Newbie with a '63 Notch and a grip of questions.

San Diego Notch

After looking for a long time, I finally pulled the trigger on a '63 Notch. I have never owned an Aircooled VW, but I am loving this one so far! After a 12 hour drive to get her home, I am convinced that she's pretty solid. Obviously, I have a ton of questions, but let's start with two.

First problem, wheels. The 16" Porsche rims stick out too far and rub like crazy up front because it is lowered. My plan is to bring the back down and even it out, but I need to figure out what wheels will fit. It has disc breaks all around and I am pretty sure the lug pattern is 5 x 130. Where I am stuck is how big (tall and wide) can I go, and what do I need for backspacing/offset?

Second, I went for a drive yesterday and my front end has dropped more on its own! The fender was sitting on the front tire. I pulled the front wheels off and noticed that the bolt just above the lower control arm (Driver's side) is sheered off. After watching Cugir's video (on lowering the front end), it looks like this one is used to loosen the inner splines. Not sure if this is a new development or not. Any idea if this is the cause or if it is something else? I also noticed that the upper control arm on the driver's side is not resting on the upper bump stop like the passenger's side is. This may be normal, but I am just trying to include as much info. as possible. Any ideas?

I'll try to attach some pictures...be patient with me, I am new on here. Hopefully this is the right way to get answers to these questions. Here are some links for pictures...sorry, I haven't figured out resizing and uploading on here yet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73969981@N03/6669599961/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73969981@N03/6669600041/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73969981@N03/6669601399/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73969981@N03/6669600817/in/photostream/

supaninja · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:26 pm Post subject:

First off, that's a beautiful notch but those fuch's just have the wrong offset.

Looking at the pics, what happened is on of the snubbers fell off, normally when you lower the front, one cuts off the snubber mounts.
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Nick
Megasquirted Type 4 powered Notch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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flyinglow94

turbomicrowaves · Samba Member Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1079

It's more likely that the bolt was broken by the previous owner. That bolt secures the passenger side lower control arm in place so if you plan on raising the front you'll need to remove it.

In regards to the wheels, you can stay 5x130 and switch to a similar style wheel with a better offset or change the bolt pattern. It would be easier to get a set of reproduction Fuchs that were 15's and either 4.5' or 5.5'.
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San Diego Notch · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies. Should I be concerned about that bolt being broken? I am not looking to change the front height at this point.

As far as the wheels go, I am actually looking to go to a modern style wheel. I have seen some modern VW and Porsche wheels and also some more elaborate ones. Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

These ones are 17's, that's pretty big! Does this take any major modifications? Again, my priority is no rubbing and finding a hot looking wheel. What kind of offset numbers should I be looking at?

flyinglow94 · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:36 pm Post subject:

I would fix the front end ASAP. It has a lock plate that is a safety feature.
The wheels that are on that Squareback are the Porsche twists, they are pretty common I don't know what off set they are but I think they come in a 7" and an 8". You will need all 4 in the 7".
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"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.."

San Diego Notch · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:51 pm Post subject:

Does anybody know what those two levers are on the tunnel underneath the E-brake?? Mine are red and white and they are attached to some sort of cable running towards the back of the car.

flyinglow94 · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

Mike Fisher · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:30 am Post subject:

Harbor Freight sells a $5 Magnetic Angle Gauge, which is sweet for checking/changing your front/rear torsion arm angles when they are unbolted. Get both sides the same angle and bolt them in Tight. I've got beams here if you need any parts. That looks like the former Redding Notch? Cool

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supaninja · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:47 am Post subject:

Bobnotch

San Diego Notch · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm Post subject:

Supaninja,

Do you have any pictures of the modifications that you made?? Also, how much is it lowered? Any rub up front?

supaninja · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject:

The next time I pull a rear wheel I'll snap a pic but it's pretty obvious when you bolt them on. The PO lowered it so I'm not exactly sure how many clicks he went down. My front left tire rubs on something when I hit a big bump, I'm still trying to figure out where exactly. The fronts do rub a little on the control arms at full lock.
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Nick
Megasquirted Type 4 powered Notch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Blog of Doom http://supaninjanick.wordpress.com/

San Diego Notch · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:30 am Post subject:

I have a 1776 Type I engine in my notch. It has run like a dream since I have had it (a little over a month). This week it started running a little rough and the problem continues...

The car has always fired up cold without a problem and used to idle nicely. Now it fires up pretty easy but it does not idle very well. It sounds like it wants to quit and when I give it throttle it backfires quite a bit (pretty rough sounding). If I do not give it throttle it will actually stay running but it just sounds like it wants to die. When I am driving and give it steady throttle, the car will lurch forward a little as if I was constantly on and off the throttle. Heavy acceleration smoothes it out, but otherwise it just does this lurching thing constantly. Nothing changes when the car is warm. Any suggestions?? A couple weeks ago it was tuned up and it ran fine after the tune-up...I'm not sure where to start.

supaninja · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:45 am Post subject:

First off, the type 1 motor won't get cooled effectively when in a type 3. With that out of the way, sounds like you have a jet clogged. Take the carb apart, soak it in some carb cleaner, and blow out all the passages with compressed air.
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Nick
Megasquirted Type 4 powered Notch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Blog of Doom http://supaninjanick.wordpress.com/

flyinglow94 · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:17 am Post subject:

Also if you have a clogged jet you can try the road side flush by Standing over the engine revving it and putting the palm of your hand over the throat of the carb or each carb throat if you have duel carbs to try and suck what is in there through. If you pull the carbs apart you might want to get rebuild kits for them. I put the brass parts / jets in muratic acid but make sure you don't put aluminum in with them it will eat it fast.
_________________
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.."

sharkskinman · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:38 am Post subject:

ive got a set of 17x7.5 porsche wheels for CHEEEEP!

i have been thinking of putting them on my fasty
but i need flyinlow to redrill my brakes
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supaninja · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:39 pm Post subject:

San Diego Notch · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject:

Sharkskinman,

Do you have a picture of your wheels?? I found some great Porsche wheels that I may go pick up on Monday, unless I like yours better. Will 7.5" wide fit all the way around without modification??

supaninja · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:59 pm Post subject:

Ya Sharky, what offset are they?
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Nick
Megasquirted Type 4 powered Notch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Blog of Doom http://supaninjanick.wordpress.com/

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