Well, thanks to Colin's help I've now got the bus back to its original dual Solex configuration. To anyone who reads this who is contemplating making an appointment with Colin -- do it now! The amount of knowledge, and effectiveness of your time with Colin is worth considerably more than the cost!
After a thorough ground-zero education, we did:
0) Valve adjustment. Noticed discrepancies between left side and right side valves with unknown history of last adjustment. Noticed that #3 intake was notably different from the rest (2.5 turns on #3, 2 turns on #4, vs 1.5 on #1 and #3)
1) Relocated the fuel pump and filters out of the engine compartment where it was mounted on the firewall. We added an inline filter to reduce the fuel line to the 5.5mm.
2) Removed the 009 w/pertronix and installed a correct 205J DVDA distributor. Installed a gorgeous new timing scale (Thanks Colin!)
3) Removed the dual baby webers, manifolds, linkage, and hoses.
3) Noticed the brake booster pipe had been cut at the ends and rigged with a pretty ugly multi spliced hose connection. Removed all of that, and ran hose from the cut ends of the pipe to a brass barb to the brake booster elbows, using clamps at the barb ends for a solid connection. Ordered a correct replacement pipe
4) Installed the original Solex carbs that have been rebuilt (thanks Volkzbitz!) with the original linkage, original linkage spring and new brass socket! Had to do some minor bending of the plates holding the linkage sockets at both carbs to get everything to fit and line up properly with the dashpot etc.
5) Removed the blocking plate that was installed at the firewall to block the warm air intake duct. Installed the correct "donut piece" inside the engine compartment. This was a huge pain in the ass with limited space and access, but we persevered.
6) Created a new wiring harness for the carbs copying the original factory harness which had seen better days and was missing an end
7) Connected new vacuum hoses
Fired right up. Did notice a small oil leak on the left valve cover. Pulled it, noticed some remaining residue, cleaned it it off and reseated. Fixed.
Some notes:
1) Retard was way too strong. I had purchased a NOS vacuum canister, going to verify it was the right one.
2) Pulling power from the idle jet solenoid on the left carb exhibited no change. Pulling the power from the solenoid on the right carb dropped as expected. Swapping solenoids between left and right carbs did not exhibit any change -- dropped fine on the right when unplugged, no change on the left.
3) On my baby-weber setup, whenever I would touch the brakes, the idle would drop -- I never realized this wasn't normal. I was able to experience what it *should* feel like in Colin's bus.
4) Pulling the #3 spark plug wire at idle exhibits
*no change*!
Issues:
1) After driving around the neighborhood a bit, there is a definite hesitation/bucking noticeable most in 2nd and 3rd gear. Of course, it was worse right after Colin left ;)
Thoughts:
1) Can't believe how easily the car starts, and how responsive/smooth it feels other than the issue above. How easily it started up after sitting for 2 full days was a pretty remarkable change
2) The amount of engineering that VW put into this fuel delivery system is pretty incredible. It sure feels good to get all these parts back in the bus.
3) The VW community is a national treasure. Thanks again to Colin, Robby, Bill, Tim, and everyone else on the forums for helping me get this far
4) I still feel like I'm mentally trying to unwind from 4000RPMs. There's a very distinct feeling after the tsunami of information recedes and Colin drives away to his next appointment. Anxiety is sitting in on how I'm going to fix the issue above.
Plan:
1) Let the bus sit overnight, and do a cold valve adjustment in the morning, taking particular note to the #3 cylinder.
2) Check for vacuum leaks. Since I made the hose connection from the booster pipe to the manifolds, I was very very careful in how I did it. I made sure that the connections were tight. Follow the hose from the booster pipe through the firewall towards the front of the car to try and find a leak.
3) Figure out if I have the right vacuum can on the distributor.
4) ... Say a prayer and figure it out from here!