General Questions

[drumdoctor]

A few questions for info:

1--can you tell an auto trans bug, just by looking at the engine?
2--how many types of VW engines are there?
3--can any bug engine be coupled with an auto trans?
4--what would be average mileage for a typical VW trike?
5--would there be any problems pulling a 4x6 trailer with 500 lbs in it?
6--what are good manuals to get?

[Bookwus]

Hiya drum,

Welcome to this side of the Volkswagen World.

1.  Yes.  The presence of the dual purpose oil/ATF pump will denote an AutoStick specific engine although any engine may be set up that way.
2.  18.  This is the number of different production engines since 1961.  It does not include variants of the same engine.
3.  Yes, probably.  But as the answer to #1 above inferred, the engine must be properly set up to run with an AutoStick.  That means the presence of the dual purpose oil/ATF pump and flexplate along with appropriate engine tinware.
4.  30 mpg.  Just a guess really.  It's hard to know just what a "typical" trike would be, but I would venture to say that its gas mileage would likely be better than a standard sedan.
5.  Yes.  The AutoStick set-up is capable of doing this (although you don't want to overload the clutch too much).  Take a look at this.......... http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=Z3BCHWYL  Scroll down the pictures on the left to see a trailer in action.  These pictures were takien by ebbingnl, a member of this forum.  You might want to contact him for more information.  In any event, you'll have to figure out your own hookup design.
6.  Clymer, Bentley Official VW Service Manual, and many folks recommend the John Muir "Idiot" book.

[68autobug]

Hi
looks like Mike has answered Your Questions...
I didn't know there were 18 different engines since 1961....
I remember problems with the 1962 [??] engine , it was a bad one and a new engine was used in the 1962 1/2 beetle...
[thats from a bad memeory]

As Mike said, most engines can be set up for the autostick...
Dual oil pump - flexplate instead of the flywheel - Auto starter motor - vacuum from the inlet manifold  and carburetor -

looking at an engine not in a car - dual ATF/oil pump and pipes - vacuum hose connection on the inlet manifold -
small vacuum hose connection at the front of the bottom of the carburetor -

Lee

[johnr]

Remember,  while the Muir book is great it is no help at all on Autosticks.  The Clymer is great.  I got mine on e-bay.

[Bookwus]

Hiya John,

Remember,  while the Muir book is great it is no help at all on Autosticks.  The Clymer is great.  I got mine on e-bay.

Yep, excellent point!

And I'd also mention that Clymer is really good for a person without a great deal of prior VW experience.  It (unlike Bentley) does not assume that you have any experience with VWs and gives you all the basic information you need.

[68autobug]

Remember,  while the Muir book is great it is no help at all on Autosticks.  The Clymer is great.  I got mine on e-bay.

Well John

I have many workshop/owner/mantainance etc manuals on Beetles
I don't have a Clymer manual....
so, I'll have to look about...
I don't even remember anyone in Australia mentioning them...

cheers

LEE

PS: I don't have the idiots guide from  john Muir... although i did read it years ago....