181`ers Help a 211 guy out ?

powellscooter · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject: 181`ers Help a 211 guy out ?

So, because Im the guy in town who has an old bus and an old bug, a guy whos restoring a Thing with his son shows up in my driveway last night and is wondering about how to replace the starter in his Thing. I told him it was bacically the same as a bug. I showed him the starter and its location on my bus (bug swing axel trans and the motor is out anyway)
Long story short I agree to help him. Isnt it the proceedure the same as
replacing a starter on a bug? Disconnect battery remove short bolt, remove motor mount nut/bolt, replace starter and reassemble? Any Thing tricks I should know before going to help him? Thanks

Ian Epperson · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it's the same.

...except you have to think in Russian. Wink

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Fun 181 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:53 pm Post subject:

I replaced the starter in my Thing a couple of months ago. I had bought a brand new high-torque starter, and it shit the bed after 2 or 3 dozen turn overs. I'm no mechanic, but I pulled it and put in a rebuilt auto-stick starter pretty easily.

The only "trick" I know of is to weld a big bent nail to the head of the long motor mount bolt. That way you can tighten the nut behind the fan shroud, and the nail that's welded to the bolt head will prevent the bolt from spinning as you tighten the nut.

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

I thought it was a pretty neat trick, but it's probably "old news" to most VW gear heads out there.
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TimGud · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:58 pm Post subject:

Only difference between a thing and a bug starter is there is no need for a bushing for the thing starter, its self supporting.They both install the same.

74 Thing · Samba Member Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7391

Yeah its an auto-stick starter the self supporting one without the need to replace the bushing.

I like the trick with the nail-I use bubble gum or duct tape.

Towel Rail · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

That's a really good idea, Fun 181! I hadn't thought of that one. Smile

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1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

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Fun 181 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject:

I can't take credit for that one. The mechanic who built my engine came up with the idea, or picked it up along the way.
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