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Sun May 29, 2005 8:32 pm

Which one would you recommend? Will the upright fit in a pancake engine compartment? Please help the newbie! Thanks

Sun May 29, 2005 8:36 pm

What year bus do you have? Is it carbed from the factory? Or is it fuel injected? If yes, did someone replace the FI with a single center carb?

How about a little more info??

Sun May 29, 2005 8:38 pm

Either will fit in either compartment, given enough cash or lack of concern over the hacking up the vehicle. You'll need to fabricate a mustache bar for the engine and fabricate the tin necessary to ensure you don't overheat.

Usually it's easier to rebuild the pancake engine in there rather than doing the mods necessary to install the upright.

Sun May 29, 2005 8:45 pm

it's actually not a bus that i own, it's one that i'm looking to buy. The guy hasn't done much engine work on the pancake engine in the bus right now and offered to give me his spare upright. I just wanna know if it will fit without too much hacking of the car.

Sun May 29, 2005 8:57 pm

It is better to keep/put together the correct engine then to cobble together something. Granted, you don't have the original but unless you are somewhere else in the world where the type IV engine was never offered, then you should be able to find the correct one or parts.

Here in California, we have strict smog laws covering swaps. Legally, we can't put in engines older than the year of the vehicle.

Mon May 30, 2005 11:01 am

A "spare upright" isn't a spare. You could sell it, and maybe get some pancake parts. However, it much work to install it CORRECTLY, meaning with an intact cooling system and engine bar.

Mon May 30, 2005 11:32 am

I think ( not positive on this ) that WA has the same type of laws regarding years of vehicle and engine...I think it depends on what equipment the engine had on it for emissions control and such...maybe the DMV folks have some info for you?

Mon May 30, 2005 11:44 am

my vote is for the pancake engine, though the upright has a place in life- in the back of a beetle, ghia, thing, or other type I application.
you will enjoy the reliability and power from the pancake engine.
good luck!

Mon May 30, 2005 12:58 pm

you all are forgetting to mention one very important thing. if the bus isnt an FI year, then crappy chinese 1800 pistons are all thats available. i wouldnt be willing to risk any money on that chinese crap! we already know how bad the chinese wheel bearings are , if thats any indication.

i have a 1700 in my 73 and when it blows i will be using the conversion tin that i already bought. making the brace is no prob. already did that too.

Mon May 30, 2005 2:05 pm

what is an FI year?

Mon May 30, 2005 2:53 pm

"FI year" means any year in which the engines have Fuel Infection -- er... Fuel Injection!

Mon May 30, 2005 3:12 pm

jtauxe wrote: "FI year" means any year in which the engines have Fuel Infection -- er... Fuel Injection!
This would be '75 and later years imported to the US. I prefer the injection due to it's reliability and performance.
Of course, you can inject your '72 and later bus if you don't like the idea of dual carbs.
I have a buddy who calls it "fuel infection" as well. His bus is a carb model with beetle engine. I notice he doesn't drive it daily as I do mine. :wink:

Mon May 30, 2005 4:00 pm

Keep the "pancake" known as a type 4. Convert it to a 2 litre and you wont have any worries, leave the uprights for lighter cars.

Mon May 30, 2005 7:00 pm

The pancake engine is a better engine. If you want to keep the upright for a spare you can find tin for the engine that will fit the late engine compartment. You can't really find them in the US because the pancake years are pancake only years but in some countries they put the uprights in the same engine compartment.

Mon May 30, 2005 7:32 pm

josh wrote: The pancake engine is a better engine. If you want to keep the upright for a spare you can find tin for the engine that will fit the late engine compartment. You can't really find them in the US because the pancake years are pancake only years but in some countries they put the uprights in the same engine compartment.

The Type 4 was an option in Europe, Standard here and never offered in Central and South America. I dont know about Africa or OZ or Asia.