TheSamba.com :: View topic - What did you do to your beetle this week?

Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:54 am

Sanded, stripped, and painted my new to me trailer hitch. I got also a new shinny hitch ball. Today ill try to install it then I'll be ready on my spring project of building my teardrop camper.

Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:43 pm

Finally got around to install the trailer hitch on my 66 bug.

Before

After sanding and painting. Also replaced the ball for a new one.

Installed and bolted to the bumper

Nice and centered

Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:48 pm

i just got chance to work on my cars rain is out for one or two days baja engine is almost done waiting on the heads , old paint sand ready for primer and i just got at 1967 ti running :P

Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:32 am

decobugma07 wrote: Finally got around to install the trailer hitch on my 66 bug.

Before

After sanding and painting. Also replaced the ball for a new one.

Installed and bolted to the bumper

Nice and centered

Wow, that looks really great. What part of the car does the forward end get attached to? It appears the bumper somehow supports the aft end? Good luck with it and nice work.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:30 pm

Stock Steve, the front (to the car) part is clamped to the torsion bar body with two heavy duty U bolts. I made a crossed body by the trany's fork for extra support. The bolt on the bumper it is just to keep it level and extra support.

Next step is to make the wiring connection before I pick up the trailer body (donated) that has already the connection for the lights.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:02 pm

took my old black grab handle to get ready to put on a new grey one and cleaned her all up :D

Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:40 pm

I was able to install my new Pedal Assembly from Unique Parts but put my 64 arms on instead of using what the assembly came with. I was also able to start on the sound deadening in the rear. This Wednesday she goes in to have here new Sewfine Headliner installed.

Mango

Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:44 pm

Put new tins on the engine.
Before:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=895394
After:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=895395

Sorry coundn't figure out how to make the pic show up.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:47 pm

jtwaller wrote: Put new tins on the engine.
Before:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=895394
After:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=895395

Sorry coundn't figure out how to make the pic show up.

Looks nice. You did not support the axels. Thats how I just tore mine.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:06 pm

I had just lifted the car to get the engine out, then set it right back down. Is there a way to support them when lifting it up? If so, please share your trick. :)

Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:26 pm

jtwaller wrote: I had just lifted the car to get the engine out, then set it right back down. Is there a way to support them when lifting it up? If so, please share your trick. :)

Here is what Bill May says,

"if you put a nut that a 17MM wrench fits,between the springplate and springplate bump stop,the axles will not droop when you jack it up. thus the axle tubes will remain straight and boots can be installed a lot easier.

Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:26 pm

I replaced the shocks and gave her a nice wax job!

Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:05 pm

Pulled the old brittle rubber mat. Found alot of surface rust. Only 2 small issues to address (holes). Need to purchase a leak free master brake cylinder tomorrow!

Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:28 am

Thanks Dawg. Consider it law in my garage. Anything to save the swingaxles!

Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:55 pm

received the inner felts for my 66 bug doors. Installed them and lubricated the windows' shafts. Broke the plastic ivory rings that goes between the window handles and the door handles (to old). Now in the market for 2 sets (both doors)

Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:01 pm

Started disassembling the engine, only lack splitting the case. Ordered some parts for the pan (cables, boots, grommets etc.).

Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:29 am

went to junk yard pulled out a washer swith and pedals. tore pedals down for soaking in gas. than ill glass bead at berg and do some welding to reinforce them. after that ill primer and paint. but i want to ad some non slip grip to the pads after i weld them up and drill them out.

Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:59 am

Finished grinding, taping, priming and painting a load of small misc bits from around the car (tank clips, push rod, window channels, door lock mechs, etc), as well as, the wiper assembly.

Put all the finish misc bits in the "done" pile; got out more rusty misc bits; rinse and repeat.

Started to put the wiper assembly back together with fresh parts and a rebuilt motor and to then add to the "done" pile.

Dumped a quart of Rust-Oleum rusty metal primer down the chassis tunnel. Rocked it back and forth to get even coverage. Pulled the transmission mount and bolts at the rear and drained the excess primer. Placed a fan at the front tunnel opening to help airflow for drying. Next I'll cover the primer with Rust-Oleum flat black enamel. It's lookin' clean in there. 8)

It's been a productive week. :D

Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:16 pm

Scraped the grime from the transmission area of the chassie. Continued cleaning on the same area with degreaser. Cut the OG jack mounts from the old pans. Then watched it rain, and rain, and rain. Oh received my master series chassie paint. Hope to get the chassie ready to paint on Monday. Off work for holiday and a great day to work on the 59.

Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:25 pm

Removed all carpet, OG rubber mat, still in excellent shape. Removed door panels

Started welding cracks in fenders, continued sanding, pulled front wiring back to behind gas tank. Tapped and banged on ridges and dents. Started comparative pricing list for all needed rubber, clips, carpet, etc...

Cleaned the you-know-what out of 2 Bendix Sapphire I's and found that one works! Considering a mod that will allow me to plug mp3 into it, and YES, play it through the crappy 4 inch speaker. I'll play old stuff, and may use the defunct choke tube hole to finish mount an input jack completely out of sight without causing any damage.