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TedzBug Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 272 Location: Michigan, USA
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 12:47 pm Post subject: Buying a 74 Super, drive 150mi home... Adjust valves first? |
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I'm planning on buying a 74 Super this Saturday that is 150 miles from home.
I was originally going to tow it home, but the guy sounds pretty confident that he would trust it to drive long distance.
So the thought is why not save the $75-100 on the trailer rental and just drive it back?
He doesn't seem to know when the valves were last adjusted...... Do I trust it and drive home? Or should I tear off valve covers and check / adjust valves before I even test drive it? (Its been sitting all winter with a trickle charger in storage)
The maintenance seems to be done by a mechanic as he said he had the carb rebuilt 2 years ago and the accelerator cable replaced then also.....
Still gotta find out how much he drove it each year, as he only drove it in nice weather and stores it all winter.....
Thanks
Ted _________________ '75 Super Beetle
http://www.pbase.com/tedzillich/1975_super_beetle |
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*Darren Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2013 Posts: 917 Location: MD
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Common sense says - yes. While you are at it, change the oil and anything else you can do prior to the voyage home. But this is kind of problematic in that you will likely want to test drive the car prior to purchase and then you'll have to wait until the car is stone cold to adjust the valves and of course you'd want to make sure the tires are roadworthy as well. But yeah, nothing like driving for 60 miles and running into a problem that could have easily been prevented. |
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a 74 Super, drive 150mi home... Adjust valves fir |
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TedzBug wrote: |
I'm planning on buying a 74 Super this Saturday that is 150 miles from home.Ted |
150 miles is long distance
I would check the valves first, then test drive it for other problems.
Remember Murphy it will always be something else _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16757 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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And have a spare fan belt with you...... _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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*Darren Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2013 Posts: 917 Location: MD
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a 74 Super, drive 150mi home... Adjust valves fir |
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60ragtop wrote: |
I would check the valves first, then test drive it for other problems.
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And thanks for the free valve adjustment, sez the current owner |
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a 74 Super, drive 150mi home... Adjust valves fir |
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*Darren wrote: |
60ragtop wrote: |
I would check the valves first, then test drive it for other problems.
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And thanks for the free valve adjustment, sez the current owner |
A few minutes of "free" time is money well spent to save buying a POS _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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mrmdls Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2013 Posts: 410 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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I've always considered any used car that I've bought that I'm a test driver as you never know what you might find hidden in the vehicle. I normally try to go thru everything prior to putting it to a long road test.
With that said, and where you want to drive it home, I would take the time to inspect every fuel line, and your brake lines for their condition. I'd also take a look to see if the rubber grommet or a piece of rubber fuel line is wrapped around the metal fuel line going thru the doghouse. If missing as a temp fix, wrap an old rubber fuel line around the area going thru the doghouse.
I'd also pull the spark plugs, just to give you an idea on how the engine has been running for the previous owner. |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69801 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a car about 120 miles from home.
I didn't adjust the valves as I didn't think of that but I did take it easy driving home. I have done that on cars I flew out to pick up and drive home.
On the car above, I did bring fuel line and clamps and rubber brake lines. I ended up replacing the 2 front brake lines there as one front brake locked up on the extended test drive.
I also had to do a bunch of other minor stuff, mostly just to feel confident. Check oil, check timing, and a general look over of everything.
I agree on the fan belt too.
Bring a couple quarts of oil too. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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marklee Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2009 Posts: 821 Location: Flintshire, North Wales
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 4:37 am Post subject: |
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I bought my 66 1300 in London, UK, had to sign receipt saying it was for spares only, I jumped in and drove home to Liverpool. 200 miles, never missed a beat and I found that after it had stood a while the run did it good...
just drive it gently and keep listening to the motor
_________________ CGLI qualified body repair and refinish tech
CGLI qualified motor repair tech
Qualified automotive Glass installer
Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre,Thatcham, Advanced Vehicle Damage Estimator.
Police qualified vehicle examiner
Police Class 1 High performance, pursuit trained Advanced driver |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 6:21 am Post subject: |
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REALLY common sense tells me you are going to pick up a car you know very little about. 150 miles is 3 hours from home if you don’t have trouble.
You could get there, open the valve covers and do a quick inspection and find all sorts of issues that you may not be ready to deal with. At that point you either walk away from the deal, or try to get it home without a trailer or tow bar.
I would much rather take a trailer and bring it home. I know my tow vehicle and trailer are up to the task – the new car may not be.
Then once at home I can take my time going over things more peaceably because I don’t have that 150 mile trip home in an unknown vehicle looming over me.
$75 to $100 on a trailer spent before you set off will be a lot cheaper and convenient then what you need to go through if you need it half way home. _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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jensend Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2007 Posts: 268 Location: So. Jersey U.S.A.
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:43 am Post subject: |
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Since these cars have traditional drum brakes and the car has been sitting, my biggest worry about driving a distance like 150 miles would be a brake failure. Add to that the possibility of engine or trans axle issues and it seems most practical to tow the car and avoid damaging it or yourself until you've had a chance to give the car a thorough going over. Besides, you won't be the only car on 150 miles of highway. Why risk your or anyone else's anyone's safety? FWIW. |
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TedzBug Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 272 Location: Michigan, USA
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:20 am Post subject: |
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I've came to a decision of towing it.
It's under $100 to get a flat trailer from uhaul.
I'd rather that, then potentially having an issue 75-100 miles from home......
Hope the car is as nice as it looks in pics.... we''l see on saturday morning.
I'm excited.... _________________ '75 Super Beetle
http://www.pbase.com/tedzillich/1975_super_beetle |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I think you are making the right choice! Good Luck and let us know how you make out! _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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TedzBug Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 272 Location: Michigan, USA
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Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Towed it... No problems
Drove it around 15+ miles after we got home.... all good, needs all the little things a 40year old car needs....
_________________ '75 Super Beetle
http://www.pbase.com/tedzillich/1975_super_beetle |
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VWCOOL Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 1821 Location: Down under
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Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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that looks lovely and shiny! |
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djghia Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2006 Posts: 179 Location: Springfield, MO
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Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Nice looking car! Want more pictures! Dave J _________________ 1962 Ghia vert
1971 Beetle
GROOVE member |
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