From: pgheit01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Subject: [A]FAQ for Air-Cooled VW's 12/16/92
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 15:06:27 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

This is the Frequently Asked Questions List for Air-Cooled Volkswagens.
This file was last edited 12/16/92.

The editor welcomes any comments or suggestions for changes, additions,
or deletions to the FAQ.  The email addresses are listed at the end of
the document.  (Please dig up any files you have saved and send them
to me!!  This is the first issue and represents input from only two 
other people. Right now, the trivia/content ratio is high, I hope to
change that around by next month.)

Boring Disclaimer:
Although the information contained in the FAQ is generally the collected
experiences of many VW owners, there is no guaranty made as to the
correctness of this material.  Hence, it is up to the reader to use this
knowledge in addition to thinking, not as a substitute for it.  As Mark
Twain said, "Be careful of looking for advice in medical books.  You
might die of a misprint." From now on, anytime a "VW" is mentioned, it
is assumed that we are talking about a 4 cylinder, horizontally opposed,
air-cooled Volkswagen engine.

The obvious first question:

1.) What is the best manual to buy for my VW?

"How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures
     for the Complete Idiot 14th Edition" John Muir.  John Muir 
     Publications: Santa Fe, 1990.  ISBN 0-945465-80-7.
     It is a Bible for novices and experts alike.  Fun reading too. 
     Muir (no relation to the naturalist) obviously was a hippie.  

The following are the VW official service manuals published by 
Robert Bentley Inc.
1000 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Station Wagon/Bus Official Service Manual Type 2:1968-1979
VW Part # LPV 997 288 ISBN 0-8376-0094-4

Tansporter Manual has recently been republished for 1961-1967

Beetle and Karmann Ghia Official Service Manual Type 1:1966-1969
VW Part # LPV 997 169 ISBN 0-8376-0416-8

Super Beetle, Beetle and Karmann Ghia Official Service Manual Type
1:1970-1979 VW Part # LPV 997 109 ISBN 0-8376-0096-0

Fastback and Squareback Official Service Manual Type 3:1968-1973
VW Part # LPV 997 383 ISBN 0-8376-0057-X

Haynes Manuals published by Haynes Publications Inc.  Not as helpful as
Bentley manuals, but not bad.  American readers will have to get used to
the Queen's English.

Haynes Publishing Group         Haynes Publications, Inc.
Sparkford Nr Yeovil             861 Lawrence Drive
Somerset BA22 7JJ England       Newbury Park, California 91320 USA

VW Beetle & Karmann Ghia 1954-1979 ISBN 1 85010 729 7

General Consensus Says "DON'T BUY CHILTON'S MANUALS!"  They are crap.

2.)  Are there any magazines for VW owners/enthusiasts?

Try "Dune Buggies and Hot VW's" or "VWTrends."  HVWs seems to be more
toward technical stuff, but both of them cater more towards mods and hot
rodding.  Their only saving grace is the wealth of advertising for
shops, parts places, and VW events.  Add a sprinkle of large breasted,
bikini-clad beach bimbos, and there you have it.

3.) Are there any VW Clubs for me and my variety of VW?

Many of these clubs offer newsletters and classified ads for members.
(There are more than these)

NEATO (North East Association of Transporter Owners)
1 Warren Square
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

LiMBO (Late Model Bus Organization)
122 Islington Road
Auburndale, MA 02166-1010

VW Thing Association of America
5340 Whitney Boulevard
Rocklin, CA 95677

The Pacific Northwest Safari Association
P.O. Box 1012
Belfair, WA 98528

SOTO (Society of Transporter Owners)
P.O. Box 3555
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Vintage VW Club of America
P.O. Box 4108
Mountain View, CA 94040

Volkswagen Club of America
P.O. Box 154
North Aurora, IL 60542-0154

4.) What are some good places to mail-order stuff from?

People have had different experiences with the various companies.  Ask
around.  Here are some of the addresses though. (1)

Gene Berg Enterprises
1725 North Lime Street
Orange, CA 92665-4187
(714)-998-7500

West Coast Metric, INC.
3445 Kashiwa Street
Torrance, CA 90505
(213)-325-0005

Bus Boys, INC.
20460 Der Kinder Road
Redding, CA 96003
(916)-222-2697
Recently came under new ownership.  May not be correct information.

Wolfburg West
601 E. Lambert Road
La Habra, CA 90631
(213)-679-9378

House of Ghia
2626 Three Lakes Road
Albany, OR 97321
(503)-926-6513

KdF Enterprises
5832 San Fernado Road
Glendale, CA 91202
(818)-242-8877

GEX International Corp.
15245 Nubia Street
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
800-423-1869/800-826-9340 in CA

DEE Engineering
3560 Cadillac Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714)-979-4990

Distinctive Industries
6348 East Gage Avenue
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
(213)-927-2608

VDO
980 Brook Road
P.O. Box 2897
Winchester, VA 22601
(703)-665-2428 voice
(703)-772-4198 FAX

Still need to get the address of BFY Obselete Parts.
(Used to be Bugs For You)

5.) Do I need to use a lead additive/lead substitute in my VW?

Volkswagen stated that all of their heads from about 1966 on have been
made with hardened valves and valve guides.  Therefore lead
additive/substitute is not needed.  If your heads have been rebuilt,
then the machinist probably used the good stuff.  Silicon-bronze valve
guides are the good ones if that helps.

6.) What does Type 1 mean anyway?
VW categorized the engines and body style together from type 1-4.  There
is some crossover.

Type 1: Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia
Type 181: Thing (Safari) This is often confused to be a Type 1, but is a
type 181 and has 181 part numbers.
Type 2: Transporter, Vanagon
Type 3: Squareback, Fastback, Notchback
Type 4: 411/412 station wagon, sedan

Types 1/2 are characterized by an upright fanshroud with an upright oil
cooler inside it, with the generator sitting on a pedestal, and the fan
mounted on the end of the generator shaft.  The engine number is found
underneath the generator pedestal. (Under the 1-4-3-2)

Type 3 has a rear mounted fanshroud, a fan which bolts to the pulley,
the generator mounted atop the engine (but not on a pedestal, and a flat
oil cooler.  This is sometimes call a "pancake" engine since it is so
much flatter.  The engine number is found between the crankcase case
parting line and the oilcooler mount.  Types 1-3 crankcases are made
from a magnesium alloy.  The Type 3 crankcase is structurally like the
Type 1, and many parts will interchange.  However, there is no hole for
the oil pressure sending unit or the oil dipstick.  Type 3's have a
separate dipstick hole at the bottom right of the pulley. (The oil
pressure sending unit screws into the oil cooler.)

Type 4 is also called a pancake.  It too has a flattened oil cooler and
rear mounted fan shroud.  The fan is integral to the pulley.  The
generator is mounted on the passenger's side in front of the #2
cylinder.  The engine number is found on the top of the crankcase near
the fanshroud.  Type 4 crankcases are made from aluminum.  Type 4's have
virtually no interchange with Types 1-3.

Type 1 engines were installed in all Type 1 vehicles and Type 181.  Type
2 engines had lower compression, but were the same.  In 1971, Type 2
engines had a rear mounting brace to help support the engine.  Starting
in 1972, Type 4 engines were used in busses.  1980-1983 Vanagons also
had a Type 4 engine, but with unique heads and crankcase. Types 3 and 4
always had their respective engines in them. Porsche 914 also had the
type 4 VW engine in it.

7.) So what size is my engine?

Engine Letter Codes (2)
Type 1:
Code           Year          Engine   Remarks
4              '60           1200     40HP
5              '61           1200     40HP
6              '62           1200     40HP
7              '63           1200     40HP
8              '64           1200     40HP
9              '65           1200     40HP
FO             '66           1300     8mm oil pump studs started
HO/TO          '67           1500
H5             '68-'69       1500
B6             '70           1600     Dual relief crankcase started
AE             '71-'72       1600     Dual port heads started
AH             '73-'74       1600     8mm head studs w/ case savers
AJ             '75           1600

Replacement Cases: All are dual relief and have 10mm oil passages
FI                           13/1600
F2                           13/1600
DO                                    40HP Part when last digit is "X"
DI                                    Sometimes a 40HP Part
AB             '66-'79       1600     Built since '73 in Mexico, Brazil
                                      and Germany
AD                           1600
AK             '67-'74       15/1600
AM                           1600
AS                                    Sometimes listed as Super Beetle
                                      original case, '73-on
TYPE 2:
Numerals       '61-'63       1200     See Type 1 40HP listings
O              '64           1500     Based on 1200, no cam bearings
H              '65           1500
HO             '66-'67       1500     no crossmember holes
B5             '68-'69       1600     8mm oil pump studs started
B5             '70           1600     Dual-relief crankcase started
AE             '70           1600     w/ crossmember holes
CB             '72-73        1700     Dual Carb, manual trans
CD             '73           1700     Dual Carb, auto trans
AW             '73-'74       1800     Dual Carb, manual or auto
AW             '75           1800     Fuel Injection started
ED             '75           2000
GD             '76-'77       2000
GD             '78-'79       2000     Hydraulic valve lifters
CV             '80-'83       2000     Vanagon heads and crankcase

Type 3
O              '63-'65       1500     Based on 1200, no cam bearings
TO             '66-'67       1500     6mm oil pump studs
UO             '68           1600     Fuel Injection started
UO             '69           1600     Rear crossmember holes started
UO             '70           1600     Dual releif crankcase started
U5             '71-'73       1600     7.7:1 compression ratio
X              '72           1600     7.3:1 compression ratio

Type 4
W              '71           1700
EA             '72-'74       1700
EB             '73           1700     California only
EC             '74           1700

Porsche 914
W              '70-'71       1700     8.2:1 D-Tronic FI
EA             '72-'73       1700     8.2:1 D-Tronic FI
EB             '73           1700     7.3:1 D-Tronic FI
EC             '74           1800     California Only; 7.3:1; L-Tronic
AN             '74           1800     8.6:1 D-tronic
GA             '73-'74       2000     7.6:1 3 intake studs D-Tronic
GB                           2000     8.0:1 3 intake studs D-Tronic
VO                           2000     European only; magnesium crankcase
                                      like Types 1-3.

8.) Where can I find my chassis ID (VIN) Number ?

Types 1 and 181: Found on a plate in the luggage compartment behind the
spare tire.  Also found stamped on the frame tunnel under the back seat.

Type 2: Found to the right of the engine in the engine compartment.
Type 3: Found on the tunnel under the rear seat.
Type 4: Found on the left windshield piller, and under the rear seat.

Starting in 1969, most VW's have a metal plate on the corner of the
dashboard in front of the driver with the VIN number on it.

9.) From: wpc@po.CWRU.Edu (William P. Claspy)

I need information about the gas heater in my bus/bug/ghia.  Where can I
get my gas heater fixed?  Where can I get a gas heater for my bus/ bug/
ghia?

Gas powered heaters were made available as a dealer option on
busses/bugs/ghias for quite a few years for people who drove their
vehicles in colder climates. These heaters work in addition to the stock
heat provided by engine heat through the heat exchangers on the engine. 
They are powered by a gas line from the gas tank and use a glow plug,
spark plug, separate ignition coil and fan.

Since they use gasoline, gas heaters are inherently dangerous, due to
the highly explosive nature of gasoline.  Hence, I have found that
almost no one is willing to work on them, probably for reasons of
liability.  The local VW dealer said that he "would take a look at it
and see what I can do." I think he has to say that since VW sold the
heaters as an option.  It sounded like even if he could fix it, the cost
would be prohibitive, above and beyond the normal high dealer repair
costs.

However, many people still have these heaters and want to keep them
working.  During the fall/winter of 1991 there was a discussion thread
on r.a.vw concerning these heaters, initiated by myself and Jack Reed.

What we found is that there are two places in the  U.S. that will
service/sell gas heaters. (Jack tried contacting companies in Germany
with little or no luck, as I remember.)  The first advertises in HotVWs
and VWTrends, J.B.'s Heater Service in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Both Jack
and I spoke with him and both of us came away with the impression that
he is, to put it mildly, not a person you  would want to send money to. 
Other "blue" words were  used in describing his character, not only from
Jack and I, but from others on the 'net at the time.  His prices also 
seemed quite high.  His number is (303) 660-9032.  

The other person is Ark Mirvis in Hopatcong, NJ.  His name came from a
guy on the 'net who met him at a show, and I have subsequently seen his
name in either the newsletter of LiMBO (Late Model Bus Owners) or VVWA
(Vintage Volkswagen Association).  I have not spoken with him, but from
all reports he is very good.  His number is (201) 398- 6363.

I have also seen busses equipped with propane powered furnaces, and
there was some discussion on this topic on the 'net.  The problems here
are that you need to mount a fairly sizeable propane tank under your
bus, the  furnace itself is fairly large and has to be put inside the
bus somewhere, and you need to cut an exhaust hole in the side of your
bus, which, if not done right, can cause the pilot light in the furnace
to be blown out from blow-by wind.

	Personally, I finally opted to give up on the gas 
heater option.  I use a wool blanket.  Others have suggested 
that a tight heat exchanger/duct-work system, perhaps with 
an aftermarket blower booster (the kind that fits up front in a 
bus) makes for a perfectly acceptable, warm ride.

ED: BFY states that they service the Eberspaacher 


(1) Idiot Book (see listing under question #1.)
(2) How to Rebuild your Volkswagen Air-Cooled Engine.  Tom Wilson. HP
        Books: Los Angeles, 1987.
_____________________________________________________________________

Edited by: Paul Heitkemper (-pH Fred)   '77 Bus  '66 Bus '67 Bug
           North User Center
           University of Louisville
           Louisville, Kentucky 40292
           (502)588-6882 voice
           (502)588-7008 FAX

pgheit01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu      Internet
..!psu1vax!ulkyvx.bitnet!pgheit01   UUCP