TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration

Mon Nov 20, 2023 10:08 am

That looks like a nice car. Being covered in oil is a good thing. That would have been a nice oxidation preventative for sitting so long.

Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:46 am

heimlich wrote: That looks like a nice car. Being covered in oil is a good thing. That would have been a nice oxidation preventative for sitting so long.

Yes, I'm quickly learning this is a good problem to have had.

I'm going to throw a couple of quarts of cheap oil in it today and let it sit for awhile.

Anyone see any harm in putting a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery oil directly in the spark plug openings? While the crank turns by hand, it does eventually catch. Figured MM couldn't hurt to soften things up.

It finally crossed my mind to check end play on the crank. Really solid, so hoping that's a good omen.

Tue Nov 21, 2023 2:41 pm

carcrazed wrote: summerof78 wrote: rcroane wrote: Is the motor seized? Can you put a wrench on the pulley nut and turn it by hand?

Sorry, should have mentioned that. Unbelievably, it turns by hand. Oil is still in the crankcase, but just enough to register on the low end of the dipstick.

My 61 still has the original engine that sat since 1979. It still turned and fired up with no trouble. somehow I believe that old waxy, sludgy oil from the 60s and 70s preserved the inside from moisture taking over.

Here's your sludge.

First of many surprises. Can you name what's wrong with this picture? Well, besides the fact there was only one gasket instead of two.

Wed Nov 29, 2023 10:20 am

67rustavenger wrote: The Bentley manual IMO is a must have for the home mechanic. It contains all the procedures and specifications for your year vw.

As stated above, the Muir Idiot book is a good guide as well. Plus it's a fun read.
I prefer the older Muir books, as I don't care for the later books that cover watercooled models.

RE the Muir book: The blue cover (non-spiralbound) seems to be easier to find cheap. Do you not like it due to irrelevant info, or is it missing some things from the earlier edition?

Thu Dec 07, 2023 2:50 pm

Took a couple of hours this morning to scrape out the tar board on the driver's side. I don't know if I'd call it fun, but it was satisfying to see the end result.

Really couldn't ask for a better outcome. These pans are in terrific shape and the channels are too.

Really grateful the PO paid the extra $25 bucks for the undercoating!

Thu Dec 07, 2023 3:55 pm

summerof78 wrote:

Is that a date stenciled on the tunnel?

Thu Dec 07, 2023 4:06 pm

Yep, May, 18 1966. Is that unusual?

Thu Dec 07, 2023 5:49 pm

I've had a dozen VWs from that era stripped down that far, and I've never seen it.

Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:46 pm

summerof78 wrote: Yep, May, 18 1966. Is that unusual?

Both my bugs have that painted date stamp on the tunnel. One was under the tar board that I removed.

You have a very nice, unmolested engine there. Still has an original "short" coil. It has the correct 205K distributor with dark brown cap and the correct square top fuel pump. Those original German Square top fuel pumps are a high quality part that can be rebuilt. They are much better than the cheap chinese fuel pumps sold today. The distributor can also be serviced/restored to work like new again as long as the vacuum canister still hold vacuum w/out leaking down.

Congrats on buying that nice survivor.

Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:10 am

I say just refresh it as-is and enjoy! Any sort of resto would be a disgrace to a survivor such as yours! I don't want to sound preachy and it's your car to do with as you please but as time goes on there's just not many left like this.

Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:11 pm

wcfvw69 wrote:
You have a very nice, unmolested engine there. Still has an original "short" coil. It has the correct 205K distributor with dark brown cap and the correct square top fuel pump. Those original German Square top fuel pumps are a high quality part that can be rebuilt. They are much better than the cheap chinese fuel pumps sold today. The distributor can also be serviced/restored to work like new again as long as the vacuum canister still hold vacuum w/out leaking down. Congrats on buying that nice survivor.

Thanks, it's very gratifying to hear this from a pro. :thumbsup:

I will very likely be in touch with you in the near future.

Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:13 pm

ryans65 wrote: I say just refresh it as-is and enjoy! Any sort of resto would be a disgrace to a survivor such as yours! I don't want to sound preachy and it's your car to do with as you please but as time goes on there's just not many left like this.

No mods happening here. Not touching the original paint either.

Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:19 pm

Passenger side scraped today. A bit more problematic.

Significantly more rust, and a huge bubble where he must have bottomed out on something [doesn't really show much in the photos].

Now I get why it was such a PITA getting that seat out. Must have taken me an hour! #-o

Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:40 pm

summerof78 wrote: ryans65 wrote: I say just refresh it as-is and enjoy! Any sort of resto would be a disgrace to a survivor such as yours! I don't want to sound preachy and it's your car to do with as you please but as time goes on there's just not many left like this.

No mods happening here. Not touching the original paint either.
Good decision. :D

Thu Dec 14, 2023 5:05 pm

Finally got the bug on stands, dealt with the floor pan bulge (mostly), and got a real good look at the busted oil strainer stud, which is probably what led to it being parked back in the year of the bicentennial.

I plan to cut a groove in the stud, and see if I can back it out with a screwdriver. Hitting it with PB Blaster for now.

Tue Jan 09, 2024 1:41 pm

summerof78 wrote:

Looks like a Hurst trigger shifter. You're gonna love it. :D
Check with Samba member "glandnut" for a knob.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=512669

Tue Jan 09, 2024 1:52 pm

It was there when I bought it at auction. Some a-hole stole it somewhere between PA and KS.

I was going to replace the Hurst shifter. What's so special about them?

Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:00 pm

summerof78 wrote:

I was going to replace the Hurst shifter. What's so special about them?
That shifter is quite collectable and worth some good coin. It is spring loaded to prevent accidentally hitting 2nd gear when trying for 4th, for example. And you have to pull up on the trigger to intentionally put it in reverse.
If your shift rod bushing and coupler are in good shape, it will be as smooooth as buttah.

Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:10 pm

Cool, I will definitely try it out before deciding on anything. Thanks!

edit: just saw what they go for on eBay..... :shock:

Think I'll leave it right where it is.

Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:47 pm

I finally got a really good look at the carpet in the back. Spent a few minutes vacuuming and voila. Really don't see what would be gained by ripping it out.