New here and new to Beetles. My 74 standard project

[savoy_man]

Thought I would show what I have and ask a few questions. Let me start with who I am. I am a hot rodder who has been building cars all my life. I do everything from top to bottom myself and try and save money wherever I can. I can do engines, bodywork, paint, welding, you name it.

I recently found a 74 Beetle on Craiglist and got it real cheap. I have always loved bugs and always wanted one but until now I've always had old hot rods. The bug has a fair amount of rust but it had a lot going for it. It had a 1600 dual port that has a bunch of chrome and it had Empi 8 spokes. It was at some point probably a sorta cal look car with the trim removed and what not. It had been sitting for 13 years when I got it 2 weeks ago. The engine was stuck and the tires were flat. There was an army of ants living inside (still a few left to kill).

I got it on a trailer and got it home and began my love affair. I got it cleaned up and assessed what I needed to do. I started by pouring PB Blaster down the carbs and let it soak for a few days. The engine was newly built and only had been running for less than a year when it was parked so I was hopeful. After about 2 days of soaking I was able to break the engine free. With the replacement of the starter and some fun figuring out wiring I got it started. It seems to run really good and I haven't done anything but put new plugs and new fuel lines and filter along with cleaning the gas tank. I haven't even had to adjust the carbs and it will fire right off without touching the gas. I have started to clean up and paint the rims (still trying to decide on color) and started massaging a hugely dented fender. The car has been driven around the block and will be driven farther when I get some tires and brake lights working.

So begins my questions

1. I had to run a jumper wire to the starter to get it to fire. I know from reading on here the 74 has a seat belt interlock. Where are the components for that located so I can bypass it without wiring a separate starter switch? When I turn the switch I get a little bit of power at the solenoid but not enough to turn it over.

2. Where does the brake light wiring run? It goes from the lights to what looks like inside the wheel well by the engine. I have no brake lights or tail lights at all.

3 I want to lower the front end. If I do a "cut and turn" how far do I turn it to get say 2.5 inch drop and in what direction?

That's what I want to do to get it on the road. There will be plenty of rust and body repair but I want to do a rolling resto.

Thanks ahead of time.

Where it sat and I found it...

Pulling it from it's resting spot...

The engine after I cleaned it up some...

After I got it home and got all the Empi rims on it.

As of Last night...

[docdanracy]

You found a decent starting point...

As far as dropping the front 2.5", you will have interference with the fender lip if you use those 8spokers...they don't have enough back spacing

Compare with my 5.5" et 40 wheels with 195s up front

_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[Tim Donahoe]

Sounds like you simply need a new ignition (the electrical part). You can get new ones at most on-line vendors. A hard-start wouldn't hurt, either. Also, get a Bently with all the wiring diagrams for your year bug--maybe a Hayne's, too.

Have fun.

Tim

[savoy_man]

I'll try to get a wiring diagram and chase down the issue. I am headed to a swap meet tomorrow and hopefully I can find some parts.

I know the 74 has larger holes in the fenders for the shock style bumpers. I am hoping to switch to T-bars. If I get earlier fenders will they bolt up to the car? My fenders are pretty beat up anyway so I may need to change them. If I do I wouldn't mind getting rid of the elephant foot tail lights.

[Veedubaya]

Hi, and welcome to the site. I am also enjoying a 1974 Standard. Be advised that alot of the parts, bits, and bolts are one year only. With this in mind, be carefull what you order and from whom you order. Make sure you describe you Beetle and ask 74 Standard questions!

[Helirich]

Hi, I'll be watching this. I also bought a 74' standard beetle about two weeks ago. Mine is a little better shape. I just got off work out of state. I plan to work on it tomorrow. Got a grand of parts to put on. I'll take lots of pics.

Would you be interested in selling your bumpers? I bought some on eBay. But I'm not to happy with the quality. They look great, but they are paper thin. I never had a bug before, but I can't hardly believe the bumpers could be that weak. I sware I could bend them with my bare hands.

Anyways, good luck on the bug and take lots of pics.

[Glenn]

74 Standards are great cars.

good luck with it.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[neil68]

Congratulations on your acquisition! This brings back memories, as my first Beetle (in high school) was an almost new '74 Standard...and I later found a second one. Other than some rust issues later (I think VWAG reduced the rustproofing in the 70's to save costs), they were both reliable and would cruise all day at highway speeds.

Please keep us in the loop as you work on this '74
_________________
Neil.

Der Kleiner Rennwagens
68 Beetle 2332 cc, 204 WHP
12.5 seconds @ 107 mph
Dynojet Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9B_H3eklAo

[savoy_man]

[Geoffffreak]

[Helirich]

[savoy_man]

I've been busy so i haven't posted any updates on my project so I'll try to bring it up to date now for anyone interested.

I patched the rusted battery tray with metal that I bent to shape. I don't have pics of this.

I installed a set of pop-out windows I got from a swap meet. I replaced the front and rear window gaskets (they had huge gaps in them).

I removed the shocks for the bumpers and welded in metal to fill the holes and cut out slits for the T-bars. I would like to put early bumpers on it but I don't think the way that I fabricated mounts will allow me to do that.

I cut out the bad spot on the drivers quarter and formed a patch panel and got it tacked in place.

Painted the engine bay and underside of decklid with flat black.

Found some Hella headlight rings at the swap meet and replaced the stock ones.

Found a replacement tail light lens and installed it.

Cleaned up the rims and painted them. Put new tires on the front (195/65 r15) and some used on the rear (205/70 r15).

I removed all the drums and cleaned the brakes up. I broke my SnapOn breaker bar trying to remove the castle nuts on the rear drums.

And I sanded the car and put it in black primer.

The car is starting to come together. I am just trying to make it a driver at the moment but will work on perfecting things after it is all together. I still need to figure out the brake lights and why they aren't working. I did take it for about a 10 mile drive to a car show to pass out flyers for a car show I help put on. I had my buddy follow me so I wouldn't surprise anyone with the lack of brake lights. The car ran great and drove really well.

I'm trying to figure out what direction I want to go for the look of the car. I think I will lower the front for now and try to get it painted. I don't think I'll put any roof racks or anything else on it but I'd appreciate any input or opinions.

[james74sb]

Looks like you are really getting a lot of work done! I love the pop out windows,I'm gonna put a set in my 74 Super...Your car is looking great!Keep up the good work!

[docdanracy]

Nice work so far
_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[JasonBaker]

Nice. I like it. Keep the pictures coming. And please dont install 1 piece windows. If you do, keep the old parts.

[savoy_man]

Thanks for the comments everyone. It really has been fun to work on so far. The popouts were super easy to do james74sb. You should definitely do it. As for the one piece windows, JasonBaker, there is no chance. It is way too hot and humid here in the summer and I need the wing windows.

I'm still trying to figure out what the final "look" will be. As you can probably tell from the background of the pics I like old cars and hot rods. So this will almost surely have a nose down rake and look as hot rodded as possible. I'm going to be picking up adjusters this week and after i install them I should get a better idea what the final look will be.
_________________
I swallowed a lot of aggression as a kid, along with a lot of pizza's.

[andk5591]

Stick some weight in the trunk and see how it looks with the drop. I think you will need at least 2-3" - probably a little more. But to keep those wheels, you will need a narrowed beam. So - if you are doing that - do an adjustable narrowed. 2" narrowed may be enough.

Car looks good and you are kicking butt.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[too_many_projects]

How did you put the pop out windows in the rear?
I have a '77 and also have a set of pop outs that i picked up but can not figure out how to install them. There is now place inside to mount the hinges, like on the early ones.

[savoy_man]

[savoy_man]