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Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:32 pm

Hello all. I'm a long time bus owner who's flying from San Francisco to San Diego to pick up a '69 Sedan that I bought from my wife's cousin. I plan to fly down early that morning and drive back that same day. It's a 10 hour drive.

I've known this Bug for the past six years. I drove him to pick it up in my old '78 Bus when I used to live in SD. It's been well maintained and has the original engine case and is presumably still a 1500. He replaced the transmission and generator recently, but all other mechanicals have served him well.

I'll only have about an hour and a limited selection of hand tools that I've taken with me as luggage on the flight before beginning the trip home.

Can you guys suggest a few common things I should check before pushing off? I plan to bring a real distributor cap with me and a fuel filter and selection of common parts (plugs, points). Probably a new air filter too by the looks of this one.

Thanks for any advice!

Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:36 pm

Hiya dread,

That engine seal looks like its in upside down. That is not a good thing on a long trip. You want to make sure the air above the engine tin does not mix with the air from below the tin.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:36 pm

a AAA membership thats a great tool to have
new battery when you get in to SD
nice bug btw nice to see it stay in the family

Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:49 pm

Don't want to start a "fuel filter placement" war...but a fire extinguisher if you plan on leaving that filter where it is...

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:39 am

Fan belt, points and condenser.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:30 am

Add an accelerator and clutch cable. Duct tape, zip ties, some bailing wire and a basic set of tools. Change your oil before you leave and bring an extra quart just in case.

An as mentioned before, a cell phone and a AAA membership [Premium is the best].

-jeffrey

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:52 am

Great replys guys, thanks. I've got USAA insurance, which covers me for tows, but I believe there is a 100 mile max distance.

From looking at the pictures, I appears that the distributor has been swapped out with a 009. That's bad news in the type IV bus engine world, but probably alright on the bug. I can't see a condenser so there might be a Pertronix already installed. I'm a bit of a stock nazi so I'll be on the lookout for an original oil bath air cleaner. That engine looks like it needs some love!!!

Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:56 am

Thats great, im soon aquiring a repo 71 slappy from a salvage...It has no driving wear,just wear from sitting.I guess it was never bought back..=)

Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:20 am

dreadnotmusic wrote: From looking at the pictures, I appears that the distributor has been swapped out with a 009. That's bad news in the type IV bus engine world, but probably alright on the bug. I can't see a condenser so there might be a Pertronix already installed.

Sorry, that 009 is bad news in a bug, too. You're right, I don't see a condensor either, so it may have a Pertronix.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:53 pm

Alright, tomorrow is the day! I'm flying into San Diego at 9am and hope to be on the road around 11:00am. I've got a suitcase full of tools and general tune up parts. Thanks for all the advice.

Does anyone know of any air cooled shops along the I-5 route from SD to San Fran? I seem to recall one in Oceanside and several in San Diego, but it's been a while.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:30 pm

I saw a stock one year only 68 air cleaner on classifieds a week or so ago. Man keep it stock like my 68. They are like 67's but don't let the 67 guys know OK.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:06 am

mine is almost the same! :D (68 ) though

then to this

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=312063&highlight=street+fire

then all new interior

KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
in you trunk
just for those WTF IS??!! HOLY SHIT moments when your heart starts pounding!

Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:41 pm

So how did it go? Any problems getting the car home?

Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:46 pm

Lose the clear cap while your at it :wink: edit-Doh :oops: you mentioned that already..your on the right track Cool bug

Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:16 pm

Hey guys.....I made it!!!! I flew in at 9am and got right to work on a valve adjustment, fuel line replacement, and carb tuning. Everything went great and I was up and running by 1pm. The bug performed great except for a nasty rear vibration I suspect is coming from the rear tires that are at least 20 years old and look as bald as racing slicks.

I'll be on the look out for a working speedometer, and fresh air vents. I also have to replace the heater cables. The absence of the vents and associated hoses meant that all of the outside air was allowed to come right in the car. By the time I reached San Francisco (10 hours later), I was frozen stiff.

The car only gave me one hiccup. A vacuum cap on the carb popped off while I was passing a semi truck. He nearly ran me over. I pulled off the road, 200 miles from the nearest real town, and quick fashioned a piece of rubber glove held on with a zip tie to plug the vacuum leak. I was back on the road in 2 minutes!

Thanks for the advice guys and I appreciate the warm welcome to the late model Beetle forum. I'm pretty busy over on the Bay Window Bus side of the house and look forward to getting to know you guys too!

Mike

Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:24 pm

Congratulations man, nice bug! :D

Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:40 pm

Quote: vacuum cap on the carb popped off

This is why you had a roll of red, White and Blue racing Tape..

COLD ... But BUT you live in Sunny Calif ! ! ! Don't need no stinking heaters...

I use to live in palo Alto .. :roll: and it SNOWS there ..LOL