Bugly Beetle... 69 Resto

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:47 am Post subject:

Alright I've gone out and looked at the wiring and it's totally shit. There's duct tape splices and wires spliced into random shit. Im an electronics technician for the navy so I know a bit about electrical... the wires are brittle and the connections are literally falling apart in pieces. I think I want to replace all the electrical. I could make repairs on shitty wire or I could just replace it all and know it's right.

I suppose that means I need a main wiring harness... I can most likely salvage some of it but what do you guys think?

I don't know if I should tackle the electrical first or the engine...

NCdad · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:02 am Post subject:

I would say get it going first to see what you have on your plate, before buying things that you can wait a little bit on getting.
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ROBERT
My VWs & Projects

jhicken · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:20 pm Post subject:

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject:

Alright I re-wired all the wiring in the engine bay... I cut all the wires at the firewall and spliced in new wiring and connectors. The only progress I've made is im now seeing the oil light. So I've got gen light, oil light, and the little twisty wire light not sure what that is.

I still cant get her to start... not even crank. What should I look at next???

Im thinking starter... but hell I don't know where to start next.. maybe ignition?

Steve22 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

assuming you're not even getting a click when you turn the key... look at the wiring at the starter and make sure you got connection there, then try to "short" the starter -- should at least turn over. If not, you need to get those wires straightened out.
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'65 Karmann Ghia 'vert
'73 Super Beetle
'59 Beetle ragtop

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject:

Got it to crank!!!

I re-wired a few more connectors and fixed some splices and sure as shit she turned over. I have also learned that the battery is shot. I jumped it with my Xterra and it would crank and crank...

It still isn't starting but at least its cranking.... so now it's either fuel or spark cause im pretty damn sure it's getting air. The tank is really low so it might be that it's starved for fuel...

Im also wondering if the dizzy is working the way it should...

I have tested engines before by spraying carb cleaner in the air intake and if the engine comes to life I know I have a fuel issue... is there any reason why I cant spray carb cleaner in there?

Steve22 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject:

not sure carb cleaner is the right thing to use... maybe some ether?
_________________
'65 Karmann Ghia 'vert
'73 Super Beetle
'59 Beetle ragtop

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:34 pm Post subject:

Im going to look at the Ghia front end tomorrow.. I offered the guy $80 and he said "sounds good"

I think that's a pretty solid deal assuming it's not rusted to shit. I'll clean it up and throw some drop spindles on... anything else I need with that front end?

Roostalee · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject:

That other little light you referred to "with twisty wires" is your rear window defroster. It was new for 1969, and how I wish my '68 had it. I'd make sure and turn it off because it might be hot all the time (like the radio) and will run your battery down.
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Every morning, Greggery drives his little red Volkswagen to the ugly part of town where they keep the government buildings. "Voodn, voodn! Boy it's so hard to find a place to park around here!"

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:49 pm Post subject:

Steeze · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject:

So with this Beam setup..

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/2978154420.html

Will these drop spindles work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-TYPE-1-LINK-PIN-2-DROP-...mp;vxp=mtr

Also will I have to narrow the beam for this all to work? Im guessing I do...

EVfun · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:38 pm Post subject:

I think that will work and it looks like you already would get the disc brakes and disc brake spindles (just not lowered.) Drop spindles will widen the track width some, perhaps 1/2 inch per side. This would be a time when installing adjusters in the middle of the beam, or even and old fashioned cut and turn, might save money and work well. I believe a 1/4 inch cut and turn is about a 1.5 inch lowering.

If you want to slam it that costs because you end up using every trick in the book. Drop spindles with beam adjusters and skinny tires, and often some narrowing of the beam so the tires will fit. Getting carried away with lowering is generally bad for the ride too. (or I'm just boring Very Happy

)

Steve22 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:06 am Post subject:

nope, beam is ball joint, spindles are link pin.
_________________
'65 Karmann Ghia 'vert
'73 Super Beetle
'59 Beetle ragtop

jhicken · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:23 am Post subject:

Contact CB Performance, they make good product. Ask them if their dropped spindles will work with the calipers and everything else on a Ghia balljoint front end. I'm pretty sure it will, but asking them directly will cover your ass if there is an issue.

You have never stated what kind of wheels you are planning on running or how low you really want to go. Like I mentioned before dropped spindles will give your car a cool little rake and maintain the stock ride. If you want to go lower, you'll need to add adjusters. If you are considering going really low and adding a bit wider wheel, narrowing the beam will be a good idea. If you are good with a torch, narrowing your beam and adding adjusters isn't brain surgery, you just need to know how to measure, cut and weld well. If you don't weld, there are vendors that sell narrowed beams with adjusters.

One thing to know, when you narrow your beam, you need to shorten your spring and tie rods as well. And when you shorten the springs, it'll also stiffen the rid a little. The shorter the springs, the stiffer the ride.

Do be to eager to spend money, $80 for the front end is a decent deal providing you are staying stock or just using dropped spindles. If you want to go lower or narrower, depending on your skills, it may not be the best deal.

-jeffrey
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Central Jersey Volkswagen Society
Vintage Volkswagen Club of America, New Jersey Chapter

Steeze · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

Well some shit came up today so Im unable to go pick up the axle... hopefully i'll be able to snag it later this week.

I do plan on only doing the drop spindles.. just a little rake is all the wife will allow. This is her project so it's a compromise.

I've gutted the interior and started looking at the pan.. it's not in bad shape at all. Just super dirty and the tar paper is a bitch to remove. I would really like to take the body off... im in base housing and only have a 1 car garage so im limited on space. They would definitely bitch if I had the chassis outside the gary. Any ideas??? I might just have to lift the body almost to the roof and work on the pan and whatnot below it. That's probably not the best/safest way to do it but im kind of out of options

Steve22 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:00 am Post subject:

A heat gun and a putty knife will help with the tar boards. As for lifting the body, maybe construct a 'dolly' to hold the body above the chassis for storage and then roll it out of the garage when working on the chassis.
_________________
'65 Karmann Ghia 'vert
'73 Super Beetle
'59 Beetle ragtop

NCdad · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:03 am Post subject:

Steeze · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:27 am Post subject:

Well I just finished getting off all the tar board... wasn't too bad with just a putty knife. The floor is in great shape. The heating channels are also in great shape.

I found something interesting with the floor... the PO had used sheet metal screws and attached new floor panels underneath. so the original floor pan on top and newer pans screwed to the original underneath. Whoever did it actually did a fairly good job of it. Im not sure why because the orignal pan isn't even that bad... oh well.

I've decided im not going to pull the body... im not going for show car and it's all in good shape so I don't see a reason to pull it. Im now going to hit the original pan with a flap and wire wheel to get rid of the surface rust. I'll just POR15 it and bedline on top of that. No chemical stripping either...

Since this is the wifes and she just wants to drive it on weekends and whatnot Im just going to make the necessary repairs. If it was mine I'd do it differently but she just wants an original looking bug.

Even though I got the wiring situation figured out, im still going to replace all of it. I just cant justify doing all this work to make it nice and leaving the wiring mess the way it is. I just hate the rats nest, brittle wires, bad connections, and random duct tape splicing. To me it's better to just start fresh and know it's right.

Thanks for all the input guys... sucks being the noob but im starting to figure this beast out.

volksnhousin · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:57 am Post subject:

Steeze · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

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