TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bringing a neglected 1974 Superbeetle with A/C back to life

Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:51 pm

M

y First car was a 74 Super back in the 90's so it was rather hard to pass another up for $500 with the Girlfriend when i noticed a coworker had one just sitting in the wooded area by his house. Needs a lot, interior, floorpans, etc, but so far has been interesting. the clutch on the A/C compressor is rusted in the "always on" position but turns easily and i can hear it pumping when turned. anyway, thats for a later point as first we still have to get it running again and do not have an ignition key for it so the wheel lock is still on as well. rust on top so far doesnt seem far after the patina look in spots. so far have replaced the carb, distributor cap and Button, new plug wires, new carb, new ign coil. turns over pretty well when a jump pack was connected and bucked a few times but so far thats it. not sure if timing is correct or plug wires are in corect order but i would asume if it bucks any its at least not far off. sanded the points a little but when opened and closed, spark is weak so going to replace the condensor and points next to see if that helps. Definitely missed my old 74 i used to drive though lol. never seen one where it had the dealer installed A/C before either but that damn compressor does get in the way a bit when working on things.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 4:04 am

Good luck on your recent find. I also have a 74 SB with AC that I purchased in similar condition as yours. I stripped all the AC components because they were beyond useful. I think AC on a bug was a stupid idea anyway.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 7:43 am

When I bought my 1970 sedan back in 1972, it was equipped with the dealer-added DPD AC system with the same Tecumseh compressor you show in your photos. Granted, I'm in Arizona, and that system performed marginally OK when new. Plus my 1970's 1600cc single port engine was drawn down by the draw from the compressor.

I built up the engine to 1835cc dual port, and that helped a lot with the VW's performance.

If you really want to have AC in this, I would ABSOLUTELY add a complete R134a system from Gilmore in Las Vegas, ICE AC in San Diego, or from VW of Mexico.

As with any vehicle, parking in shade or under cover will really help cooling for the first 15 minutes.
1970 VW from the Pride and Joys section of Hot VWs Magazine April 1979

Thu Jul 25, 2024 8:30 am

Cusser wrote: When I bought my 1970 sedan back in 1972, it was equipped with the dealer-added DPD AC system with the same Tecumseh compressor you show in your photos. Granted, I'm in Arizona, and that system performed marginally OK when new. Plus my 1970's 1600cc single port engine was drawn down by the draw from the compressor.

I built up the engine to 1835cc dual port, and that helped a lot with the VW's performance.

If you really want to have AC in this, I would ABSOLUTELY add a complete R134a system from Gilmore in Las Vegas, ICE AC in San Diego, or from VW of Mexico.

As with any vehicle, parking in shade or under cover will really help cooling for the first 15 minutes.
1970 VW from the Pride and Joys section of Hot VWs Magazine April 1979

I added the dealer installed VPC system into my '74 Super in the late 90s (lived in central TX at the time). I initially was running a 1600, but uh, yeah....you 100% knew when it switched on! It was like the car deployed a parachute and an anchor at the same time! Using that with the tired 1600 in the summer heat in Texas, quickly killed that engine. So I replaced it with a 1776. That handled the a/c MUCH better, but those old Tecumseh, piston style, compressors are just not very efficient.

That said, even though I had the system installed by a former VW tech who had installed thousands of them when he worked at another VW dealer in TX back in the 70s, and we installed it with R12....it would best be described as "adequate", if just barely so. I always described it as having someone sit in front of you and lightly blowing over an ice cube. It was better than nothing, and was definitely more effective on a highway setting.

When I restored the car 5 years ago, I opted to not reinstall it. Don't need it as much up in New England, and it's no longer a primary car anyway. It also takes up space in the trunk, and can make engine maintenance more of a pain.

If I were to do it again, I'd use all of the VPC components, but swap out that Tecumseh compressor for a modern, compact and more efficient, rotary style compressor.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 10:20 am

M@DhAtT3R wrote:

The man likes a challenge, RESPECT! The above picture would be enough to send me running, not to mention the rest of her! But, Save the Supers! I say! Good luck!
:popcorn:

Thu Jul 25, 2024 1:41 pm

Schatzievw wrote: I stripped all the AC components because they were beyond useful. I think AC on a bug was a stupid idea anyway.

I beg to differ. I rebuilt the DPD A/C on my 1973 Super Beetle a few years ago and it has been fantastic. Even after converting to R-134, it blows ice cold and is a great addition for long road trips. Suprisingly, there is no noticeable power loss when the A/C is running, even on full blast.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 2:06 pm

Beeble1 wrote: Schatzievw wrote: I stripped all the AC components because they were beyond useful. I think AC on a bug was a stupid idea anyway.

I beg to differ. I rebuilt the DPD A/C on my 1973 Super Beetle a few years ago and it has been fantastic. Even after converting to R-134, it blows ice cold and is a great addition for long road trips. Suprisingly, there is no noticeable power loss when the A/C is running, even on full blast.
Beeble1 - you're in Illinois !!! Arizona and Texas (etc.) are way different !!!

Feel free to call me collect when Illinois gets to 120F in the shade and the morning low is 95F !!!!

Thu Jul 25, 2024 2:14 pm

M@DhAtT3R wrote:

Which license plate bracket is that? It has the plate sitting way far out.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 2:53 pm

Coming along a little more =) look any better? Sanding sections before finishing with color shifting rustoleum paint. wasnt worried about the overspray on the tires as they will first thing to be changed once it is up and running again anyways. REALLY wouldnt mind replacing the seats at some point either if anyone has extras to sell. ;)

Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:45 pm

It's already looking better with that blue paint! I like that.

Thu Jul 25, 2024 7:04 pm

Cool project, you have some COJONES.

At the risk of getting flamed, I will suggest when you revive your AC you use a hydrocarbon based R12 replacement product such as envirosafe or red tek, there are others too.

They require about 1/3 the original capacity to work, put less drag on the compressor and therefore the engine. They cool extremely well, better than r134 in a system originally designed for the superior cooling r12, and comparable to r12 itself.

It is compatible with any ac oil so whatever residue is in the system still won't harm it. I would use ester oil personally.

Just do yourself a favor and make sure you vacuum down the system and the hoses are sound, otherwise go get em rebuilt or source new ones.

In my '73 Mopar with factory original dual piston compressor, the AC is FIERCE.

Good luck.

-Frank

Thu Jul 25, 2024 8:56 pm

Welp.... its alive! Installed new points and plugs today ( had honestly forgotten how much a pain plugs were to do, ::almost 30 years ago:: especially now with an A/c Compressor in the way and its mount). It now runs and revs and completely covered my leg in whatever had been making nests in the exhaust for years. took a can of starter fluid but i made a makeshift fuel canister and hose that was gravity fed and rode on the top of the open hood. Lots of stuff also flew out from around the cooling fan area and after a few minutes we shut her down at risk of a fire as some smoke started rising from right side of engine where a pile of leaves were ay cylinder 1. going to blow it all out tomorrow with the leaf blower. carb definitely needs setting a little as i have to keep a little throttle going . I think some of the valves are still being worked back to life, at first it would pop frequently through carb but now is less and less. Both the Alternator and oil pressure lights went out as well once it started so hopefully thats a good sign for the moment although i had already planned on replacing the Alternator with a new one to go with rest of new look. Here is the video of it running and revving, Im now not afraid to invest a little with the wife on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icRLSP2zObw
Sorry for the quality. iphones never send videos well to Android phones so i could upload it. I see an oil change coming tomorrow as i think it now deserves it. Have never changed oil on one before so this should be fun lol i know the transmission works at least as i hit the starter one time after having accidently having bumping it into gear :roll: The $500 Superbeetle Saga continues...

Thu Jul 25, 2024 10:37 pm

I do have a question though about the vacuum line located on the intake underneath the carb. should i be plugging this off if i am running it without the air filter to expect it to be able to idle as it could be causing a vacuum leak?

Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:20 am

M@DhAtT3R wrote: I do have a question though about the vacuum line located on the intake underneath the carb. should i be plugging this off if i am running it without the air filter to expect it to be able to idle as it could be causing a vacuum leak?

Yes, you absolutely would need to plug that, if you're not going to use the original airbox.

Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:45 am

M@DhAtT3R wrote: Installed new points and plugs today ( had honestly forgotten how much a pain plugs were to do, ::almost 30 years ago:: especially now with an A/c Compressor in the way and its mount).
I also had this difficulty with #3 and #4 plugs with the AC compressor and mount in the way on my 1970 Beetle, especially after installing 1835cc DP engine. And with the leaded gas then, spark plugs didn't seem to last more than 6000 miles.

So I cut out a piece of the body under the wheel well and could access #3 and #4 plugs straight on that way. I use a piece of sheet metal held with 2 sheet metal screws when not accessing the plugs. Nowadays, my 1970 no longer has the AC remaining except for the under-dash part (which had a very clogged evaporator) but now serves as an auxiliary fan.

Access panels are now commercially available, believe they are called Weber Windows.

Fri Jul 26, 2024 9:09 am

Now today she idles on her own . Hows she sound?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/41EBWvT5kDE

Fri Jul 26, 2024 9:28 am

M@DhAtT3R wrote: Hows she sound?
Pretty decent (especially for missing a pea shooter).

She needs a valve adjustment, then a compression check. And then a full tune (fuel, ignition systems).

Pardon me if you did these already.

Fri Jul 26, 2024 9:53 am

M@DhAtT3R wrote: Now today she idles on her own . Hows she sound?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/41EBWvT5kDE

For a car that looked like that, and was sitting for how long?....I think it sounds pretty good!

If it were me, I'd let it run for a bit to get nice and warm, then change the oil and let it sit overnight and go over it completely again, one more time the next morning. From valve adjustment on up.

Don't forget to change out the gear oil in the transaxle before you try driving it around. Get some nice fresh fluid in there!

Fri Jul 26, 2024 1:05 pm

Beeble1 - you're in Illinois !!! Arizona and Texas (etc.) are way different !!!

You would be surprised- I have a home in Chicago, Illinois, and Chandler, Arizona-I am presently in Arizona, and while its like 110 today, Illinois gets into the 90s and with the humidity, is far more uncomfortable than 110 in Arizona. I have a/c on several of my air cooled VWs and love it-I use the modern systems from Gilmore or ICE (San Diego) which are more compact and use very little power to run.

I like this project, and look forward to seeing what you do with it!

Fri Jul 26, 2024 2:29 pm

Todays fun. =) First sanding and 2 coats of flat black primer rustoleum then color shift paint started. New pea shooters ordered and on their way, new blinker lights and taillights as well next. Will wet sand all runs out before clear coat finishing.