Volkswagen: 78 camper van, hydraulic lifters, fuel injection system

Question
Hi Ron - My son recently bought a '78 pop top camper van with the fuel injected engine.  The van sounds like it is running great, however, it definitely lacks power.  It can barely make it up a hill and maybe will hit 20mph on a steeper hill (like going up a mountain pass) if it is empty and floored.  Is this common for this type of van with this engine?  My brother has a 66 camper van that will run circles around this one.  Should we consider junking the fuel injection and set it up with a carb or does the fuel injected motor actually perform better than what this one is doing?  What should we be checking for?

Many thanks for your time on this one!

Rick

Answer
Rick,

The fuel injection system is powerful and reliable.  I would not consider scrapping it in the least.

First I would make sure all the valves are adjusted properly, (pay attention, as I belive 78's have hydraulic lifters) than do a compression check on each cylinder.

Once that is completed, time the ignition on the engine and see how it runs.

I'd be surprised if you are not doing circlues around the 66!

Ron