Volksbugen

[iMac600]

I would think a properly fitted carburetor would comply with emissions regulations. During the manufacturer changeover from carby to EFI here in Australia, carburetted engines used specific emissions control hardware primarily mounted on the exhaust manifold to keep it on par with the emissions regulations and motor vehicle standards act.

EFI just used a standard manifold.

The way I see it, if you can have that engine converted to carby and meet the standards of the factory system which was in place the year before, you shouldn't have any problems. Vehicle inspection from a certified mechanic would probably be the next best thing.

I'm guessing it also doesn't have a catalytic converter, you should be fine there but it could be worth having one fitted at a later date just to keep on Mr. Plod's good side. (high flow cat, to avoid excessive exhaust back pressure from a low power engine but is also cheaper than factory systems)

 

[John8520]

For parts, check out mid america motorworks. We've done a -lot- of business with them working on our 69 camper bus.

 

[techfury90]

Also keep in mind, the Bosch L-Jetronic system that was used then was analog. In the event it breaks down, it will NOT be $500 to repair it, as it is made entirely out of off the shelf electronics. IIRC, there are little or no chips in it.

Edit: some quick research shows that all you need to diagnose/repair L-Jetronic systems in Beetles is the Bentley manual, and a multimeter. I'd FAR rather have that than a carb.

 

[Patrickool93]

For parts, check out mid america motorworks. We've done a -lot- of business with them working on our 69 camper bus.

I agree, mid america motorworks has a huge selection of items.

 

[Christopher]

Or in my area Route 14 Used Auto parts. It's usually supports, mirrors, and stuff like that, nothing is usually taken from the engine or stuff that has to do with the engine.

 

[Quadraman]

I would think a properly fitted carburetor would comply with emissions regulations. During the manufacturer changeover from carby to EFI here in Australia, carburetted engines used specific emissions control hardware primarily mounted on the exhaust manifold to keep it on par with the emissions regulations and motor vehicle standards act.
EFI just used a standard manifold.

The way I see it, if you can have that engine converted to carby and meet the standards of the factory system which was in place the year before, you shouldn't have any problems. Vehicle inspection from a certified mechanic would probably be the next best thing.

I'm guessing it also doesn't have a catalytic converter, you should be fine there but it could be worth having one fitted at a later date just to keep on Mr. Plod's good side. (high flow cat, to avoid excessive exhaust back pressure from a low power engine but is also cheaper than factory systems)

Fuel injection and carburetor manifolds are different. Fuel injection manifolds are dry manifolds. They only flow air as the fuel is drawn directly from the tank to the injectors. Carburetor cars use wet manifolds that flow both fuel and air so you can't just plop a carburetor on top of a fuel injection manifold.

 

[iMac600]

That's what I generally mean by the carburettor and associated hardware. That includes the fuel pump, possibly the fuel lines, carburettor, exhaust manifold and a whole lot of in-between that varies between make and model of vehicle.

Personally I take EFI because it takes out the complexity of a carburettor, delivers extra power to the engine and doesn't have problems associated with cold starts or carburettor icing. On the downside if any key electrical components go it can be a real frustration, i've had my ECU, TCU and Mass Air Flow sensor all blow and replaced at around the cost of $500. (This was in an Australian built Mitsubishi though, not a VW)

 

[coius]

I found out, there are zero emmision control standards here in Nebraska. As long as I don't register it in California, I should be fine.

Also, the only reason to do this, is *if* the computer goes out, we will do this in order to make it easier on the pocket-book instead of replacing the computer. That's why a lot of beetles have the carburator on it instead of the computers anymore. It's because no one wants to replace the computer. Also, thesamba.com is a great source of parts too. people are selling all sorts of beetle stuff, and that's how I got my beetle anyways.

We are not going to replace the carb right away, but rather when the computer dies. Also, from what my business-partner tells me, there really isn't a lot of performance decrease when you put the carb unit on it.

 

[Quadraman]

I found out, there are zero emmision control standards here in Nebraska. As long as I don't register it in California, I should be fine.
Also, the only reason to do this, is *if* the computer goes out, we will do this in order to make it easier on the pocket-book instead of replacing the computer. That's why a lot of beetles have the carburator on it instead of the computers anymore. It's because no one wants to replace the computer. Also, thesamba.com is a great source of parts too. people are selling all sorts of beetle stuff, and that's how I got my beetle anyways.

We are not going to replace the carb right away, but rather when the computer dies. Also, from what my business-partner tells me, there really isn't a lot of performance decrease when you put the carb unit on it.

What I meant, though, is it's a lot more work to change a car from FI to a carburetor than you think it is. besides having to find an intake manifold and carb, you'll need to source all the little bits and pieces like fasteners, springs, etc. FI cars also use an electric fuel pump to deliver higher pressures than a mechanical pump can provide and also have a return line to send excess fuel back to the gas tank. There are probably many other parts that will be different between FI and carburetted models as well. You'll probably end up spending enough on the conversion to buy 3 computers.

here's a recent classified ad

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-parts-accessories-1975-VW-Beetle-ECU-Fuel-Injection-parts-W0QQAdIdZ47282401

$50 and probably something for shipping for the ECU and assorted other FI parts. I don't consider that unreasonable compared to the cost of doing a conversion. You've probably spent more on Mac parts on ebay.

 

[dpatten]

If the engine hasn't been turned over for a while it should need an oil and coolant dump as those will probably be quite old.

coolant dump... On an air-cooled bug motor. Bwa hahaha

 

[coius]

We got the beetle home on monday (sorry for waiting so long) and got it in the garage. The car fussed a LOT on the way home dying on the interstate 2x where we had to pull over to restart. It was a nightmare. Oh well... more work (which was why we got it as a project car).

We can't work on it this week since we are still in the middle of a remodel at our house and we are doing other stuff (Also, my aunt broke her leg, so we are taking care of her...)

I will inform you of the progress of the beetle

 

[Christopher]

(Also, my aunt broke her leg, so we are taking care of her...)

Just walk it off :lol:

 

[coius]

sorry, not goint to happen. Compound fracture with two broken places, as well as a pin in her bones is not something you walk off easily

 

[Quadraman]

sorry, not goint to happen. Compound fracture with two broken places, as well as a pin in her bones is not something you walk off easily

Oh, well you should just shoot her, then.

 

[4seasonphoto]

If it's an old computer module that you've got, maybe it just needs a recapping, same as an old Mac! All other parts needs can probably be accomodated with the aid of the JC Whitney catalog and Hemmings Motor News. Does it have the original vintage radio too?

 

[coius]

I have the vintage radio sitting on my kitchen counter. It will be put into storage in the basement when I get it fixed (has a problem with the tuner) which will be easily fixed when I replace the cloth/elastic cable that tunes the stereo and moves the little bar that shows the frequency. Right now, It's got a Kenwood AM/FM/Tape which is fine, and I will keep it in it. The car also has new stereo speakers.

 

[iMac600]

If the engine hasn't been turned over for a while it should need an oil and coolant dump as those will probably be quite old.

coolant dump... On an air-cooled bug motor. Bwa hahaha

Your mileage may vary, of course. [] ]'>

I've never worked on a VW motor before to be honest, just Mitsubishi's. I'm used to dumping out coolant, oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid.

 

[coius]

We went to change the oil and *Gasp!* we found METAL in the oil. Not just a little, but TONS of it. I guess we will be sourcing a new engine soon...

First, we are going to tear it down and see what happened and/or what is salvageable.

 

[Quadraman]

We went to change the oil and *Gasp!* we found METAL in the oil. Not just a little, but TONS of it. I guess we will be sourcing a new engine soon...First, we are going to tear it down and see what happened and/or what is salvageable.

Fortunately, you may not have to get a whole engine. If the metal dust in the oil is from cylinder wear, then you can simply detach the old cylinders and bolt on new ones. Those old air cooled VW engines were great that way. In a conventional piston engine excessive cylinder bore wear means either overboring and replacing the pistons with larger ones or scrapping the block if it is too far gone. It is rare that a block should need replacing in an old Bug.

 

[coius]

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