New Engine source

[apple333]

I am tired of trying fix my engine to get it to run right I want to start restoring my westy and have some fun with it. Does anyone know where I can buy a turnkey complete engine for a 1971 westy? I know the 1600 dp engine is not the best but is there anyone in the Bay area that sells rebuilt turnkey engines. I just need one that is good enough to get me to the ocassional bus show and event. At this point I think it would be best if I just buy a complete engine. I am anxious to start the restoration process. I ahve spent WAY too much money on this current engine and I fear driving around stalling and dying all the time is going to get my poor bus in an accident. I live in the San Francisco Bay area.

[1979westie]

How do you know your engine isn't suitable for being a good runner given the appropriate attention? You might get a new engine only to find that the components you'll swap over to the new longblock are to blame. (Trust me, it's happened to my GTI) May I suggest a visit from Amskeptic for the paltry sum of $320 (i think)? He will do you better than any engine seller.
_________________
Your car may do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but can it sleep 4 and cook a meal?

1979 Deluxe Campmobile (quickly rusting away)
33K miles when bought, now at 61K
Proud Member #2 SBS (Stock Bus Society)

[1979westie]

If you have a 1600 in your '71, you have a very basic and reliable base to start with. You talk about stalling...sounds like carb trouble to me. Like i said up there, the engine might well be fine. Don't waste the money on a new engine until you know you need one. Might be as simple as a carb rebuild and adjustment. PM Amskeptic and ask him when he is coming to your neck of the woods.
_________________
Your car may do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but can it sleep 4 and cook a meal?

1979 Deluxe Campmobile (quickly rusting away)
33K miles when bought, now at 61K
Proud Member #2 SBS (Stock Bus Society)

[westy78]

I know in your other thread you said that you replaced every gasket you could find. That doesn't necessarily mean that the new gaskets are sealing correctly. Have you used starter fluid (fire extinguisher handy) or an unlit propane torch to spray around all the vacuum points? I have a friend that had the same problem with his '71 for the last year. Turns out it was the carb to manifold gasket sucking air and throwing everything off. Don't give up on this engine yet. Have you done a compression check to see what the general health of the engine is? Checked valve adjustment?
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Jasan C.
'78 Westy

VW Campmobile, it goes on vacation with you.

[apple333]

Thanks for the advice guys but I am done messing with the 1600 DP. I personally think it is a poor design, but I want to keep my bus stock. I just want to find an engine that runs reasonably well ocassionaly and I will be happy. Just so you know I am NOT a VW hater. I have owned over 25 Volkswagens over the years dating back to 1967. I have owned busses, convertibles, a truck, ovals you name it. I currently own a VR6 Jetta my third Jetta. I love Volkswagens! But I don't love the 1600 DP engine and all its chronic problems. Actually I bought the Westy to be a daily driver for my son but after having it towed off the freeway a couple of times I came back to earth and remebered all the times I had to grab my trusty VW tow bar and go reclaim my VW from wherever it broke down. As for Amskeptic I don't really get along with people who think Volkswagens are problem free. I LOVE volkswagens and accept all their quirky problems. Thanks again though!

[NorCal71Westy]

I also have a '71 Westy and live in the Bay Area. I understand how you feel about wanting your bus to just run and keep running without always having to fiddle with it...I've been there. But our buses are old, apple333, and require a bit more attention than some of their younger siblings. You could go out of state like I did and get an engine built, but there's no need to. Because right here in the Bay Area we've got a VW shop that can make that '71 of yours right again--I had my engine built before I discovered them. They are in Menlo Park and the name is Dieter's German Car Service and is owned by a mechanic named Lou. Phone number is 650/365-0432. Lou and his crew are very very good at repairing and keeping VW's alive. They also build engines and trannys. Prior to finding Lou I tried most all the VW repair shops in the Bay Area and I wouldn't send my worst enemy to any of them. I've sent other Samba members to Lou and only good things have resulted.

The nice thing about having a local ship like Lou's build and service your engine is that they are local. If anything should happen to your engine they are close by. My engine builder--BAP out of AZ--doesn't even build engines anymore. Good luck!

[Bob D.]

[apple333]

I did own one other car with a 1600 DP engine it was a 1974 bug. I dumped so much money into that car and it never did run right and it was bone stock. I did however learn how to drive it with my heal and toe to keep it running when I had to stop.

[1979westie]

I just don't understand how you can claim that the 1600 is full of problems. It is one of the most simple, reliable engines VW made. I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud or upset you, but I would caution you to avoid getting another engine before you absolutely need to, because you will be wasting your money. If the block is in good shape, there is your base. Done a compression test? Leakdown? Crankshaft endplay within spec? Your problems are more than likely accessories to the engine that are giving you grief (ie fuel pump, carb, distributor/adjustment, etc.)

And Colin WILL admit to VW's being sketchy at times. He might be (a little too) in love with these busses, but at the end of the day he leaves you with a reliable running bus. Kindof hard to argue with. Just look at all the happy customers here on the Samba.
_________________
Your car may do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but can it sleep 4 and cook a meal?

1979 Deluxe Campmobile (quickly rusting away)
33K miles when bought, now at 61K
Proud Member #2 SBS (Stock Bus Society)

[shiningstar76]

if you hate the 1600dp so much, why spent the money on another?

[shiningstar76]

my bus irritates me too once in a while, but I think its just a matter of accepting such an old vehicle for what it is. I look at it like this-Its january, somehow almost 70 degrees, i've got a sunroof bus, I am going to drive it the 20 miles on the highway to work, if I get there I work, if not I spend the day with the bus, oh well. But until it breaks its going to be a beautiful day

[mightyart]

I bought my bus with 20,000 miles on the rebuilt engine, I have the receit for it. The guy paid over $3,000 in 2001, I am the fourth owner since then. The Other guys ran away from it like it was cursed or something.
I replace the 25 year old Fuel injection system, new injectors, switched out some parts with used, fuel pump hoses ect. I changed leaky valve cover gaskets, That's as far as I got into the engine, The stuff bolted to the block was shot. Now it's a daily driver, I would not hesitate to drive 1,000 miles right now if I had to. Now that said like stated above it is old, and quirky. I wanted exactly what you wanted, I didn't want to mess with the engine. I wanted to make a cool camper, but the reality of it is I drive it a couple of weeks, tinker over the weekend. Unless you have alot of miles on the engine, or an actual problem like burnt valves or something, stick with what you've got. If it's stalling rebuild the carb, or get a rebuilt STOCK carb. If you don't want to tinker with it put all stock parts on. If you've ever worked on a new car, (I give up on anything built after 90) a 71 is a walk in the park. Make an appointment with Colin(Amskeptic) before you go buying a new engine, you will save money and have a new appriciation of your Westy
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My Art:
http://www.instagram.com/flynn8552/

[VWBusrepairman]

I'm not a fan of the type I engine, either, but to make a good engine, it takes practice, patience, and time.

Maybe you could get a long block from the Bus Depot and just do up the tin and accessories yourself. Part of owning a bus is coming to terms with your engine and who better to know each fastener on your bus than you?

Good luck!

[visibleink]

"But I don't love the 1600 DP engine and all its chronic problems. "

Another possiblity, does it just die when you hit the brake? Does brake change idle at all? Then it's almost certainly a faulty brake booster.

The engine you have is the best type 1 engine, it has the dog house style oil cooler which doesn't choke the air flow to #3 like the pre 71 designs. I have driven many Type 1 engines and one type 4 engine, there are big advantages and disadvatages between the two but the Type 1 is much easier and cheaper to work on and tune up. The problem cetainly isn't in the long block, it's tune up stuff or a vac leak.

Refering back to your previous posts I'd just about bet cash that your engine just isn't tuned up correctly. 7 degrees BTDC is just the wrong place to time it no matter what dizzy you are running. If stock dizzy it should be 5 ATDC and if 009 it should be 32 BTDC at full advance. If your timing is wrong it will have problems like this and I know this by timing wrong and dying all the time like you are doing.

To put in a brand new turn key engine, and then time it wrong you are going to have the exact same problem. If you hated the Type 1 engine why get a 71? It really sounds like you'd be haper with a waterleaker Vanagon or Eurovan if you aren't willing to spend time properly tuning the engine and checking.
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Been on the samba so long I remember petting that dog to see VWs, WYHI, and green bug girl.

<-- Helga, she slammed her dub in '53 and adjusted valves with her teeth

[hambone]

I have to disagree, I've had many 1600s, both single and dual ports. One thing sticks in my mind: A fresh engine with fresh top end parts, tuned and adjusted properly, is bulletproof (for 3k miles, until a tuneup is needed).
An old, tired, or mis adjusted engine will run like crap. Sometimes it takes a new carb, other times it's "rebuild city". But once the TLC and cash has been invested, you can get many happy years out of one. They just get old and tired like the rest of us.
New carbs, cap and rotor, etc. are cheap. And if they don't fix the problem, you'll have new components for your new engine!
Don't give up, some times these suckas mess with your mind, try your patience. I've actually gone to bed, stumped, and woke up with the solution! It's weird, but if you put your mind to it, it will work. Good luck, this site has really helped me fix many problems. VW folks will give you the shirt off their backs, so ask away.

[Schmooey]

I never knew the 1600dp was such a POS!

No wonder the type 1 was such a flop.

[VWBusrepairman]

Floppage aside- which engineer decided that these engines were sufficient enough to power a heavy van? C'mon, shouldn't take a lot of skill to realize that it's an underpowered vehicle.

Anyone tried building a type I from the new aluminum cases yet? Any luck? I've heard that in changing from magnesium to aluminum- there is a horsepower gain in materials change alone...not to mention they shouldn't beat the journals out of round.

[hambone]

It's not underpowered, it's just not designed for high speed. I've taken a heavily laden bus up some steep mountain grades, in 90 degree temps, no problem.
People are just in too big of a hurry these days, get spoiled by 400 mph jets.
Imagine if an Oregon Trail pioneer had a 47' bug with cable brakes, he'd shit himself with delight!

[visibleink]

[VWBusrepairman]