’m far from being a Jake Raby but first, there’s the smaller engine, then there’s the cam shaft. I thought a fuel injection engine used a different cam. Then there’s the exhaust system differences which might be a cat, 02 sensor, or EGR.

If it was me, I’d keep shopping for the right engine
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[dodger tom]

my vote, for what it’s worth, is stay stock.

call nate at broad street auto in san luis obispo (not too far away) and see if jonathan can get you a tuttle rebuild.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[JaimeH]

The OP has a '79. That square port exhaust will not work on earlier heads.. If it weren't for that all other parts could be installed or adapted.
_________________
1978 Transporter 2.0 FI, BA6
Special Thanks to Razor's Customs, Boscawen, NH

[aeromech]

[aeromech]

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/d/carlsbad-vw-bus-20-engine-rebuilt/7555796637.html
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

[Nitramrebrab72]