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

Mon May 12, 2008 9:10 am

I broke mine. :(

Not sure what yet, but something internal is putting up an unpleasant racket. I've got a fresh longblock ready for it as I was already working on a new 1641, so hopefully I'll be able to stab it in over this coming weekend when I've got time.

Mon May 12, 2008 9:34 am

I sent a Cashier's Check for it, and made arrangements for shipping...should have her Thursday or Friday :lol: :lol: :lol:

Mon May 12, 2008 9:35 am

drscope wrote:
That oil pump plate is supposed to be black! Also make sure you remove the paint off the connecting rods before going too much farther.

Thanks for the input. I will clean the connecting rods, I cleaned the other side before I put the pistons, etc... on. Thanks for the info on the oil pump plate, I'll change it to black. This is my first VW engine, I've only rebuilt Chevy's before.

Mon May 12, 2008 9:37 am

I washed it. Installed a wiring cover. Put the OG jack and spare tire/rim back in. Drove the piss out of it. Cleaned everything. Got a rattle in the front trunk that is driving me nuts. Thats whats up for tonight. Find that rattle before I go nuts.

Mon May 12, 2008 9:41 am

hemifalcon wrote: Nice job... Henry!!!!

Thanks John. There is no way I could of done this 20 years ago---I simply did not have the patience. Back then I would have beat it flat with a hammer, slapped on the bondo (with so much hardener that it smoked), hit it with a beld sander and called it good.

Both my furniture building and this car have really taught me the art of patience and taking my time. I just wish it would not have taken the first half of my life to realzie I just have to slow down!

Mon May 12, 2008 10:20 am

I repaired and refit all the fenders, the deck lid, and both doors. I stripped some more paint. I repaired some minor rust spots and it (the body) should be ready for paint in 3 to 4 weeks. (Paint guy is booked up pretty good)

I’m stoked. All the fenders and such fit very well. All body lines line up and gaps are all even. Should look sweet when it’s done.

DIAB

Mon May 12, 2008 10:32 am

I at least started it this weekend (I tore my Achillies Tendon on Friday so I couldn't do much else)!

Mon May 12, 2008 11:41 am

Replaced the intake manifold. On the old one, one of the heat risers had rusted completely in half (It was covered by some JB weld and tape from the previous owner)

Amazingly the ride to work this morning was much quieter and no more back firing.

Mon May 12, 2008 11:46 am

Bought gas - the highest I have ever paid,,, and fabricated a Front license plate holder for my 64 bug. Took longer than expected but that is the way it goes.

Mon May 12, 2008 1:58 pm

Started tracking down my massive Exxon Valdez style oil leak.

Mon May 12, 2008 2:06 pm

this is such an awesome thread b/c it literally will never die! haha :lol: sweet

Mon May 12, 2008 2:45 pm

dropped split case trans off to be rebuilt, took the 66 tail lights off
and went back to original snowflakes.

Bought a bunch of stuff i didn't need because it was cheap.
Anybody need front fenders? - one from 63 the others a 59.

replaced a few trim pieces that were dented up. took out the seats, cleaned and reinstalled.

cursed the PO when i found a weld on the back fender to the apron :shock:

replaced the body seal where the clutch and choke cables exit

Mon May 12, 2008 3:01 pm

I finally figured out where the short was in my brake lights and fixed it well so I won't have to do it again for a while. Then I neatened up all the wiring, bundled the wires with zip ties and hung them on the clips so they're out of the way.

I ran a new ground wire for the horn and got a third brake light installed.

I mounted a larger DC/DC converter and reconditioned and charged the NiCad traction pack batteries, but that's not technically VW stuff, it's more electric car dorkery.

I love having a little time off from work so I can putter. These cars are more fun to work on than any others I've owned.

Mon May 12, 2008 3:07 pm

dlxcoupe wrote: Bought gas - the highest I have ever paid,,, and fabricated a Front license plate holder for my 64 bug. Took longer than expected but that is the way it goes.

Hey dlx - do you leave the bounce in the car? not picking fun - I seriously want to know...

Nice pics of your car btw...

-jim

Mon May 12, 2008 3:13 pm

BOUNCE? took me awhile on that one...I thought my springs were showing!!! Nope... I put'er in there, in the winter, to (I hope) keep the rodents out. Smells like a Laundry mat (sp) for a couple days but it could be worse. I even stick a couple on the tin below the cyls.. Hate to have a mouse nest up or anywhere near the cooling system.. I tried D-con but the dog ate it! That (Vet bill) cost me over 300 bones..Dog is OK,,,

Thanks BTW...

Mon May 12, 2008 3:44 pm

dlxcoupe wrote: BOUNCE? took me awhile on that one...I thought my springs were showing!!! Nope... I put'er in there, in the winter, to (I hope) keep the rodents out. Smells like a Laundry mat (sp) for a couple days but it could be worse. I even stick a couple on the tin below the cyls.. Hate to have a mouse nest up or anywhere near the cooling system.. I tried D-con but the dog ate it! That (Vet bill) cost me over 300 bones..Dog is OK,,,

Thanks BTW...

The antidote is Vitamin K, and should be available at any drug store.

For next time I guess?

Mon May 12, 2008 3:52 pm

I was wondering if you did it to help with "old" smell or "just restored" smell....Bags of charcoal are used with great success in the car business but with the "flammability" of vw's it'd just be a big bbq grill... :lol:

Mon May 12, 2008 4:20 pm

Nope -- just mice prevention.. I like the "as is" smell better than the "bounce" smell but that only lasts a few days.

Mon May 12, 2008 5:41 pm

put on my personalize plates "vw chop" that I ordered from dmv 4 months ago, man those guys are SLOW

Mon May 12, 2008 5:45 pm

Got the back window and windshield removed. Trying to get out the bits and pieces of the leftover headliner is proving to test my patience. Went to a local shop to pick up the "special" VW tool to remove the ring under the wiper and heater knobs and the guy asked me three times what year I had and then said that he'd never heard of that tool. Dude, just because a girl walks into the shop and has a list of what she wants and knows what she's talking about....geez.

Tomorrow, fenders. I can already feel the pain in my knuckles.