1970 deluxe or 1972 what to do?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 2:46 pm

I am the owner of a 1970 deluxe that I have a had sitting for 13 years. Previously stored in the desert it is in real good shape except - it has cancer under the front windshield. I wanted to bring this bus back to life and do a restoration. But I really want disc brakes. SO I was looking for the parts from a later year donor bus.

Lo and behold, someone offers a 1972 bus complete (less motor and trans) for free.

Here is the question:
If the 1972 bus is in better shape than the 1970, has anyone put the T1 engine in a 1972? Is it possible or relatively easy?

Your comments would be appreciated.

Mike

Paul A · Post by **Paul A** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:30 pm

In Europe buses came withthe T1 motor until 79. Besides the motor you'd probably want to use the 70 transmission. And of course the rear motor mounts and transmission mounts are different. Then there's the issue of cooling tin. You might be able to find a proper set from a European bus. It's doable, but to get a good job will take more than you think at first

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:36 am

You should use a late bellhousing because of the additional mounts used on the rear of it. I suppose you could use the `70 trans as-is (although I'm not sure if you'd need to cut anything out of the body at the rear trans mount bracket - that'd make it an irreversible swap). I can't recall if there's a difference in the nosecone/front mount area, you might need to change something there also. If you get a whole late transmission instead the input shaft will be too long and may bottom out in the Type I crankshaft, so it'll have to be replaced with the `68-`71 part - fairly simple to do by removing the bellhousing...or you could carefully cut down the end of the long one. Aircooled.net sells a fiberglass surround that will simplify filling the huge gap around the engine:
http://aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproduc ... 0367404149 or you can try to find someone in Europe who'll send you the stock pieces - it's a bit ambitious to fabricate your own, but it's possible. I think you might find this stuff in Mexico also. The `72-up buses have a different rear mount system than the `68-`71s - the outer brackets unbolt from the body and the correct ones for the upright engine have rubber mounts incorporated into them - the cross-bar for the upright engine is also unique, it bolts directly to the case (the Type IV engine has mounts between the case & cross-bar and is solid-mounted at the ends). Unless you can locate the correct pieces you'll be in for some fabrication - when I did mine I was fortunate to find the correct cross-bar but couldn't locate any brackets so I made my own out of sections torched out of an IRS Type III and modified the ends of the cross-bar to attach it to them. You could drive the vehicle without the rear mount, just hanging from the aforementioned rear transmission mounts, but I wouldn't recommend it. There'll be minor issues, like throttle & heater cables (routing the accelerator cable through the bulkhead by the rear trans mounts is a little tricky), and of course you'll need to adapt the wiring. A stock 1600 is just barely adequate IMO to push around a basic bus - if you have much extra weight to haul or it's a camper you'll be disappointed in the performance. There's no provision in the `72 body for supporting the `70 aircleaner but that's a relatively easy thing to fabricate (or you can drill out the spotwelds that attach the one in the `70 and bolt it into the `72). The `72 bellhousing uses a late-style throwout bearing so you'll need to change clutch covers on the `70 engine (or simply remove the center ring if it's possible on yours).

SpyderMike · Post by **SpyderMike** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:54 am

Thanks guys...I will check the "new" bus out and see. My thougths are that I will restore the 70 and put the brakes from the 72 in it.

Mike

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:18 am

If the `72 brakes are good that's a plan but if they need much of an investment you should postpone until you find `73-up stuff to work with. `71/`72 isn't quite obsolete yet, but sticking with the newer stuff could make life easier someday.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:26 pm

Marc,

Down the road, going from 72 to 73+ brakes would entail - hubs, rotors, calipers? Is that it?

Mike

MASSIVE TYPE IV · Post by **MASSIVE TYPE IV** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:16 pm

Buy the 72- It has a Type IV engine!

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:44 pm

MASSIVE TYPE IV wrote:Buy the 72- It has a Type IV engine!

No, it had one once.

Anonymous wrote:...Lo and behold, someone offers a 1972 bus complete (less motor and trans) for free.
Mike

Mike's only wondering if he should consider using the running gear from his `70 in it. I say yes, but only if he lives in the flatlands or is a patient person

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 2:01 pm

Anonymous wrote:Marc,

Down the road, going from 72 to 73+ brakes would entail - hubs, rotors, calipers? Is that it?

Mike

The spindles and rotors are different. The M/C and the reservoir atop it are also unique and either obsolete or going that way so most people just use the `73-`79 parts. `72 rear shoes are one-year-only - but I think the backing plates might be able to accept later shoes (wheel cylinders and drums are the same). BTW you don't have to have power brakes (the `70 M/C would work) but it does take substantial pedal pressure to do without - not recommended for those of slight build.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 3:25 pm

Thanks Marc...I am going to try this and see.

Glennby · Post by **Glennby** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 6:54 pm

Hello!

I have a 72 with a type one engine(1600 dp)and it work well for me.but like the other readers had said it a bit of a struggle .Ie climbing some hills.but after driving a 68,64,71 bus i find it preforms well.what i use is a stock trans (72) with the stock transmission hanger and it will hold the engine in place and i have driven it this way,but opt to support the aft end with the stock cross mount.now that the tricki part,i poped rivited rubber bushings and the engine rest on the rubber(thick)i might add and it works real well had no problems so far and my engine has apros 4500 miles on her(knock on wood!!!)as for the air cleaner i use a aftermarket air cleaner on a pc34-3.plenty of pep for me!

hopfuly this will help,but fallow your wallet

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:04 am

Well I passed on the 71 bus. It was nothing more than a shell.

Then I found a clean 71 campmobile right around the corner and great shape and bought it.

Thanks,
Mike

kevander · Post by **kevander** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:38 pm

A local owner near here has a 1971 camper bus for sale for $3000. I don't know the mileage. Just curious, what did you pay for the one you just bought?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:33 am

He was asking for $3k and I gave him what he asked. He probably would have gone down a few, but he needed the dough.