1963 ghia MY Project

[ddixon405]

it appears to be a ford regulator somehow wired in,,

i bought all new 12 volt gear.. plan on doing some replacements when rain stops.

[Rome]

Not a regulator, but a "hard start" relay based on a Ford factory part. Your VR is mounted at an angle on the right upper front face of the fan shroud. This is a common place to mount a 12V VR when installing a later engine into a car which was originally 6V.

Do you have a wiring diagram for a '67 Ghia (first year of 12V system) to show how to wire the VR-starter-generator and bypass the hard start relay?

Your steering wheel horn bar is actually from a '64 or '65 Ghia/Beetle. As long as the horn works, don't worry about it. The correct horn ring for a '63 would be the semi-circle bar that extends down from the center bar.

The "_300" badge on your engine lid was for European-spec Ghias; yes; should fully be "VW_1300". Most likely it fit into the very same holes as the "VOLKSWAGEN" badge which was for US-market Ghias, so that the decklids interchanged. One year later VW put on "VW_1500" badges for Euro-market Ghias. I searched thru theSamba gallery as well as Ghia literature but did not find a photo of the VW_1300 badge.

[ddixon405]

front compartment cleared out

[ddixon405]

instead of dropping engine, can i unbolt the body from frame and lift off

[Rome]

Sorry; you're not clear. Are you asking if you can remove the body from the chassis (for your pan replacements?) but keep the engine bolted on, or that you want to avoid removing the engine by removing the body instead?

You can definitely keep the engine attached to the chassis/transmission if you intend to lift off the body. Just pull the wires from the engine since they go through the body, and lift the body straight up.

If you just want to work on the engine, take 1/2 hour to drop it and pull it out of the body! OK, for a first-timer it will take longer, but it's a necessary activity for any VW owner who is getting deeper into the car so you might as well learn now. Make a wooden dolly for the engine using some scrap wood and 4 caster wheels (abandoned shopping cart), so you can wheel it around the garage or outside to the driveway to make room for your body removal.

Do you already have a good floor jack? I invested about $130 for a sturdy 2-ton jack from Sears (about 20" lift height) about 30 years ago knowing I would be doing much VW work. It's held up fine all these years. I sometimes use the long handle as a cheater bar for the rear axle nut. 3 years ago I also bought an aluminum floor jack from HarborFreight (on sale at about $60 with coupons back then) and this works really well for lower-height jobs, and is lightweight to carry around.
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-69252.html

I place a 1 foot long, 2"x6" board on the lift pad of either jack, to gain height and protect the bottom of the engine.

[ddixon405]

yeah ,, I was thinking i need to remove the body anyway, so remove it first and it would make the engine thing a little easier,

I got me some tools for the task

3 Ton Jack

This is a 450lb transmission lift, it should work for the engine as well

Jack Stands

[CiderGuy]

I have the same jack and transmission lift. The lift worked well taking the motor out. However I strongly suggest you use a rachet tie down strap ( anchoring the motor to the jack ) when using the jack or moving the motor on the jack.

I removed the straps coming with the jack and used a smaller strap from the back to the front of the engine, and not side to side.

[ddixon405]

OKAY ,, I admit I am a little bit overwhelmed , willing to pay for some help if in Oklahoma City.

anyone in OKC want to help me out,, just don't know which direction to go

Here is what I think should be the next steps

Remove engine - I have bought a tone of new parts for the engine, its a '72.

I want to take engine out and have the block checked and rebuilt, then add all my external parts.

Remove Body from frame - I know the floorpans will have to be cut out and replaced.

[carl4x4]

If you're taking the body off anyway, I wouldn't bother removing the engine first, just make sure the wires etc. are disconnected first.
With the body off everything mechanical is an awful lot easier to work on than crawling around on your back when the body is in the way.

There's a few posts on creating relatively simple body cradle or stand that supports it in the right places when off the pan. All it needs is about 10 bits of wood and careful measuring so I'm told
_________________
1969 UK Karmann Ghia build http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518789&highlight=

[John Moxon]

[scottkrough]

Ddixon,
Go through here and look at what the rest of us have done to ours to get a good point of reference in which direction to go in next. Warning that you will end up going full blown once you see what everyone here has done.
Just food for thought but get a plan going before buying any parts. Like get the engine out and get someone lined up to rebuild it or build a new one before getting any parts purchased. may save you in the long run.

Good luck with your build
_________________
Scott

Check out our 63' Ghia Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=519643

[ddixon405]

thanks,, John M ,, helped out and posted this.

[ddixon405]

I have body apart from frame, I found someone to media blast the body, using silica and anti-rust solution, mobile company with referrals doing this kind of work.



it is going to cost about $800.00 (with me as helper) to get the inside and outside stripped,,


My question is this a good price, and if someone else has had this done was it good or bad experience

[c21darrel]

That will save you a boatload of time and effort. Do it! Reasonable price too. Will need to get in good epoxy primer like DP40 soon after. Now you are ready for any repairs you'll need.
_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Mscdman]

[c21darrel]

^^Depends on the year of the red Ghia. Its the later script, I had that one on my 66, 67, 68.
_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[ddixon405]

I am looking to sell my project, I have had some family issue come up and don't have the time to get this going,, anyone interested I am in OKC, I know their is a big community if anyone is interested I am selling the car and all the parts I have accumulated for the project

$1750.00

SOLD
thanks

[ddixon405]

According to OK TAX Commision Motor Vehicle Div, it will take 6-8 weeks to get another title due to the registration being so old it was retired, registration not even coming up in archives.

$1750.00 with title - will take 6-8 weeks
$1400.00 with just a bill of sale - buy now

[vdubjim]

Be easier if you searched for local clubs....
My Sig.