New Bus owner here

[DerrickfromNC]

Hi everyone....the wife and I just purchased a 68 bay window and hope this forum will help us make this thing a daily driver. We currently have a 67 GermanLook bug and a 57 Speedster replica....we have also owned a 70 ghia. However this is a completely different animal. The previous owner slammed this bus on the ground by installing an adjustable beam and resetting the spring plates. My 1st task is to raise it about 2".

Is there supposed to be a front sway bar on this bus?

Will a set of 15" x 5.5" Flat 4 BRM style wheels fit under this bus and what size tires?

Currently it has a stock 1600 dp engine of unknown history and it seems way under powered for this size vehicle. My wife describes it like rowing a boat going thru the gears. Pulling into traffic is risky!

I'm considering replacing the engine with a dual carb 1915cc with an engle 110 cam.

Would this help acceleration or would it be like rowing the boat faster due to the gearing in the tranny?

Will most aftermarket exhaust for a beetle clear the rear engine mount?

What's the best repair manual for a 68 bus?

Thanks for your help!
Derrick & Yvonne

[busman78]

Welcome!
Yes there is suppose to be a sway bar.
Not a clue on the BRM
Yes a 1915 will help with acceleration and help you row faster with little effort
Yes T1 exhaust will fit
There is only one manual worth getting, printed by Bentley

Enjoy the bus!

Also check out www.thesamba.com

[DerrickfromNC]

Looking at the wide five lug BRM wheels for our 68 bus and there seems to be several versions available. Both Flat4 and Empi sell them in 15" x 5" with the flat4 costing more $$. A samba retail(cip1) sells a brm wheel with a choice of widths 4",5", and 6". Does one version have an offset more suitable for a lowered 68 bus or are they all from the same manufacturer.

Thanks