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Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Sat 15, 2012 10:53 am
by Bus Dweller
So I acquired an older type 2 bus, it had been garaged for a couple years due to loss of power after it blew a spark plug... It used to run great. I just pulled the motor, and before I started to tear into the cylinder heads, I was wondering if there is any reason to believe that the heads are still good? Could there be a lesser issue at hand which caused the loss of power, and maybe I don't have to Machine/replace the heads/valves? Any one out there that has experience with these older busses would help me out considerably as to where to begin troubleshooting.
Thanks

Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Sat 15, 2012 1:41 pm
by YASHA7FOLD
First welcome to the forum. Next I think the best thing to do would be to check the timing and points. Next would to do a compression test on the cylinders that you still can. This will give you a little more if a clue on what your working with.


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Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Sun 16, 2012 9:42 pm
by Mikewire
I'm familiar with the T4 motor you have in that '72.

Wondering why you think the heads are bad. Yes, the seats can and do sink into the heads over time and usually on the #3 cylinder. But there are so many other things that can cause power loss, the last thing I would do is pull the motor and heads. Although, I am curious about "blowing a spark plug"...explain please?

I'd start with a valve adjustment. Is this a solid or hydro lifter motor?

Check out the entire ignition sytem, plug, wires, cap, rotor and check timing like Yasha said.

Beyond that there could be a fuel delivery problem, plugged filter, yada yada.

Also, where are you located?

Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Mon 17, 2012 9:21 am
by choptopvolksrod
plug probably blew out due to over torqued spark plug. no threads=no hold. ask a ford v-10 owner what im talking bout haha.

Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Mon 17, 2012 9:29 am
by Mikewire
Lol yeah for sure. But really, just throw a helicoil in it and drive it until it's time to get new heads. If the seats look good, then I would take it to the machine shop and have them weld and tap a new plug hole.

Or buy "new" heads from Len Hoffman. Although you better get in line, because he's one of the only guys doing quality work.

Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Mon 17, 2012 2:06 pm
by MT-Getto
choptopvolksrod wrote:plug probably blew out due to over torqued spark plug. no threads=no hold. ask a ford v-10 owner what im talking bout haha.
Triton V10 sure as hell do that. They blow the plug right through the coil pack.

Re: Any knowledgable airheads? 1972 1700cc bus, engine help

Posted: Sep Mon 17, 2012 2:11 pm
by YASHA7FOLD
Yep happened to our delivery trucks #3 cylinder a week and a half ago.


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