TheSamba.com :: View topic - Day 1 - Complete disassembly ... have a question as well ...

Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:56 pm

Started disassembly of my 55 this morning. Body is off (gonna have to replace the bottom 3" all the way around it appears).

Question though, how do you get everything out (and back in) of the inside of the center tube ?

Next step is powdercoating ...

Picture of what's left

Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:27 pm

Quote: how do you get everything out (and back in) of the inside of the center tube ?
You don't. It's not the sort of thing that you have to deal with. It's a sort of, "Forbidden Zone".

Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:41 pm

joemac wrote: Quote: how do you get everything out (and back in) of the inside of the center tube ?
You don't. It's not the sort of thing that you have to deal with. It's a sort of, "Forbidden Zone".

Hes right. The only thing you would ever have any problem with in there is sometimes the clutch cable tube comes detached at the spot welds and needs to be rewelded but I highly doubt you would need to fool around in there.

Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:44 pm

Is the tunnel one piece or a 2 piece thing. An upside down "U" and a flat bottom piece welded/folded together?

Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:01 pm

yep, upside down u with a flat bottom ... well, problem is, all the brake lines were cut off (before I got it) as were the pbrake cables and the accelerator cable. Im going to have to get in there somehow.

Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:21 pm

good job, looks like you're getting into it. imho, i would be carefull working with the cement blocks. jack stands would be much safer.

you could try to route the cables through the back to the front. cut a 3" x 3" hole near the front of the tunnel and then weld it shut when all the work is done.

good luck on your project. :wink:

Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:38 pm

There is no reason to get into the tunnel...there are no brake lines in there, the p brake cables can be fed back through as well as the throttle cable.

Don't cut a hole there is no need!

John

Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:01 am

One of the magazines, either Hot VWs or VW Trends, had an article in the last few months on how to replace the hard fuel line from front to back, and perhaps the same techniques might work for whatever else you need to do. I agree with the above comments that it's rare to need to get into the "Forbidden Zone," but sometimes you have to--like when you shorten the chassis for a dune buggy or the like. Good luck!

Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:17 am

John wrote: There is no reason to get into the tunnel...there are no brake lines in there, ...

John

Where does it go then ? I see a brake line go down in to the bulkhead and turns back through the tunnel. Can't really see where it goes from there.

Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:24 am

On A 68 the line runs inside on the floor driverside next to the tunnel.

Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:27 am

It runs along the tunnel on the drivers side. Not to insult you but make sure you ask lots of questions before you "cut" anything. there are a lot of people who can help make your project easier.

Also remember that some "experts" will post respones and in fact they are talking out their A##.

Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:48 am

John wrote: It runs along the tunnel on the drivers side. Not to insult you but make sure you ask lots of questions before you "cut" anything. there are a lot of people who can help make your project easier.

Also remember that some "experts" will post respones and in fact they are talking out their A##.

Sorry ... I saw brake line but read fuel line. The fuel line does go inside the tunnel ... correct ? My appologies. Believe you me, I will ask TONS before cutting. Seeing as how everything inside the tunnel is offered from various places, there must be a "tried and proved" method. Oly thing hanging out still intact is the clutch cable.

I do greatly appreciate all the info and help guys !!!

Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:08 pm

Keep the pics coming.

Nice start!

Anthony