Newbie Fasty owner. Million questions (But only a few now)

First Fasty · Last edited by First Fasty on Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hello TheSamba.com members.
I am a newbie and I really enjoy this site and expect to learn a ton from all of you.
I expect to have a million questions about my car, which I just brought home 3 days ago. I'm going to start by asking a few now.
My Car:
1970 Fastback with an automatic tranny and factory fuel injection. The car appears quite solid and complete. I was told I am the 3rd owner and the first owner was a German VW mechanic.
Questions:
-The car runs on propane and has since the early 70's. Is there any reason to change that? Anything to look for as negative results of that? If I change back to gas, what would that take?
-The brake pedal has 2 shafts that go into the floor. Is this normal or some sign of some kind of alteration? Will this mean I have to do anything different when I order carpet. The slots in the current carpet seem the same as the brake and clutch slots I've seen on standard cars.
-The car has been oversprayed apparently only once from factory orange to blue and is peeling in spots. Is there any way to remove that paint but leave the original colour safe?
-What modern tire size replaces the original tires? Is it 185/65/15? That size was mentioned to me but I'm unsure.
-How tough are the automatic trannies? Do I need to be concerned that it may not work? That is definately something I would not tackle.
-The car sat for over 10 years, what should be done before I try to crank it up?
-How do I post pictures? I would love to get opinions on my purchase. I did manage to post some in the gallery but I'd like to add them to my posts.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

Mike

bderewic · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject:

This piece of literature will only help, I recommend buying it, most of the questions you ask and many more future questions can be answered with it, it also will arise some questions too.

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/volkswagen/repair...anual.html

From my experience researching the forums and internet and picking the brains of the gurus, it seems like everyone is doing something a little different the get their type 3 operating correctly.

Enjoy your type 3 and drive the hell out of it Smile

blankmange

ataraxia · Last edited by ataraxia on Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:46 am; edited 1 time in total

Slow 1200 · Samba Member Joined: July 02, 2004 Posts: 887

when changethe gear oil (use GL5, not GL4) keep a close eye on the oil that comes out of it and see if there's ATF mixed with it, if it does then you will have to take the trans apart to change the seals between the final drive and the auto section or the ring & pinion will die soon

I managed to do it so it can't be that hard Laughing

First Fasty · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the info so quick. You guys are good.
Glad the brake pedal is normal. Just another sign this car is all original. I see some of my pictures made it to this thread, I assume someone did that for me. Not sure why the engine pic turned upside down. Thanks.
Here's a picture of the underside I got while the car was still on the trailer. http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/919780.jpg
Pretty good shape I think for a 42 year old car that spent the last 10+ years sitting in a field in Alberta Canada.
I'm very happy with my $700 purchase so far.
This is gonna be a fun ride building a fun ride.

Thanks again and keep the advice and opinions coming.

Mike

Mike Fisher · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:59 am Post subject:

There is a 17mm plug on the side of the AT to fill the separate transaxle with 80-90 weight gear oil.

Better get it running/driving with propane before you even think about changing Anything! Wink

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First Fasty · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:09 am Post subject:

Hi again.
Not sure I understand the 2 comments about gear oil. Is this something that needs to be done because it deteriorates over time? Does it need to be checked/replaced before starting the car after so long?
Please forgive my ignorance about this.
Mike, I agree. Get it going on propane then see what happens. Who knows maybe I'll leave it that way. Only issue is getting fuel into the tank. Not as easy as a gerry can of gas.
Mike

blankmange · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:47 am Post subject:

just out of curiosity - why was the car converted to propane?
_________________

First Fasty · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject:

Due to gas prices and availability. Propane was extremely cheap and plentiful then while gas was expensive and at times in short supply.
I just wish gas was that "expensive" now.
I was told the original owner was a Vw mechanic so the conversion would have been much cheaper to do for himself.

W1K1 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject:

terrieann · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:38 am Post subject:

My parents had a Ford Van back in the late 70's early 80's that ran on gas or propane. I'm no expert here, but my dad always worked on our vehicles, including rebuilding the engine on my first Fastback and he said that propane runs really clean. The engine doesn't get all gunked up from stuff that's in the gasoline. I sound really technical, don't I? I'm not the expert, I just have this memory of him talking about the benefits of propane. That van ran forever. It had tons of miles on it and never needed any major work. I even remember when the fuel pump stopped working, dad just ran it on propane and didn't replace the fuel pump for months. Smile

sharkskinman · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:50 pm Post subject:

AAAWwwww shit its on a F.I. engine
ME WANTY Twisted Evil

i would love to get into this LPG thing!
wonder how easy it would be!
altho it seems expensive at first

PLEASE post all kinds of pics on your set up!!!
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First Fasty · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:14 pm Post subject:

So people are thinking I should leave it on propane?

I'm kinda leaning that way when I look into all the things that go with switching it back. I'm planning to build a fun daily driver type car and propane is plentiful where I am.

Just be interesting to see if I can manage to get the system re-certified. Getting it filled is going to be tough now and in future if I don't get that.

Anyone have any idea which parts I can eliminate (read sell) because they aren't needed in a propane system. I don't have much knowledge on propane systems and I haven't researched it yet.

Thanks for any help.

Tram · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:51 am Post subject:

Engines that run on propane stay brand- new clean inside and don't wear as fast as gasoline- not as many combustion by- products. I'd keep the propane! Very Happy

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