What did you do to your ghia this week?

e&m_ghia · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:40 pm Post subject:

Brought our Ghia back from "re-camming"… Which turned into a bit more than re-camming… A bit of a story.

When we got the Ghia, we couldn't tell much about the internals of the engine, except that it was a 1776 with an odd assortment of components intended for "much larger engines"… Worse, because we didn't really know how well it was built, we didn't feel right about taking it up to the RPMs where the engine started to make power. Related: the booming noise it made, which we finally attributed to an odd application of an Engle 130 cam. Plus straight-cut-gear whine, etc. It was noisy. Not great for running around town with the top down, which is how we drive her.

Dabbled around, got the overheating under control, improved the cosmetics. But still it didn't quite work for us. And the engine would go out of tune if you looked at it funny.

So figured it needed re-camming? Simple enough, huh? Except that the cam is kinda deeply buried in the engine.

We have neither facilities nor skills to tear-down & re-build, and there isn't really anyone who specializes in VW engines within a 1 hour radius of us. So we got a reference to a local Porsche engine builder, who would agree to do this for us. Quick tuning job with him this past summer indicated he knew his way around Type-1 engines. Took the Ghia in for "re-camming", after the last good top-down day in the fall.

Gave him vague instructions: tear it down, and make it more drive-able. Maintain the pretty cosmetics. It would be nice, but not critical, if he re-used some of the components we already had. And try to keep it in the general vicinity of 2 liters (which was compatible with the exhaust we had & heater boxes).

In the end, we now have the same engine case, same carb's (but new jetting & venturi) & same exhaust. Almost everything else: heads, …, all new. Case re-machined & made right. He did a lot of research, and returned a lot of components that didn't meet his standard. Which was fine with us. Most amazing, he kept to his original price estimate, with minimal adjustments for additional parts - in spite of all the "discoveries". That is a rarity now-days.

So we now have a 1968, in a 1973.

Same cosmetics as before, except the breather box (we may swap this some time later, looking at it now) & a big electric oil-pressure sensor vs plastic tube.

Made it a point to bring it back today, as the roads are relatively salt-free. Wouldn't you know it, they pre-treated for snow - between the time we drove out, and brought the Ghia back. Figures, huh? No opportunity to take pictures, because we were removing the salt. But it doesn't look much different from what's in the gallery…

She runs, sounds a lot better. Almost sounds like a normal VW (more throaty), instead of a drag car… Makes good power (at least as much as before, difficult to tell on local roads), in a better RPM region. Probably do the final tuning on a dyno, after the engine is broken in.

All in all, we're all happy, including Redbud (our Ghia).

mountainkowboy · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:35 pm Post subject:

Ordered a set of 4 Humvee seatbelt assemblies for the Ghia and the Vert $63.00 shipped to my door.
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Chuck in Socal
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71 Super Convertible...DD
78 Honda CB750K
06 Honda CR-V (wifes)
63 IH Scout 80 "Beater"

Fiatdude · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 5:22 pm Post subject:

enuff said

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

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Remember, as you travel the highway of life,
For every mile of road, there is 2 miles of ditch

John Moxon · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:14 am Post subject:

The weather has been poor all month. If it's not rain, it's been cold and too much salt on the road for my liking but the last two days have been dry and sunny so it's time to blow the cobwebs off.

These were taken around the vacinity of Romsey Abbey in Hampshire.
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

-Zodiac- · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:03 am Post subject:

Trees grow upside down there ?!

Lovely pics as always John Wink

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1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

Jeromerino · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:41 pm Post subject:

I did something *for* my Ghia by purchasing a '71 Beetle to drive in Winter conditions. The Ghia is very happy in my garage right now.

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1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1971 Beetle Sedan

mountainkowboy · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:32 pm Post subject:

Ordered some needed stuff, top to window rubber, rear window rubber, and other needed stuff
_________________
Chuck in Socal
________________________________________

71 Super Convertible...DD
78 Honda CB750K
06 Honda CR-V (wifes)
63 IH Scout 80 "Beater"

ol'skool · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:13 pm Post subject:

Ordered a completely new interior, gas tank, seat tracks, new engine tin & a lot of misc pieces. Oh, forgot about the mango green & sea gull grey paint.

dlamyle · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:25 am Post subject:

Got tuned for methanol injection. Now making 332hp at the wheels. Then I ran into this bug in my neighborhood. Stance on it gets better every day above freezing!

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1968 Karmann Ghia, Subaru JDM EJ205, Blouch 16gxt-r turbo, 750cc injectors, STI intercooler, Cobb Accessport, Killer B Holy Headers, Perrin inlet, Cooling Mist Methanol kit, 5spd subaru trans reversed R&P (Subarugears) OBX LSD.

hovercraft · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 8:50 pm Post subject:

Reassembling my 6 year project. Short on funds and time. It's ready for the new harness and for the rebuilt engine to go in. (Mad scientist laugh!!!)

orange ghia · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:10 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know how to install the wire cover from KGPR
I got the part in and can't figure it out Embarassed

e&m_ghia · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:25 pm Post subject:

orange ghia · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject:

Thank you e&m

trbugman · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:43 pm Post subject:

Should be going in tomorrow.
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2333(103x70) Type 4 DTM MS3+X on 73 Karmann Ghia ignition only with LS2 truck coils firing in sequential, fuel next.

pabloghia · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:51 pm Post subject:

Finally got off my duff and lowered my ghia to stock or near stock level.
I made the investment in the spring plate tool that makes it sooo much easier.
The job went pretty smooth. I didn't get the rear low enough the first time.
For some reason, (mis-read on the protractor) I had to go back and do it again.
The first time it took about five hrs. Took my time, replaced older bolts etc. The second time it was just over two hours.
Now, she looks like it just rolled off the boat.
Will try to get some photos posted/taken soon. Confused

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67 Ghia Cabriolet

Fiatdude · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:36 pm Post subject:

e&m_ghia · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 7:01 pm Post subject:

Finally a salt-free day earlier in the week, to get car on the road & re-inspected after engine rebuild... (Only a couple of months late.)

Failed...

But for a reason that wasn't caught on last year's "pass". Actually, not since PO did harness in 1990's. Guessing that the wire harness shipped with incorrect terminals for brake & tail lights, and we'd been following previous convention: wrong terminals for tail-light & brake-light.

We knew that the brake lights were dim & ineffective with headlights on. So we added 3rd brake-light. Only seriously looked into the wiring now, needing that inspection sticker.

Modified the connections. The brake light now shows up much better with tail-lights on & off. But the "parking" (running tail) lights are now dimmer. Don't like that, but a quick search didn't indicate a bulb with a higher intensity @ low level, than the 1157 bulbs we have in there now.

Hopefully will pass with next iteration.

Rbfara · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:57 pm Post subject:

Finished the complete split case rebuild of my 1960 6v 36hp (thanks to so many of you), I put it up on the bench and voila! It started right up I can't believe it. I'll change the axel boots while it's out and the engine compartment seals and who knows maybe get the motor in there in a week or so. This is a great community and I am so appriciative of the help, encouragement and the humor.
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1960 Karmann Ghia Convertible 1385 40hp

Fiatdude · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 5:19 am Post subject:

See -- -- -- It is only most of us that are A$$holes LOL
_________________
Remember, as you travel the highway of life,
For every mile of road, there is 2 miles of ditch

CiderGuy · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:10 am Post subject:

Bought a 3/4 heavy duty rear sway bar for the vert, to match the 3/4 one upfront.
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything


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