TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1972 Squareback

Wed Aug 31, 2011 5:52 am

Earlier this month, I purchased my first air-cooled VW. I had always wanted one, and since the first car I can remember my grandfather having was a Squareback, that is what I went for. I found this here in the classifieds for $600 and it was in the southeast, so I began the project....

Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:46 am

More of the early stages, sorting all the parts out and starting to correct some of the "bodywork" the PO did.

Also found this in the glovebox. This is really neat for me. I grew up in East Tennessee, at one point living in Knoxville before my job transplanted me to AL. I picked the car up in Augusta and it was originally from Knoxville.

Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:29 am

Might as well put the windows back in and drive it for a year primered, while you get it all sorted out? We have new reproduction dash pads coming soon!

Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:20 pm

Driving it is not an option just yet. When I drained the fuel tank, it had some rust in it. So I need to condition the tank and check the entire fuel delivery system, making sure the FI is working properly.

Hopefully everything is in working order and I can fire this puppy up in the near future. Then it will be back to body and interior. It will take a while before it is road worthy.

Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:56 pm

Congrats on your Squareback, what shape is the engine in? does it run, is it still fuel injected or has it been converted over to carb(s)? Mine had been converted over to a progressive carb long before I got it. I am now running dual IDF's . I also see that I'm not that far from you, I may have some spare parts if you are in need. Also while you are at it check the condition of the fuel overflow hose, just inside the fender. These tend to crack on these cars, and cause all types of fuel tank issues by, allowing the tire to sling water/dirt up inside the overflow hose and into the fuel tank. Jim Adney, over on the type3.org mailing lists sells a replacement to repair that issue also.

Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:06 pm

Kevin Howlett wrote: Congrats on your Squareback, what shape is the engine in? does it run, is it still fuel injected or has it been converted over to carb(s)? Mine had been converted over to a progressive carb long before I got it. I am now running dual IDF's . I also see that I'm not that far from you, I may have some spare parts if you are in need. Also while you are at it check the condition of the fuel overflow hose, just inside the fender. These tend to crack on these cars, and cause all types of fuel tank issues by, allowing the tire to sling water/dirt up inside the overflow hose and into the fuel tank. Jim Adney, over on the type3.org mailing lists sells a replacement to repair that issue also.

From what I can tell, the entire FI system is there. According to the PO, he drove it to his house and then started stripping the car down. Thanks for the tip about the overflow hose. (I will be needing a ton of help with this project.)

I am starting a rather long list of parts that have been "lost".

Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:10 pm

OK, I am new to these cars and have been looking over the body of the SB. What are these holes for under the driver's side mirror? Are they stock or has a PO done some drilling?

Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:25 pm

FergU wrote: OK, I am new to these cars and have been looking over the body of the SB. What are these holes for under the driver's side mirror? Are they stock or has a PO done some drilling?

I bet someone mounted a mirror there at some point. I had two holes like that in each of my doors in the section above the mirror. I had them welded shut.

Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:00 pm

Update time!

I have been REAL busy at work with management changes as well as traveling all over the western US, but I finally got back to work on my Squareback.

Here is how the motor "appeared" when I got the car.

And when I first dropped the motor out.

I was warned that since I found a rodent nest in the bellow, to check under the tins.

So, I began cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning. And then reassembly.

And today, she fired up for the first time in who know how long...

Now, to track down an oil leak...

I have a small drip of oil from the driver's side front (of car) lower tin mount, and another just behind the transaxle (engine side). Any suggestions of where to begin looking for the cause?

Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:10 am

Nice work. Very similar set up to my '71 (exhaust / FI)

Aside from the obvious, valve cover gaskets and pushrod tubes, I can't help you on your leak.

Interested in what you used for the exhaust hookups to the heat exchangers.

RMS

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:02 pm

COFBack wrote: Interested in what you used for the exhaust hookups to the heat exchangers.

RMS

I used the 2 in silver foil heater hose for a type 1 that runs from the fan shroud down to the heaterboxes. It only took one cut in half for both sides. The key was to stretch it all the way out, get it connected, and then deform it some in order to clear my headers.