TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:50 pm

Hello All,
I have been reading this Forum for a few days, trying to learn as much as I can about the THING so when I look at it again I am better informed as to what I'm looking at and what something might cost to fix. This forum has been helpful, and to all who have posted their problems and solutions I give thanks. Hopefully I can contribute.
The 1973 THING I am going to purchase has 23K original miles on it (so the owner says and so it seems). The car has been repainted its original orange, has a new top, wheels and tires. The carb has been recently rebuilt as have the brakes (master cylinder, wheel cylinders, lines). It fires up and runs like a top. The lights all work as do the wipers. It has the stock heater installed but we don't know if it works we haven't tried (don't know how). Everything else on the car works though. The only rust I could find is very slight surface rust on the skid plate under the car. PO repaired corrosion under the battery and installed wider fiber fenders from The THING Shop, and for the life of me I can't remember if the fender welts are non existent or painted over (will know tomorrow). The THING has a few holes drilled on each side by air vents where it looks like someone might have installed "earmuffs" before it was painted, but I think it should be easy to fill and paint match the small holes (not a auto body guy so I dunno). PO says its stock exhaust, but it doesn't go through the bumpers so he must be full of s**t. How can I be sure this THING is coming with its original engine? (anyone?) He removed the stock bumpers (says he has them in so so shape) and he had custom made 100% diamond plate bumpers. The diamond plate looks nice and shiny like the chrome on the lights but I am more of a purist so I dunno what I'm gonna do yet (opinions?). The seats inside are the original seats with original covers that came from the factory and are in excellent shape (one small tear starting on back seat seatback). I didn't see the curtains but he says he has them. I will post pictures tomorrow when I get home with it, but if there are any last second tips or pointers that I should be looking out for please let me know, and again how can I tell it is the stock motor?

Thanks,

Daddie O

Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:20 pm

Welcome to the fold.

Post photos and ask away once you have it. You're in the right place ;)

Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:55 pm

The engine # will start with AM

Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:59 pm

The stock motor should have an "AH" engine case, fan shroud with no fresh air outlets, and an oil bath air cleaner on the right side of the engine compartment. If it really is 23K miles and not 123K, there is a good chance all the parts are original (except the exhaust, since you said it didn't go through the bumper).

I'd check it over well, especially under the pans. Rust can hide anywhere. My driver side pan has rust bubbles that went all the way through, and a poor rust repair job underneath (both sides). Neither appeared to be that bad, but on inspecting them, it needs new rear quarters. Watch for stuff like that.

Other than that, welcome to the group of Thing drivers! You will definitely enjoy your car.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:24 pm

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm new to aircooled motors and I will look for an oil bath air cleaner on the right hand side. Maybe the oil bath cleaner is there but not used? I could swear it has a little regular air cleaner sitting on top of the carb though. BTW He is providing me with the original metal bumpers and original fenders as well. He tells me he thinks he put the welts in before painting and painted over them but can't remember. He tells me it has the original tool kit and bag as well. According to the THING owners manual I downloaded I should be able to find the engine # on the generator support flange. I wonder if it still has generator or if it has an alternator now..You say it should start with AM or is it AH? I'll look to see which it is, but which is correct or are both correct? Does anyone have a closeup picture of a stock 1973 THING motor that I could print and bring with me as a reference?

Thanks Again,

Daddie O

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:46 pm

the motor should start w/ AM!!!! not AH

Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:28 pm

Welcome to Thingville. We are an elite group, fairly friendly and amongst us all we know it all. and are very into sharing all we know. Hey wanna buy a RoMTOC Thing Data CD? Ha.

http://www.romtoc.com/datacd.html

#1 gas station comment:

Hey I know a guy who used to own one of these.
Reply, Cool, I still do..

There are two kinds of folks:

Thing owners

and

Those that wish they were.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:37 pm

surferdudedav wrote: the motor should start w/ AM!!!! not AH

Ohh, whoops. Not sure where I got that from, thanks for correcting me...

Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:47 am

The best thing you can do is search the Thing photo gallery for engines:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?...t_dir=DESC

Here's some choice pics:

Dirty, but complete:

Crofty's very clean engine - converted to alternator:

Clean, has been converted to alternator and aftermarket exhaust:

Note that these all have a fan shroud without ducts for the heater. These are specific to the '73 Thing, are very popular with the high-performance engine crowd and are getting hard to find. They also have the oil-bath air cleaner over on the right. Alternator conversions are nice and non-too-difficult to do.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:50 pm

My wife bought me a girlfriend today :) She starts right up, and drove like a charm. Took me just over an hour to drive her home but she purred the whole way doing 60-65 (she had more didn't want to push). She drives straight, shifts smooth, doesn't pull either way when hitting the brakes, and the lights all seem to work except brake lights (PO suspects fuse). The horn doesn't work when I press on the steering wheel, and I have no idea if the heater works as the PO says he never messed with it as he feels like a gas heater is a bomb waiting to happen. Also the speedometer works but the gas gauge doesn't (again PO suspects fuse). Anyone know a great VW shop in the Sacramento area (or even the bay area) where they would know about The THING? The motor is stock but is missing the oil bath air cleaner (is that better or worse running wise?). I am completely new to this forum or any forum for that matter, how do I post pictures?

Thanks!

Daddie O

[img][/img]

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:00 pm

You'll want a stock air cleaner for sure.

The heaters aren't that scary and when properly serviced work great.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:02 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

Here is how to post pics.

We can't wait to see your new girlfriend

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:57 pm

Wow, that Thing looks quite clean. Not a huge fan of the diamond-plate bumpers, but other than that... That license plate frame is umm... interesting. :o

Unless you plan on torturing the car in the baja, that air cleaner will do fine, and give you a bit more air than an oil bath. For restoring to 100% stock, you will want the oil bath though..

For posting the images, just open them up in your gallery, and copy the contents of the "Forum Code:" box into your post. It will look like this: Code: [img]http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/497952.jpg[/img]
(that is one of your pictures, by the way)

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:58 pm

Thanks for the help guys! Here she is, my new love :)

Diamond Plate bumpers (stock bumpers also provided by PO).

Need hubcaps, and check out the wider rear fenders by Thing Shop.

New top, but the curtains need new plastic.

[/img]

Runs real smooth, carb rebuilt 3 months ago, but I think needs oil bath air cleaner to be stock.

Any comments or pointers are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Daddie O

Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:14 pm

I am still undecided on the diamond plate myself and the license plate frame came with the car don't blame me :) The PO also provided a set of stock metal bumpers should I want to go back to stock as well. I'll add more pictures later tonite (interior, trunk, floorboards and dash). Cannot find a bit of rust anywhere except slight surface rust on underbody. I need to install seatbelts as none are installed. I see there are holes for where they are to be mounted, any suggestions on seatbelts? I will be taking this to the beach with my kids in the back and they need belts. Also, any recommendations on getting new plastic in the curtains? The frames and vinyl are in decent shape. Any recommendations on where to find an oil bath air cleaner for it for when I do go stock? I paid $6500 for this THING, do you agree it seems a good deal seeing as it needs very little work (or so it seems). I have wanted a THING for a long time and I don't see them much anymore and this is in good shape/fun to drive.

Thanks,

Daddie O

Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:54 pm

More pics:

Trunk, and hey is that the original factory tire? (SEIBERLING)

What info can I glean from the Chassis #?

Original Seats? Original Covers?

The dash and aha!! a little rust on the map light cover.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:19 pm

I've heard that a upholstry shop that does boat tops might redo the side curtains. New ones can be pricey.

Ask around and see if anyone has the vacuum can that goes on top of the aircleaner- if so I can set you up with a stock one. The one I bought came with a melted one. :shock:

Engine wise i'd get an engine seal in there and replace the fuel line- it looks like us spec 1/4" line. That stuff isn't a very good fit. I'd also re-rout the line so the filter isn't above the distributor. if that fails you could have a fire.

It looks like you have a formula vee shift knob.

What is the wire hanging down below the fuse box near the drivers fenderwell? Hopefully not a hot one!

It looks pretty nice!

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:54 pm

Thanks, I'll look into local upholstery shops, what should I expect to pay for new plastic put into the curtains? I'll keep my eyes and ears out for a vacuum can that should go on the stock oil filter air cleaner you have. How much is a new engine seal and how hard is it to replace? Thank you very much for the tips about the fuel line, what size fuel line should I get? Is formula vee the stock shift knob? It is the most comfortable shift knob I've used, but if its not stock I will keep my eye out for one. The wire hanging down is one half of an inline fuse case that was used for a radio that was installed once upon a time. Thanks for the compliment on her!! I'm still pinching myself to make sure I'm awake and I own a THING!!! :) If anyone can point me toward any good mechanics, or VW clubs in my area (Sacramento or SF Bay Area) I would be grateful. Tonight I start to think of possible custom plates; I want to have a decent list because I'm sure many good ones are taken. Anyone else have opinions on the diamond plate bumpers? Part of me wants to get the stock ones straightened and painted and put on and part of me thinks diamond plate running boards might match nicely. The cool thing is I can actually have both options ready but I am interested in other THING owner's opinions.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:29 pm

Hi Daddie O- Nice looking Thing. I am in So Cal and just got my 1973 Orange Thing this year. I also paid $6,500... I think you got a good deal. Look's like all the costly parts are in place. I see the finder rubber and some other plastic parts were painted when the car was repainted. Some guys like that look and some guys don't (you can find talks about it on this forum). The parts you are missing you can find on this web site for sell and a few of the members sell parts on there own sites. Ask on the forum and most of the time someone will have what you are looking for. I know how you feel I have spent hours going over my car and researching about Things and learning everything I can. Allot of the guys on this site know everything about Things! Good Luck and have fun! Eric

Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:39 pm

Daddie O wrote: I am still undecided on the diamond plate myself and the license plate frame came with the car don't blame me :) The PO also provided a set of stock metal bumpers should I want to go back to stock as well. I'll add more pictures later tonite (interior, trunk, floorboards and dash). Cannot find a bit of rust anywhere except slight surface rust on underbody. I need to install seatbelts as none are installed. I see there are holes for where they are to be mounted, any suggestions on seatbelts? I will be taking this to the beach with my kids in the back and they need belts. Also, any recommendations on getting new plastic in the curtains? The frames and vinyl are in decent shape. Any recommendations on where to find an oil bath air cleaner for it for when I do go stock? I paid $6500 for this THING, do you agree it seems a good deal seeing as it needs very little work (or so it seems). I have wanted a THING for a long time and I don't see them much anymore and this is in good shape/fun to drive.

Thanks,

Daddie O

I like the diamond plate myself...never seen that before and someone spent a lot of time to fab those and get them right! If you want stock, put an add up for those and I am sure they will fly. There were some lexan side curtain kits for sale in the classifieds(http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=665405) that can be an inexpensive do it yourself alternative to TTS ones, and the velcro over ones from California I have heard peope say do not fit the best.
All in all, very nice ride my friend....The plate frame is a ?? but I would likely leave it on just for the effect.