1974 Baja Build **pic heavy**

[MIBaja]

Good news I figured out how to adjust the distributor. 1 10mm bolt and twist the distributor body. I got it lined up with the mark so timing should be close. I am able to get it running by pouring fuel into the carb. But will die when it is out of fuel. The fuel pump is not pulling fuel from the tank( just an external tank for now.) So I think Im going to take apart the fuel pump and possibly rebuild it.

[MIBaja]

Well I ordered a New fuel pump as it was cheaper than a rebuild Kit. I will probably still rebuild the one to have a spare. I got the 2 rear quarter windows installed. I found a local guy that has a headlight bucket so I am going to pick that up this week. I tried to install the front windshield and broke it so that was a bummer. I have started wiring, and as i feared I dont love wiring I still have not figured out the Hard start Relay so if anyone has any input on that it would be greatly appreciated.

[Dark Earth]

[Dark Earth]

I haven't installed my new windshield yet, but I'm gonna try the method in this video when the time comes ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGMd0CrEQig
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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[dustymojave]

He mentions in there using West Coast Metric window seals. When I last did mine in 2009, I had a set of seals from JBugs.

I broke 2 windshield glasses and had the rear window pop clean out of the car AFTER it was seated all the way around before I figured out that the seal was just too fat. I stopped and ordered seals from West Coast and the windows went in slick and easy after.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[MIBaja]

Ok I will try ordering those seals and get new glass. I have not found a good source for glass. Everywhere wants a fortune in shipping for them. I am trying to find some locally but I also have not found anyone that has the correct year glass. I also dont know if it would be cheaper to go to an auto glass place to have them get or make it for me.

So wiring question. Where does the stock wiring go through the firewall? I looked on the left side where I thought it was brought in, but dont see any access. I might just have to drill a hole as maybe the metal was replaced in that area with no hole provided. Also to wire the alternator with external regulator, does it need the 2amp light to operate correctly?? I did some reading on it and it looks like it does but I dont really get why that is. I also dont get why my external regulator has 4 pins but you only run 3 wires to the alternator. Is the last one just a dummy or does it get wired to something else.

So question on the relay. I get all of the wiring for the relay now, but im still confused on #85. Since Im currently trying to wire it up with a toggle switch and push button (just until I get all my wiring run)

When I wired without the relay I had the positive from the battery go to the toggle switch and then to the coil. I also had my push button go from the terminal on the starter( same one as #87 goes to) and to the positive of the toggle switch. So When I turn on the toggle it provides power to the coil. When I push the button it connects #87 to the positive of the battery. So looking at the wiring for the ignition it looks like I have the #50 terminal and A line that goes out to the starter. So In my setup Do I run the #85 to the toggle switch which then goes to the coil, and the push button goes from the positive of the toggle switch back to #50 on the starter?

I found a local guy that had so many beetle parts that he is trying to get rid of so I was able to get my headlight bucket. along with a few other parts. I got a Carb H30/31 and one heat exchanger, a complete headlight assy as well as some random smaller parts for $60. Would having a set up with 1 heat exhanger do anything or am I better off getting another one before I install them.

I ordered a new fuel pump a few days ago and It should be coming today. I pulled the carb off, the distribuator, and got the old fuel pump off. When I took it off I was not able to move the lever on the bottom, but after playing with it a little I think I freed it up. Is there a way to get them apart? It was cheaper to get a new fuel pump than a rebuild kit but I was thinking if the seals look good I would keep it around for a spare.

Im building a deck this weekend so very little work will probably get done, but with any luck I might be able to run it tonight.

[Dark Earth]

[MIBaja]

That is awesome exactly what I needed. I had the first setup correct, but with the relay I was not right. So thank you. I will let you know what happens. I also might of found a new rear windshield and am probably going to have a local shop get me the front.

[dustymojave]

Let6's back up a little bit here...
You are looking for a hole through the firewall for the wire harness...Right?

Bugs never came form the factory with such a hole. Early Bugs had the main wire harness routed through the A-pillar up into the roof channel over the door and down the c-pillar out the opening to the left and above the firewall. Later Bugs it was routed down by the front door jamb to near the heater channel, then out for a few inches and into the heater channel and along the door sill to the back seat area, where it came out to connect to the voltage regulator, then back into the side and up over the fender and out the same place as early Bugs.

"Heat exchanger"? I'm not sure what you mean by that. Better explanation and/or pictures are needed.

Windshield glass...Early Bugs pre-1965 have flat windshields that can be cut from plain automotive safety glass. From 1965 year model on, the windshield glass is NOT flat. It has a slight bow to it, and it MUST be formed to fit, not cut from plate.

The voltage regulator, either built-into the alternator or external, REQUIRES that indicator light circuit with an incandescent bulb or equivalent resistor to operate. If you put in an LED, you HAVE to add an incandescent bulb or resistor for it to work. This applies to generators also.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[Dark Earth]

I took the advice of many people here on TheSamba and bought myself a Bentley Publishers "Volkswagen Official Service Manual Beetle and Karmann Ghia 1966-1969". I suggest buying one for your year too. A lot of good info in it.

Maybe this picture will pertain to your car too.

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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[MIBaja]

So great news I got the beetle running for the first time. I had it wired to the relay but I ended up blowing a fuse. Not sure if something shorted because the connections were not the best, so I ended up just taking it out till the wiring is complete.

As far as a heat exchanger this is what I got from the guy. It is used but still looks to be in good shape. http://www.mamotorworks.com/VW/product/heater-box-lh-not-for-fuel-injected-models355423

That is how I routed the wires for the regulator and was thinking that was how the wires for the wiring harness would go but I dont see a place that they are able to run along the heater channels. I have seen some people run conduit along the heater channels and I was thinking I might do that as it would make running the wires easier as well as if I ever needed to fix any wiring.

the Local place was not cutting the glass they were ordering it for me, but it was cheaper than any place I found online.

I couldn't figure out how to load videos of it running so you will just have to believe me but it was a huge boost for me. I cant wait to drive it for the first time.

[Dark Earth]

Here's a good picture of the wiring along the heater channel ...

Congrats on getting the car started
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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[Dark Earth]

[MIBaja]

Hello all,

Its been a while since I posted. Winter came and I have been doing lots of other things along with trying to work on the beetle. Last time I was on I had just gotten the beetle started for the first time. Since then Very very slow progress has happened with the wiring. I keep looking at different wiring diagrams and keep thinking the same things over and over. How does any of this work?
My biggest issue is how is power from the battery given to the fuse block. In modern cars the fuse block has a heavy gauge wire running to the battery which powers all of the + side of the fuses. All of the fuse diagrams for beetles dont appear to have wires running to the battery. What Am I missing? I have alot of wires that are overwhelming so my thought is start with the rear light brakes, turn, etc, then move to headlights, wipers, and slowly keep working until I get wiring done. If anyone has a dumb diagram to explain what is really going on with beetle wiring that would be very helpful.

The other issue i have is the wiring diagrams will show a wire going to the speedo then i spend a while researching the speedo wiring diagram to figure out which pin it goes to. That process repeates everytime I have a new wire to a new switch.

Still have not driven it. I believe the clutch cable on there has stretched to no longer be useful as i have it all the way in and can not get the clutch to disengage. I will be replacing the clutch cable in the near future.

Thank you in advance

[Dark Earth]

Here's a link to some wiring schematics ...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiringt1.php

To be honest, I don't understand the '73 and up schematics.

I have a 1969 bug and power goes from the battery to the #30 terminal on the light switch then to the fuse box.

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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[MIBaja]

Since I am starting from a pile of wires and getting rid of a lot of the features to a stock beetle like seat belt interlink is there a reason why I would not do the same thing run the battery through terminal 30? the 74 schematic shows the same pins just leaving one of them empty.

[Dark Earth]

[Dark Earth]

Looks like the Non-US version doesn't show the seat belt wiring. Maybe use this as your guide.

_________________
My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[dustymojave]

Ya know, I really like the old VW wiring diagrams. They provide geographical reference as well as abstract circuit function. They're much more user friendly than the more "modern" ones.

Trying to find a wire in a diagram fro my Toyota pickup or my Dodge Durango just aint too EZ.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[MIBaja]

Dark Earth I owe you a beer or two. Made some great progress this weekend. It was really nice this weekend so pushing it out into the sun to work was a nice change from being cramped in the garage. Im not going to post pictures of the wiring until it gets completely finished and cleaned up greatly. But I did get the headlights, both standard and brights working, turn signals front and rear, and tail lights working. The turn signals only work with the key in accessory mode and not when in run when the headlights turn on, Should be able to figure it out. I need to work on the stop light wiring to the Master Cylinder. I put a new clutch cable and new accelerator cable in. I managed to break off the bolt for the accelerator cable to the carb so im going to have to work on getting that out. first few attempts failed. Here are some teaser pics of the headlights and tail lights.