My 79 Westy Bus to Ford 2.3 Conversion Log

[chazz79]

It runs well. Fairly quiet overall and temps stay @ 190 most of the time. The fans don't come on until 210 and it has to sit for nearly 20 minutes for that to happen. It has all the power I'll ever need but I still need to find a smaller carb. I've got this jetted down to 58's (from 62's stock) and I'm still overfueling. When I'm running the snot out of it is when the bus is happiest. Temps drop to 180 when I'm at road speed. The only draw back to this radiator set up is that it's a bitch to get all the air out. It honestly takes an hour of fussing to burp the thing.

I've had a ton of comments centering on "is it supposed to be that fast" "I don't remember them sounding like that when I was a kid" We may need to change the name from green monster to the flying brick..

I have yet to fully load it with kids, camping gear, trailer and such but I hope the power level doesn't drop too bad fully laden.

[fastmc25]

something i did to get the air out faster is put a petcock in the intake water jacket.... It'd the highest point in the bus cooling system... I just run it to warm up (Not Hot !!!) and crack the petcock open until water comes out..... repeat a couple times after cooling down and refilling system ..... On the 2300 you might look at putting a metal tube splice with a threaded bung for the petcock in the upper radiator hose for bleeding air out............... It'll make life a bit easier...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BCI-72013/?rtype=10




You can see the petcock on mine in the intake.... and my extra cap on the thermostat housing...

[itlives]

I didn't read all 6 pages of this thread , but I knoe metropoj started it. Did chazz take it over?
How's metro doing? I haven't been here for a while

[fastmc25]

I didn't read all 6 pages of this thread , but I knoe metropoj started it. Did chazz take it over?
How's metro doing? I haven't been here for a while

Chazz is continuing it istead of starting a new thread with his 2300 buildup.............

[chazz79]

Metropoj's bus was bought by a guy on the samba. It's being parted right now. I just took it over to doument a 2.3 being finished.

I just ordered a new starter from autozone because that's what the buget allows (free lifetime warranty). I'd love to step up to the IMI but I don't have the $$. My engine is still tight and hard to turn. I was hoping this would loosen up with use. The stock rebuilds last a little while but slowly peter out over time.

[itlives]

We're working out a deal for the conversion stuff. I'll still have to find a 2.3.

[fastmc25]

We're working out a deal for the conversion stuff. I'll still have to find a 2.3.

Let me know when your ready and we'll find one to build...

[chazz79]

Fixed my problem. My starter was fine but the engine was hydrolocking with fuel filled cylinders. My fuel tank was passing a ton of rust into the holley causing the needles to stick open. This filled the engine with gas and created the labored cranking. I put another (larger) fuel filter on the low pressure side of the pump and screened my gas through some of those paper paint funnels. I also got to do a full rebuild on the holley, not a big deal because I should've done it before I started running it anyway. I'm hoping all the crap is out of there.

This is my goof because I did the por 15 kit on my old tank but didnt' think about it when I put this fuel injected tank in (has two taps so I could run the return line off the 2.3's pump). This tank appeared in awesome shape but looks can be deceiving.

[itlives]

Metrpoj emailed me today. He's got all the rest of his conversion stuff boxed and ready to go.
I've located a 2.3 for $400 in Tyler (with Transmission - Mike B. needs it). The guy siad it runs great. He just pulled it because a friend wanted the chasis. Looks like I'll be starting a thread soon.
Chazz, if you have pics of your engine mount you haven't posted, would you please post them?

Paul, Mike B. said he'd put together the 1776 block for me. I told him I could take it from there. I'll start getting the wiring done so I'll have something to drive!
I only had 97 lb.s in #4 when I checked it a Lee's. He said it may go up after I drive it a while.

[jackstraw]

So how many notches did you use to raise the rear?

How is the vibration of the Ford 2.3 especially at cruise rpm?

Any mpg numbers?

[itlives]

Well, I have metropoj's conversion kit and an '85 Ranger 2.3L.
I have put this on hold. It seems like I've had project going on ever since I got back into VW's.
I need a break......

I'm sure I will continue this thread after I get my '71 single cab rolling and take a few breaths.
I'll be following the new thread with the 2.3 turbo into the '71 high top.

[chazz79]

So how many notches did you use to raise the rear?

How is the vibration of the Ford 2.3 especially at cruise rpm?

Any mpg numbers?

Lift was two splines at the trailing arm. This counteracted the added weight of the engine and compensated for some but sag. The bus sits level and I've fitted 205/75/15 tires to help bring the cruising rpm down. Mpg has been hovering in 17-21 range.

Bus is currently down with a blown headgasket. The multiple variations of cooling systems caused an air lock that popped the gasket. No huge vibrations noted. The noise emmissions are half that of the type 4. I want to work on noise reduction and make this a perfect swap.

[Fatmanz]

Can someone please tell me where they got the Grille????? I am doing a 2.3L Ford conversion on my Westy also and have had no luck finding one..

Thanks, Stan

[fastmc25]

Can someone please tell me where they got the Grille????? I am doing a 2.3L Ford conversion on my Westy also and have had no luck finding one..

Thanks, Stan

Get with Antonio Trejo in Mexico City, Mexico.....He works at a Vw Dealership........

You can find him on The Samba .... He goes by his name there... I got mine from him...

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Since I live in hilly country to get the cooling system "burped" I drive up as steep of a hill as I can (gotta be longer than a block) find, then back down, then across the hill from one side to the other then back across. This usually works the first time but with some Toyotas I have found that it may take several passes to clear the system. If you are running a water operated heater, sometimes you also have to vent/purge the heater core and lines too as a separate task before you go hill climbing (not talking about off-roading here).

Lee