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Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:22 pm

Afternoon all! I am brand new here and just need some guidance. I just bought a 72 Super Beetle yesterday. I was going to order a Haynes Manual for it but I don’t know all the information it’s asking for. Like what kind of motor and some other stuff.

Also is there the equivalent of LMC Truck Magazine for VW’s? I’d like to get one so we can start building this thing.

Also how do I tell what kind of motor is there?

Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:34 pm

Get the Robert Bently manual.
https://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Beetle-Karmann-Official-Service/dp/0837616239

There is no one vendor, but here's a few:
https://www2.cip1.com/
https://www.jbugs.com/
https://www.cbperformance.com/default.asp
http://wolfsburgwest.com
https://www.westcoastmetric.com/

Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:40 pm

Thank you Mr. Glenn! I’ll get that manual and check those sites. Is there a way I can identify which engine my VW has?

Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:44 pm

There's a serial number under the generator stand, but after 50+ years who knows if anything internal was done

Post some pictures.

Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:49 pm

I’ll snap some pics as soon as I get home! Thank you very much sir.

Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:05 pm

After all this time there could be little or nothing original in or on the car. Most are a hodge-podge of Chinese parts except for all the stuff that has been taken off and ash canned! Unless you get lucky and find one that is a virgin... pretty rare though!

Yes post some pictures please!

Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:11 pm

Also, for a novice, the Muir "Idiot Book" is a great resource.

Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:45 pm

KTPhil wrote: Also, for a novice, the Muir "Idiot Book" is a great resource.

I will second this. Read the idiot book cover to cover like a novel and you’ll have a better idea of what you’re working with. Combined with the Bentley manual, you should be able to tackle just about anything on your Bug.

Welcome to the addiction. :lol:

Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:18 pm

I agree on Muirs Idiots guide. My friend and I rebuilt a 65 VW bug engine in 1969 using only this book. He also injected a little humor into it at times which helps you to follow along a little easier than if you were using a regular repair manual. Good luck-Bob

Wed Jul 09, 2025 4:39 pm

Howdy & welcome

Don't forget about The Samba's drop down menu under the "technical" tab. A wealth of info on this site. Search function is very useful as well.

I have & use a Haynes plus a Chilton. My Chilton was from a used book store & had 2 partial pages cut out - oops. Oh well.
The Haynes has its electrical section cut up into bite sized pieces of info. This helped me correct a lot of wiring mistakes from POs & car club members.
Once I got more familiar with the lay out of ACVW systems & how they're wired the full diagrams were less intimidating.
Steep learning curve from well designed layout to manic spaghetti bowl in frunk.

Gentle blessings ... stay safe

jinx

PS :
I've never fully liked Muir's book & haven't done work needing the Bentley.
Any manual is good to have for reference & each has inaccuracies.