i would like to install a 78 vw bus 2.0l into
my 71 914 1.7l. any help please on problems
i may come across??

First off, WHY!!!
Seriously the 914 I own now was bought from a friend who had two different haeds on his 32/36 carbed 1.8. Instead of buying a rebuilt matching Porsche head to replace the cracked VW head he bought a 78 2.0L bus motor. At the time even I didn't see the problem. Actually his 1.8 was running so badly the bus motor might have been an inprovement. The first problem is you will need the tin work from a 1.7 or 1.8 914. then you need a dip stick and tube from a 914, a hole has to be drilled into the bus block to install the tube. Then you need to block off the bus oil fill/dipstick because it will interfere withthe motor mount bar(unless you own a 70-72 then it might work, I don't know) The Bus 2.0L has smaller valves then a Porsche 1.8 I don't remember exactly what size. The pistons are dished for lower compresion, the cam is for low end tourque to move a heavy bus, the injection from a 914 may not work with this cam. The skinny is that yes you can do it but I am almost possitive that a badly running Porsche spec 1.7 will out perform a bus 2.0L. Not to metion it will drop the value of your car. Try to find a 914 owner that up dated to a 2.0L Porsche and buy their 1.7 or 1.8, you will be MUCH happier. Besides I have heard of 1.7 long blocks going for $100-$150. Talk to Wayne I'm sure he can locate someones "boat anchor" for you.

-Wayne

When I think back to my 72 1.7 parts car it may be that a bus motor will "drop" in but...
I seem to remember the fan housing being different, not incompatable but different, and the tin ware is totally off. If you look at the 914 block versus a bus block the casting (sand casting I guess?) is identical. The difference is that a 1" hole is made in the driver side case half to facilitate a filler and dipstick.
Another problem is the flywheel. I have no direct experence but from what I've read and have heard from a friend who put a 914 2.0 in a Bug, the flywheels don't retro fit. It is due to the teeth on the ring. The position is different, i.e. the starter will not engage. A bus / type 411 flywheel has NO slash mark at TDC. While any 914 flywheel does. It is a deep cut into the flywheel not like the little notches on the fan.
If you are dead set on the swap (maybe you already have the motor) first swap the motor support bar and look for interference with the filler tube. The 2.0 bus motor I have seen is a GA case and it might be a 76-79 I only assume it was a 78 because of other features.
If you do the swap remember that most bus motors are HYDRALIC lifters not SOLID. so you have to do a different lash ajustment. It only takes one improper adjustment (like if you have a garage do it for you and they use 914 specs) to "wipe" the lobes off the cam.
My estimate of price was from the Pelican Nemisis in Atlanta. "They" "assured" me they had lots of 1.7 engines sitting around taken from running cars. If you follow other forums on the net you know by now that numerous people have had unsatisfactory ( to say the least) experiences with " that place in Atlanta"
It might be a cheap fix to get the car running but if 914 owners wanted easy we wouldn't own 914's. One place I know of, but they are far from cheap, is FAT Performance. They are a machine shop in Calf. someplace. They do not specialize in 914's but their catalog lists prices for "machine hole for dipstick" and "block off plates" for the bus filler tube hole.

Once again here is my CORRECT e-mail.
JPNOONAN@WORLDNET.ATT.NET
Or just use the mail icon above.

I have a 74 1.8 motor in running condition I would sell for $150.00 plus shipping.
somerloccd@centum.utulsa.edu.