Re: FI to carb help needed

[stans4@ix.netcom.com (Stan Schaefer) (by way of Greg Merritt)]

It's probably easier to get the FI going than to go through the pain
of converting to carbs.  On my '71 SB,  the FI was totally butchered,
I had it going in 3 days.  You do need the manuals and some test
equipment.  Parts are available.  There's enough expertise on this
list we can get you going f you list your problems. For a conversion,
you will need a set of special intakes, a set of dual carbs and
linkages, a set of air cleaners to fit under the hatch.  You have to
decide whether to go with the stock fuel pump and a pressure regulator
and cobble up some way to keep the pump running or chuck all of that
and go with a mechanical pump.  In any case you're looking at a couple
of hundred bucks or better just to get you back to where you were with
the fuel injection.  I've seen cases where folks have used Bug carbs
and manifolds, they won't fit under the deck and I consider it
hazardous to ride with the engine hatch open.  Chances are, your
problem with the fuel injection is related to a crispy wire that's
broken, this can be found and fixed quite readily.  You need both
Muir's Idiot's Guide AND the factory Bentley handbook.  Muir's book
has a very good description of tracking down FI electrical faults and
the diagrams are very close to the '71 harness.  For exact diagrams
you need the Bentley book.  You're going to end up learning about
either FI or carbs either way, the FI has the edge on overall
performance and economy with the stock engine.  If you live in an
emissions controlled area, you may not have a choice, you may have to
stick with the FI.  Post what happened, we may be able to give you
some suggestions.

On Sun, 21 Sep 1997 07:52:22 -0400 (EDT), you wrote:

>Hi everybody
>   I have a 71 squareback i resuced from the weeds it sat in for
>about 10 years. I've had it a few months now and I had it running for
>a while but it seems some or the FI parts have quit. I was wondering
>is it possible to put a regualr single or dual port manifold and carb
>from a beetle on it or are the heads different? I would like to
>restore it but it will be awhile before i can afford to. Right now it
>is sitting in my back yard but i'd like to get it so i can drive it
>closer to the house and maybe do some bodywork/rust treatment in the
>meantime. Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
>Phil Burton
>71bus/square/super
>73 autostick / 66 beetle
>
>