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My very first car was a '61 Bug with a '66 engine in it (eventually with Big Barrels, and dual carbs), so I'm re-living my youth through this thread. Brings back fond memories of terrorizing the North Campus of Univ of Mich in the mid '70s with my pseudo Baja Bug (I didn't have the money for the "real" kit, so I improvised).
That battery photo reminds me of the time I was one of four in the back of a bug when the seat spring made a connection between both terminals. It went something like: odor, heat, smoke, fire. Old VWs are always an adventure.
I was transporting a car-load of ladies to a party in East Lansing when one of the pistons decided to perforate (due to my misunderstanding of the need for proper cooling ducting around the cylinders), and begin pumping oil all over the highway. My John Travolta-like, Saturday Night Fever white suit was not happy - and neither were those ladies.
I had a Manx dune buggy, a 66 Microbus, a 65 21 window Microbus, and a hunter green Fastback at various times. All were an adventure. You know your rotted fuel lines? When they are on a bus and the tank lives right above the engine they do not stop feeding fuel until the tank is empty, regardless of whether the engine is on fire or not. RIP 21 window bus.
i remember empi fondly. my 2nd car was a 1965 karmann ghia that i installed an empi exhaust on. then i had a 1967 bug, then a 1955 porsche (sorta a vw at that point), then a 1965 bus. the last two were when i was in the army in germany. with the bus i never-ever saw the left lane on the autobahn. brought home a 1971 squareback, then we bought my daughter a 1977 (i think) jetta. i'm enjoying this thread and i think you should get extra points for saving this survivor of the camp fire.
This entire thread is making me happier and helping me feel that I made the right decision selling my 69 VW Bus earlier this month. I had many of the same problems you have faced so far except I ran out of love for it.
Regarding tires. I had great luck with my general grabber at/2s on my bus and they fit my stock wide 5 wheels pretty well.
Learned to drive in a 69 1500. My dad and I removed the engine to swap in a rebuilt one, at the time we were pretty broke and didn't have a trolley jack. We used a vw jack on one side and a scissor jack from a 1979 mazda 626 the other, a lot of 2x4s and lifted the rear of the car off anr over the engine wIth a ratcheting come-along.
This brings back many memories, both good and repressed.
Learned to drive in a 69 1500. My dad and I removed the engine to swap in a rebuilt one, at the time we were pretty broke and didn't have a trolley jack. We used a vw jack on one side and a scissor jack from a 1979 mazda 626 the other, a lot of 2x4s and lifted the rear of the car off anr over the engine wIth a ratcheting come-along.
This brings back many memories, both good and repressed.
But I cannot ignore that rather than trailering this thing to your driveway from the get-go you traveled 30 minutes one way to work on it for what was probably weeks??????
Ugh. I got to do a brake job twice once because I didn't realize it was the wheel axle seal.
Air cooled engines just kind of lose power when they overheat. Maybe an oil temp sensor would be a good investment. I used to carry around a roll of quarters and some aluminum friendly degreaser. About once a week I'd roll up to a diy carwash and pressure wash & degrease all the cooling fins.
Yeah, I don't want to do this twice. If the drivers side one doesn't leak, I'm inclined not to screw with it.
I've got an AccuTech SMi oil pressure and oil temperature gauges that are known good and were previously mounted in the Miata. My plan is to come off the case at the location of the original oil pressure warning light with a piece of braided stainless or other appropriate hose, and then T the end so that I can continue to use the stock pressure warning light AND the pressure sender for the AccuTech. Oil temp is a bit harder. The 1600 is a dual relief AS41 so if I don't end up doing the "full flow" mods to the case (more on this in another post for non ACVW people) I'll probably put the sender in one of the pressure relief plugs in the bottom of the case. This seems to be the "go to" location for the gianormous VDO temp senders that the VW people love, so an adapter to 1/8"NPT will need to be found. I think the plug is the same thread size as the one in my Subaru, so shouldn't be hard to find.
But yeah, I *NEED* instrumentation. Dakota Digital Cylinder Head Temp gauge is absolutely happening as well. Like, not even an option at this point. And a tachometer.
Also, any hints on aluminum/magnesium safe degreaser? She's a dirty girl and needs a good pressure wash. As always, I appreciate the feedback!
Originally Posted by Savington
In for glorious, abject fuckery and general malaise
I will do my best not to disappoint
Originally Posted by 18psi
I.....don't even know what's happening
It's ok, the SatNav in this thing keeps pointing me toward Moscow, not sure why. I'm unsure if you should worry or not.
Originally Posted by Scaxx
My favorite part is still the wood mounted killswitch with a cable running through a hole with no grommet
Wood is an insulator! I see no problem here. Also, it can't rust if its made out of wood!
Originally Posted by codrus
I spy a Miata at 0:11!
Never said I got rid of the Miata
Originally Posted by rwyatt365
In it for the sheer VW-ness!!
My very first car was a '61 Bug with a '66 engine in it (eventually with Big Barrels, and dual carbs), so I'm re-living my youth through this thread. Brings back fond memories of terrorizing the North Campus of Univ of Mich in the mid '70s with my pseudo Baja Bug (I didn't have the money for the "real" kit, so I improvised).
That's awesome! I wish I had pics of my old Super, but its the same for me, lots of weird nostalgia coming back. There is literally something about the smell of this car that immediately took me back. It's very cool and strange. I'll try to keep the thread updated
Originally Posted by m2cupcar
That battery photo reminds me of the time I was one of four in the back of a bug when the seat spring made a connection between both terminals. It went something like: odor, heat, smoke, fire. Old VWs are always an adventure.
Originally Posted by rwyatt365
"Always an adventure" is an under-statement!
I was transporting a car-load of ladies to a party in East Lansing when one of the pistons decided to perforate (due to my misunderstanding of the need for proper cooling ducting around the cylinders), and begin pumping oil all over the highway. My John Travolta-like, Saturday Night Fever white suit was not happy - and neither were those ladies.
HAHAHAHA!! I love you guys, truly. It's amazing how everyone past a certain age has an ACVW story, I love it.
Originally Posted by sixshooter
I had a Manx dune buggy, a 66 Microbus, a 65 21 window Microbus, and a hunter green Fastback at various times. All were an adventure. You know your rotted fuel lines? When they are on a bus and the tank lives right above the engine they do not stop feeding fuel until the tank is empty, regardless of whether the engine is on fire or not. RIP 21 window bus.
Oh noes! Yeah, LOTS of engine fires in VW land, many many more than I've ever seen anywhere else. I suspect this nylon braid sheathed GENUINE GERMAN fuel hose that everyone insists on using is not quite what its cracked up to be. I'm using Gates Barricade on everything, because I prefer my cars untoasted. Sorry to hear about your bus though, that's a HUGE bummer. Also, screw you and your Type3 Fastback. I want one of those SOOOOO bad. Also, if I stumble across a Manx body while working on this, something dramatic might happen. Just sayin'
Originally Posted by portabull
i remember empi fondly. my 2nd car was a 1965 karmann ghia that i installed an empi exhaust on. then i had a 1967 bug, then a 1955 porsche (sorta a vw at that point), then a 1965 bus. the last two were when i was in the army in germany. with the bus i never-ever saw the left lane on the autobahn. brought home a 1971 squareback, then we bought my daughter a 1977 (i think) jetta. i'm enjoying this thread and i think you should get extra points for saving this survivor of the camp fire.
Thanks! I do what I can! I'm no VW expert, but I read a lot. Feel free to correct me if you see something dubious. I've got a good friend who's kinda a VW oracle advising on the project remotely, but I know there are a lot of tips and tricks to keeping these things alive and running right that are NOT in the books. I'm all ears on this stuff, let me know if you see something that jumps out at you.
Originally Posted by Midtenn
You lost and gained me at "carburetors"
It's like, some sort of dark sorcery if you don't know how they work but in reality they are fairly logical once you sit down and look at them. Having said that, I'm sure I'll pull out what's left of my hair dealing with these things. I've never had anything with TWO carburetors on it before.
Originally Posted by Gee Emm
In for a user report on the mega impressive radiator ducting in the front bonnet ...
Dude holy crap. Get this thing halfway up to speed and there is so much air coming through the dash it tries to blast you out the windows. Anything made of paper or cloth in the interior that's not tied down is going out the window, or out the big hole cut out below the rear seat. I need to address that situation at some point, for sure.
Originally Posted by 18psi
when is ms3 and efr going in
Only if you tune it
Originally Posted by wackbards
When is an EJ257 going in?
Well now that I have a DOUBLE SALVAGE TITLE 2004 WRX sitting in my back yard next to it...
Originally Posted by andym
This entire thread is making me happier and helping me feel that I made the right decision selling my 69 VW Bus earlier this month. I had many of the same problems you have faced so far except I ran out of love for it.
Regarding tires. I had great luck with my general grabber at/2s on my bus and they fit my stock wide 5 wheels pretty well.
I know how that goes, sometimes you only have so much love to give. I have a 1974 Triumph TR6 in my garage in a similar state, I just haven't rut the rope yet.
And yes, dammit, I wanted Grabber AT/2s but couldn't justify the expense. Maybe if I put Forester suspension and top hat spacers in the WRX I can fit some AT/2s in the wheel wells...
Originally Posted by 99mx5
FTFY
lol u guyth
Originally Posted by msmola2002
Learned to drive in a 69 1500. My dad and I removed the engine to swap in a rebuilt one, at the time we were pretty broke and didn't have a trolley jack. We used a vw jack on one side and a scissor jack from a 1979 mazda 626 the other, a lot of 2x4s and lifted the rear of the car off anr over the engine wIth a ratcheting come-along.
This brings back many memories, both good and repressed.
Subscribed.
Hehe, glad I could help with the repressed memories? Engine may need to come out as I suspect the front (rear?) main seal on the transmission may be leaking. There is so much gear oil all over everything its hard to tell. I REALLY hope its coming from the swing axle tube boots and NOT the base of the swing axles...
Originally Posted by turbofan
Subbed. This is silly.
It's tremendously silly, that's kinda the only reason I got involved
05-28-2019 | 09:09 AM
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Also, if I stumble across a Manx body while working on this, something dramatic might happen. Just sayin'
