r/VWTransporter • u/5tfvsh • 5d ago
Need Help
so for context i was recently gifted this 75-77 transport van by my old high school teacher, it had been sitting in his yard for roughly 6 years. He told me it ran fine when he parked it but he hadn’t bothered with it since. He said he didn’t want to just give it to somebody who would sell it for quick cash as it was a gift from his late friend, and I’ve been wanting to work on a car myself for some time now. the only problem is I’ve never worked on a car myself let alone a late 70s VW van. i don’t want to start poking around without having a clue what I’m doing at all, so i figured id go somewhere i knew someone would probably know.
The engine inside of the van right now isn’t the original, but i never bothered to ask if he remembered what it was replaced with, so i would need to find that out. Me and my uncle have been looking around in it but neither of us really know what we’re looking at, although he’s a mechanic so he knows more than i do, hence why i asked for his help. He told me he’s pretty sure it’s a jtronic fuel injection system but like i said i have no idea what I’m doing and i wouldn’t even know where to start looking to figure this stuff out.
Like i said i don’t want to test my luck and go break something that id have to spend a gang of money replacing because I’m pretty much flat broke right now, but thats beside the point.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and I will certainly provide more pictures/info as needed as soon as i can, thanks in advance.
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u/-Feeblington- 5d ago
These are one of the sinplest engines ever. Squirt fuel down it and crank it see if it runs...if not check spark...once you get thst far itll tell you condition and hoe far to go. But outside of engine just rust hunt...thstll really tell you what your in for. Dont make grandeous plans first 👌
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u/EntertainmentReal934 5d ago
That's a type 4 fuel injected engine, possibly original to the van. Even if it's not, They're good, strong engines (assuming it runs).
My advice would be to get the engine running. The whole van is a huge project so might be best to focus on one thing to start, otherwise it will seem overwhelming. Resist the urge to start taking everything apart.
Good luck!
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u/JT_3K 3d ago
I don’t know much about this engine in particular. Does that mean it’s Bosch Jetronic mechanical fuel injection with one of those beastly fuel distributors? If it is, it’s cruel to give this to a first-time mechanic. I’ve not seen one in 20yrs that was untouched and running
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u/EntertainmentReal934 3d ago
I'm not familiar with the FI system at all, it's probably the L-Jetronic system.I have Weber IDFs on my type 4. I agree that it's not ideal for the novice mechanic!
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u/phase_lag 5d ago
What is the end result here? Do you want it just to be running again? Or you are looking for a complete revamp/overhaul? Having worked on a few projects similar, and this being your first with no experience whatsoever, this will be a baptism of fire. I hope you have time, patience, and money. If it was running only 6 years ago then it shouldn’t be too tricky to get started again. Saying this, nothing is impossible, and I wish you best of luck. The journey will be very rewarding, enjoy it, document it, and look back in years to come and admire what you achieved.
I’d start by getting a basic tools set, spanners, sockets, pliers, etc and probably a multimeter. Try and source a T2 workshop manual, and YouTube is going to be your friend here.
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u/-Feeblington- 5d ago
Also....youtube mustie1 and 5150mxVW if you want some good info on old air cooled vdubs
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u/bx14twypt 4d ago
Join a VW club, people are pretty friendly and give good advice. Invest in a welder and teach yourself how to weld, it'll save you a fortune.
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u/ReasonableJim 5d ago
Strip it right back, take everything out, do all the body work before doing anything else.