Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project

[VW_Jimbo]

[Bruce]

[VW_Jimbo]

[MACJELLY58]

Hey, JIMBO

Thanks for the short and quick Valve seating processes explanation. I actually understood it all. Motor building is on my list. Someday.

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

[matthew henricks]

Good to see an update Jim. Can't believe your wife lets you use the oven. (Maybe she does not know yet) Every time i try that or the dishwasher the after smell of baked oil/grease gives me away.

Looking forward to seeing you drive your chassis around. That is the one think with my bug i wish i had done. I was too lazy to rig the steering wheel...
_________________
1964 Original Owner build Thread. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702135&highlight=

Ambulance Fan's. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627707&highlight=

Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat.

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

Last day of vacation is today! I now have to return to full time work. No fun.

Anyways, got some more done on the Bug. Started in on the 36 heads. Installed the new valves into the first head.

Then I pulled point a set of spark plugs, gapped them, smeared some copper antifreeze on the threads and installed them.

I then greased up an acrylic insert plate to calculate the chamber size and to test the seal of the valves.

I do not see any ATF running through!

Now, in the infamous words of Mario & Luigi, “Let’s do it again!”

Onto the other head! Looks like one intake valve did not seal 100%.

So, I removed that intake valve, relapped it, reassembled it and retested it. All good!

After that victory I swung my attention to the swing plates end caps! I had to remove them to gain access to the torsion bar. The bar had rust bonded to the arm and I had to press them out of the arm. No small feat! But now, I have to replace the steel plug, which is larger in diameter than both ends of the assembly. What to do?

Figured they had to be a “press fit”. So I went about making the old disc, whole again. Mainly because I did not want to cut a perfect circle and because I did not have the proper gauge of steel sheeting.

Here is the end the tube which the plug is installed into. Notice there is a groove, machined within the side of that opening!

I then set the old disc out on some copper backer and welded together the cuts. Thus making the disc whole once again. Then I had to grind the welds down.

Then checked it against the housing end.

Perfect size! I then grabbed a socket, placed it big end up, set the steel disc on it so that it was centered and then, with the ball end of a 24oz hammer, hit it dead center, a few times! Followed that up with my trusty large beating bar, imparting more deformity, then again with the ball of the hammers, 16oz and 24oz.

Perfect! Crown up!

I then took my large bar and smacked the crown down, slowly. Checking at each hit, the alignment between the disc and the housing. Until….

It was flat!

I then repeated this process onto the other one and painted that both discs black!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[67rustavenger]

Nice work on the spring plate caps. I have wondered how folks fix those. Now I know.

The pic of you kneeling on the floor makes my knees hurt.
As a suggestion, get yourself some knee pads. Or you may find yourself needing surgery in the future. It's not fun to limp around all day. Even after surgery.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[VW_Jimbo]

[67rustavenger]

Good that you are taking care of those knees. I didn't, and am now paying the price of ignoring all those truckers that warned me not to jump out of their trailers years ago. Plus MX racing and extreme downhill skiing didn't do me any favors.

I know it's hot and uncomfortable there. But, I wear Carhartt double front britches when I work at the family ranch most weekends.
The Carhartt's have knee pockets that allow me to insert thick dense foam pads to protect my knees. No sweating when the pants are used. there's none of those annoying straps around the back of my knees.

Carry on. Sorry for the little sideline.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[VW_Jimbo]

Like I previously stated. Thank you for watching out for my welfare! I am always good with that! My grandfather would be happy, finally smiling from above! He has been gone 2 weeks and I have thought of him passing everyday! It was good to be reminded of his wisdom! Thanks!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[tehillah1]

Nice update Jimbo. You have clearly done a valve job or two in your time. The plug replacement on the spring plates is a golden example of how-to-get-it-done-with-what-you-have ingenuity. I appreciate you taking the time to photograph and share these steps in your restoration journey. Keep 'em coming Sensei.

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

Update time! Busy weekend! Plus last day of vacation.

Wire wheeled, primed and painted the torsion bars.

Then I had to go find the donuts for the torsion plates. Bought these a few years back, so they were buried deep! While I was looking for those, I stumbled onto the old door seal. Want to post up the detail for later.

I then started on the install of the spring plate. Finally another piece is going back onto the car! Can not teel you how good it feels!

Pulled out the Silicone Paste. This is a great product for rubber parts as it does not ruin them, plus it is silicone, so it lubricates as well! No squeak, squeak, squeak, going down the road!

Then into the tube it goes! Pulled out the Angle finder to set the plate. Thinking it was 28 degrees.

I then pulled out one of my I beam Jorgy's and lifted the plate up past the rest shelf, by about 1/8 of an inch. Wood blocks to keep from damaging the paint.

Then slide on the next donut and slathered it up.

Slathered up the cover where the bushing goes as well.

Installed the cover over the snout and wiggled it into place. Then installed the four bolts I had with it. (I think those are the incorrect washers, so later I will need to install the correct ones).

Once everything was snug, I removed the plate clamp.

Jack removed. All good. Onto the other side!

Lubed up the donut & greased up the splines.

Then into the plate! This is SO EXCITING! Love it going back together!

Assembley ready to be installed!

Place a dab of grease.

Paste up the outside of the donut!

Nice!

Wipe the dust off of the tube opening and lube it up.

Then stick the spring plate assembly into the tube. Check the plate with the Angle Finder and push it into the splines.

Then, since the other side is assembled, you have to knock this side in with some severe power, to compress and push the dab of grease into both splined areas! A pice of wood and the 32 ounce hammer work good!

Then get it as close to the housing as you can without touching the two together. Like this.

Next up is lubing up the outer cover. cleaning the bolts. Setting the plate into place. And then preloading the torsion bar. Time for the clamp!

Damn it! I forgot to clean the threads on this side to, BEFORE I lubed it all up. So, I threw some tape down to keep the shit out of the bushing area and tapped the 4 holes.

Cover back on, four bolts in and snug, with the correct washers. Then I shot some black on them.

_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[VW_Jimbo]

I continued on for a bit more. I started to install the cables. Found the cables I ordered and pulled them out. Found the old cables I saved and pulled them out, to compare.

Slightly different length cable sheathing on the ebrake cables.

By 5 1/4"! Hope that does not bite me in the ass down the road!

Installed both ebrake cables. Lots of grease was applied while feeding them into the tubing.

Then onto the clutch cable.

Again, lots of grease!

Ready for the pedal assembly. I have to go find it.

Then stuck the choke cable in.

Heater cable. I always cut the plastic off of them. Because they seem to get lodged, easily, within the tubing. Makes for a hard install next time!

Down into the heater knob tube.

I tied a wire tie to the end, so I can pull it back up to install the knob later. Really just wanted to see if my tubing repairs worked! Remember those?

There they are!

I will finish this portion up later. Enjoy!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Jimone]

Nice!

i like how having all of the stuff sticking out everywhere really makes it look like youre up to something. big visual steps are great!

happy belated birthday dude
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab

[matthew henricks]

Parts going onto the pan. What a feeling that must be. Also nice tutorial on the end cap process.
_________________
1964 Original Owner build Thread. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702135&highlight=

Ambulance Fan's. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627707&highlight=

Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat.

[VW_Jimbo]