'69 1600 Loss of Power

[ruckman101]

Myself, I would pull it apart first. A new case, even pounded out, should be good for at least a couple of line bores for a rebuild, but if there's no machine shop to do the work, that is an issue.

My impression has been that the SP option is the most bullet-proof. Many folks I've met prefer them in a bus over the DP. That low end torque. If the single port heads are becoming rarer, I'd run them while you still have the option. No experience with a 1776.

I'd be tempted to tear down a new long-block just to ensure it was built up correctly. I completely went over a brand new 34-pict-3 carb out of the box and found some issues.

Sorry, not much definitive help.


neal

[Hippie]

Anything helps, Neal, and is appreciated.
I'm kinda with a time issue, too, so I don't know about piece parting it together. Not sure. Also, kind of tired of tearing down repairing or rebuilding these things. This would be my fifth time or so, including one T-4 engine. It takes me forever to get all the data from what I got, and round up the parts.

[bajaman72]

1776 single port will scoot that bus along nicely ;)

[Hippie]

1776 single port will scoot that bus along nicely ;)

That would be awesome. Nobody seems to catalog a single port 1776 though...have to be a custom job.

[ruckman101]

Build ups tend to be with the much more prevalent DP base. Few hot rod 1200 cc cases now. Do people really do 1776 SPs?

neal

[hambone]

A reputable shop must check out your case before using it, chances are it needs machining. It's probably useable though. It is light and easy to ship out for machining.
Keep it single port, use the parts you have. I was able to find plentiful single port rebuilt heads from various west coast VW vendors (a couple of years ago.)
Screw the long block, you're from Iowa. Do it your damn self.
Get the Wilson book if you don't already have it and start thinking about each piece. You can most likely reuse a lot of your current components.
This is not something to rush into. You are forced to take your time, or purchase an unknown.

[Hippie]

You are forced to take your time, or purchase an unknown.

Good point. I wish I had more of that time stuff though.

I'm still thinking.

[Amskeptic]

I'm still thinking.

Me too. What size main jet did you have at time of death? What color were the plugs?
My vote is for you to rebuild your single port 1600 like an old German Craftsman, take your time.
MOFOCO?????? Do you honestly want to drop yourself into that cauldron of indifference?
Remember how I was freaking out over the quality of your CV joints with those pretty end caps and clean clean grooves after all these years? You HAVE to do it yourself if you give a half a damn about that car in your driveway, it is a last representative of people who cared about quality because they cared about quality.
Yes. You will have to dig deep to find what you need.
Colin

[ruckman101]

I think Bob Hoover recommended an external, just to have an actual filter rather than a mesh screen.

Yet there is an argument to be made for additional potential fail points, and a slower curve to operating temps because of the larger oil capacity that also must come to temp, throw in no thermostat, and I'm stickin' to the stock mesh screen at this point. I used to dream of bolt on sumps. No more.


neal

[RSorak 71Westy]

Not running an oil filter is pure foolishness. While you're rebuilding it, improve the setup to the Berg steel cover that has oil filter hose provisions.

[Hippie]

Thanks, all. I didn't know Berg made a pump, RSorak.
Hambone, the engine looks good because it get pulled for repairs all the time, and so cleaned and painted.
Neal, the extra failure points have been failing, too, in that the filters sometimes bulge and I blew one and ;lost all the oil on this engine once. Fortunately it was at low speed, and I caught it right away.

It comes down to the case condition. This was new case about 45-50K miles ago I think it was.
If it's beat with oval bearing saddles or whatever, I don't know if I will UPS it out to California to be machined and fitted with new bearings, or just get a longblock where it's already all done. Also depends on the crank condition to a point.

[hambone]

Pure foolishness indeed. 1938-1979 and beyond without a filter. Oh the horrors!
If you have the funds, a new Brazil case is an excellent way to go.
Are you sure there's nobody in the Midwest who can machine that sucker? Maybe ask on Samba.

[ruckman101]

Not running an oil filter is pure foolishness. ....

Foolish foolish german engineers. Eh, I'm good with the screen. Not switching to a paper air filter, either, at least until I enter the dual Kadron world.


neal

[ruckman101]

This case would be the bomb.

http://www.precisionalloy.com/

Unfortunately, I would need a bomb to raise that kind of coin.


neal

[Sylvester]

This case would be the bomb.

http://www.precisionalloy.com/

Unfortunately, I would need a bomb to raise that kind of coin.


neal

How much do you think it is? Sure lookin purdy.