| Author |
Message |
notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 7024
Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:29 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| johnnypan wrote: |
| 53 0val wrote: |
I have never been a big fan of that book  |
In my opinion he's responsible for more vw's being sent to the scrapyard than any other man alive.. |
But he's dead.
_________________
| zeen wrote: |
| Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
FU#3 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22728
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| notchback wrote: |
| johnnypan wrote: |
| 53 0val wrote: |
| I have never been a big fan of that book |
In my opinion he's responsible for more vw's being sent to the scrapyard than any other man alive.. |
But he's dead. |
Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point.
_________________
Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7800
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Tram wrote: |
| Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
What a great signature line 
_________________
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.
|
| sb001 wrote: |
| maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jim Bear
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2006
Posts: 670
Location: Watkinsville, GA
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Just found this for owners of older subies and thought of this thread.
_________________
"You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus." ~kk
'85 Vanagon Westy - George In the Stable 2020-?/'74 Weekender - Ophelia In the Stable 2007- ?/'69 Beetle Convertible - SOLD 2017-2020/'67 Beetle - September SOLD 2013-2016  /'67 SO42 Westy - Sage SOLD 1996-2001 /'69 Transporter - Baby Blue SOLD 1995-1995/'72 Westy - Nelly - SOLD 1990-1995--STOP FRACKING |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jim Bear
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2006
Posts: 670
Location: Watkinsville, GA
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Some John Muir specific info here.
_________________
"You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus." ~kk
'85 Vanagon Westy - George In the Stable 2020-?/'74 Weekender - Ophelia In the Stable 2007- ?/'69 Beetle Convertible - SOLD 2017-2020/'67 Beetle - September SOLD 2013-2016 /'67 SO42 Westy - Sage SOLD 1996-2001 /'69 Transporter - Baby Blue SOLD 1995-1995/'72 Westy - Nelly - SOLD 1990-1995--STOP FRACKING |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnnypan
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 7431
Location: sackamenna
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 7:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| notchback wrote: |
| johnnypan wrote: |
| 53 0val wrote: |
| I have never been a big fan of that book |
In my opinion he's responsible for more vw's being sent to the scrapyard than any other man alive.. |
But he's dead. |
you'll get no argument from me on that.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ran When Parked
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2013
Posts: 781
Location: Birmingham, AL
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:11 pm Post subject: Ha! |
|
|
| vaughn bros. wrote: |
I did a modern take on one of his drawings. Big fan. 
|
That was funny as hell. Thank you!
Your updated take on the original pretty much sums it up for me (in so many ways). It's like a before and years after photo. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mark tucker
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009
Posts: 23937
Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 9:52 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
sweet crank!!!!!
I wonder if they should make a tv series about the Muir mystery's. possiably it could replace the karcrashiens!!!!or was that the bigassieans carcrassieans....or the duck-da-nasty do karcrashieans do cuba!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JLT
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 162
Location: Sacramento CA
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 1:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| johnnypan wrote: |
In my opinion he's responsible for more vw's being sent to the scrapyard than any other man alive.. |
I would agree with you, only to the extent that his book allowed people to keep their cars on the road for the thousands and thousands of miles it took for them to age to the point where they were scrap fodder.
By contrast, you won't find a single manual still in print for any other 1950-1975 cars still in use as daily drivers. In fact, the only cars of this vintage you see anymore are mostly driven by collectors, and not as daily drivers. It simply isn't worth the money to pay mechanics to fix them, and any repair work more complex than changing the oil and spark plugs is beyond the skills of most drivers.
_________________
-- JLT
Present bus: '71 Dormobile Westie
with an Allstate single-wheel trailer
Past buses: '61 17-window
'70 Frankenwestie
'71 Frankenwestie |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mark tucker
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009
Posts: 23937
Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| so...whats the mistry?? what did he do??what all did he right? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gary Haberman
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2013
Posts: 70
Location: Farmingdale, NY
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
You have to consider when the book was written and its purpose-it wasn't to restore antique cars but simply (as others stated) to keep them on the road for a reasonable cost; its audience were those who were not familiar with auto mechanics much less air cooled engines. So yeah, while I keep his book in my trunk in the event I get stuck and cannot resolve my issue using my experience, my primary source of knowledge is Bentley, Haynes, Tom Wilson's book and this site.
And if I'm in my car and waiting (like to pick someone up at the train station), I will open John's book-it's still an enjoyable read.
_________________
'62 T1 rag top.
I repair radios and dispense free advice on their repair. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JLT
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 162
Location: Sacramento CA
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| Gary Haberman wrote: |
So yeah, while I keep his book in my trunk in the event I get stuck and cannot resolve my issue using my experience, my primary source of knowledge is Bentley, Haynes, Tom Wilson's book and this site.
|
That's how I feel about this. I tell people to first read John Muir's write-up to orient yourself to the task, then read the Bentley and note the differences between their write-ups of the procedures. Then ask somebody knowledgeable about why the differences exist. (Usually, it's because John was basing his procedure on earlier models than yours, or because he didn't have the benefit of VW's experience with your model over the years.) You'll probably end up following the Bentley, but with greater understanding of the work you'll be doing and the possible pitfalls you'll encounter. And you may still feel John's reassuring presence beside you as you work, telling you to do the work with love.
_________________
-- JLT
Present bus: '71 Dormobile Westie
with an Allstate single-wheel trailer
Past buses: '61 17-window
'70 Frankenwestie
'71 Frankenwestie |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
static
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2002
Posts: 1831
Location: The High Desert
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:01 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Long, long ago, when I tried to figure something out basic on my '64 camper, the Idiot's guide was what we had. Well, that or a Clymer's manual.
There was no Bentley.
There was no Samba (or "VW Planet")
There was no internet.
And, chances are, you were not even born yet.
We had the Idiot's guide, we had the Whole Earth Catalog, we had no money for mechanics. We did the best we could with little.
If I had the money, I'd have treated my buses and beetles better, and never have given them away (yes: given. They were not worth anything in those days)
Please don't blame John Muir for our transgressions. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:18 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Being 63 years old, I am of the same era.
Age 17 and I had no mechanical skills and a 63 Bug. My father was a University Professor and was of no help on anything mechanical.
Muir's book encouraged me to do the mechanical work in words that I could understand.
One of the many reasons there are so many ACVWs around these days is that people could take care of them. VWs of that era were disposable, just like the Datsuns, Toyotas, and every American car. I rebuilt the engine on the bug using Muir page-by-page. After the bug I owned a Datsun 510. Nice car but I would never have attempted an engine rebuild.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jacks
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2006
Posts: 2348
Location: San Clemente, Ca.
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 11:08 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| static wrote: |
Long, long ago, when I tried to figure something out basic on my '64 camper, the Idiot's guide was what we had. Well, that or a Clymer's manual.
Please don't blame John Muir for our transgressions. |
Yes, that and we were very fortunate to have Henry Elfrink's wonderful manual as well.
_________________
Jack Staggs
Actual name |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JLT
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 162
Location: Sacramento CA
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| static wrote: |
Long, long ago, when I tried to figure something out basic on my '64 camper, the Idiot's guide was what we had. Well, that or a Clymer's manual.
|
Did you happen to notice that your post was ....#1600?
_________________
-- JLT
Present bus: '71 Dormobile Westie
with an Allstate single-wheel trailer
Past buses: '61 17-window
'70 Frankenwestie
'71 Frankenwestie |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GB2S
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posts: 1011
Location: Omaha
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Before John Muir wrote his idiot book, he tried writing science fiction. If you read the idiot book you will come across references to another sci-fi writer Issac Asomiv.
When I was in college in the mid 70's, I had to do a reading from a book that was informative. Being the VW nut that I am I decided to do the part of the Idiot book that was about how to buy a VW. For background / introduction material I actually was able to contact John Muir and have a discussion.
Great fun.
Geoff
_________________
1963 Ragtop |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JLT
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 162
Location: Sacramento CA
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| GB2S wrote: |
For background / introduction material I actually was able to contact John Muir and have a discussion.
|
If you still have that report kicking around, I'd love to read it!
_________________
-- JLT
Present bus: '71 Dormobile Westie
with an Allstate single-wheel trailer
Past buses: '61 17-window
'70 Frankenwestie
'71 Frankenwestie |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GB2S
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posts: 1011
Location: Omaha
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Sorry nothing in writing. I actually used directory assistance (remember 411)?
To find him.
Geoff
_________________
1963 Ragtop |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zundfolge1432 
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 12468
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
| mark tucker wrote: |
| so...whats the mistry?? what did he do??what all did he right? |
I get it now,you are that guy. The one we used to call buzz kill. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
