[T3] FI to Carb conversion

[James Lingenfelter]

  I had a '68 Squareback converted to carbs, and although the jetting  
process can be a little frustrating, once done, it provided years and  
years and years of flawless reliability, as opposed to what seems  
like constant component failure/mystery problems with the FI. And the  
car ran better than any FI type 3 that I've ever personally  
encountered, and got better fuel mileage as well. There aren't many  
carb options on the type 3, the most common seems to be the 34ICT  
Webers, which I had. I tried various carb linkages, and by FAR liked  
the CB Performance setup, with air cleaner assemblies that actually  
screw into the carbs. I know there are a lot of hardcore Type 3 fans  
on this list who swear by the FI, but I have never actually met  
anyone in person who had a positive experience with the type 3 FI,  
from relatively ignorant shade tree mechanics like myself, to VW  
dealership mechanics that maintained them when they were new cars. I  
have to admit I occasionally have gotten a chuckle out of the staunch  
defense of the FI within this registry, while 90% of the inquiries  
seem to involve people unable to drive their cars due to failure  
within the FI system.

Jimmy


On Nov 17, 2013, at 11:04 AM, Keith Park wrote:

> You have a long road ahead of you before its every running decently  
> again if
> you go to Carbs, and it will never run as well as FI did.
>
> 2 things to remember, with today's gas, even putting stock carbs on  
> it will
> require them to be jetted to the blend you get in your state, and that
> includes adjustments to the accelerator pump, it can be quite a  
> process.
>
> Secondly, pretty soon most if not all states will require that all the
> original smog equipment be present upon inspection, so you may have to
> convert back in the near future depending on what state you live in,
> eventually they will all be like this.  Carbs will be non-compliant  
> for that
> year.
>
> Keith
>
>
> Top Notch Restorations
> topnotch at nycap.rr.com
> http://www.a383ina68.addr.com/radiorest/main.htm
> 71 Squareback "Hothe"
> 65 Notchback "El Baja Rojo"
> 65 Squareback "Eggcrate"
> 87 golf "Winterat"
> 93 RX7 "Redstur"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
> [mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of  
> Terrie Ann
> Schmearer
> Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2013 4:41 AM
> To: type3-vwtype3.org at lists.vwtype3.org
> Subject: [T3] FI to Carb conversion
>
> Hello everyone,
> The time has come. My '72 T3 1600 Fastback is going to be converted  
> from FI
> to carbs. Didn't think I'd ever do that. However, I haven't been  
> able to
> drive it for over a year and we've put around $6000 in repairs in  
> it and
> it's time. My (new) mechanic has been speaking to other classic VW  
> mechanics
> who have all said to convert. I gave him permission to do so. He  
> said if I
> could ask y'all for any information about converting it, that would  
> help him
> get it done faster. He has to research how to do it. So! If any of  
> you have
> experience, know what parts are needed, know where to get them. Any
> information whether it seems insignificant or very important will be
> appreciated.
> Thank you,
> Terrie Ann Schmearer
> 1972 VW Type III Fastback - Her name is Joy
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