Easy fixes on a 78

[Guest]

History Commands

[July 26, 2010, 01:36:19 PM] Jon74panel: I'm burning 2 quarts of oil every time I fill up, I dread going up hills because its just a cloud of smoke behind me, help!

[July 26, 2010, 01:37:35 PM] Jon74panel: does this say drive no futher? I am 1900km away from home, do I limp it home?

[July 26, 2010, 01:38:18 PM] Jon74panel: Location:tofino,BC Destination:Calgary,AB

[July 26, 2010, 01:44:07 PM] Jon74panel: there is a small pool oil on the fan. *scared

[July 27, 2010, 02:49:48 AM] Beetle: http://www.type2.com/ & click on 'AIRS' icon.

[July 27, 2010, 07:45:05 AM] Orange_crush: help! acceleration problem.  bus can only go 5mph on hills..picks up fine on flats and dwon hill.  single carb. 2000cc  motor

[July 27, 2010, 09:04:10 AM] addicted: hey any one on?

[July 27, 2010, 09:04:44 AM] addicted: got a question abdout my piont set heating up

[July 27, 2010, 09:29:38 AM] addicted: poof of smoke from the pionts and gf claims from the dash aswell

[July 27, 2010, 09:38:17 AM] Beetle: Addicted: Post in the forum for better results.

[July 27, 2010, 10:56:36 AM] blue bus: does anyone know how to take the handle off the slider door ao a 74 transporter

[Today at 09:29:31 AM] scoobz: need help adjusting electric choke on 72 type 2

[joshola]

So I'm new here and new to the VW bus world and I just wanted to ask a silly question. I'm in the process of buying my 78 riviera camper and I was just wondering some cheap and easy engine mods I guess to help her run smoother. The engine is a 2.0 FI and I would love to know more about the engine but I can't seem to find anything. Thank you everyone 

[smithe68]

I am sure someone with type IV knowledge will pop in, I am pretty new to buses myself, and am only getting a grasp of the type I motors, all I can do is you to the site.

[vdubyah73]

Go Buy the Bentley Manual, then look at things on the bus and start looking them up in the manual. Ask questions here when you need clarification. An owner that studies how it works is the best way to improve performance, driveability and fuel economy. The best mechanic for your bus is you. Where are you? You may have a fellow dubber nearby. Put your location in your profile, and your bus specs in your signature line

[Fastmc25]

 

First off,
   if you are new to busses i would recommend getting a Bentley Vw Service manual for the model bus you are getting.  It has a wealth of info so you can get to know the bus and understand what it is you want to do to it....

A 2.0 F.I. engine in the 78 is a fairly peppy setup... If tuned properly you should be cruising at normal highway speeds with reliability...... Performance mods with F.I. can be tricky as the computer will have to adjust to the changes you make..... if it can.... It's designed to work on a stock engine but can adjust minimally to increase performance....   Bottom line is if it runs good i wouldn't mess with it other than keeping it in top shape.....  Unless you really know what your doing .... then the sky is the limit and so is your wallet....  

But remember.........  a bus is a bread loaf.... ..  no matter how fast you want to go..........  it's still a bread loaf and aerodynamics will kill about any mileage or top speeds you wish to achieve above 75 mph..........  trust me .... i know..... Clyde will cruise at 85mph but gets 6mpg at that speed.... and gets scary..... .......  I get 21mpg at 60mph.....  

If you have any questions just ask.............  we love to talk busses.....  

[joshola]

Thank you for the welcomes and the tips. I didn't mean performance mods sorry , I mean just things to help her run better and better MPG. I'm definitely going to pick up one of those manuals Thank you. Also I'm all about the cruise  .

[vdubyah73]

There is a pretty good AC VW presence in NJ. Maybe go over to thesamba and search the memberlist for NJ people. Send private messages to introduce yourself, if you wanna remain a lurker over there. Or just post in the Baywindow forum that you are looking for Fellow Jersey members.

 Even better, here are thesamba club listings in New Jersey. Make contact, you may find a local guru to guide you in person.


Name       VW Club of South Jersey
Location    Franklinville
Description    Join a Dynamic, Progressive Club. A place to have fun, enjoy the
company of other VW enthusiasts and our cars. Help plan Cruise Nights,
Meetings and any thing else that would be enjoyable to do.

It's about time there was a active VW Club in South Jersey and we have one
going strong.
Our club is growing in membership every month, and we any type VW
made, Air or Water Cooled.

Our club meets the first Monday of the month at Prestige Volkswagen Dealer
on the Black Horse Pike (Rt. 168) in Turnersville, NJ. At 7pm.

From the north RT. 42, Prestige VW is about 2 miles south from where the
Atlantic City Expressway branches off from RT.42 and RT 42 continues on to
RT 168. From the south we are about 3 miles north of Williamstown on the
left just past Lowes.

So come on out and join a dynamic club and have some fun with your VW.
Walk-ins to our meetings are .
Contact Info    Email: 6d4vdub@sjvwc.net
or via messages on the web site.





Website http://www.sjvwc.net
Website    http://www.sjvwc.org
Name    Central Jersey Volkswagen Society
Location    Statewide
Description    Central Jersey Volkswagen Society (CJVWS) is a club that is dedicated to the
preservation of air-cooled Volkswagens. An extremely active club in the New
Jersey area, we are constantly looking for new members. We hold monthly
meetings at the Chimney Rock Inn in Bridgewater, New Jersey, have a
bi-monthly newsletter, regularly hold club events and shows, and have a
great group of members [currently over 50 active members]. All air-cooled
enthusiasts are encouraged to join.
Contact Info    Contact Info:
Jeffrey Hicken
P.O. Box 269
Flagtown NJ 08821
908-377-5577
jeffreyhicken@cjvwsii.com
Website    http://www.cjvwsii.com


Name    Husdson Bug of NJ
Location    Vega
Description    All air-cooled. Meet up or go to car shows or hangout. This is a new Husdson County club for VW. All are .
Contact Info    e-mail: busalex1218@yahoo.com
Website    N/A

[Dj:Eep]

As for easy fixes you can do right now. 

-Check timing, replace points, condenser, rotor, cap, plugs and wires.  Keep old ones as spares. 

-Give it a dose of FI cleaner, run some Marvel's Mystery Oil through the engine (don't over fill, drive it around for at least a half hour, preferably more), then change oil and filter, using good 10w30 or 20w50, depending on whether or not Jersey is expecting much more cold weather before spring gets into full swing. 

-Check/set the valves (they should be hydraulic, often thought to not need adjustment, but they do, just much less frequently.  Read up on them here: http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html)

-Check for and seal any vacuum leaks in the intake and brake system.