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ibjack
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2002
Posts: 2106
Location: Imperial Beach CA
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 Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:59 pm Post subject: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type 3 |
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I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing.
Before painting I wished I would have made sure all holes for trim were drilled as I forgot to drill the holes on the replacement door I was using.
I also forgot to make the cut out for the side marker on the replacement fender  .
I should have drilled out and tapped all the screws that snapped during disassembly.
I should have started cleaning all the parts that needed to be ready for reassembly during all the down times (cleaning parts costs little to no money but takes up a lot of time).
Feel free to chime in and hopefully others can learn from those of us who have been there
_________________
'68 Lotus White T34 automatic sunroof
'64 Manila Yellow T34
'65 Sea Blue Square Panel
the1500club.com
Shop Lacky at the T3/34 Factory, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094313902074 |
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eyetzr 
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 1425
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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After bagging and tagging parts, I should have labeled the boxes better.
Re-torque all exhaust bolts after warming up the motor for the first time.
Keep an extra fuel filter for the first tank of fuel.
_________________
I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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ALLWAGONS
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2000
Posts: 4189
Location: Pasadena CA/DTLA soon China
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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1. warmed up and stretched all the rubber seals.
2. polished all chrome and removed tags.
3. straightened and stretched fender beading.
4. made sure all wires had a plug to reconnect.
_________________
I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.
I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.
Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.
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ataraxia
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 4504
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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1. Make sure grommets are actually correct for their intended location and the wires will fit through said grommet.
2. Test fit parts (screws are correct/fit) that are shiny/chromed.
3. Fender beading on correct side (and for the correct model/year) and it's warm enough to be pliable.
4. Rubber seals (especially NOS rubber) are warm, clean and flexible. I've torn a few because I was impatient.
5. Order of operations (last but should be first). I've done things backward too many times to still be doing it. There's no better waste of time/frustration than having to take three things apart to fix the one thing that I forgot.
6. Since living in the Midwest: Have a spare of just about everything. The one part I don't have is the one that'll break (or I'll lose it) and I'll have to find another one - stopping all subsequent work. This wasn't an issue when I lived in California. |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22431
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:28 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. It would have been 100% correct then.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
Last edited by Bobnotch on Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22728
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. |
Too funny- I was just thinking about sending all of mine over to you so I wouldn't have to deal with them...
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
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squaretobehip
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2004
Posts: 3695
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:31 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. It would have been 100% correct then. |
Yeah but it would have taken 10 times longer. 
_________________
1963 Notchback - Ruby Red
1963 Squareback - Pearl White
1965 Squareback - Baltic Blue
Follow ISP West on:
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ibjack
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2002
Posts: 2106
Location: Imperial Beach CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| ataraxia wrote: |
1. Make sure grommets are actually correct for their intended location and the wires will fit through said grommet.
2. Test fit parts (screws are correct/fit) that are shiny/chromed.
3. Fender beading on correct side (and for the correct model/year) and it's warm enough to be pliable.
4. Rubber seals (especially NOS rubber) are warm, clean and flexible. I've torn a few because I was impatient.
5. Order of operations (last but should be first). I've done things backward too many times to still be doing it. There's no better waste of time/frustration than having to take three things apart to fix the one thing that I forgot.
6. Since living in the Midwest: Have a spare of just about everything. The one part I don't have is the one that'll break (or I'll lose it) and I'll have to find another one - stopping all subsequent work. This wasn't an issue when I lived in California. |
1,2 and especially 5 😩😁😣
_________________
'68 Lotus White T34 automatic sunroof
'64 Manila Yellow T34
'65 Sea Blue Square Panel
the1500club.com
Shop Lacky at the T3/34 Factory, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094313902074 |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22431
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| squaretobehip wrote: |
| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. It would have been 100% correct then. |
Yeah but it would have taken 10 times longer. |
That's OK, I'd get perfection then.  It would literally be a "new"car after he's done with it. You know Tram's 1 of those guys that wants it right, and will only do it right, even if it takes years.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22728
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| squaretobehip wrote: |
| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. It would have been 100% correct then. |
Yeah but it would have taken 10 times longer. |
Don't believe everything notchboy tells you. 
It's more like 20 times longer.
_________________
Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22431
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| ibjack wrote: |
| ataraxia wrote: |
1. Make sure grommets are actually correct for their intended location and the wires will fit through said grommet.
2. Test fit parts (screws are correct/fit) that are shiny/chromed.
3. Fender beading on correct side (and for the correct model/year) and it's warm enough to be pliable.
4. Rubber seals (especially NOS rubber) are warm, clean and flexible. I've torn a few because I was impatient.
5. Order of operations (last but should be first). I've done things backward too many times to still be doing it. There's no better waste of time/frustration than having to take three things apart to fix the one thing that I forgot.
6. Since living in the Midwest: Have a spare of just about everything. The one part I don't have is the one that'll break (or I'll lose it) and I'll have to find another one - stopping all subsequent work. This wasn't an issue when I lived in California. |
1,2 and especially 5 ������ |
Yup, those are good too, when added to yours Jack. And Martin's #2 and #4 are also right on the money. His number 2 is the same as your cleaning stuff during the down time.
I'll add in that unless a part is perfect, plan on replacing it. Otherwise it'll look like crap against the new paint.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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ibjack
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2002
Posts: 2106
Location: Imperial Beach CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| ataraxia wrote: |
1. Make sure grommets are actually correct for their intended location and the wires will fit through said grommet.
2. Test fit parts (screws are correct/fit) that are shiny/chromed.
3. Fender beading on correct side (and for the correct model/year) and it's warm enough to be pliable.
4. Rubber seals (especially NOS rubber) are warm, clean and flexible. I've torn a few because I was impatient.
5. Order of operations (last but should be first). I've done things backward too many times to still be doing it. There's no better waste of time/frustration than having to take three things apart to fix the one thing that I forgot.
6. Since living in the Midwest: Have a spare of just about everything. The one part I don't have is the one that'll break (or I'll lose it) and I'll have to find another one - stopping all subsequent work. This wasn't an issue when I lived in California. |
1,2 and especially 5 ������ |
Yup, those are good too, when added to yours Jack. And Martin's #2 and #4 are also right on the money. His number 2 is the same as your cleaning stuff during the down time.
I'll add in that unless a part is perfect, plan on replacing it. Otherwise it'll look like crap against the new paint. |
Yep. Ever part that looked useable coming off gets the "like hell I will put that crap back on my shiny car" treatment. That's why a restoration budget goes way over the projection of time and money.
_________________
'68 Lotus White T34 automatic sunroof
'64 Manila Yellow T34
'65 Sea Blue Square Panel
the1500club.com
Shop Lacky at the T3/34 Factory, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094313902074 |
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t3kg
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2006
Posts: 2712
Location: Los Angeles
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bad1916
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2010
Posts: 224
Location: Camarillo ca
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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Don't throw anything away until you are done,especially since not everything is available. Even things that look like crap can be used to compare new parts against when something doesn't work.
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SEMPER PARATUS!
1963 SQUAREBACK |
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JeeJeeJason
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2014
Posts: 234
Location: Bay area, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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Put the windshield in properly the first time....
Decide to put side markers in BEFORE paint, ack.
Keep all old parts even if you plan on replacing or buying new parts.
Stretch fender beading out better before installing.
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1968 FI Squareback |
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22728
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| squaretobehip wrote: |
| Bobnotch wrote: |
| ibjack wrote: |
| I thought with all the restorations going on it would be good to have a list of things we wished we would have known or thought of doing. |
I should have sent the entire car to Tram, and paid him to do the entire car. It would have been a lot less stressful, and probably cheaper in the long run. It would have been 100% correct then. |
Yeah but it would have taken 10 times longer. |
That's OK, I'd get perfection then. It would literally be a "new"car after he's done with it. You know Tram's 1 of those guys that wants it right, and will only do it right, even if it takes years. |
OK, WTF are you up to, Robert?
_________________
Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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HenrikL
Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2005
Posts: 313
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:12 am Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Don't wait 16 years before rebuilding the distributor. The car runs so much better when everything inside the distributor can move. |
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Aaron M265
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2008
Posts: 656
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:15 am Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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Wise words.
Don't throw away anything until the replacement is fitted has served me well over the years .
I learnt that the hard way by throwing away what were actually good parts from my Renault Dauphine Gordini. Only afterwards did I find that parts didn't exist for them. Hard lesson to learn.
_________________
Aaron
http://1500notchback.blogspot.com/
Need to contact me? Email is faster than a PM - [email protected]
For T3 Panel Van information:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389465 |
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69 Notchback
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2011
Posts: 714
Location: Bailey Co
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 5:37 am Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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| Do what you can on your own! No one cares about your restoration and final results more then your self. |
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RAIDER SS
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2003
Posts: 270
Location: Fairport, New York
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 6:22 am Post subject: Re: Things I wish I would have known about restoring a type |
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Never say “this will be good enough for now”
Save time by doing it correctly once! 
_________________
1972 SquareBack.....recycled back to life......
"Elwood" |
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I'm taking notes.