1974 Westfalia "Penelope"

[Bignick]

Can I take my bell housing with mounting points and put them on a 3 rib that didn't have the mounting points?

[Ret.Bugtech]

Can I take my bell housing with mounting points and put them on a 3 rib that didn't have the mounting points?

I think you can, but depending on the year of the 3 rib you might have to change the pressure plate on the engine due to different style of  T.O. brg.s ( And NO they are not interchangeable ) If you get a older tranny,(68-70)  I don't think you have to change the mainshaft.

[ASBug]

Can I take my bell housing with mounting points and put them on a 3 rib that didn't have the mounting points?

I think you can, but depending on the year of the 3 rib you might have to change the pressure plate on the engine due to different style of  T.O. brg.s ( And NO they are not interchangeable ) If you get a older tranny,(68-70)  I don't think you have to change the mainshaft.

There is an add on the Samba now for a bus and trannie in ATL for $400.00
He will deliver it for another $100 up to 100 miles away.
Sounds like a deal.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1119058
Claims it was running and he took the engine out.  It is a '68 or '69.
KC

[Bignick]

Can I take my bell housing with mounting points and put them on a 3 rib that didn't have the mounting points?

I think you can, but depending on the year of the 3 rib you might have to change the pressure plate on the engine due to different style of  T.O. brg.s ( And NO they are not interchangeable ) If you get a older tranny,(68-70)  I don't think you have to change the mainshaft.

There is an add on the Samba now for a bus and trannie in ATL for $400.00
He will deliver it for another $100 up to 100 miles away.
Sounds like a deal.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1119058
Claims it was running and he took the engine out.  It is a '68 or '69.
KC

That sounds like a good deal...but I don't need another bus!!! well maybe a do... but I like Penelope....and besides- that bus is overpriced! I got a much better deal on Penelope...except for the transmission.

I think I might just hold out for a little bit and see what comes my way. I'll pull the trans and look see if I can figure out anything in the nose cone and then look through the shows this spring/summer. I don't know. I'm at a cross roads.

[Zen]

If 1st gear's the only problem, just start off in second . . . it'll help if you always park heading downhill, but a type 1 in a late bus WILL start from a dead standstill on level ground in second gear.  The clutch won't like it, but it'll work . . . for a while.

I know it'll take off in second 'cause Homer used to hang up in 4th.  It happened once at the red light on Cloud Springs waiting to get on the on-ramp to I-75 north.  That was FUN, but Homer did climb the on ramp and drive to Ooltewah to meet up with the rest of the club to drive over to the Taccoa show.  We had planned on driving to Taccoa via Murphy, NC . . . too many stops and starts that way so I told everyone I was going the Interstate and I'd meet 'em there.  Then, I merged onto I-75 south at Ooltewah . . . That was REALLY REALLY FUN.  Oh, yeah, it'll pull a mountain in 4th gear too.  That was the LAST thing that engine ever did, but it got me over the mountain.  Well actually, the last thing the engine did was break the head off the #1 exhaust valve and drop in the combustion chamber at about 70 going down the back side of the mountain.  Good thing the show was at the bottom of the mountain.  I coasted all the way there, pulled over on the side of the road and waited 2 hours for the rest of the club to get there.  Building an engine from a swap meet with borrowed money and borrowed tools in a dirt horse arena so you can get back home is REALLY FUN too.  Sooooo . . . what I'm trying to say is all you MUST have is 4th, but 2nd and 3rd do come in handy.  1st?  Take it or leave it.   

[Bignick]

If 1st gear's the only problem, just start off in second . . . it'll help if you always park heading downhill, but a type 1 in a late bus WILL start from a dead standstill on level ground in second gear.  The clutch won't like it, but it'll work . . . for a while.

I know it'll take off in second 'cause Homer used to hang up in 4th.  It happened once at the red light on Cloud Springs waiting to get on the on-ramp to I-75 north.  That was FUN, but Homer did climb the on ramp and drive to Ooltewah to meet up with the rest of the club to drive over to the Taccoa show.  We had planned on driving to Taccoa via Murphy, NC . . . too many stops and starts that way so I told everyone I was going the Interstate and I'd meet 'em there.  Then, I merged onto I-75 south at Ooltewah . . . That was REALLY REALLY FUN.  Oh, yeah, it'll pull a mountain in 4th gear too.  That was the LAST thing that engine ever did, but it got me over the mountain.  Well actually, the last thing the engine did was break the head off the #1 exhaust valve and drop in the combustion chamber at about 70 going down the back side of the mountain.  Good thing the show was at the bottom of the mountain.  I coasted all the way there, pulled over on the side of the road and waited 2 hours for the rest of the club to get there.  Building an engine from a swap meet with borrowed money and borrowed tools in a dirt horse arena so you can get back home is REALLY FUN too.  Sooooo . . . what I'm trying to say is all you MUST have is 4th, but 2nd and 3rd do come in handy.  1st?  Take it or leave it.   

Well if thats the case, then Penelope will be at BP!!!! I know Camp Jordan has a really low elevation, but I don't know if there is enough of a downhill to let me coast all the way there!

[Bignick]

I put Penelope up on a lift and proceeded to remove the transmission. Came out pretty easy. As I prepared to install the one I picked up from Aubrey at CYW, I noticed that it wasn't coming out of gear as easily as it went in at the show. I took the nose cone off and it was a nightmare. The whole thing was super rusty and it was stuck in  reverse. Looks like I'll be calling him up today to see what he says.

Does anyone know if Aubrey will be at the Knoxville Show in two weeks?

[Zen]

He was there last July . . .

[Bignick]

Penelope is doing well. I got the shift rod out and cleaned up. I replaced all the shift bushings and greased them. Put the "new" trans that Aubrey swapped out with me at the Knoxville show. It was a 3 rib out of a 75 he said (mine was a 5 rib in a 74...) I took all the CVs out and repacked them and put new boots on. She is starting to look kinda promising! Just have to trim the input shaft and bolt the engine in! Cross your fingers!!!

On a side note, I found a guy who stripped out a bus for everything he needs for his camper and has saved the body "in case anyone needed it". He didn't want to see it go to the crusher without offering it up to someone first. So I'm going to pick up a camper body/donor for Penelope tomorrow. I don't know how much of it will be usable, but the two frame pieces I need are there and thats good enough for me!!! Fo' Free!

[certdubtech]

The greatest nation in the whole world...


DONATION.


Nuthin wrong with free parts, especially if you own a bus.  You need all the help you can get.  I ought to know that by now.   

[Bignick]

I picked the bus up today. It came with a windshield and all the windows except the passenger front door and the jealousie window on the driver side.

I am going to cut out some panels, but if anyone wants/needs any bus sheetmetal, let me know quick.

Pics to come

[Zen]

What year is it?  If it's an early bay, is it a camper or sunroof?

[sunnybug84]

I need the windshield if it is in a good condition. now cracks ect?

I might need some more parts, but ill have to check first.
Thanks!

 

[Bignick]

Its a 78. and its just the body/shell with windows. I pulled the windshield and it has some fogging around the edges and a chip in the middle. I'm up in the air as to whether its better than my clear but cracked on in Penelope. I'll think about it and let you know.

I'm going to try to get the frame pieces I need and a section of rocker or two. If anyone needs a westy roof clip, its really nice. The nose is busted. The rear apron area is cut out. Floor has some nice areas. Fuel sender area is cut out. The doglegs and front floor looks like junk. There are some random solid areas so just ask. And all the other glass

I'll have to take photos tomorrow in the light and post them up.

And in case anyone is wondering, you don't have to rent the car hauler from uhaul...you can rent the 6x12 open trailer for $29.99; it only hangs out about 2 feet!  

[Bignick]