71 was the only year VW put a 1600 dual port in a US bound bay window bus.  In 72 they went to the 1700 type 4, eventually bumping it up to 1800 then 2000 cc.  My 73 had been converted over to a type 1 bone stock 1600 single port when I got it.  Over the years I've ran two or three each single ports and dual ports.  The dual ports have more top end but a stock single port seems to have more pep on the bottom end.  The Godfather (a.k.a. Ret.bugtech, a.k.a. David Johnston) used to tell me if I really wanted to wake up a 1600 single port in a bus, add a set of ratio rockers.

Most people chunk the 34 carbs and add the adapter and a 30-31 "single port" carb, mainly because without the correct distributor you can't tune the flat spots out of a 34.  The single port carbs are easy to tune and run great, but they cut out the top end advantage of the dual port engine without bumping up the bottom end performance.

But, at any rate . . . a bus is a bus.  It outweighs a Beetle almost 2-1 and has the aerodynamics of a loaf of bread.  Pushing it down the road is a workout for any 1600 cc engine.  The best advice I ever got when I first got a bus was "Get in the slow lane and enjoy the ride."    

71 is the best year in my opinion. Last year of the simple (and cheap to repair) engine; first year of the disc brakes. They don't move terribly fast with a stock 1600, but that engine can be built up with displacement, carbs and exhaust. With those things come another set of headaches!

My 70 hightop moves pretty slowly, but it has an even larger profile to push through the air. I can max out around 60-65 with it wound out on flat ground. Uphill, I'll drop to 45-50 depending on the slight slope. You will learn what uphill really means and how little of a hill can affect your speed. I drove a 72 with a bug motor in it last week for a friend and he had a souped up motor in it. It felt like it flew for the 2-3 miles I drove it.

Congrats! You have a lot of fun in store for you!

What kind shifter issues is it having? The first thing to look at is the coupler at the front of the trans. Have someone shift and see how much slop is in it. Usually the rubber pieces wear out. If you get a new one, consider keeping the original german cage and only replacing the rubber parts. If there is more slop still, it could be any of the bushings along the shift rod. Those are a pita!

Is the clutch tight or what's going on with it?

Congrats again and enjoy!

ALVIN....

Alvin is a great guy.
I buy parts from him.
Good looking bus, and I have successfully knocked simular body dings out where yours is dented.
Good luck with it and keep posting updates.
KC