Rust Repair, 74 Super Convertible

jesse09 · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

Car looks good man! I'm new to the Samba and just caught your thread. It's funny because I am on the east coast and have been painting my car the same way you are. This weather has not been good for us!

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:05 am Post subject:

You only have three ways to close the gap
(1) Shim body mounts
(2) Pull the gap together hydraulically from the top
(3) Push the gap apart hydraulically at the bottom
(4) Bend the hinges

It would be my suggestion that you might apply all three

Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

mnussbau · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:53 am Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:06 am Post subject:

Maybe the gap is caused by the empty frigde below

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

_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

djkeev · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:33 am Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject:

Front Door crack darn near perfect now!! Amazing what a few intelligently placed shims can do to correct a problem.

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

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

It was curious, the Convertible frame bolt under the rear seat, was only partially in, you could see exposed threads above the torsion bar!!??!!
Here's the bolt, at the end of the screw driver
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

see the threads exposed within the red circle...
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Turns out this convertible body bolt was also bent and too long as well. The bolt bottomed out on the casting for the rear support members. I used a shorter bolt, ran a tap through the threads, anti-seized everything and reassembled it tight.
For the bolt on the inner fender I jacked up the rear bumper mount, pulled out the rotten spacers and installed metal spacers (for the time being until the new rubber ones arrive) and now all fits just fine!

It is obvious some PO has been in there doing something at some point!! Grrrrr!
I'm fairly certain and this door gap was like this all along, I just didn't take notice beforehand... Live and Learn....Next time I'll be aware of such things....if I remember!!

Dave
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)

1974 Super Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=rust+repair

Creating a 69 1/2 Ghia Convertible out of a 69 Coupe and a 70 Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

And the newest arrival!....... 86 Vanagon Westy!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

djkeev · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:52 am Post subject:

Well, it's not raining so I took the VW out of the garage for a bit of airing out. Actually under the VW looked like a dirty horse stall so a good sweeping was in order!!

Photo Op outside, Right side is mostly reassembled, awaiting rubber bits for the lights and doors from Chuck's Convertible. Figured I'd turn it around and work on the left for awhile.

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

Now, I readjusted the rear torsion bars, by my reckoning about 1.6 degrees up. I feel the car sits better now but the front is still high. Then again, the car is lacking seats, all glass, front hood, Top etc. The gas tank is about 3/4 full and the spare in in. I think once these items are re-installed that the car will sit almost perfect!

Here's a view of the front wheels tucked under from lack of curb weight.
(Yes, that's an Oregon Ducks blanket I'm using to repair and repaint the car. We were Oregonians back in the 70's.)
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Here's a photo of the suspension before and then after the torsion bar adjustment.

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

Dave
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)

1974 Super Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=rust+repair

Creating a 69 1/2 Ghia Convertible out of a 69 Coupe and a 70 Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

And the newest arrival!....... 86 Vanagon Westy!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:56 am Post subject:

YOur going the wrong way

Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

djkeev · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:03 am Post subject:

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:28 am Post subject:

the car is not at stock height

sorry
Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

Q-Dog · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:15 am Post subject:

Dave, your car does seem to be higher than stock.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=419624
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=544918

djkeev · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:40 am Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:49 am Post subject:

this is why you are spinning your wheels till you get it altogether Wink

Good thing your time is free.
Stock height now Laughing

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:08 am Post subject:

We get that Dave !
But from your original pic the car is sitting to high in the front - unusually high - ( some shock problem ) and the rear was a small amount to high
What is your tire size ?

Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

djkeev · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

Hmmmmmmm, you guys are probably right.....that would make me....um, er, ahh...... wrong?? Embarassed

I'm running 165 R 15 Tires.

Here is a picture from the 74 brochures..... Except for finding out what kind of front shocks I have, I'll leave well enough alone until it's all put back together!!

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

Dave
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)

1974 Super Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=rust+repair

Creating a 69 1/2 Ghia Convertible out of a 69 Coupe and a 70 Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

And the newest arrival!....... 86 Vanagon Westy!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

mnussbau · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject:

Your front end does seem too high. It's hard to imagine the front coming down THAT much even after installing those parts.

Maybe tough to see from this angle, this is stock. I do think the rear has sagged slightly.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

This is the front after installing 185/65R15 tires.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Mike
A nice pair (of '74s)
Parts...

JerryMCarter1 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject:

my stock 73 super vert with 47,000 miles on it with a new set of 165's is exactly 9 inches to the bottom of the running board - about 9 1/4 on the front
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

djkeev · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jerry, mine are a bit higher than yours.

Supers are a new animal to me, I cut my teeth of Ovals and early 60's units. I swore that I'd NEVER own a Super!!! As the saying goes.....NEVER say NEVER!!!! Laughing

Question for someone running a stock set up such as mnussbau is, could you take measurements when sitting at rest on a level surface to the upper fender opening as indicated by the green lines on the photo below?

I've been unable to find factory dimensions for ride height. I've easily located factory angle setting for the torsion bar. I've found that there were three strengths of front springs installed as well.

Mnussbau, your's looks about where I'd like mine to sit.

Thanks for your time and efforts to anyone who takes the time to go out and measure for me!!

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

Dave
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)

1974 Super Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=rust+repair

Creating a 69 1/2 Ghia Convertible out of a 69 Coupe and a 70 Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

And the newest arrival!....... 86 Vanagon Westy!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

flyboat · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

Dave, once the car is complete, if you want to readjust, you can place the rear suspension back like it was and run rear shocks with springs. This will boost the rear from the low position that is was. the springs act as helper springs.
_________________
79 super Vert
62 Ragtop Bug
66 tintop Westy
Porsche 914
Z06 Vette

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Rust Repair, 74 Super Convertible
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