Need type 2 engine advice

[gregg]

Hello. I need advice on a new engine for a 1968 VW Westy Bus. The old engine was pulled and sold prior to the restoration. I am looking at various options: 1) new crate engine (eg. Daryls Engines (USA) ). This would be a 1776 cc with his comment "I would highly recommend a oil deep sump this will help drop oil temp by 25% and I would go with electronic ignition much better spark and dependability....and last serpentine belt system very reliable.". Not a cheap thing, but reviews seem good. 2) engine rebuild locally with some horse power addition. 3) new engine build locally (not rebuild on old block). 

I hear Don is a VW whisperer, so if he reads this I can provide a number to call me. Any help from the group on engine cc, trustworthy builders, etc would be great.

i am also wanting to upgrade the drum brakes to disc, I hear brake boosters are needed. If anyone has done this, let me know.

thanks !... Gregg 

[PICTUP]

Hi Gregg,

Welcome to the forum, Gregg! Nice to have another early Bay in the crowd of Bus owners represented here.

I am faaaaar from a VW whisperer let me tell you. Having an association with them for many years doesn't make me anything but a bit strange(or I used to be until they became cool…okay I still am!! ) . However there are VW whisperers here that it will benefit you greatly to get to know. The two that come to mind have different specialties, but both are well versed in what there is out there and will probably be able to help you in your quest for the right engine for your application. If stock and somewhat upgraded stock is what you are after, please pay careful attention to what Volktales(Russ) has to say. If performance is what you are after, Mitchy965(Mitch) has a wealth of knowledge and experience that we are lucky he is willing to share here.

What I can say is that the decision to change an engine from what VW intended has somewhat different considerations in a heavier Bay Bus(than the Split Bus with their reduction boxes). With their weight, gearing of the transaxle is important too when trying to make it a good, or better even, driver. I used to have a 1641 powered Westy with a freeway flyer transaxle that took me many places(e.g. Cabo and Saskatchewan) and was used as a daily driver. That was back when other cars were slower and driving a freeway was at generally safer speeds…and I could almost keep up, as long as there weren't any hills . So I liked that combo, but today is a different story and your use will dictate what you decide upon.

Ask lots of questions, and I hope this forum proves itself to be a friendly place you can hang out. If perhaps there is a time nobody has an answer for a specific question and it will necessitates looking elsewhere, we are all willing to learn what you find out

Cheers!
Don
PS Please feel free to PM me any time. Others I am sure would be open to this also. What we strive for here is an open and inclusive community.