Big Sky Euro

Non running (supposedly top end). Clean interior with working stove and heater. One small rust spot. Barn fresh. What should I offer?

Wow, nice find.

looks like a '70? Well, hard to tell from one pic, do you have any more? I'd go up to $1000, but I'd be wary about the motor. Luckily T1 parts are cheaper than T4. Looks like it's in great shape, if you don't snag it, let me know.

Talked him down to 1250 from 1500. Is that too much?

Probably not, it all depends on how fubar the heads are. A good set of heads will set you back a few hundred. And I'm not sure who can rebuild heads in MT for aircooled, not many people. If that's the only issue...

If you get it, replace every fuel line before you even start it up. Or you may end up with an engine fire. If you need more info give me a jingle.

Nice find.

$1250 is a fair price. I've seen them for that price running, but the body appears to be in a bit better shape than most. I see people asking $4k for them, but I don't know who they think is going to pay that? Does the poptop canvas need to be replaced? As far as a head rebuild, I think the guy in Havre can do them. He does full engine rebuilds on CL, but I don't know anyone who's used him.

nice find. that body looks clean as hell. I agree 1250 is ok price. You probably know but that is a Rivera conversion, Done here in Oregon. Not as cool as a Westy imo. Type 1 parts are easy to find.
I have seen really nice Riveras that run and drive for 3500.

On another note, whats the big deal with machining aircooled heads. Im a student machinist and want to figure this out more, ive seen vids of inlarging heads for bigger jugs seems simple, And of course CNC porting. If anyone runs into tech info about machining aircooled, send it my way. thanks.

Yeah I see it now, Trev that's the deal with the top. I though something looked different - of course it's a Rivi, so the top pops straight up, not hinged at the front or back. That's a bonus for more head room.

Forrest - I don't think it's as big of an issue with the type 1 motors vs. type 4, but the type 1's also have similar issues.

The big deal is that the are aluminum, of course, but that the valve seats will eventually sink into the head, and they need rebuilt or replaced in most cases. Especially the #3 cylinder that by design will not get the full amount of cooling needed to keep cylinder temps down low enough, and eventually the valve seat recedes into the soft hot aluminum and the cylinder looses all compression.

That, and that fact that a 35+ year old casting will warp, crack, etc. when looked at or machined, so they require a delicate touch. If they are cracked, most likely they are bad cores and are trash.

And to add to that, most owners don't have a clue when it comes to maintenance or fail to notice when something is awry, so they drive until the motor is 600 degrees and a valve sinks or the stem breaks and trashes a cylinder or the motor itself.

There are guys who do VW machining and sell rebuild heads that they make bulletproof using technology that is light years better than back in they day, but they are few and far between. None of them are in MT as far as I know, but if you know of any VWAC gurus, it would be good info to have.

Subaru engines don't have that issue

MT-Getto wrote:Subaru engines don't have that issue

Lol, yeah nor are they aircooled, or German, or used in light aircraft

Or 35+ years old.