i just got a 79 bus abd the engine is trashed (one of the heads is mission)any advise about this year bus would be great. also can i put 78 heads on this bus so that it is easier to upgrade the exhaust.
thanks
chris
79 bus questions
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germansupplyscott
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2001 12:01 am
79 bus questions
there's nothing wrong with the 1979 engine EXCEPT the heads. the 1978 will bolt on without any problems, pretty much a straight swap. you need to rebuild the rest of the motor in all likelyhood. visit the type4um and lurk a bit or post there for good advice on rebuilding your engine.
scott
scott
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Derek May
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2001 1:01 am
79 bus questions
The 1979 heads had Square exhaust ports, so when you change to 1978 heads, you are going to have to change over your exhaust system as well. The 1972-1979 buses had two basic exhaust configurations, except for 1979 california which has something truly weird.
The 1972-74 set up involved headers going directly into the heat exchanges, and the heat exchangers had two outlets which then bolt to the exhaust pipes. The exhaust system can be replaced by a relatively cheap one piece bolt on unit. Check out
www.busdepot.com
or www.aircooled.net
for options on exhaust. The 1975-76 set up is a little strange, it involved headers going out to a u-pipe (no longer available and rusting all over the continent), then into the heat exchangers, and then a triangle flanged single pipe on each heat exchanger to bolt to the exhaust system. For these years, the stock exhaust system involves something like 4 or 5 expensive pieces, or you can go with a one piece aftermarket bolt-on.
1977-78 are years I'm not too sure about, I think they are back to the 1972-1974 heat exchangers/header combo but the exhaust configuration after the exchangers are different, with accomodation for a catalytic converter. If you've got to meet 1979 smog standards, this option may be the way to go.
Also check the usual manuals, Haynes and Bentley.
The 1972-74 set up involved headers going directly into the heat exchanges, and the heat exchangers had two outlets which then bolt to the exhaust pipes. The exhaust system can be replaced by a relatively cheap one piece bolt on unit. Check out
www.busdepot.com
or www.aircooled.net
for options on exhaust. The 1975-76 set up is a little strange, it involved headers going out to a u-pipe (no longer available and rusting all over the continent), then into the heat exchangers, and then a triangle flanged single pipe on each heat exchanger to bolt to the exhaust system. For these years, the stock exhaust system involves something like 4 or 5 expensive pieces, or you can go with a one piece aftermarket bolt-on.
1977-78 are years I'm not too sure about, I think they are back to the 1972-1974 heat exchangers/header combo but the exhaust configuration after the exchangers are different, with accomodation for a catalytic converter. If you've got to meet 1979 smog standards, this option may be the way to go.
Also check the usual manuals, Haynes and Bentley.
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Derek May
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2001 1:01 am
79 bus questions
Oh, there are cooling tin differences between the 72-74/77-78 set up and the 75-76 set ups. Your 79 setup could be a little odd too, so you may need to take some tin from the "doner" engine if you swap to '78 heads, along with the exhaust system and heat exchangers.