TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:36 pm

My name is Alex, I am 16 years old working part time at my dads transmission shop. Been working there for over 2 years and have A LOT of mechanical knowledge. This project has been worked on by myself mostly and sometimes my dad.
So I've been wanting to make a thread for some time just to get some peoples idea or thoughts on my project.

Heres what I bought for $500. Its a 1974 VW Superbeetle. I wanted something for the winter and saw pictures of a baja bug. I didn't know the weakness of the SB front ends so I went ahead and bought it with no knowledge. THIS CAR WILL NOT SEE EXTREME OFFROAD USE, MOSTLY STREET WITH LITTLE DIRT/MUD. There are no places to go around here for extreme offroading so I plan on building a light baja. And yea, its purple 8-[

Day after I bought it I started tearing into it.

A lot of things had to be fixed. Rotted seals, rust repairs, Motor didnt start, no brakes, etc. etc.

First place I started was the rear suspension and brakes. New shocks (Yea I know, I've heard about them and I honestly dont care if these shocks have a bad reputation! :twisted: ), new brakes, wheel bearings, seals, bump stops, axles, gear oil, brake drums, etc.

Once completed I decided that I wanted to get this motor running. Hopefully it just needed a tune up and an oil change. BTW no battery came with the car so I thought it would just fire up. After playing around with it I finally got it started, but it wouldnt idle. Heres why!

One of the cylinders had really low compression in it. That only meant one thing. Rebuild :shock:

There goes the motor to my dad's shop so I could rebuild it! Next day I came in and found the motor dressed as hitler.. wtf? :-k

So I started tearing it down!

Heres yer problem..

Bought a complete engine rebuild kit. Crank, cam, bearings, lifters, cylinders/pistons, heads, push rod tubes, gaskets (shit ones :roll: ) etc.

Started assembly. Painted the crank case and the intake manifold. I Honestly don't think it's going to be a problem for ventilation.

Finished it. Put her in.

New exhaust put on too.

Got her running and she starts right up. Check it out.
(not sure how to put the video in here)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaWLYYliiYo

Next project was the front suspension. Didn't take any pics for some reason. Don't know why But ill have to get some.

Rebuilt struts w/ KYB Gr-2 Gas Charged Strut Cartridge and chromed main spring, new brakes, sandblasted parts (control arms, sway bar, drums which were also machined for the shoes, backing plates, etc.), urethene bushings, wheel bearings and more. The frame head is rusted out where the sway bar mounts too in one location. My plan of attack is to fabricate a reinforcement cross member that will bolt to the bumper bracket mounting holes and have the sway bar bolt to there. With this place I will also be able to fab up a front bumper with skit plate and put lights, tow hooks, anything on it. Didn't start that project yet but did make a cardboard template.

Put the wheels on, bled the brakes a little, a got it outside so I could clean the garage for the first time in months!

Still haven't road tested it yet so it may need adjustments.. Need to bleed brakes better and the alignment up front is messed up. I need to order tie rods for the toe and figure out something with this positive camber. The tabs where the eccentric cammed washer and bolts go for the control arms are all folded over. I will have to bend them back or weld in new pieces there :?

Started the worst part. Body work.

Got my engine cage and fiberglass fenders, hood, and aprons.

Bought a soda blaster ^ got that side of the car's paint off in an hour. BIG MESS THOUGH AND IT GETS EVERYWHERE. :evil:

Mounted my cage, looks awesome :)

Need to order a bushing for my steering column

AND that's where Im at with it right now. Things I need to order are tie rods, eccentric bolts, tie rod boots, steering column bushing, lights, and some other small stuff. Still doing body work, hope to have all the purple off soon :roll:

Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:38 pm

Also, here are my tire plans. Im gonna keep the stock wheel up front and paint them black, get 10" wide wheels in the back.

Front tires: 7.00 x 15s offroad tires

Rear: 31x10.5 r15 KM2 BFG mud tires.

:)

Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:41 pm

And heres my mitsu just incase you wanted to see a picture of it :wink:

The white one 8)

Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:41 am

I always wanted a 3K VR4. that's gunna be an awesome baja bug. just awesome. I just recently put some KYB gas-a-just on my car and im really surprised at how well they handle, especially compared to my old bilsteins.

Glad that you started a build page, finally lol. now i have something new to follow up on to possible get some new ideas for my car. :D

Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:33 am

10 inch rim might be to wide for 31's. make sure you call up a tire shop and ask them if they will fit before you buy rims or tires.

alexvw wrote: Also, here are my tire plans. Im gonna keep the stock wheel up front and paint them black, get 10" wide wheels in the back.

Front tires: 7.00 x 15s offroad tires

Rear: 31x10.5 r15 KM2 BFG mud tires.

:)

Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:11 am

you do damn fine work my friend!!! :D

Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:32 am

alexvw wrote: Also, here are my tire plans. Im gonna keep the stock wheel up front and paint them black, get 10" wide wheels in the back.

Front tires: 7.00 x 15s offroad tires

Rear: 31x10.5 r15 KM2 BFG mud tires.

:)

Our tires are matching... :lol: looks like you do some good work

Tyler

Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:06 am

Nice build up!!

Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:35 am

Very nice work! In order to prevent any potential fires you might want to move the fuel filter over the tranxaxle. Another potential for problems is the clear/blue distributor cap. These are known for mis-firing (although some may disagree, our shop used to have to replace everyone that came through the service department). If you Baja your super a brace or reinforcement from one strut tower to the other will eliminate a lot of flexing, and possibility of collapse. I have seen guys beef up the strut front and have a blast with their "Super Baja." You seem to be very capable, and it is great to see someone of your age keeping their ACVW alive, and well.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:51 am

That is awesome work. I didn't know which end of a wrench to hold at your age. :lol: Great job....keep posting progress pics.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:01 am

wbrown45 wrote: Very nice work! In order to prevent any potential fires you might want to move the fuel filter over the tranxaxle. Another potential for problems is the clear/blue distributor cap. These are known for mis-firing (although some may disagree, our shop used to have to replace everyone that came through the service department). If you Baja your super a brace or reinforcement from one strut tower to the other will eliminate a lot of flexing, and possibility of collapse. I have seen guys beef up the strut front and have a blast with their "Super Baja." You seem to be very capable, and it is great to see someone of your age keeping their ACVW alive, and well.

These pictures are outdated and its funny you mention this. That blue piece of shit cap didn't work the first time I tried it! Switched to the orange one and runs good. Also the fuel filter, after hearing everything about fires, has been relocated up front near the gas tank. Also about that strut tower reinforcement bar, I have thought about getting one of those in the future. I really hope with that and that sway bar crossmember with skidplates I am making that this front end will be beefed up enough for the trails! :lol:

Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:02 am

JonF wrote: 10 inch rim might be to wide for 31's. make sure you call up a tire shop and ask them if they will fit before you buy rims or tires.

alexvw wrote: Also, here are my tire plans. Im gonna keep the stock wheel up front and paint them black, get 10" wide wheels in the back.

Front tires: 7.00 x 15s offroad tires

Rear: 31x10.5 r15 KM2 BFG mud tires.

:)

Good thing I didn't order any wheels/tires yet. How wide should it be?

Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:45 am

Some progress today so far. I don't have a 220 outlet at home so I brought the welder home from the shop and It wouldnt work! I have to get this thing to my dads shop to weld on body panels and other important stuff.

Also, I tried mounting my front fender but this bubble for luggage compartment is restricting it. I will have to cut it out and weld in a flat piece.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:12 pm

very nice work. keep it up

Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:41 pm

alexvw wrote: wbrown45 wrote: Very nice work! In order to prevent any potential fires you might want to move the fuel filter over the tranxaxle. Another potential for problems is the clear/blue distributor cap. These are known for mis-firing (although some may disagree, our shop used to have to replace everyone that came through the service department). If you Baja your super a brace or reinforcement from one strut tower to the other will eliminate a lot of flexing, and possibility of collapse. I have seen guys beef up the strut front and have a blast with their "Super Baja." You seem to be very capable, and it is great to see someone of your age keeping their ACVW alive, and well.

These pictures are outdated and its funny you mention this. That blue piece of shit cap didn't work the first time I tried it! Switched to the orange one and runs good. Also the fuel filter, after hearing everything about fires, has been relocated up front near the gas tank. Also about that strut tower reinforcement bar, I have thought about getting one of those in the future. I really hope with that and that sway bar crossmember with skidplates I am making that this front end will be beefed up enough for the trails! :lol:
Sorry I jumped the gun!! Keep on doing what you're doing!! My 17 year old son's '72 Baja is a blast, and he loves it also. He is running 215/75R15 KTM MT's on the front, and 31 x 10.50=15 KTM MT's on the rear and they are awesome. The wheels are old Ultra 5 bolts which are 3.5" front, and 7" rear. The cheapest place I found them is Discounttire.com. They are cheaper than the dealership where I work and have access to tires wholesale.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:22 pm

The 31x10.5 tires will fit on a 10" rim, however, they look ALOT better on a 8" rim...that's still a nice wide rim on a bug.
Looks good man, glad to see you're welding in some new metal under the crescent vents rather than ignoring the ever growing cancer!

Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:54 pm

drnewman wrote: The 31x10.5 tires will fit on a 10" rim, however, they look ALOT better on a 8" rim...that's still a nice wide rim on a bug.
Looks good man, glad to see you're welding in some new metal under the crescent vents rather than ignoring the ever growing cancer!

Me too :lol: But the new panel I cut out is not exact. Where the curve is on the C part for the vent the body and the panel are about a 1/4" apart. Do you think welding will be able to fill this spot, or will I have to use filler?

Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:18 am

If it were me, I would start over with a new patch cut slightly larger. Then carefully cut and grind the patch to the exact size needed. Then weld it in around the entire circumference of the patch using tack welds. 1/4" is a bit wide of a gap to fill in using a welder and you wont want to bridge that gap with filler.

Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:55 pm

Knuck wrote: If it were me, I would start over with a new patch cut slightly larger. Then carefully cut and grind the patch to the exact size needed. Then weld it in around the entire circumference of the patch using tack welds. 1/4" is a bit wide of a gap to fill in using a welder and you wont want to bridge that gap with filler.

Thanks for the input. I'll have to do that.

Anyways, nothing really happening yet. Worked on my tie rod assembly today though and got the two smaller ones off the main tie rod, took the boots and old grease off the main tie rod, drilled out the 40 year old cotter pins that wanted to stay inside the tie rod ends, and put it in the parts washer and got it all cleaned up 8) It just needs a new coat of paint, 2 new boots, and 2 tie rods :)

Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:05 pm

at least youre making progress.

I don't know your welding skills, but remember, when welding metal shrinks and can warp. it wont be a perfect fit when you put in it, especially on a compound curve like that.