1977 VW Beetle diesel conversion on oakland craigslist! - Page 6 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

roflwaffle · 01-06-2009, 01:57 PM

I stole it from someone on the vwdiesel.net forum.

DrediKnight · 01-07-2009, 11:49 AM

Thats sweet. I want one. It looks like it gets about the same speeds as mine does. Like mine it's also got 23 HP but I think I also get better mileage as I only have 2 cylinders. Now who can we get to make some of those heads....

trikkonceptz · 01-07-2009, 04:32 PM

Dam it really looks like a standard beetle engine with different heads. Oh this might be worth lookng into deeper. With millions of beetles out there, I am sure their has to be one or two like this one, even if home made ..

metromizer · 01-08-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

Dam it really looks like a standard beetle engine with different heads. Oh this might be worth lookng into deeper. With millions of beetles out there, I am sure their has to be one or two like this one, even if home made ..

The one in the article looks to be an early Porsche variant of the 36hp VW engine, with a Bosch MFI pump and injectors.

I've been deep into the air cooled VW scene for years, I've never come across one, but did read about limited maybe experimental WWII war production vw diesels.

If I was going to try to recreate one like the one in the article, I might start with a late model 1600 Type 1 case. but the old flat 4 has a lot of shortcomings for the machinist to overcome (oil system, heads studs, 3 main bearing crank, not-so-beefy heads among them) Then there's mounting a Diesel fuel pump.

I've converted flat 4 vw engines to dry sump oiling, built custom exhausts, fitted huge racing heads and 96.7mm bore X 86mm stroke (using aftermarket stroker cranks and custom barrels and pistons)... anything is doable, but I'll tell you, you really need to have a very strong motivation and some $$ to pull it off.

I'm biased, but the old VW bug platform really is easy to work with, you get around emissions testing and other roadblocks in most states because of the 'collectable car/hobby' status, which work in it's favor.

MetroMPG · 03-19-2009, 06:20 PM

DrediKnight - any info for us wondering about the diesel Beetle's fuel economy?

DrediKnight · 03-19-2009, 11:23 PM

I have not even gone through the first tank of biodiesel I put in when I bought it. Just use it to go to the kids school and get groceries. Trips of two miles tops. I'm not driving it enough to justify having it and as my commuter car is dying I am saldy putting the bug up for sale. Drop me a PM if you want more info...

MetroMPG · 03-20-2009, 11:42 AM

Bummer.

Would you do me a favour though, and when you sell it, get the new owner's e-mail? I really want to know the car's fuel economy when it gets used.

DrediKnight · 10-28-2009, 01:20 PM

This car is for sale as I am moving. Someone snap it up...

1977 Diesel Volkswagon Bug

bgd73 · 10-28-2009, 02:37 PM

interesting, nice photos.

I saw in another language a vdeo of "synchro diesel" I couldnlt make heads or tails of it. it sounded like a boxer...but definately a diesel. I thought they made one in the liquid cooled years anyway. that crank would go forever.
even a perkins snaps a counterbalanced four banger.

anyway, nice build. I thought sure I commented on this, so if you see like 3 or more posts from me saying the same thing...blame the geniuses behind it all. I seem to be deleted randomly.

I would grab that sale if I could.