TheSamba.com :: View topic - Harsh Betttie's Ragtop Roundup

Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:37 am

OK Let's get started.

Last week my buddy Wes and I went to Phoenix to buy a Toyota truck for work. Actually it would be truck #2 for work.....which I really didn't need. My plan was to buy new truck, sell old truck....which is actually nicer than new truck and sell it for more cash to buy new/old VW. Confused, me too. Anyway, I drove to Phoenix to look at this new truck and it turned out that it was all mangled....better used for crash up derby truck. So, we decided to pay a visit with our good pal Eddie. I like to call him Type 3 Eddie because he's got more Type 3s than you can shake a tire jack at. It turns out that he just got back from Reno to buy a 62 rag. First off I admit I have a weakness for 62 Bugs. So admittedly I was jealous and had to see this rig. Also, I had $ burning a hole through my pocket in a big way. Then I got there and Wes started circling it like a vulture...he didn't help! This thing was still on the trailer and I was trying to maintain and I thought maybe he'll sell it to me so I asked, he said sure, we settled on a very good price, and he brought it to good 'ol fashioned Clarkdale.

Anyway, say hi to Harsh Bettie. She's named after the older Bettie Page. Like Bettie today she's older with a few scars but in her day she was f@cking HOT!

Today she gets a bath, somethings up with the fuel line, and the front beam needs to be adjusted. I'll tell you later about all the cool accessories she's got with her.

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Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:17 am

nice find, what are your plans for her?

Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:22 am

that is Chase's old ride. What are your plans?

Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:26 pm

The plan is to keep it, drive it, and travel in it the way it is. First the main objective is to get her cleaned and running.

Where did Chase get this bug....what's the history on it?

Kahlil

Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:45 pm

List of things to do:

install steering dampener (no mounting tower on beam, maybe I'll use a muffler clamp?)
get all electrical working
check all wheel bearings
install dust cap and speedo cable
repair wipers
fix repair master cylinder and adjust brakes
change oil
check spark plugs
adjust timing if needed
adjust valves
find 40 hp vacuum advance dist.
replace tranny boot

Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:11 pm

ghostwagens wrote: The plan is to keep it, drive it, and travel in it the way it is. First the main objective is to get her cleaned and running.

Where did Chase get this bug....what's the history on it?

Kahlil
It was on this site for sale for a bit.

Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:42 pm

I baught it from Dayton Nv as a stock car it had beed in Nevada for a few years, before that it was an Oregon car
I planned on keeping it a while longer but got a bus so I had to move on
There are still some things to do to make it perfect but Eddie got a great deal with all the accesories and all
Hope you take good care of it.
I thought the name was Betty because its black
whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Black betty had a child (bam-A-lam)...........

Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:06 pm

Here's some things that I've completed:

Cleaned out fuel line through tunnel and connected gas tank
Changed oil
Fixed lock tumbler in drivers door
Checked bearings on passenger side, need replacing
Checked muffler-has hole and rust
Tried bleeding brakes - I think it needs a new master cylinder? Master cylinder has no compression.
Worked on signal switch on the steering column - installed new handle.
Lowered front
Started to work on boot on the tranny

Recently purchased a 40hp fuel pump and distributer to replace the non stock setup

Hubcap clips and a couple of used hubcaps

Chase...did you ever drive this car or do you know when it was last driven? Also, did you work on the rear wheel bearings or anything else?

That' it for now,
Kahlil

Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:16 pm

The only time I drove it was the dat Eddy picked it up and no I never touched the rear bearings
the only thing I did to the engine was put new points and condensor in it and get the carb rebuilt.
so I dont know any history of the car before I got it, it just sat in 2 differant fields for who knows how long

Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:18 pm

Well, I've decided to raise the bug back up to stock height. Looks like I have a really nice guy in Tucson who wants to trade my lowered suspension for his stock suspension. I'm very happy with the pending trade :)

After driving around my other 62 bug I realized all the places that I go on a regular basis are in pretty rugged areas. Northern Arizona is pretty rugged all
over and there is just so much that would be missed if I didn't raise it back to stock.

I wanted to ask if anyone out there has a good link that might explain how to raise the rear end back to stock?

Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:58 am

Hey Kahlil!

Sweet bug! Ok - now *I* am jealous. I too have a thing for ragtops ;-) But - living in Bisbee - and parking outside means I'd better keep the top hard for rain purposes.

Looks like it has a fresh air cooling system - mine's still stale air. Gives a little wiggle room when working in the engine compartment. And in AZ - who needs heat anyway - it rarely gets bellow 80. :lol:

Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:06 pm

I WISH it didn't get below 80 degrees! Up here in the north it can get down below 20 degrees in the winter.....so a heater is vital to happy bug driving.

How's the stale air set up...does it get a bad rap for no good reason?

Kahlil

Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:05 pm

Kahlil - I have no idea on Stale air being better or worse - for heat. I've heard it can be a tad smelly - as the air is blown directly from the fan over the cylinders - THEN through the heat exchangers into the bug - so you can get an oily smell. Will let you know in Novemberish...

Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:11 pm

solexes@hotmail.com wrote: Kahlil - I have no idea on Stale air being better or worse - for heat. I've heard it can be a tad smelly - as the air is blown directly from the fan over the cylinders - THEN through the heat exchangers into the bug - so you can get an oily smell. Will let you know in Novemberish... Ditto.. Luckily I don't have any worries there. In the winter my car is layed up as well as the summer, spring and fall.....Dam resto's

Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:51 pm

No wories Bucket - you'll get er on the road. As it is - I'll live with oily. Compared to Model T (my other Hobby) the VW is sweet smeeling as spring air....with lots of flowers - and perfume up my nose....

Yeesh - combined with 80 year old tar, oil, and dirt, plus and over heating 80 year old water cooled engine (rust + antifreeze + steam) a Model T can be the stinkiest thing on the road!

Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:57 pm

Nice find great bug!!

Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:50 am

OK, It's been a while since I last posted anything about Betty.

Today I'm taking the lowered beam out and putting the stock height, stock width Brazillian adjustable beam in. I'm also planning on removing the notched spring plates and putting the stock ones back in.

Here's a few questions that I have..

1. When removing the tie rod ends do I need a puller or can they be tapped out with a hammer?

2. I need to replace the rear spring plates and return them to stock height any photos or suggestions on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

Keep checking back for progress reports :)

Sun May 11, 2008 10:04 am

Here's an update on my progress

Painted the wheels
Replaced horn ring with correct one
Replaced glove box with original
Put on taillights
Restored front headlights
Restored complete brake system
Replaced 6" narrowed beam with stock width adjustable beam
Replaced tie rods and a few ends
Cleaned out clogged fuel line in tunnel
Cleaned trunk and interior to the point of using Q-tips!
Replaced drivers side running board with stock original
Removed front tires 135-R15 and exchanged for 165-R15
Removed rear notched spring plates and replaced with stock
Restored Speedo
Fixed all electrical
Installed radio and removed block off plate, radio needs work
Installed new seat belts, front only
Changed oil
Replaced passenger side rear interior panel and ashtray with stock original
Rebuilt bumpers and restored brackets, still needs a few parts
Installed all new shocks

Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:18 pm

Its sad to see this car like this, wish I just kept it Eddie assured me he would have it for a LONG time and not raise it
Then sells it before its even off the trailor :roll:

Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:12 am

The car is being driven and enjoyed (after a lot of work) so lighten up :!: I had no intention of selling it when I bought it, but it was mine to do what ever I wanted with, so I helped out a good friend and sold it to him. I wasn’t looking to flip it and didn’t make a profit on the deal. I think your missing the point of the VW community, helping each other out and driving and enjoying our cars.

Eddie