Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:RE: Tranny/Engine mounts for T4->T1 engine conv.?
From:Maher, Steve (SD-MS)
Date:Wed, 24 Apr 1996 13:47:00 -0700 (PDT)

>Anybody know if I could take a later baywindow and drop my ('70)
>engine/tranny combo into it?

I recently owned a '71 bus with a '70 single-port engine, which I think
was bolted to the original '71 transmission (are the transmissions
different from '70 to '71? I don't know).

Ran well enough-- nice and peppy, especially for a single-port, and I've
heard that single-port engines are tougher than dual-ports because they
have less tendency to develop cracks from the spark plug holes to the
intake ports when stressed.

Two things to watch for:

1.) '71 is the first year (in the U.S.) for busses to come with front
power disc brakes standard. These are wonderful-- a vast improvement
over the standard front drums on '70 and older in the U.S. But they
require a vacuum tap into the intake manifold of the engine, which U.S.
single-port engines don't have. You can fabricate one pretty easily, I
think (mine already had one, looked homemade), or you can drive around
with very stiff brakes. This is safe once you get used to using a LOT of
pressure on the pedal.

2.) '71s had dualport engines with the doghouse fan shroud and offset
oil cooler. Most single-port engines don't have this, unless someone's
modified them. They let the engine run cooler, which is VERY important
in a bus. There are kits available to change to a doghouse, and it's
a pretty easy swap once the engine is out of the car.

Hope this helps.
 ______________________________________________________________________
           _                                            ______________
    ______//________    Steve Maher    smaher@gi.com   //__][__||____\\
   /o _   |  -| _   \   San Diego, CA     75461,1717  (o _-|       _ o|
   `-(_)=======(_)---'                                 '(_)-------(_)-'
 '66 Mustang Coupevertible      '89 Son Sherwin        '80 VW V6anagon

            http://www.lookup.com/homepages/76242/home.html

 "Tax the rich, subsidize the poor."
 "From each according to his means, to each according to his needs."
 Any Questions?
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------