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Preparing a bug for an engine transplant
phantom - May 27th, 2005 at 09:38 AM

I am hoping soon to start an engine transplant in my 60 bug. By all accounts from the guy I bought it from, it now has not run for over 4 years since siezing its engine.

It has a (dead) 1200 and I look like acquiring a running 1200, so I believe that it should just slot into place, with no mods, etc. Both are 6v setups so that bit should be fine.

What I want to look at are other things that I need to look at concerning having it ready...eg fuel lines...I have no idea of condition of the lines, fuel in the tank, etc. What should I be doing here to check condition? Can someone please post the details again re the tank lever 'directions'?

Battery is charged and OK....what else whould I be looking at here (as far as getting the engine running)?

My VW mechanic quoted me yesterday about $170 to do the work for me, and about $80 for a tune afterwards.....I'd love to do it myself and learn how it goes, but for less than $300 that sounds damn inviting....

Advice? Thanks!


BiX - May 27th, 2005 at 10:04 AM

ok well also try and replace all flexible fuel line, while yor at it, drain teh tank fully and fill with new fuel.


Doug Sweetman - May 27th, 2005 at 10:07 AM

New fuel filter, all new fuel lines, drain tank, flush / clean tank (ie swirl around some petrol and tip it back out the filler) then connect everything back up.

Make sure you change the oil and set the tappets too - but the $$ your VW mechanic is charging seem relatively reasonable - bank on about $65 per hour or so

Best of luck, will be good to have another one back on the road.


VWCOOL - May 27th, 2005 at 11:26 AM

Why stuff around? Just put a Subaru WRX engine in it...










Just joking!
It's a good idea to replace all the flexible fuel lines and filters as they tend to go brittle, leak and catch fire. Replace spark plugs, check timing, carby and fuel tanks may need de-gunking, too...