Has anybody installed this “Precision Matters Auto Prime”. It takes me quite a while to start my Speedster (912 1600 w/Webber 40’s)when not driving it because I don’t start it often enough I guess. I got this from the latest issue of ‘356 Registry Magazine.’ I know it’s cheaper just to start the car once a week but sometimes I’m not able to. I don’t like to use the ether based starter spray but I have used it occasionally and it works.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
That's nice, and would help you, but so, too, would trashing your mechanical fuel pump and going to a good CB Performance or Carter rotary fuel pump at less than half the price.
Many of us on here have gone to the electric rotary fuel pump, mounted on the shelf below the gas tank and in front of the passenger footwell. You turn the key on (not yet starting it, just "on") and wait 10-15 seconds for the pump to fill the float bowls (which on yours are dry because you don't drive it much and the gas evaporates). After waiting those few seconds with the pump running, just pump it 6-8 times and start it up.
I know the guys at Precision Matters and they produce good stuff. That primer is for the original Porsche crowd who are unwilling to convert to an electric fuel pump for authenticity sake. For them it is great. For a replica, it is vast overkill, especially to the wallet.
Yes, I know electric fuel pumps work well, I have one on my 1973 VW bus with a 914 1.7 L Porsche engine with dual carbs. Mine is mounted under the gas tank in the rear very close to the engine. I was just curious if anybody had tried the auto prime device! The pump I have on my VW bus is the one in this picture, would this one work on my speedster pushing fuel all the way from the front of the car? 
IndianBob posted:Yes, I know electric fuel pumps work well, I have one on my 1973 VW bus with a 914 1.7 L Porsche engine with dual carbs. Mine is mounted under the gas tank in the rear very close to the engine. I was just curious if anybody had tried the auto prime device! The pump I have on my VW bus is the one in this picture, would this one work on my speedster pushing fuel all the way from the front of the car?
Yes that pump will work. I've used them in airplanes and also my speedster but they are quite noisy. The rotary pump is much nicer and works well.
That bus engine was made by Porsche?
Bill Prout - The original VW bus engine failed and was replaced with a 1973 914 Porsche 1.7 L engine (#EA078548) which has about 20 HP more than the stock VW Bus engine. The only problem though is the oil fill tube & stick is on top instead of the rear, which is kind of a pain to add oil or check it, and the stock VW bus cooling tin did not fit the Porsche engine properly except for the top two pieces around the the intake manifolds & over the spark plugs, so the engine ran hot. Also, the Porsche engine had two Weber 44s installed so only got about 11mpg. I was able to find some Porsche 914 engine cooling tin on eBay, so when I pulled the engine to install the tin, I also removed & sold the Weber 44s on Craigslist and was able to buy a brand new set of Weber 34s and installed them and now it gets 18mpg. 😊
Sweet.
I've got a Baywindow tintop or ragtop on my radar. I'd also drop a type IV into it. I'd need it to climb the hills around here.
Your's looks lowered a tad?
Carlos G - No, mine is not lowered. BTY, I just saw this stock 1970 VW Transporter on Thursday’s Indianapolis Mecum Auction go for $15,000! That’s what I was hoping for a Bay Window Bus to go sell for because I’m also going to sell my 1973 Bay Window Transporter. Mine, as previously mentioned, has the 914 Porsche engine with two extra 914 heads I bought for the future, a newly rebuilt transaxle, 3 new rear wing windows, new sound proofing & new carpet on floor, new front seat upholstery, new headliner, new window rubber all around and new front windshield, new front door window scrapers, oil pressure, temp, volt gauges, & tach. New dashmat too. The middle seat is from a 1980 VW Vanagon, & rear seat is original. Fairly new tires. Large custom roof rack w/wood slats. I was going to sell mine for $10,000 until I saw the auction, I think I’ll ask $12,000 now!😜
+1 on what Gordon said. I'll also add that most if not all electric pumps work much better as a PUSHER(mounted up front under the tank) rather than trying to PULL the fuel to the back of the car. The Carter P60504 rotary is the SAME EXACT self-regulated pump that CB sells at a lower price than CB. I got mine on Amazon for $25, but currently it's unavailable. Remember for Webers you need 3-3.5 pounds, no more!
Bob, Tom Marantz (also on here, but infrequently) has a bus with the same color combo as you. Not sure what's in it for a motor - most likely whatever came in it originally. He dropped by with it and we looked at his BA-6 heater, tucked under the body, to see if it was ressurectable (sic?) and he's now looking at alternative heat. Know anyone in the Northeast who knows how to run a gas heater or, better yet, how they are integrated with the dash heater controls? I couldn't even get power to it with all the interlocks involved.
