TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bought a '67 Ghia that's been sitting for 4yrs! (pix update)

Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:40 pm

PO claims to have started it up last year, but did not move it. If it will start/turn over w/a jump, great, it's gonna get driven home about 4-5 miles away. Pretty close.

BUT, if it won't start/stay running/etc, what should I be looking at to get it running (fuel/spark)? A little open ended question for ya'll. 1500cc 12v. She mentioned typically that it required a charge & points filed. Anything else?

Worst case, I'll trailer it, but it won't be for awhile until I can get that done.

It's been awhile since I've fired up a VW & got it running, but I do have the IDIOTS GUIDE (Muir).

Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:46 pm

4 miles? just pull it home with a rope or something - don't run it until you can really check it out. Just because it runs doesn't mean it should...

A mouse nest in the tins will cook the engine pronto. Old fuel hoses could split...I would check for nests etc, change the oil, adjust the valves, set ignition, timing etc.....then work through the fuel system replacing the hoses and cleaning out the carb.

When you are sure it is cleaned up then run it, that way you won't nuke anything...

Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:52 pm

A car that doesn't run is cheaper anyway. Get it running at home.

Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:08 pm

Ozzie wrote: A car that doesn't run is cheaper anyway. Get it running at home.

A price was already agreed upon. ;)

We just gotta go get it. We've already looked it over twice.

Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:11 pm

70 140 wrote: 4 miles? just pull it home with a rope or something - don't run it until you can really check it out. Just because it runs doesn't mean it should...

A mouse nest in the tins will cook the engine pronto. Old fuel hoses could split...I would check for nests etc, change the oil, adjust the valves, set ignition, timing etc.....then work through the fuel system replacing the hoses and cleaning out the carb.

When you are sure it is cleaned up then run it, that way you won't nuke anything...

No. Get a trailer. Bad things happen trying to tow with makeshift materials.

Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:16 pm

Then do what 70 140 suggested. Check for cracked fuel lines. Take some fresh gas with you & maybe even a empty pair of jugs to drain the old gas into. I'd try to turn the engine by hand just to make sure it will spin and keep from tearing teeth off a starter or flywheel. Might want to take a battery. Check the oil for level & water (condensation). Take fresh oil. If it checks out, turn the key.

Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:18 pm

Your right, I dont think I'm gonna risk trying to drive it home. I'm curious if the PO would "feel comfortable" driving it now.

Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:27 pm

if it did start I'd be more worried about driving it home with brakes that have been sitting for so long,...might find yourself running over some kids when the brakes freeze up.

Just rent a car dolly. The place I use charges by day but will pro rate the time unused if you bring it back early. 4 mile trip would cost close to nothing.

I towed mine home 70 miles on a car dolly, car had been sitting for 8 years. Just make sure whatever wheels are on the ground spin freely!

Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:50 pm

How about some pics of your new Ghia.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:47 am

Tow bar can be used carefully.

What part of Dallas?

Rob

Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:35 am

helowrench wrote: Tow bar can be used carefully.

What part of Dallas?

Rob

The lady does have a VW tow bar. I was concerned about apron/tow ball height. She's got a lowered hitch on a qtr ton truck. We're up north of Little Elm.

I do have pix, but they are on my phone & cable is at home.

It turned over once I had some cables on it (12v), but it had no spark. The fuel filter was pretty freaking clean & bone dry before I started turning it over. Then it filled up with clean gas.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:38 am

LAYGO wrote: helowrench wrote: Tow bar can be used carefully.

What part of Dallas?

Rob

The lady does have a VW tow bar. I was concerned about apron/tow ball height. She's got a lowered hitch on a qtr ton truck. We're up north of Little Elm.

I do have pix, but they are on my phone & cable is at home.

It turned over once I had some cables on it (12v), but it had no spark. The fuel filter was pretty freaking clean & bone dry before I started turning it over. Then it filled up with clean gas.

Use the towbar but exercise caution when making turns lest you wipe out a headlight bucket. For all you know, the tires have severe rot and will start to disintegrate when the vehicle gets up to speed. I have had that happen before while towing a vehicle. Chunks of rubber went everywhere.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:54 am

Icy wrote: Tow bar can be used
Use the towbar but exercise caution when making turns lest you wipe out a headlight bucket. For all you know, the tires have severe rot and will start to disintegrate when the vehicle gets up to speed. I have had that happen before while towing a vehicle. Chunks of rubber went everywhere.

Probably the only really hard turn will be the one out of her drive way. The rest could be done fairly easy. There might be some rot to the tires.

It's almost a barn find, but it's about 30' away from the barn. They have a '61 Bug sitting in the barn that's ROUGH.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:03 am

Then I would take some chain to wrap around the beam to haul the car to the road. At that point, use a towbar. My weapon of choice, though, is a trailer.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:17 am

second thatt on the turn radius.

I DID learn the hard way, and punched in a HL bucket, and was grateful that that was the only damage.

ICY has the good idea here. get it onto the street py hand or chain, then hook up the towbar.

AND
tow it very slowly, like 25MPH tops.

until you can inspect the tires pretty good, do not trust them.

I drug 4 VW's home from 1.5 miles away
one of the cars tires were at the point that they made it home and leaked down in the next half hour, another car blew two tires when I tried to air them up.

I do not have any 5lug rims with tires that will hold air though.

BTW I am out in Rowlett (E side near Rockwall)

Rob

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:18 am

Icy wrote: Then I would take some chain to wrap around the beam to haul the car to the road. At that point, use a towbar. My weapon of choice, though, is a trailer.

Of course a trailer would be ideal. I don't have a truck (anymore) & I don't wanna be "that guy" that always asks the neighbors to borrow it. We do have lines on a trailer because I have to get my '65 Bug home. It's basically in the middle of a body off & nothing is on it!

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:22 am

helowrench wrote: second thatt on the turn radius.

I DID learn the hard way, and punched in a HL bucket, and was grateful that that was the only damage.

ICY has the good idea here. get it onto the street py hand or chain, then hook up the towbar.

AND
tow it very slowly, like 25MPH tops.

until you can inspect the tires pretty good, do not trust them.
. . .
I do not have any 5lug rims with tires that will hold air though.

BTW I am out in Rowlett (E side near Rockwall)

Rob

The spare in this is 4 lug. I was expecting wide 5, but then again, I know the least about Ghias & I know enough about Bugs to be dangerous! :)

I'm posting pictures now! ;)

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:55 am

Click the links for larger images, but all from my cell phone.

Solid nose! No major dents anywhere.

http://www.dethkorps.com/vw/67Ghia/070107-01-67Ghia-front.jpg

Some rust is starting to get in there & the doo-doo brown 2 tone paint job. Minor dent on the decklid.

http://www.dethkorps.com/vw/67Ghia/070107-02-67Ghia-rear.jpg

Cobwebs, but solid engine & clean looking gas filter (even though some ya'll hate em). Minor hole right under battery.

http://www.dethkorps.com/vw/67Ghia/070107-03-67Ghia-engine.jpg

Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:04 am

Do those look like stock reverse lights?

Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:10 am

LAYGO wrote: Cobwebs, but solid engine & clean looking gas filter (even though some ya'll hate em). Minor hole right under battery.

http://www.dethkorps.com/vw/67Ghia/070107-03-67Ghia-engine.jpg

But where did that battery acid go?

My car when I got it. Its all fixed now.