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Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:16 pm

Hi all, figured I would finally stop just reading the forums as an anonymous user and finally sign up. I have always planned on getting an old bug to fix up. I moved into my house last year and my garage was pretty much empty, so I knew I had to find a bug to fill it.

Back in October 09 I purchased this 1969 VW Beetle for the whopping amount of $400. I purchased it from the original owner who got it brand new in 1969 (even has original dealer license plate frame on it still). It had not been registered since 2000 and has basically been sitting since then. No serious rust, pan still solid. We wheeled it onto a trailer and drove it to my house. Along with the bug, I got the roof rack (score!), brand new muffler and 2 sets of chrome tips, and a box full of parts/gaskets. Also came with Muir's book, how to keep your VW alive. Being a first time bug owner I figured this was a great purchase.

Here are some pics from the day it arrives at my home

Since then I have gone through the entire fuel system (replaced all rubber lines/hoses, new fuel pump, installed fuel filter) and painted/cleaned my trunk up.

Started as this

Now looks like this

The last few weeks I changed oil, repaired the bent clutch pedal and unstuck the back brakes. Brakes were way over tightened and filled with grime. A little brake cleaner and cleaning, all is good now. Also threw in a new battery and got it "running." It runs if gas is continually poured into the carb, so not really driveable yet. Fuel pump is pumping gas so that leaves the carb to be at fault. It is a solex 30pict-2, trying to decide if I should attempt to do the rebuild myself or maybe send it out to get rebuilt.

Here it is at it currently sits in my garage.

I apologize for the wall of text, but figured I would get you all up to speed as to where I am at.

I will try to update this thread as I make progress on my new hobbie :D

Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:22 pm

Dang! That's a good deal! Now just buff up that OG paint and get it goin (unless it already goes :shock: ).

Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:27 pm

Ohh maybe I should share my plan for my beetle.

First plan is to just get the it running and driveable. Then I plan to lower it with drop spindles, maybe narrowed beam also.

I picked up these wheels for a great deal, pretty nice looking and kind of rare I think.

They are what I believe to be Performance Industries Wheels
2 - 15x5 w/ 3.75" backspacing
4 - 15x5 w/ 3.125" backspacing (2 with tires still on, are unfinished)
Hopefully they will tuck nicely. Wish I had 4 w/ 3.75" bs but I could not be picky

After a good drop, really want to get a larger engine for it, but that is way down the line.

Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:28 pm

LeviMan2001 wrote: Dang! That's a good deal! Now just buff up that OG paint and get it goin (unless it already goes :shock: ).

Not running yet, got the carb issue to deal with. Hopefully I will get that straightened out in the next week or so.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:44 am

Very good start. Looks solid for the money.
And you are correct, those wheels are not very common. Nice 8)

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:52 am

Replace the rubber brake lines.They are cheap and can save you some future body work or worse.Nice car,Nice wheels and as mentioned buff that paint out and she will be Golden.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:20 pm

57Drag wrote: Replace the rubber brake lines.They are cheap and can save you some future body work or worse.Nice car,Nice wheels and as mentioned buff that paint out and she will be Golden.

Brakes are on the to do list for sure.

And yeah, as you all said, buffing out the paint is definitely going to be done. A rubber mallet should pop out most of the dents. I think the og Tan will look great with a little elbow grease :)

Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:06 pm

damn, you got a deal. those wheels are cool, too.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:14 am

Well you got a very good looking bug for 400.00!!!! WOW.
With those rims an lowered a bit its gonna be sweet!!!

Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:02 am

"I figured this was a great purchase. "

You lucky SOB. what a great find 8)

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:01 pm

Very nice beetle, can`t wait to see it buffed out 8)

Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:35 pm

Had some down time this weekend, was tired at looking at the rusty original wheels so I threw a few coats of satin black krylon on the original wheels. Figure I will be using these till I narrow the front end and get the Performance Industries Mags some new tires. Might as well have them look semi nice :)

Going slow on this bug, but I guess one step at a time...

Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:24 am

Good job!!!! Throw some shiny hubcaps on those black rims an ROLE!!!!!!!

Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:59 pm

4-4-10 Update (Happy Easter)
Last monday I contacted Keifernet and ordered a rebuilt 30pict1 carb to replace my stupid pict2. Should be here sometime and I will have a running engine :D

Friday I went on a road trip to Yakima (stopped at Whitstran Brewery on the way home 8) ) and picked up 4 Dan Gurney mag wheels with mounted tires (50% tread) for a whopping 100 bucks :shock:
PS Yes I know I already have a set of mag wheels... I just could not pass up the deal. Cleaned them up with an SOS pad Saturday, here is a pic

Installed battery after pounding down the floor pan (previous owner must bounced over a few rocks). Rewired a fuse holder on the engine (brake light one), lights are all working but right blinker probably is a bulb, will replace later.

Rear brakes locked up again (just like when I bought the car), loosened adjusters on the brakes. I then stepped on brake pedal and now all 4 corners are completely locked. Figured since the car had sat for 10 years, I should go through the entire brake system. Ordered new MC, wheel cylinders, brake shows, hardware, and some braided stainless steel brake lines. Figure safety come first.

Previous owner put a hitch on the factory rear bumper. He must have tried pulling something and the bumper rotated on the bracket driving the bottom of the bumper into the rear fenders. This caused about a 6 inch dent along both rear fenders. I popped them out with a rubber mallet and a piece of 2x4. Can't really tell cause car needs to be washed :D (did not take a before pic)

So now just waiting on carb and brake parts, and I should be on the road, getting pretty excited.

Oh and maybe someone can help with this issue I have.
Under the rear seat are the 2 heater y-tubes. They are wrapped in insulation (see first pic). Previous owner must have had a little fire by the battery and that insulation kind of burned up. I tossed it as it was pretty much toast. Where do I get this insulation piece? Currently it is uninsulated (see second pic) Thanks for any tips/advice

Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:11 pm

Cool 69! 8)

Heater duct insulation is hard to come by. Pretty much non available and would have to buy a used one or make your own.
MAM however has these foiled-backed pieces if that style suits your taste.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/acvw-air-cooled-vw-interior-sound-deadner-kits+1950+1979-1-248-7885.html (number E down the list)

Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:06 am

Lookin good!! I am excited for you!!!!!!!!
I like the rims too.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:24 pm

a.wilson wrote: Cool 69! 8)

Heater duct insulation is hard to come by. Pretty much non available and would have to buy a used one or make your own.
MAM however has these foiled-backed pieces if that style suits your taste.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/acvw-air-cooled-vw-interior-sound-deadner-kits+1950+1979-1-248-7885.html (number E down the list)

Ok cool, I figured they were hard to track down. Is there a cheap DIY material I can pick up for the same purpose? Basically looking for a fireproof 1/2" - 1" thick insulation?

Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:28 am

Mate, good job on the front boot, looks really tidy! Can't wait to see what those first set of alloys look like once they are on, keep up the good work

Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:18 pm

This last weekend, did some minor work on the beetle.

Following the advice on the forums I ended up wrapping the passenger side heater tube in some fiberglass insulation. Just got a roll of it, 3" wide by 1/2" thick... maybe should have done 2 wraps but we will see how well just one wrap holds up. Used zip ties to hold it in place.

I received all my brake parts, so getting ready to install all that. I ended up ordering all new shoes, wheel cylinders, springs, stainless steel hoses, and a new master cylinder. Also got a new reservoir that mounts right on the m/c so I will be able to get out the leaky mess that is under my hood. Before going about this decided to clean up the drums and check to see if I needed to get them turned. Looked fine, so just cleaned them up painted them with some high temp black spray paint.

Been having issues with rear brake lights, so going to order some new switches for the m/c so I will replace those when I put all the new brake stuff in. This won't happen this next weekend though since I am going on a weekend trip to check out 2 Mariners' games. Go Seattle!!

Slowly getting there, just putting along :D

Fri May 28, 2010 1:21 pm

Hey there, I just bought a '69 Bug here in California also for the unheard of price of $400.00. It is in pretty beat up shape and doesnt run but I will work on it over the next several years. Good luck and I will post come pics of my new bug in the next few days! Super Excited to get started on it!