71' rebuild

The Matador · 71' rebuild

I posted before that i'd picked up a lowlight primarily as a transport vehicle for Matador parts.

Things have changed a little.
I knew it had at least one stuffed head, the one i'd helicoiled at billabong road house. i'd also suspected that the other side had gone also, as a plug suspisciously popped out of that side as well. So I pulled down the old motor and found it to be a largely stock 1600, and pretty long in the tooth.

I was looking at rebuilding the motor with a bit more power for pulling Matador parts/shells up the hill to where it stays. I was going to make a 1915, with bigish valves. I did the math with Aussie parts suppliers and was adding up.

I started looking in the US for parts and came across this in the samba.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=608852

a 2110cc 90.5x82mm with 40 and 35.5 valves an engle 110cam, twin 40mm Dellortos, a Mallory distributor and extended sump.

That should get up the hill. So it's crated and ready to come over.

I also picked up an exhaust from NSW

and tested some new tyres, as the new motor will need a bit more traction.

It will take a while to come together but will be a lot of fun when it does.[/img]

66split

engine and exhaust look sweet, should go well. funny how one thing always leads to another, usually involving an empty wallet Laughing

Maharg

Stonking engine... Cool

Will be fun to drive and look pretty damn good with that exhaust bulging out the back...... Very Happy

Phat bus

Watch out for those ford rims. The stud patern is not exactly the same as the 112mm kombi / merc / audi patern.

Mallory dissy's are great if it's one of the Unilite ones. I have one myself and it makes a big difference.

Deep sumps don't make that much of an improvement to oil cooling. An external oil cooler has a better improvement on controlling oil temp.

Once you install that motor you will possibly be needing a taller ratio gearbox too. A shorter stroke (closer to standard) might be a better option if your sticking with the standard gearbox ratio.

The Matador

I was only testing tyre size, the rims will be 5 x 112 (though a 42 offset) when they are ready. I was seeing how much they'd rub being 235's.

I'm pretty sure i'll fit 225/45/17's if i have a 17x7 rims i may have to use 5mm spacers, but I'll wait till i test fit them first and see what works.

I've never had a Mallory before, i don't know which one this is. I'll have to look it up. I'll get some photos when i get a chance.

I'm going to hook up a temp gauge also, i thought it was mostly the extra oil volume that made the external coolers work well. Either way i'm putting a gauge on it, if it gets hot i'll pop an external cooler on it.

It did arrive today though

and it looks fantastic, I need to get my tinware back and we can stick it in.
Typically the headers seem to be welded up by someone from the Active foundation, the holes don't seem to line up with the studs no matter how much you twist and pull on everything.

I've also started on the upholstery. I've reupholstered a few couches in my time but this is the first time i've tried auto seats. I'm currently doing a practice one and it's coming together OK.

I'm going to bug the powdercoater tommorrow and look around for new CV boots while they are easily accessable.

Kinga

Great looking job with the seats Cool

Diddlie

Wow on first glance I just assumed the purple cover was part of your sewing chair, lovely and great colour.

The Matador

The seat is coming along well, I'm having trouble getting the piping tight enough, but i think it'll come with practice.

It's another job for the old industrial sewing machine my parents found at a garage sale for me for a measly $10. It goes off by itself on occasion, which is pretty dangerous, but has been behaving itself lately.

I think the stroke vs. bore will be a pretty good combination- if it was a beetle motor i'd be happier winding it a bit higher but this way it'll push the bus along well and stay reliable.

I'm also keeping the rolling diameter of the tyre very similar to original- so the box should be pretty good. If I was putting low 15's or 16's it'd be a bit of a different matter. If i find it annoying I can change it later.

The Matador

Coming along well

I bought some red thread and some bone coloured thread. I've done the backrest with the red and the seat with the bone- I think i want black now.

Phat bus

Nice work with the seat covering.

My rims are 15 x 8" on the rear with 225x60 tyre. This is very, very tight clearances but has never rubbed on the trailing arm or outer guard. On the front mine are 15 x 7" with 215x60's. The taller rear tyre helps lower the revs a little of my longer stroke motor. So 225 on the rear is the widest possible that I know of.

Extra oil in the sump just means longer warm up basically. The oil cooler can still only displace the same heat. The fins on the extended sump may help just a little but nothing really great.

What type is exhaust / extractor your fitting?

The Matador

I'm fitting a 1 5/8th stainless merged system and phat boy, theoretically. This is it on the motor.
It was the best option i could find to let it breath well.

'71 kombi's need some significant alterations to the moustache bar however to make it fit. So I have had to make do with the old cruddy system until i can find someone to build me a new mount.

I've seen some photo's of one on another forum, i'll have to hunt them down and try to get some plans.

What motor/setup are you running Phat bus? and how does it go?

Piratekombi

I wish when I opened my engine hatch I had that looking back at me.... it looks beautiful! Smile

Well done, and thanks for the pix!

Kinga

lookin' good Matador

Phat bus

Hi Matador,

I'm running a type 4 motor (2109cc) with a thunder bird extractor system and a 2 1/4" collector which then feeds into a 2&1/4 muffler then into a 2"hotdog. It's a bit of a bitsa sytem which is not my ideal. But I'm waiting for a system being considered for production by aircooledtechnology in the USA.

Can you run just the 1&5/8 extractor and have an exhaust shop make up a temp muffler and tail pipe arrangement? Or is the extractor having problems fitting?

That old system your using may well burn valves on your new motor as it is probably the most restrictive arrangement ever made. try not to rev the motor too hard with that system on to avoid burning valves. But I think reving the motor low will protect it from this risk.

The Matador

I had a set of Thunderbirds on my Baja about 15 years ago- I like them a lot. the collector flange on my old system was bigger and logically should have better flow. I went looking for a new set for the Kombi but I hear they don't make type 1 systems anymore- that may be a complete lie though, it was from the guy I bought my last system from.

The Matador

Seats complete- here with the back of my my 9th seat i found for $30. On the final product I don't think I'll use piping- too tricky for my sewing ability.

Having some problems getting the beast to go- will adjust a few more things when i have time off next.

Kinga

The Matador

Things have come a long way
The engine is going strong now. Needed a bit more traction.

Exhaust on too

I'm chasing some kick panels now, Brookie tells me lowlight panels are lowlight specific, can anyone help?
http://thekombikonnection.myfreeforum.org/ftopic1899-0-0-asc-.php

Lee65

Love it! congrats

kkombii

Hi Matador,
How is progress going on your Low Light.
Have you any photos on the interior? Have you finished your upholstery?
I am wanting to do the interior on my '71.
Have you any ideas to share.
How did the kick panels go?

Alan