The gear on the camshaft is apparently loose (The 3 forged bolts have play). So it is impossible to set points correct, and kombi lurches all the time.
Been told its practically a total rebuild of engine,to remove cam.
So am wondering if I can fit my superbug (1800cc) engine straight in to Kombi so that I am not of the road for awhile. Any advice welcome

Where do you start???

The cam is riveted to the cam gear with 5 rivets, these can be converted to bolts no problem, but you do need to fully dismantle the engine to get to them. They can get flogged loose but it would only be created from cam gear backlash being set too tight.

Will not effect distributer/ignition timing, and definately not the points!.

A beetle 1600 engine (possibly modified to 1800) can be fitted but you need extra parts to do it.

The case needs to be a 3 point mount for the rear engine support bar to bolt to, if not there is a bracket that bolts to the oil pump that converts the block to 3 point mount although it is only just satisfactory to get the car on the road IMO.

You need to obtain the rear support bar suitable for your model Kombi, and tinware that adapts the engine tinware to your Kombi, it relatively easy to find. Then the wiring will need modification also.

Thats all for fitting, but the type 1 1800 will need to be strong to push the bus with the 2.0 litre gearing, otherwise it wont last long, especially if you do much highway work.

many thanks for that. Was just hoping would be a straight swap. Looks like its better for me to get the cam done and lose car for awhile.