Alright boys and girls I love my baby, but I hate feeling like every time I take her for a drive over half an hour, it is a strain. Who knows anything about rebuilding and upping power on a classic vehicle without completely replacing the engine. I am on a budget, but if I can get her going well I will be ecstatic. Is anyone willing and able to help me? PLEASE ???!?!?!

oh yeah, for those of you who don't know, this is my baby:

your baby is neat looking

Does it have an air cooled or water cooled engine?

How long has it been since the oil was changed? Spark Plugs? Plug Wires?

Also if you have a points ignition, not sure on VW's. How old are your points? Condinser? Rotor button and Cap?

The plugs and wires can breathe new life into an engie pretty quick, as can the points condinser, cap and button. The oil also plays a part if its really old and clumpy its really bad for the engine and has VERY advese effects on power as well as long term damage.

I am taking her in for a checkup today, I have been fairly good with maintenance. Not quite a year and a half ago, I drove her from Missouri, and she made it, no problem. What I am wondering more than anything is if it would be possible to update and rev her engine to where her top speed is over 65mph, her body is in quite good shape over all, but I just wish I didnt' have to worry that I am gonna kill her or over extend her abilities. Does that make sense?

Rob has the right idea. All that ignition stuff can make a big difference. You should also check your air cleaner. As far as I know, all of those volkswagen buses were air-cooled, and none of them had much power. I don't know much about volkswagons. I'm much more familiar with american junk. An econoline van would be so much easier. I know they make lots of hotrod parts for those volkswagon engines. I think you can get bigger pistons and jugs, and probably lots of other stuff. I don't know much about that either, because I'm too cheap to buy performance parts.

Ms. T-
You've come to the right place...
Call me and we can discuss the things you can do to make her more livable.. (I specialize in german cars, babe..) 'dubs are sooo easy to hop-up.. I'll have you smokin hondas in no time... hehe!
Vampy.. (ps get my # from JC)

Yeah Vampilot & I could prob help a lot. Air Cooled German Engines are my specialty. I need a bunch of questiones answered about the originality of your engine before I can make really good suggestions. There is a lot that can be done to increase performance in these motors, most of it realativly cheaply.

I am afraid I am not a fountain of information on the engine at this point, when I purchased the van I was told the last person to own it (a HS boy) had "rebuilt and played with the engine" but the guy selling it (a friend of a friend or something like that) wasn't sure of anything about it. I would love to have a "play with Morgan" luncheon, I provide food, you guys look and give advice.
I have learned how to do basic maintenance on her, but I don't really feel comfortable doing anything without my daddy around. Once I know what we will want to do, I will begin earning the money for it, not gonna spend first then reimburse, lol. So a consultation of sorts would be wonderful.

You have a beautiful van! It's not often you see one with the body in such good shape!