Why do we start these things?

[kgj]

You are probably right. I did rock it back and forward over the pit a bit but probably not enough to make a difference.I have also not refitted the shocks at this point, just dropped it off the jack to have a look. So probably just back at the start point.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

A lot of effort for not much gain. As low as it will go without resting on the bump stops.

5 inner spline turns and wherever outer splines fell best.

Also installed an EMPI anti roll bar.

What an amazing difference that makes to cornering! Well recommended for anyone thinking of getting one.

And ready to drive home from work.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[scotty timmerman]

you can cut the bump stops in half to get a little bit more room to lower.
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[kgj]

Thanks for the tip Mr Timmerman. I was wondering if there was scope to cut the bump stops down and you have confirmed it for me. I'll get it over the pit again tomorrow and get the hacksaw out....
_________________
1958 coupe

[carl4x4]

Lot's of good work here, I've also fitted a rear anti roll bar recently but not got the car back on the road yet to try it out. I also fitted a Kafer-bar brace between the shock towers and the frame forks so I'm hoping the back end will all be significantly stiffer. The rear was always a little too loose compared to the front in my book. Good to hear positive feedback on the rear bar.
_________________
1969 UK Karmann Ghia build http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518789&highlight=

[kgj]

I'll be interested to get your thoughts on the brace too.
It turns out my first impressions of the anti roll bar were tainted by the suspension resting on the bump stops!
So as advised

I cut them down and re fitted.

Definitely got travel now.

And fortunately it still feels as good.
And this is where it all settles out at. 506mm (-36mm )

Next job, 4 wheel alignment to make sure all is as it should be.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[carl4x4]

[kgj]

Yes, I have an obsession with tracking. Even a minor adjustment can make the difference between a car that drives horribly and one that drives like a dream. At the moment it drives ok but there is this place near me that does 4 wheel computer based tracking and it would be good to see the stats now she's lower front and rear.

Looks much better now though, in my opinion.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

Haven't had the tracking done yet but a sunny weekend and 60 miles driven, mostly on dual carriageways and A roads

And it feels wonderfully planted, especially on the bends, If a bit noisy compared to a modern.

One problem,

Ground clearance for my EMPI exhaust. Caught it a couple of times on speed bumps and nearly got stuck on a mates steep drive requiring driving on a plank to make enough clearance to get back out!
I've got an idea for a mod though.
Clearance from road to flange

Is 110mm.
Road to exhaust box is

85mm. And it's further back making the difference worse than 25mm.
Tomorrow, I'm going to see if I can get the bit of pipe joining exhaust box to flange modified to give better road clearance. Get the box up above the flange it it should be fine to live with.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

This at least has gone to plan.
Before.

And after.

2 cuts and weld. Not me, a more talented person. I think it all lines up a lot better than before. And with added road clearance.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

So one year later and she's in the air again. Hopefully for the last time in my ownership, for the last bit of remedial attention needed. New heater channel, rocker and quarter panels on the right hand side. Fortunately only needed because the back end of the heater channel on this side was a bit ropey, this side generally is a lot better than the other side I tackled last year.

I've been here before so progress has been quite rapid by my standards, 3 weeks of a few hours here and there has got me to this stage. Heater channel installed, rocker nearly finished.
A bit of work still to go on the back end where a PO has had the rear quarter "repaired" before but only with flat plate and no return on the inner part connecting to the outer skin.

I'm planning on a freshen up of the paint once this is done then maybe sell it on next year to fund the lowlight? Who knows? The MOT is due to run out on September 1st so I need this finished and roadworthy ASAP to enjoy some late summer motoring.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

Update for my own amusement.

Rebuilt rear quarter all sealed up

Most pleasing moment of this little project has been the removal of the original front quarter without wrecking it, and then reusing it instead of a new repair panel I bought.

Another little job that has been waiting to be done. Replace the old tar boards with some sound deadening stuff I bought ages ago.

Back on the road tomorrow.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[sputnick60]

Nice work there. I hope the last days of summer hold out a few sunny days for you to enjoy the roads with it.
Nicholas
_________________
'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[kgj]

Thanks mate. And nice thread yourself. I follow with keen interest along with many others on here. You are Mr Detail!
Woke up this morning to pouring rain! Not forecast.
A couple of friends of mine are throwing a party tonight at their place 20 miles away to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Taking the Ghia has been my deadline for the last few weeks. Should be dry outside by then.
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

Back on the road again. Just in time for Bank holiday weekend motoring adventures.

On the coast road in Poldark country. 100 mile round trip to a mates anniversary party

They call this place Hells Mouth.

Stopped by another mates place on the way. As if reviving a 50's Morris Minor wasn't enough...

He's just picked up a Capri to get stuck into too. One at a time mate!

And here is the Ghia at journeys end with new friends. MGC (2.9 straight 6). Quite rare I believe. And a Morgan 3 wheeler.

Did you know that when you rev up the Morgan's air cooled twin the exhausts glow. How cool is that!

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[John Moxon]

[kgj]

Mk1 razor edge Capri.

Happy day. Speedo is about 10mph out. I uploaded a speedometer app to make a comparison. I'm not alone with this I read on here.

The open road, sunshine and sea. Not all at the same time though.

A note about shrinkage. Both of my rear quarters had been "repaired" before and both had been shrunk badly. Looked OK side on but looking down the panel looked like this.

I'm no expert but even I have noticed panel warp as you weld if you are not too careful. Looks awful and would need loads of filler to straighten out. See how this panel is pulled in. And this is with filler!

Here is my after photo. No filler, just some mat black over some primer.

My limited experience is, keep the panel cool. Just a spot of weld at a time. And try the trim pieces often. Flatten the welds with a dolly behind as best you can. Build the welds up slowly.

MOT tomorrow.

Thanks for looking
_________________
1958 coupe

[kgj]

Ongoing update. Now the last bit of metal needing attention has been replaced the time has come to get some shiny black paint back on all the affected areas. I have decided to get most of the car repainted save for hood and engine bay areas. The engine bay was done last year when the engine was refitted. So a weekend spent taking everything off and out.

It was a bit of a draughty drive to the body shop with no glass in the car but at least it was only a mile or so up the road near where I work. The body shop think they will be done in a couple of weeks. And because it's so close to where I work I will be able to pop round at lunch times and check progress.

Thanks for looking.
_________________
1958 coupe

[Chochobeef]

Nice work. Keep up the updates. Should take a picture of your daily and ghia together when its ready.

On a side note, is your generator clocked correctly? It looked off to me?

[kgj]

Quote
"Should take a picture of your daily and ghia together when its ready."

OK, will do As soon as this one is rolling again.

Quote
"On a side note, is your generator clocked correctly? It looked off to me?"

Would love to answer that one but I'm not sure what that means. What do I need to do?

Thanks for looking though.

And how do you do that quote thing properly?
_________________
1958 coupe