1979 Westy - seeking a fuel injection guru

[RobertWinters]

I have 1979 Westy that's been nicely restored on the outside but which has less than optimal performance. The Bus is originally a California Bus, but my former mechanic made some modifications to the fuel injection system in order to get the Bus on the road and out of his shop. I like to call it Frankinjection. I've had the Bus since 2000 and restored the body in 2008. The Bus and I reside in Cambridge, MA.

The Bus runs OK on level ground with a steady foot on the accelerator, but the fuel efficiency is way down and it's terrible on hills and lacks acceleration. It also lurches a bit when under load. It has a good Boston Bob engine with no apparent problems, but it hasn't been right since the modifications were made. It also can be hard to start after running a while, but that's not so uncommon with a late model Bus.

The original (electronic) distributor was replaced by a mechanical distributor. I believe it has its original (CA) air flow meter and wiring harness. The dual relay has been replaced (don't recall right now if it's for a CA or a Federal Bus), and I'm pretty sure the ECU was replaced. Other changes may also have been made.

Anyway, I'd like to find someone in the Greater Boston area who is a real guru when it comes to getting fuel injection right. I won't take the Bus on the highway or on any long adventures until I get things right.

Robert Winters, Cambridge MA

[rmace]

If they put a 09 distributor in it then it is not timed rite. The 09 has no vacume advance, I agree with Nevin take it to Stan. hope this helps later Rich

[corvairbusguy]

Dude, you got all the symptoms of a bad Head temp sensor.  Maybe the wire is just broken, if so the motor will run way too rich.  Normal resistance of the sensor is 200-400 ohms at operating temperature.

[prez]

Replace air flow meter first

[St.Bus]

Replace air flow meter first

temp sensor is $17
AFM is $150
replace the temp sensor first.
verify there are no vacuum leaks with a vac gauge ($20), you want 15hg on the dial or better.
Also the 009 distributor is shite for hills, it works on rpms. so you cant advance the timing unless you can go faster, but you're on a hill, so stabbing the gas just sucks up more gas.
A vacuum advance works better, when you step on the gas, the vacuum from the system recognizes that you want more advance spark and turns the rotor assembly , advancing it by a few degrees, thus getting power and rpms on hills when you need, it.
dump the 009, keep it as a spare under the seat where it belongs.
I did , and I went from 16 mpg to 19.5.

[Vanagonjr]

Interesting call on the 009 (makes me miss the Type IV I rebuilt)
It's amazing on these old motors, how much there is, still, to learn.

John

[MrLiMBO]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.  The fuel injection on those older buses are easy to diagnose and repair.  All you'll need is a test light, multi-meter and the Bentley repair book.  Follow the instruction and specs in the book for each component and you'll have that motor purring like a kitten in no time.  

If you're mechanically challenged, perhaps Stan's Classic service in Natick can help. 508-333-7813

[corvairbusguy]

Your right!  But I admit until I really had a problem  that required me to wrap my head around it and understand the system I was pretty mystefied by FI.

  A couple times now Ive rescued folks by repairing the wire to the temp sensor or reminding them the fuel pump wont work if the AFM is off, etc.

  Mr Limbo, nice to see you in Shrewsbury, heres a pic of you

[St.Bus]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.  The fuel injection on those older buses are easy to diagnose and repair.  All you'll need is a test light, multi-meter and the Bentley repair book.  

you forgot vacuum gauge! hehe, F.I. is all about the vacuum man..

[mark & carol]

grounds...clean all grounds

[Anonymous]

Recheck the connections

[Anonymous]

Hi, interesting post.