TheSamba.com :: View topic - new to the samba. got my first bug any tips?

Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:07 pm

get a 13mm in every different angle/size/shape.

Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:26 pm

A note about the sunroof. It doesn't have a "seal" per se. There are four drains, two in front, two in rear. The front exits through a plastic tube that runs down the A pillar, the rears runs down another pair of plastic tubes and exit at the base of the rear quarters through a hole above the running boards. When they get clogged the sunroof will leak. The felt seal around the top is basically to keep dirt and leaves out. It's not water tight.

If you plan to replace the headliner, that is the time to inspect the tubes and make sure they are good.

-jeffrey

Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:33 pm

o cool. i need to get the cable for it. cool thanks i thought i needed that felt seal or it would leak

Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:08 pm

finally got a pic sorry for crappy quality more to come[/img]

Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:08 am

the beetle doesnt look bad. Especially for $600. Frequent these posts there is a wealth of knowledge hear that is invaluable.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:19 am

Umm - your brake lines are not metal running to the wheels. They usually run about $10 each. And your fuel lines are rubber from under the tank to the main line thru the tunnel and from the rear axle area to the fuel pump. They usually they are rubber from the pump to the carb. Get about 10 feet of good quality FUEL line. Make sure you install a new fuel filter under the tank or at the rear axle (see the sticky Beetle and fires)

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:35 am

andk5591 wrote: Umm - your brake lines are not metal running to the wheels. They usually run about $10 each. And your fuel lines are rubber from under the tank to the main line thru the tunnel and from the rear axle area to the fuel pump. They usually they are rubber from the pump to the carb. Get about 10 feet of good quality FUEL line. Make sure you install a new fuel filter under the tank or at the rear axle (see the sticky Beetle and fires)

To be a little more clear, there is a small section of flexible brake line that runs from the metal lines to the rear of the drums. It's not a bad idea to have these replaced. As for the fuel lines, it is also good to replace theses as well. Below the tanks there are two flexible lines, one runs through the fuel pump and filter [replace the filter while you are at it], the other is a return line. Fuel injected cars have a closed loop fuel system. The system is pressurized higher than a carbureted system and fuel that isn't used is brought back to your fuel tank. You have two hard lines that run through the center tunnel. Flexible lines attach on both ends. The two lines under the tank as noted before, and two lines that run from the rear of the tunnel to the metal lines in the engine compartment. One you start tearing into it you'll see what I mean. Use the 7mm FI fuel line to replace the old lines. This is larger than the typical carbureted fuel line. There are also short 1" or so sections of fuel line on each injector. They are a pain to replace, but if you can, specially if they are moist, do it. Actually if you pull the motor, it's much easier to replace them.

Good luck with the car. It looks like a worthy project. '77 Beetles were the last of the German Beetles and I believe one of shortest production runs. IF you keep it stock, it will retain it's value well.

-jeffrey

Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:00 pm

i totally want to return it to stoke but want just a bit more pep in the motor. its got plenty as is. paint its shot. and i need to take care of the floor pans before they go from surface to cancer

Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:22 pm

If it runs well, worry about the "pep" later. A well tuned stock FI motor does pretty well as a driver. It won't win many drag races, but it'll get you where you need to go. Work on the rust and making it safe and reliable. It's hard to tell by your photo, but if the original color was the Diamond Silver Metallic, it's a great color when new. Here are a couple of shots on what it could look like when finished.

Have fun with it.

-jeffrey

Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:12 pm

We have the exact same car! Mine is a diamond silver 77 but w/o the sun roof. My goal is to restore it back to stock without spending a fortune. Believe it or not, I actually searched for this exact year/color because its my favorite. As a kid I remember when these were new and always wanted one, but I just had to wait 32 years to fufill the dream! Glad to see you enjoying your beetle!

Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:47 pm

ya. i personally love this years body style. its cool. because im a senior in highschool. bought a chev truck that guzzled the gas i had it for a little over a month or so. then i sold payed my parents back. then i found this bug but i only 200 bucks left over. so my parents and i worked a deal etc. so they called me at 10 and said they didnt get it, was to bad of shape etc, so i got really bummed. but low and behold htey showed up with it an hour later. man im still on cloud nine. its such and awesome car. the battery tray seems to be solid to so i was happy. im glad to see al the support im getting from people one here. it way awesome and thanks. i cant wait to get the ball rolling. unfortunately i couldn't work on it today because of the rain

Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:16 pm

Well show your folks the pics above on what it'll look like when you are finished. If you focus and work hard, this could be a great car through college.

Congrats.

-jeffrey

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:00 pm

o yeah they want to restore it to. but i need a muffler really bad

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:16 pm

Check out aircooled.net

http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=MES0001&cartid=1023200978444395

You'll need the "75-79 Beetle and Super" unless yoyr car is originally a California car. Follow their advice and coat it with POR20. You'll find that when you get the new muffler on it'll run much better. Also, don't feel shy about calling them and getting recommendations on what else you might need. It's always better to do it right the first time.

-jeffrey

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:29 pm

the local shop wanted 144 for a replacement muffler. i think i will go with this company. i need to replace the wheel cylinder i broke yesterday. and the batter. i have another question. i got some rust killer. i sprayed it, but i sanded it and rust was still under it. does it actually stop the rust, or will just continue ot rust under this "rust killer/converter"?

Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:42 pm

Read the instructions on the stuff you bought. Most rust encapsulators cover the rust and prevent it from growing. Aircooled.net will also be able to help you with the wheel cylinders.

-jeffrey

Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:30 pm

Viande wrote: You can do it cheap and do it over and over and over or you can do it right and do it once.

I'm new to the samba myself, but not new to VWs. That's as good a piece of advice as any. Take your time, do it right, and definitely get Muir's Idiot Guide.

Also, this place is a great resource, though you'll occasionally run into posters who are far more interested in trying to show everyone how much more they know than you do by taking a cheap shot at an honest question. Tell 'em where to shove it, and wait a few minutes: Somebody reasonable will answer your question sooner or later. By and large, this is a decent group of people who offer solid advice simply for the love of Volkswagens. Remember to do the same, and you'll be fine.

And above all else: Have fun! No matter how bad it gets, at least you're not driving a Neon.

I'm in my mid-thirties, and working on VW #7, and as excited as I was when I got my first Squareback at 15.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:37 pm

thanks for all the great advice guys. hope ill be able to pass it on. gonna hopefully take my bug to welding class and go through it w

Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:04 am

as much as I want something from 65 and earlier, I'd have a hard time letting my 77 go...here it is in the between raj's 65 and glenn's 74:

mine is stock, which I like, and to a certain extent, I think it stands on it's own qualifications...the late models are interesting; they tend to get overlooked and marginalized, yet people were interested in mine at the all air-cooled gathering...

the FI has always run well for me; I am more concerned with the electronic "brain" than the actual mechanical operation in regard to something going wrong in the future...

ideally, I'd like a three car garage with the 77 as a daily driver, an earlier bug, and a bus, with my vanagon parked out front : )

Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:10 am

at the air-cooled gathering:

good luck with yours...