Re: T3 engine upgrade (fwd)

[rrrrjr@surf.com]

Melissa & Jim wrote:
> 
> >From: rrrrjr@surf.com
> 
> >Hi, my name is Kevin Toney.  I love Sqbks.  I've had my '70 since 1984.
> >Unfortunately, in California we've got a new formulation of gas that has
> >brought my milage down to crap.  (12 yrs of 22 mpg city is now 15 mpg)
> 
> There is a lot of hysteria associated with the "reformulated" gasolines.  I
> think that there is much less to this than meets the eye.  If your car is
> doing much worse on this, then doesn't it seem strange that other cars run
> fine.  I suspet that there is a real problem with your car that you and your
> mechanic have not yet found.  While replacing your engine with an entirely
> different engine may eliminate the problem, it is also likely to introduce
> some new ones of its own.
> 
> >My mechanic (a T3 FI expert) and I are planning to put in an '85 Vanagon
> >2 litre "waterboxer".  We still haven't found out if the flywheel from
> >the Vanagon will fit in the T3 transmission, but I still have high
> >hopes.  If you or anyone knows of any ideas towards this conversion, I'd
> >appreciate the input.
> 
> If your mechanic is really a T3 FI expert, he should be able to fix your
> problem.  If he's blaming it on the gas find a better mechanic.
> 
> If your mileage is way down:
> 1) Check for gas leaks--fix all of them.
> 2) Check the valve clearances and the timing, and both advance mechanisms.
> 3) Check the compression
> 4) Check the voltage regulator regulating voltage.  It should be 14.1-14.4
> V.  If the system voltage falls below ~13.5 V the D-Jetronix system just
> starts running richer and richer.  Low voltage will produce exactly this
> symptom.
> 
> >I also would like to get a 'new' squareback for this engine upgrade. My
> >car's body is really tired, so if I'm going to go to this much trouble
> >for a new engine, I'd like a great body too.  I'm looking for a '70 (not
> >'69 & not '71) body in good/great shape.  Good interior, stick-shift,
> >and any other goodies would be nice, but I don't care about the engine
> >or manual transmission condition.  For me to pick one up it probably
> >should be located in northern California as I am.
> 
> Let me see if I've got this right:  You've got this Type III that you really
> like except that it's just got two little problems; you'd like to replace
> the body and the engine.  Perhaps you'd be better off just finding a better
> Type III to start with.
>    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>        Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
>        jadney@vwtype3.org              jadney@vwtype3.org
>                              Laura Kepner-Adney
>                              Madison, Wisconsin
>    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
First:  As an educated individual I do not become hysterical over "new
and improved" products.  After my own (and many other 20+ year old car
owners) dismal results after the introduction of California's newly
formulated gas, I have read and reviewed many articles dealing with this
phenomenon.  The concesus is that for newer vehicles there is little
difference (perhaps damage to some fuel lines) in vehicle perfromance. 
But older vehicles suffer dramaticly.  Does Wisconsin now use this
formualtion of gas, and do you have personal experience with it?  Also,
I would ask for which gas company do you work?

Second: I have many more reasons for the engine upgrade.  I expect
better milage, more power, and much lower emissions.  And since you want
to get this straight, I want a new body of exactly the same type ('70
stick, royal blue) because damage to my current body is irreparable.

Lastly, my mechanic helped to bring my T3 into to world fourteen years
ago.  He has been its exclusive caregiver.  He and I rebuilt the engine
several years ago, and he knows what he is doing.  (He is BOSCH
certified in D- and L- jetronics FI-FYI)  It would be best not to
criticize those things you know little about.


Post Lastly: A comment regarding the possible smog-ing problems in
California.  Before starting this little adventure I contacted the BAR
and was told that I would need ONE formal inspection to verify that ALL
emissions equipment that was present for the new engine's vehicle and
year were now installed correctly on the modified vehicle.  Provided all
equipment is present, and that it passes the updated smog requirements,
the vehicle would be given a new door panel sticker and ID number for
future registration and smog checks.