Itinerant Air-Cooled

OK, here's the deal...
Miss Zora's engine is tired, probably ready for a rebuild. Right now she is running great in the city and I am able to borrow a rig for longer road trips. It was suggested to me that I look for and purchase an engine to rebuild and THEN put in MZ rather than removing her engine and be VWless.
So, has anyone come across a VW in a wrecking yard or on the street that might contain a decent Type 4? MZ is a '77.
Thanks gang!!
- Paige

There's a '77 with the engine sitting on the ground at the SE Foster Pick & Pull *right* *now* that you could get out of there for around $250, probably a runner because the Bus was sideswiped by a logging truck in October. But that rig might not be out in the lot much longer -- maybe pulling it tomorrow, maybe next week .. didn't ask "my guy" when I was out there yesterday. They've got another '77 coming into the yard probably tomorrow but I don't know a thing about it.

This is the logging truck wreck .. I seem to remember posts/messages about it a few months ago but not sure if it was Samba or WetWesties or type2.com or where:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boletivore ... 3682891858

Should I give him a call?

It's not there...I just called. At least that's what the guy on the phone said.

In the land of pick-n-pulls, is a bus considered a transporter?
I see that the Pick-n-Pull on N. Columbia Blvd. has a '78 & '75. Hmmmmm.....

OK, now can someone tell about this type of dealio....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... id=1036324

I have $2000 budgeted to fix her up. Would this be a better way to go? And have any of you ever done this or done business with these folks before?

Thanks again!

Calling for anything more specific than "do you have <make><model><year>?", they don't know what's out in the yard parts-wise .. you gotta go out & look. Engine was there when I was out in the yard yesterday afternoon...

They might have it listed as a Vanagon in their computer...

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'll swing out there tomorrow after my hoop class and take a peek. Do you remember whereabouts it's sitting?

Ha! Hal you were right! I just did an online inventory check...the '77 is listed as a Vanagon.
So I guess I'll head out there and see what I can get from them.

misszora wrote:Ha! Hal you were right! I just did an online inventory check...the '77 is listed as a Vanagon.
So I guess I'll head out there and see what I can get from them.

Why is your engine "tired"? Compression test? Oil burning? Rod knock?
Last time I drove it, the engine said yes, I am good for 50,000 miles.
Colin?

This was the scoop in September, nothing has changed.

So here's the skinny...MZ did magnificently up till the last day. Injector seals started leaking air, the fuel filter was clogged (no surprise there!), my #1 intake valve closed (not permanently) and my exhaust manifold gasket started leaking. She limped home valiantly but now she also has a cam gear coming loose and sounds pretty rattly. Hmmmm.

Your response:

Good Lord, who sez? The correct diagnosis requires that the fan housing be taken off, the engine mounts taken off, and pull the oil pump to *actually look* at the camshaft gear rivets.

That is a classic explanation for nasty idle knocks that turn out to be a simple thrust bearing, available in your new cam bearing kit for $23.00.

Did I tell you that the beginning of the end for the Road Warrior's legendary reliability was a machinist who promised me my camshaft gear was about to spool off, so I tore the engine apart in a parking lot in Glendale California . . . gear was fine! Just too much endplay on the camshaft.

I need my girl for camping and I'm afraid to push that engine another year especially when I'm driving solo on long roadtrips. Not having a clean, dry place to work on her makes it difficult to decide how to take care of things. If I drop the engine I lose my main source of transportation for potentially a very long time. However, I do have a vehicle I can borrow from time to time. I can probably keep her going until you get here but if it does require a rebuild, I don't think we can do than in a 12 hour day.

Getting a good used or rebuilt may be the way to go. It will cost of course, but will pay off in the long run. Especially if you don't feel like building an engine, or don't have the space.

misszora wrote:...but if it does require a rebuild, I don't think we can do than in a 12 hour day.

I seem to recall asking 'skeptic this question once, and he said if you had all the parts and everything was spanking clean, he could do a build in 2 days. So that might be something to consider...

chitwnvw wrote:

misszora wrote:...but if it does require a rebuild, I don't think we can do than in a 12 hour day.

I seem to recall asking 'skeptic this question once, and he said if you had all the parts and everything was spanking clean, he could do a build in 2 days. So that might be something to consider...

oooo!! That gave me shivers!

Heading to the pick-n-pull to see if I can coax someone into helping me get the engine into MZ. Woo hoo!