Aircooled VW South Africa

Busy building a new adaptor plate for the conversion. The one currently on the motor is not to my liking. The engine came out of a 85 Microbus. Guy fitted a Variant gearbox into it ,but had plenty of clutch issues. I am using a modified 1600 Beetle flywheel. What is the best clutchplate I can use for the conversion?

Okay, finished the adaptorplate yesterday.Used a clutchplate from a 1600 fox. To achieve free play on the clutch had to make the adaptor 22mm thick. But it is finished now and should work sweet. Next step, build a front gearbox mount, because mine got lost. Anybody got pics of how it should look please?

Made a lifting cradle for the engine today. Fitted the gearbox. Still need to build a front mounting but getting there.

looks like you are making plenty progress pretty quickly!! Keep it up and the bus will be done by mid June

Tony Z wrote:looks like you are making plenty progress pretty quickly!! Keep it up and the bus will be done by mid June

I would really love that,but there are plenty of things left to do.Sorting out the mechanicals now, but thebodywork and interior will take time. I am planning on doing everything myself!

I want my bus looking something like this.

that is nice

That looks like a $1 000 000.
Nice.

Fitted the engine today. Had to take it out twice to trim the tank coverplate in order for it to fit. Need to fabricate crossmember tomorrow.Worked out best position for the radiator. I am going to fit it on the R/H side of the engine bay. Got some ideas to get enough airflow through the radiator as well as getting rid of the hot air. Will post pics of this set-up after I finished it.

Yesterday I installed the radiator. I opened the batterybox to allow airflow from the bottom. Trimmed the plates where the engine seal used to fit. Build a nice airbox/ coweling on the engine side of the radiator incorporating my rad fan into it. The hot radiator air will now be directed to exit under the bus and not be blown into the engine compartment. Hope this works. Today I will remove everything again and paint it nicely. The fan airbox will be painted black on the inside and silver on the outside. Hopefully I can start the engine by tomorrow.

What is a Variant gearbox?

Ron&Gill wrote:What is a Variant gearbox?

type 3 gearbox

Still sourcing some spares to get the engine started. Got my rear brake linings back today,so I started re-assembling the rear suspension.R/H handbrake cable was seized in the casing. I had one hell of a time to get it loose. Used a whole tin of spookpiepie and a lot of words that Iam quite sure my mother did not teach me, but patience,I was told,is a virtue. Got it to move freely. I need to get the bus on wheels as my space behind it is quite cramped.

hi Ricky -R69

I cannot wait for you to post pics of your completed rad/engine/gearbox fitted and running. Would be interesting to see what the 1600 gearbox and 1800 golf does? I'm planning to fit a 2L golf and a 1800 or 2L box... Still a long way away though.

I need to fit a converter plate and flywheel to joint the box and engine. any ideas seing as you did the entire thing yourself.....

thanks and keep going!!