Then it became the hunt for parts required to positively test the existing Typ4 engine. Which became an increasing drain, since each dollar I spent required two more dollars to prove that the next item down the chain was good as well. In the end I spent almost half my budget chasing the dream that I was going to re-awaken the Typ4 from the dead.
Damned Typ4. How is it possible that an engine so 'simple' is based on parts so poor yet so expensive?
The final straw, of course, was when I discovered that I was going to have to go the full monty in on the engine, essentially replacing every component, to make it reliable. This left me trying to hold my own far, far, out of my weight class. Hell, I've never even rebuilt a lawn mower engine. Now I'm rebuilding a fussy vintage engine with my own set of micrometers, snap gages, and calipers? This had got to the point of "Grandpa's Axe." (aka Ship of Theseus.)
I started with $5500 from the sale of a Restored 1972 Beetle.
-$1500 Purchase price for 1977 VW Bus
-$100 tow
-$1378 parts dumped into Typ4 engine repairs to date
So, not counting the multiplicity of tools I've purchased to accomplish rebuilds, etc. I've burned up over half of my budget and STILL the Bus doesn't move.
So, finally, and officially, we're done with the Typ4. There has been a tipping point in the popularity of engine swaps, such that stand alone vendors (Rocky Mountain Westy) are engineering their own conversions for the Air Cooled Bus. Jake Raby, late of the 'Camper Special' fame has moved on to Subaru or Porsche. The Typ4 is a 'dead lump walking.'
So with $2522 still left in the kitty, the pivot occurred a month ago when RMWesty dropped me a private communique with pictures of their Aircooled Conversion. They're really going to do it. A newly engineered rear support hanger, reselling Outfront Motorsport's plate style adapter, and offering their own cooling solution: an underbelly job similar to Fellows Speedshop. Of course none of the prices are published, and I might die of fright when they do publish. Still, that was the tipping point: no one else is going to support the Typ4 anymore, so building a new one myself, FOR myself when I have no assistance and only spotty internet advice seemed to pass foolhardy and head at flank speed toward damnfoolishness.
What will $2522 buy? What do I need? All this and more, next time on The Price is Right!
So, finally, and officially, we're done with the Typ4. There has been a tipping point in the popularity of engine swaps, such that stand alone vendors (Rocky Mountain Westy) are engineering their own conversions for the Air Cooled Bus. Jake Raby, late of the 'Camper Special' fame has moved on to Subaru or Porsche. The Typ4 is a 'dead lump walking.'
So with $2522 still left in the kitty, the pivot occurred a month ago when RMWesty dropped me a private communique with pictures of their Aircooled Conversion. They're really going to do it. A newly engineered rear support hanger, reselling Outfront Motorsport's plate style adapter, and offering their own cooling solution: an underbelly job similar to Fellows Speedshop. Of course none of the prices are published, and I might die of fright when they do publish. Still, that was the tipping point: no one else is going to support the Typ4 anymore, so building a new one myself, FOR myself when I have no assistance and only spotty internet advice seemed to pass foolhardy and head at flank speed toward damnfoolishness.
What will $2522 buy? What do I need? All this and more, next time on The Price is Right!
No comments:
Post a Comment