Daughters first car... 74 Super Beetle

[PJMehaffey]

My daughter is sixteen and wanted either an old truck or VW Beetle for her first car. She's been saving her money and I found this 74 Super Beetle Standard for her in Elba Alabama. I had to put new tires on her before towing her home to Baton Rouge.

I'm taking a "teach her how to fish" approach. She is helping with everything, so she'll be able to maintain her bug in the future.

I'll be using this space to keep track of our work and seek out your suggestions.

Since we've gotten her we have:

Adjusted the Valves
Installed New Points and gapped
Installed new Condenser
Replaced Rotor and Distributor Cap
Replaced Oil Pressure Switch
Changed Spark Plugs
Replaced missing Engine Tin
Put in missing Heater hoses
Replaced rusted out exhaust
Static Timed the motor
Degreased the underside of the motor to find the leaks

I love how easy these thing are to work on. It's got me wanting one for myself. I listed my MGB for sale so I can get one.


Need/Want to do: (Definitely want your input here. Help me decide.)
Tune Carburetor (still doesn't cold start very easy) (Ifound that the electric choke is non functional... added to list)
Evaluate/replace floor pan patches.
Fix headlights (Only lights not working) ESO Problem (Equipment Superior to Operator)
Seal Floor Pan (Por 15 After repair)
Change out ignition switch (using screw driver right now)
Tighten up steering
Switch front brakes to Disc / Replace all brake lines / Bleed
Replace Electric Choke.

Added from your suggestions:
Change Fuel Lines
Get Fire Extinguisher
Change Plug wires to Bosch
Get timing light/set advanced timing
Remove/Replace Sponge Material
Repair Rot by Eyebrow Vent
Replace the shift rod bushing
Check the shift rod coupler
Relocate Fuel Filter to Front Wheel Well
Replace engine seal between the tins and the body (Already have)
Check and replace the transaxle fluid.
Check Bearings and Struts
Go through Wiring etc. for PO crap
Stock Air Cleaner
Watch Video on VW Jack with Daughter


Thanks for watching and helping us along our journey.

[brookmp]

Congratulations on the new Bug for your daughter!

I would change your fuel lines immediately. Avoid fire by changing your lines every year and check them often. The ethanol added to our fuels today is very hard on the rubber in the fuel lines and they can break down much quicker. You can buy German fuel line from any of the reputable parts vendors, such as Wolfsburg West,...etc. and the change over is easy. Can be messy if not done right, so read how in the forums.

I'd do a few searches here on fire safety with your daughter. I spend a lot of time in the Bay Window forum and there are many posts in regards to this topic over there that are very helpful.

And, ALWAYS carry a fire extinguisher in the Bug and know how to use it!

I got my first Bug when I was 18 and had a fire only a few years later. I'm older and wiser now, but learned the hard way. Definitely make fire safety part of her routine and she'll have her Bug for years.

Good luck!

Brook
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1968 Westfalia Campmobile
1971 Double Cab Pick-up
1974 Standard Beetle

[RailBoy]

Due the Disk for sure, I have them on my Super and it is night and day. Contact Toplineparts.com and you can get with Topline John who is a very persanable guy and knows his stuff on Supers...

But just from a performance stand point, disk stop better on a Super plus you don't have to worry about stopping/tracking issues is what i learned... RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[talljordan]

Perhaps have her make an account on here and read read read!

I got my bug at 15, and that made a huge difference for me. There really is no place to "start" other than maybe the FAQs in the 68+ forum. Diving right in and just absorbing information is the best way to go and helps a lot!
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1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

[Dwayne1m]

"tighten up steering" You should do a search on the Super Beetle Shimmy if you feel you have a problem with the steering. Fix it right the first time and it will probably outlast you.

I 2nd the disc brakes on the front. World of difference. I have a 74SB with front disc and a 78SB with front drum. Not even close as far as stopping efficiency. I will be converting the 78 over to disc over the winter. I like keeping them stock, but I once came down a long very steep winding hill and would not have been able to lock up the brakes if an elephant stood on the brake pedal. Luckily the road flattened out before the stop sign. Not a pleasant experience. That convinced me to convert to disc.

[Tim Donahoe]

Change out the plug wires to Bosch.

Re-do those floor pan repairs and check under the carpet for any rust.

Get a timing light to time with. Static just gets you in the ball park on your year car. A timing light will also tell you if your distributor is advancing like it should.

The ignition switches are cheap. Replace and be done with the "screwdriver".

Go through the brakes really well and all replace the rubber lines while converting to front disc.

Check out the front end components thoroughly. As suggested, do a search on here for Super Shimmy.

Have fun.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Aussiebug]

Nice find - lucky daughter.

Because they dont have all the safety features of modern cars, make sure the brakes are working the best they can (disc brakes ARE good) - it's much more important to be able to stop, than to go.

I see some cancer behind the eyebrow vents. To fix that you need to remove the sponge stuffed up inside the corners of the engine bay, get the rust cut out and repaired.

The sponge was triangular cushions in earlier years but they changed to loose sponge and this collects and holds moisture, so it encourages rust. You can wrap the sponge is plastic wrap so it can't absorb moisture, or if you can find some, get the earlier style triangular cushions.

You need something in there to reduce engine noise getting into the car.
_________________
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.vw-resource.com

[Dwayne1m]

Before you make any improvements to the interior, replace the shift rod bushing and check the shift rod coupler. It's a greasy job to replace the bushing.

Replacing the clutch and throttle cables are much easier in the home garage then aside the road or in a parking lot. New cables are cheap insurance.

Many will tell you that if the fuel filter is in the engine bay to take it out and install it either under the gas tank or above the transmission. I prefer it under the gas tank in the right front wheel well. I replaced the fuel pump on my 74SB and disassembled the old one just for kicks and giggles. In that style pump is a fine screen that filters the gas before it goes to the carb. Many people put the filter between the pump and carb. To me that defeats the purpose of the filter since the screen in the pump will catch most of the dirt. Easier to change a filter then a pump.

And make sure the engine seal between the tins and the body is in good condition.

[green71volks]

check and replace the transaxle fluid.

[DrHAX]

If not going to replace to drums I'd just rebuild the brake system. Theres kits with stainless steel lines and new everything including the master cylinder for about 125 dollars. Also make sure she's able to change a freakin' tire.. No offense but I've seen so many people in modern cars walking because they get a flat Make sure the bearings and struts are A-okay. search for any cancer... Look for aftermarket parts and see how "original" the beast is... Look for odd or missing stuff. See if anything is PO jury rigged.... That last one is IMPORTANT!

PO's are both a blessing and a massive negative in this world. They can be your best friend with pricing, but they can be also your worst nightmare. If they went to the Red Green school of automotive theory and practice then they're the later then former. Seriously... there's some horror stories out there...

Also make sure you keep it... She'll regret it if it is ever sold, and she'll want it back so Keep it.. Even if sells it buy it from her or something so it'll be in the family.... Trust me I'm holding onto my 1968 even though 98% of the vw community would have sent it out to be crushed and sent to china to get turned into steel that would later be to sold to japan to make a Corolla.
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Signed by the rather insane, ambitious, and very stubborn Darko

[PJMehaffey]

Thanks everyone! So many new and excellent suggestions. I've added everything to the list in the first post and will continue to chip away at the ever growing list.

My first goals are to make it a safe daily driver for her so I'll be focusing on mechanics of starting/running, fire safety, brakes, suspension and steering.

Just a couple comments to clarify a few things I mentioned up top... I don't think we have the Super Beetle Shimmy. I searched and read several threads on that. I would describe it as "slop" in the steering, meaning there are a couple inches of play to the left and right of the center of steering till the steering actual changes. It's more obvious at faster speeds, but I don't feel any shaking or wobbling as I think is meant be Super Beetle Shimmy. I was thinking this could be corrected by adjustments in the steering box. Please correct me if I am wrong though, I don't want to miss anything.

As far as my daughter, I already recommended that she join the forum. I think she will. Go easy on her as she learns proper forum etiquette. I have already taught her to change a tire. It is a requirement in my house before anyone drives. If you can't change a tire, you don't drive. She has done so in my driveway, by herself several times.

In reviewing some of the wiring etc. I see the previous owner took the time to use shrink tube, which signifies some manner of knowledge, or at least care to do things right. I'll keep looking for issues.

Also after looking at it last night I think I may be missing a tin from behind the fan shroud. Is there a good picture/diagram of all the tin pieces? Here's a pic of our motor.

Thanks again everyone. More to come.

[sjbartnik]

[sjbartnik]

[PJMehaffey]

[sjbartnik]

[PJMehaffey]

[sjbartnik]

[talljordan]

I personally think swapping the plug wires is overkill, but that's me.

However I would consider ditching that 009 distributor and going for a good stock Bosch SVDA. That will help eliminate any flat spot off the line you have and just generally help the car run a little smoother. The 009 doesnt pair well with the 34PICT3 carb.

Definitely get that air filter replaced with a stock one. I see your oil breather tube isn't hooked to anything right now, the stock cleaner will have a port for it.

You haven't mentioned it so I will also point out, change the oil! Who knows how old the oil in there from the PO is.

My steering slop and shimmy was due to shit tie rods, HORRIBLE ball joints, and a loose steering box. IF you need to adjust the box, it can be done from the trunk, make sure you lift both front wheels off the ground first though.
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1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

[PJMehaffey]

[talljordan]