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Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 15:58
by Smiffo
bigherb wrote:No the crankcase is the same.
You may have had a DF engine originally and the engine was replaced with a DG and the carb and distributor from the DF transferred to the new engine.
DF engines normally only had single speed cooling fans and a thinner radiator. If you look at the radiator fan switch if it has two wires then it was most likely a DF engine.
Thanks Big Herb.
I definitely have 3 wires going into a plug behind the right hand side of the lower grill on the front of the van.
Not too familiar with these vehicles yet, but I am assuming this would be what you are referring to?
BigHerb + Itchyfeet.
Ok - so in summary - It looks like DG heads, but DF manifold, DF dizzy ( I think, don't know how I tell what distributor it is ) and DF Solex carb.
If the crank case is the same on all models, does it matter what the internals / cams are like?
What I am asking is if I did obtain a DG manifold, piersberg carb, dizzy and air filter for a DG set-up, would there be any impact by not checking the cams in the crank case to be sure whether it is a DF/DG model or not? ( e.g. loss of power, or just incompatible if DG set up used on DF cams etc. )
This seems a lot of effort to obtain a bit more power and uniformity, but is this everything there is to it?
Would I need new ignition coil etc for new dizzy?
I am just trying to get this straightened out in my head.
Thanks again.
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 16:22
by itchyfeet
you can't be 100% sure, cams are different DG to DF but I think you can assume you have a DG with DF carb/manufold and dizzy.
Dizzy is the thing with the spark plug leads connected to it.
You don't have to change anything if you are happy with performance, it's your choice.
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 16:30
by Smiffo
itchyfeet wrote:you can't be 100% sure, cams are different DG to DF but I think you can assume you have a DG with DF carb/manufold and dizzy.
Dizzy is the thing with the spark plug leads connected to it.
You don't have to change anything if you are happy with performance, it's your choice.
Just had a little look on ebay for prices etc - I would like to try to get better performance - but the parts are like hens teeth..!!
How can I tell which dizzy it is?
( DF or DG style. )
And if I was to go the full DG route, would I need a coil that matches the dizzy, or does one coil type suffice for both DF and DG dizzys?
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 16:56
by itchyfeet
I think your coil will be fine
These parts may not be on ebay today but they are not hens teeth they come up regularly in for sale or in reply to wanted.
What I'd suggest is don't be in a hurry, pick the parts up as you find them over the next 6 months to year and when you have it all then do it.
Wanted section is good, lots of people hold onto parts until somebody asks, most Pierburgs are worn and in need of a refurb and that will add a few hundred pounds, it all depends on your budget.
Don't quote me but aprox costs are
dizzy £30-50 025 905 205 Q or C suffix
Pierburg 2e3 £40-80 + refurb if needed 025 129 015 A H or J suffix
manufold £25 025 129 713A
pancake inlet £25 025 129 654
need to check throttle linkage too Bigherb will know
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 16:59
by kevtherev
I have a DG manifold here.
..if you want.
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 17:27
by Smiffo
kevtherev wrote:I have a DG manifold here.
..if you want.
Perfect kev.
I will take Itchyfeet's suggestion and start accumulating parts as of now.
I can always sell the DF bits afterward to recoup some costs if needed, or keep them for emergency spares.!
How much do you want for it?
I am Bristol area, so will need postage to be factored in too.
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 17:54
by Smiffo
itchyfeet wrote:I think your coil will be fine
These parts may not be on ebay today but they are not hens teeth they come up regularly in for sale or in reply to wanted.
What I'd suggest is don't be in a hurry, pick the parts up as you find them over the next 6 months to year and when you have it all then do it.
Wanted section is good, lots of people hold onto parts until somebody asks, most Pierburgs are worn and in need of a refurb and that will add a few hundred pounds, it all depends on your budget.
Don't quote me but aprox costs are
dizzy £30-50 025 905 205 Q or C suffix
Pierburg 2e3 £40-80 + refurb if needed 025 129 015 A H or J suffix
manufold £25 025 129 713A
pancake inlet £25 025 129 654
need to check throttle linkage too Bigherb will know
The dizzy and Pierburg suffix letters - is there a preferred version of each?
( If I am waiting for parts as and when they come up, and not experiencing running issues yet, I would rather wait for the better option of each for the DG setup. )
Thanks again Itchy. You've been a big help and you have lined me up a project

Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 18:05
by kevtherev
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 18:21
by Smiffo
That's perfect, I will take it.
First part acquired - the rest to follow
What is the red wire for that connects to the base of the manifold, Kev?
Also - email me direct on
stephen.3.smith@me.com and we can arrange payment / postage details.
( Prob best to keep personal details off of a public forum. )
Thanks for this Kev. It seems I have started on the road to the unknown.!
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 18:31
by kevtherev
Red wire is to the manifold heater for cold climate conditions. (Prevents icing)
I'll be in touch
Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 18:44
by Smiffo
kevtherev wrote:Red wire is to the manifold heater for cold climate conditions. (Prevents icing)
I'll be in touch
Thanks Kev.
I already have the misses asking what I am so excited about..!!

Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 18:46
by itchyfeet
Thanks again Itchy. You've been a big help and you have lined me up a project

V welcome, it's what makes 8090, sharing knoledge, like you I knew nothing about T25's when I joined.

Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 19:18
by Smiffo
Right, now I have a direction planned, I started scribbling down parts and imagining things in my mind, so there are two last questions.
1. the Pierburg - if I am not mistaken - has a coolant input / output, which the Solex that is currently in situ doesn't have.
I assume the last owner capped that off to fit the Solex, or looped the in / out together on my newer style coolant system, to get this working.
Where should I look for this to confirm and see how easy it is to reverse what has been done?
2. I found a new Pierburg carb online which is a bit out of my price range for a few months, but has the suffix as M... Is that not compatible with the setup I will need?
http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t25-parts ... -1992.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last questions until I source more parts

Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 19:24
by itchyfeet
Take your pancake off and take a photograph or two of what you have, not many DF's around so info is scarce, photos say 1000 words.
most of us won't buy from JK, just sayin.
keep the q's coming, info is free here and we would only be squabbling about nuclear power or fireworks anyway

Re: How to tell which engine and Carb you have?
Posted: 23 Oct 2015, 19:57
by Smiffo