I'm new to this

[onthefly]

My name is Terence and i go to college in Maine and I just purchased a 1965 dune buggy. The PO did not know much about the it but I got it for a good price. I believe it is a 66 vw 1600cc engine with a few up grades. I know very little about engine but want to learn. This weekend I am going to drop the engine out and rebuild it. When it was running I noticed it was leaking oil from the pushrods, sio I have to look in to that. It does not start now because of the starter is bad or its just too cold here in maine.

My plan is to rebuild the engine with the orginal parts if everything is in spec and put it back in and see what happens. If that goes well I will try to get more HP out of it. I have bought and read a few book on how to rebuild a VW engine and have also read many things on this forum about it.

I will have many more questions next week once I have taken the engine apart. I will post pics once i have figure out how too.

thanks,
Terence

[jspbtown]

Does it need a rebuild or just new seals?

The only reason why I ask is that alot of these project buggies start out with such great intent. People want to resurrect them, but they don't have the skill, the knowledge, the time, or the money. Thats where I usually pick them up for a song. its not that its hard...but it can be frustrating when you don't understand the basics.

If it just needs some re-freshing that might be a better step. Get it running, work on it, enjoy it, then upgrade it more when you understand it.

These aren't like normal cars. Upgrades can be done at any time and are usually very easy to do even after its been built.

Just a suggestion.....

[66 Shorty]

Good advice right there!

I wouldn't split the case unless it REALLY needs it!

Welcome to the Buggy Madness!
_________________
~X-Man~

'60's Spatz Buggy body on '74 Chassis (Budget Build)
'69 Bug (Baja-to-be partial daily)
'10 Silverado (My daily)

[LouisB]

First run a compression check on all 4 cylinders. If you have good compression and good oil pressure, you probably don't need a full rebuild. Unless you have someone more experienced who can help you, I would start off with just trying to keep it running first. Drive it for a year or two and do some general maintenance and mechanical upgrades. (Brakes, suspension, etc.) Far too many projects end up not being completed because people got in over their heads and became overwhelmed. (And yes I am speaking form exp here.) It will also take you some time to build up the proper tools.

Edit: And if you are really determined to rebuild an engine, buy a good used engine and rebuild it. That way you can drive what you have and rebuild the motor at the same time. When you get the motor rebuilt, swap it out for your current engine.

--louis
_________________
Louis Brooks
'67 Manx II

Old people at weddings always poke me and say "Your next." So, I started doing the same to them at funerals.

[TC/TeamEvil]

Hey,

You live kinda close to us . . . we could probably come on up after it warms up a bit and help out for a day. Try to keep your tiny hands off of the engine in the mean time. If it ran, it'll run again, leaking push rod seals are nothing !

TC

[onthefly]

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[66 Shorty]

Looks like a very good start to a Great project!
_________________
~X-Man~

'60's Spatz Buggy body on '74 Chassis (Budget Build)
'69 Bug (Baja-to-be partial daily)
'10 Silverado (My daily)

[jspbtown]

Well....lets play what can you see! Terrence, this will give you an idea as to what this very talented group of buggy enthusiasts can tell about your new project from just a few pictures (and by the way...great start!)

I'll go first:

1. Possibly an Autodynamics Deserter Series 1? Makes sense being from Mass.
2. Spring loaded pushrod tubes....no wonder they are leaking.
3. Swing axle tranny. Link pin front end. 1965 chassis makes sense.
4. Funky choke element there....ideas?
5. Looks like some snapped exhaust studs.....welder trick works good there.
6. Nice shifter
7. Creative steering column...ouch! Fix that up for sure.
8. Love the diamondplate "patches" to cover the old stock VW tail lights. I'd go back to them.
9. Lose 25lbs on the weight by just removing some of those lights.
10. Body looks solid. Just needs some sandpaper and glass work.

Great start!

[TC/TeamEvil]

Bet that the "choke element" is the remnant of some sort of anti-pollution device. Maybe a vac actuated mess to prevent the throttle from closing too quickly or too slowly or too something else.

Easy fix there.

[manxdavid]

[new-n-old-vdubs]

sweet , another person to meet up with in the summer! idswitch the lights and drive it like it is geat snag man

[Russ Wolfe]

That engine still has the throttle positioner for the emission control system on the carb.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[madarcher]

i have ran spring loaded pushrod tubes for years with no leaks.

[onthefly]

would you recommend changing out the spring load pushrods if it is possible?

[Russ Wolfe]

If you have the heads off, put stock pushrod tubes in.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[veeweeman]

[new-n-old-vdubs]

i have the plastic ones (JUNK) im gonna replace them with aluminum ones mentioned in the summer. i just hate having to loosen / take the head off to replace a tube but ovrall i wish min looked like that when i started

[jspbtown]

I would suggest taking the compression test first. If its good then I would remove the motor (just 4 bolts/nuts) and get it on a stand or the bench.

This will give you the chance to disassemble it down to the longblock.

Once its down to the longblock you can repair those exhaust studs, remove the heads to inspect them and replace the pushrod tubes, and paint/detail all the little parts.

This is a good way to understand the workings of the engine without getting too deep into the actual case.

[nachoyosa]

The windshield is not installed on the other side (180 º turn)?

[jspbtown]