High School 1961 Baja Bug Project

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

Im 15 years old and i have a 1961 baja bug that i need to rebuild so that when i get my license ill have a ride to school and back

right now , this VW isnt in the greatest condition, but i think its got potential. i have most of what i need to get this on the road, its just a matter of putting it all together, making it work, cleaning it up and making it comfortable to drive

Im going to be posting pictures of my project , and ill try to keep updating how my project is doing.
BUT, im only 15 and ill be needing constant advice , i know the basics of cars from helping my dad work on his cars (hes a rock crawler and has a FToy) so im not going into this completely blind

(i was advised to move this topic from the "Beetle - 1958-1967" to the offroad section)

so when i need help ill be asking questions on this thread, everyone's help is greatly appreciated
Thank you. Very Happy

Here are some pics..

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

_________________
(o\!/o) :2gunfire:

Mal evolent · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:25 pm Post subject:

dirtkeeper · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:01 pm Post subject:

looks like a great start

jeffsbugs · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:28 pm Post subject:

^^X2

A nice candidate for a baja. Keep the engine.

Jeff
_________________
'73 Westfalia, rebuilt 1700, dual OG solex - 3500 miles and counting
'62 Baja

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

The Phil · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:28 am Post subject:

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

Mal evolent · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:12 am Post subject:

1) there are a finite number of 40 HP engines
2) that finite number is shrinking
3) restorers need them
4) hot rodders can't use them
5) it will struggle to pull those tires
6) if you grenade it trying to pull those tires it is worth nothing

read and heed: http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles/t1hpeng.htm
_________________
73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats

Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

Mal evolent · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

I said nothing like that. I said it won't do you any good, and someone else is looking for a 40 horse
_________________
73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats

Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index

The Phil · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject:

That depends on one of two big factors.

1. will you have someone build it for you?

2. If not, are you going to build it yourself?

IF you build it yourself, from brand new, without a case, you are looking to spend about $600 just for internal stuff (pistons, crank, rods, all of the engine bolts, bearings, cam.) that's if you build a cheap 1600. If you buy a new case, thats about another $6-700. And then you have everything else there is to complete the block. Alt, distributor, shroud, tins... in short, building it yourself it will cost a good amount.

If you have someone else build it for you, you can look at having a turnkey motor cost you about $2600 or so.

I recommend building the motor yourself not only because its cheaper but because you then learn everything about the motor itself. It's incredibly easy to build. It should only take about a week for a newbie to build a VW motor if you have all the parts ready. an experienced guy can do it in about two days.
_________________
"In case I don't see you, good afternoon , good evening, and goodnight."

My '66 Baja Build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456365

Free from the evils of facebook Dec 2012. No other Social Media.

68bugbaja · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:32 pm Post subject:

Slimey wrote:

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

Im going to keep this engine for now and see how it does, if it doesn't have enough power I'll look into building myself a new engine. But for now I'm just trying to get this thing in a working condition so I can drive it to school and back, I probably won't even take it offroad til I have the money for a new engine
_________________
(o\!/o) :2gunfire:

75smith · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject:

you rebuilding engine? do you want heat? if you don't want heat get some j-tubes, slightly less restictrive then the f****ed up heater boxes--can you even call them heater boxes? and if you do want heat then get some new boxes- about $130 per side new; although you can find them in the classifieds for about $40 each side.

a rebuild kit can cost about $700, do you have access to a local vw store/machine shop?

bossride · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:01 pm Post subject:

Looks like a great start, good luck, and do post pictures. If you have any questions, these guys will get them answered correctly...

I'd get it running with what you have and go from there....
_________________
'59 Beetle.
'66 Beetle.
Yellow rail buggy.

kbwakesk8 · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:21 pm Post subject:

Being 15 i know money is probably tight

Just clean that motor up paint and run it

big tires you most likely smoke the clutch or break the trans

keep an eye out for some smaller rear tires 29" range

new driver small motor will keep you out of trouble.

First off just get the car to a point where its drive-able then upgrade from there.

I still remember what it was like at least for me at that age good luck.

PS. girls are more impressed with clean and shinny rather than how fast it is.

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

Summer break started a few weeks ago and this past weekend i started working on my baja!, i had to stop working because i got really busy with school and sports/activities. I'm hoping to have it running in a comfortable condition by mid august, because that's when i am planning on getting my permit! Dancing

_________________
(o\!/o) :2gunfire:

olmer2 · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject:

Great start! Nice optima battery you have hiding in there... once you get it up and running, you could always suggest a trade for a 1600... I'm sure there are many people that what to go back to their original size... Just a thought. Anyway, looks like a great start, I'm looking forward to updates...
_________________
MAGIC SMOKE. The mysterious internal component of all electrical parts that allows them to work. If you let it out, the part will no longer work and could start a fire
'64? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...highlight=
Buggy (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399142&highlight=
74 bug http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=547777

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

This week i've done a few things..... Smile

I got the clutch all set up

while changing out the alternator for one that actually works, i painted the doghouse

i replaced the bushings, and clutch spring(im not sure what its called), and put the throw out bearing in

Tomorrow i have to put the trans mounts in, and put the axle boots on, its gonna be a long hard day.. Think

_________________
(o\!/o) :2gunfire:

Slimey · Samba Member Joined: August 13, 2011 Posts: 50

This is the trans mount that i have, problem is, i have no idea how it goes on

_________________
(o\!/o) :2gunfire:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> HBB Off-Road	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2, 3, 4 Next
Page 1 of 4