Dad's 1964 Ruby Red Beetle

[Teeroy]

Heinrich, he has a cast distributor. Pretty sure he's asking about the bolt through the insulator and distributor body. Bently manual might list what size it is.
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Pres. Rivercity VW Club www.rcvwclub.org
Founder Derr Wheat Panzers (DWP)
ARR #3
www.autosportsnorthwest.org

[heimlich]

[Mike Fisher]

Cut your top hose in 1/2 so you can bend the line more vertical.
Bend the curve a little to get a straight shot to the carburetor.
You could put a longer hose on the bottom too?
We're quite confident you can bend it without heat!

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https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[Adriel Rowley]

There was a request to update this thread, I resisted, and then recognized I was, maybe still a touch, of bitterness because was getting no response to questions. I am sorry. Additionally, it takes about an hour to write and edit a post, so felt the time could be better spent making progress. Right Mike Fisher?

To save time, not posting any picture(s) nor any additional information to say that about a month ago or about 250 miles ago, started driving Ruby, mostly to medical appointments.

Saturday 23.00 to 2.30 in the morning (I sleep for a few hours, then go out and work, shower as very hot and humid weather, then sleep another few hours) did oil change and valve adjust.

Today spent about six hours and failed at replacing window felts and scrapers (replacement rubber still soft), plus the window regulator. Wolfsburg West outers are rubbish and not useable (so if know a good chrome shop all ears) and the mild adhesive a friend gave me melted the small felt. Weirdly only had one small felt, so ordered a pair plus rear spring plate bushings.

See, see Ruby's bum is sagging about 4cm in the rear, plus, the shocks need to be adjusted which requires being disconnected at the bottom to adjust, so take care of both all at once. IIRC stock spring plate angle is 12 degrees, so add 7*30' degrees to account for settling, so 19*30', and see what that results in.

From another thread:

_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[Mike Fisher]

How did your floor get beat all to hell?
Worst floor I've ever seen.

_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[Adriel Rowley]

Hey Mike, thanks for the random comment, reminded me need to update this thread.


I been busy with medical appointments and getting other important things done at home that got put aside in the total focus on getting Ruby on the road. Then about a few weeks ago got COVID, now any minor effort run out of breath and heart rate spikes; resting is also high. So, might be a bit longer before get more done.


Let's see if remember everything that has happened, starting with the most important, the engine.

Since previous initial oil changed recorded in this short thread, I have done two additional oil changes and been adjusting valves every 100 miles, which amounts to one week. Everything is seeming fine and have absolute confidence, worse case, I have some tools, and all else fails, I have AAA Plus.

Number two cylinder was burning oil, nothing apparent in the exhaust after the 30 minute initial break in, now seems to be okay. Keep in mind these cylinders were bought as mildly used about 20 years ago and acquired shelf corrosion, requiring a lot of honing (hindsight should have bought new but was tired of the delays and warm garage). Will keep an eye on the spark plugs of course.

A dear friend gave me a sniffer, which was to check not only idle mixture, also check the whole range over varied conditions, both sides, in case the carburetor needed adjusting; want this engine to outlive me. I doubted the jetting needed adjustment as the amazing fellow who did me a huge favor rebuilding it is knowledgeable and equipped to handle it. Fuel economy has been good and improving as engine breaks in.

Speaking of fuel, the fuel gauge cable is stuck. I been so mentally exhausted and drained, I ran out of fuel twice, thank goodness for friends. The first time was a short distance to PT so huffed it, second time as parking at the church.

Speaking of friends, a dear friend gave me a Thermidor swamp cooler in mint condition, sans the support. When the humidity is below about 30 percent relative to temperature it works great; while driving many days of well over 100 and humidity over 25 percent RH. One thing that helps, especially when be out for a three to four hours, is put ice cubes in the tank. When cool weather comes, will probably replace the mat and improve performance. Oh and we are sure fortunate to have the internet, another forum suggested screen door brace rod, the only change I made is it sits on the belt line as not found a way to slide into the window without flexing the scraper.

Speaking of window scrapers, the ones from Wolfsburg West are rubbish. I expected to be thinner, but also, the mounting holes are not drilled, which require a drill press to avoid damage to the thin metal. Plus, the clips are not correct (forget now what exactly). Life goes on. As such, I put back the original driver side and didn't do the passenger side, not used anyway. Some point find a shop to chrome the originals and then I will find and fit new scrapers to them as those on the replacements the holes would need modification and doubt could be made to work.

Dear friend gave me flexible W123 large window felts as an upgrade and the felts I bought in 2019 got damaged in the moves. They are a perfect fit, just the rear corner need some fettling since there is no backer and without care can be pushed too far up; I used the window to set the curve.

Next up was replacing the window regulator, original got over worked pushing the glass in the dry window felts and scraper, which sadly scratched the glass. Replacement made in Brazil, less teeth, but works just fine. I am now kicking myself for not replacing the felts all those ages ago, only the small has to be glued, so when do go to paint, not being wasted after all. Makes driving her all that more enjoyable.

Had some, let's say interesting experiences with shifting, not caused by about 15 years without (like riding a bicycle). First we thought it was the shifter, significant improvement on shifting, though despite the plate all the way over, both original and new, still not getting into second. Original is very worn and the ramp is cracked, but good enough to see the new was a wider opening. Sure handy having a welder, put a bead along the edge and smoothed. Once in a while when trying to be quick and don't go strait back, I will hit reverse, so some point need to add another bead to it.

I am more than happy with the decisions I made during the engine build. Once the engine showed she was mostly broken in and timing set correctly, found the 77mm bore plenty and the 1,1:1 late rockers to wake the engine up. I have plenty of power for steep hills and can easily get to 75MPH to get out of a traffic situation, bet if I was insane I could hit 80MPH. I figure the best way to break an engine in is drive spirited, especially changing RPM to help seat the rings. Wonder what it looks like as pass folks with Ruby's patina, my long chops flapping in the breeze, and wearing granny glasses.

[tcoop1100]

Thanks for the update, Adriel. Glad to hear things are (mostly) going well with Ruby. Glitches are all part of the experience.
I hope your health improves soon.
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Aloha,
Tim
January '57 Sedan with 40hp big bore

[Mike Fisher]

The floor is 'small potatoes' in comparison to the fact that you have a running/driving car again!
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[Adriel Rowley]

[Adriel Rowley]

[Adriel Rowley]

I remembered this eying what I was going to ask.

Has any of the tall folks found the center mirror doesn't adjust high enough?

All I can see is the parcel floor, so only have a side mirror. I drove for years without a center mirror in another vehicle as tired of getting blinded by flashing high beams for being a safe driver.
_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[Mike Fisher]

[Adriel Rowley]

[Adriel Rowley]

I been thinking should update this thread, now finding yet again the axle seals are leaking and has me frustrated. So much so mulling over if need to do a drastic solution like IRS conversion, but that take a lot of energy, money, and time I don't have.

I really don't have the energy or time to put pictures in for just one or two people, sorry. Maybe feel differently on the weekend.

Engine seems to be doing okay, not great. Here are a few thoughts:
1) No more sparkly oil, though still do a short interval.
2) I tried doing a compression test, the gauge was leaking on the forward cylinders, ignored my Service Dog alerting, and had a small Autistic meltdown (not been taking care of myself) resulting in loss of the gauge. However, got a logical reading on number two of 120PSI, so seems avoided a situation and compression has significantly increased.
3) There is a rod knock on number two cylinder. Figure run it until doesn't run anymore, hopefully after have a spare engine built. I am of course open to changing my mind.
4) The flat rocker spring washers have been breaking, so now checking the valve trains every 100 miles.
5) Engine is still seems to be overheating. Found a roll of exhaust wrap so wrapped the heat riser tube and the muffler from the heat riser to the middle, should help.
6) Found fuel pressure to be high enough it was causing overfilling of the fuel bowl. Rod now set to 12,5mm though now might be running lean, will get out the sniffer once back on the road. E10 is all that is available so per a reliable source that says go up two sizes, thinking go to 117,5 first, then 120, if mixture can't be fattened with the mixture screw to a satisfactory stoichiometric mixture.

As for the transaxle, I now have boots leaking without active dripping, axle oil sprayed everywhere, plus the axle cover seals are leaking into the drums, but not enough to leak outside the wheels, nor leaving drips when sitting, and everything is coated inside the drum.

Ruby also got backed into, damaging her driver front fender. Without including the bumper, at least $1000USD in damage. Make a long story short, neighbor instead of letting me know of the accident is gaslighting me, a form of bullying, so now management now involved. I am undecided if get repaired or wait until Baby is down here so have a vehicle to drive.

I forget if said it or not, but so glad replaced the shifter, feels so much better. Still need to add another bead to the lockout plate, if not careful when downshifting in a spirited manner I will hit reverse.
_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[scarabee]

Hi Adriel. I enjoy following the progress on your car, even though I never comment. I suspect that there are more like me. You are also creating an historical record for possible future caretakers of the car, so more photos would be helpful.

[Adriel Rowley]

[Adriel Rowley]

Early April, coming home from a local classic vehicle meet, I was involved in a road rage situation and now looking for a a passenger door, running board, and rear left fender; as for the bumper just twisted it back up enough so not dragging when pull into even shallow driveways.

Apparently don't have a useful picture of the door, oops.

At the aforementioned meet, an acquaintance expressed concern about the tie rod play, as seen in this video:


Link
.

Eventually I ended up were I am now, long story, so could not only take care of the tie rod end, also take care of the small end rod knock.

Engine put up a bit of a fight getting out, the top nuts and bolts are real fun to get out especially with the dog house setup.

Found the source of the noise.

Confirmed this by pulling all the jugs off and checking for play in the connecting rods. Amused that all were tight, spent a morning rebuilding a set of connecting rods. Oh well, probably good to have a spare set on hand.

I also had a local come an hour drive and help set end play, due to a language barrier easier for him to come out and do it himself rather then explain.

Since the jugs were off, decided to lower the compression as had wanted to do for a while. With finances tight, got a Costco membership for dog food and found the fuel to be significantly less. However, don't have 89 octane so that meant buying 92 octane, and with 21MPG, that was taking a big bite out of my income (do about 300 to 400 miles in a month). Measured the deck height while waiting for the spacers to arrive, with 0,04", give 7,3:1 compression, 0,3 more than stock though still Volkswagen's recommendation for low octane (located in "Without Guesswork").

Front suspension kind of snow balled, decided since such a chore to get the tie rod end out of the knuckle, replace the torsion bars and be rid of the 15mm sag on the driver side. Glad I am, there was water inside of the beam. The torsion bars are mildly rusted in places, but mark which is upper and lower just in case.

Today I had planned to put the new torsion bars in, but cleaning took the whole day. One advantage working in this space is when the PO's husband passed, she never went back in, and eventually sold the property to the church about ten years ago, who never finished clearing it out. So there was an open bottle of brake fluid and open bottle of ATF, put the stiff knuckles in a massive salad bowl I was loaned, got the driver side moving nicely, hopefully leaving the passenger side over the weekend fully frees it. I am finding the concoction to do well at not only removing solid grease, also rust.

The other reason took the day is because when cleaning, I was getting a lot of rust colored liquid out of the links, plus hard to clean the knuckles and torsion arms as a unit. So blew it all apart, though carefully marking a diagram to keep track of where the shims were, however, will run through the procedure to be sure all is well.

Good thing I did blow apart, there is some minor damage to the upper links and a lot of damage to the lowers where they are pinched by a bolt. Using the concoction and steel wool has removed the rust sans super tiny pitting, so thinking rotate and use opposite, at least until find a space to pull them out, still have the engine to finish and get installed.

Link


Additionally, all the o rings are missing or spit, so I will replace them with generics so at least something for time being. With the new beam seals, there should not be any water getting back in.

As can see, even a short post takes over an hour to write.
_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[Adriel Rowley]

Feel the need to mention once the links were clean, discovered they are Febi, stamped "Made in West Germany," which means dates from between 1973-1990. Too bad Ruby's file went missing, be nice to know when they were replaced, but at least stamped so have some indication.

Also feel should clarify I am not upset about the accident, serves no purpose, and instead see it as opportunity to learn how to see and respond to road rage plus use the tiny amount of insurance money to build Ruby's emergency fund started after the minuscule amount got last time. Trouble driving a rolling restoration is most folks see it as a worthless beater driven by poor white trash, whereas if fully restored they see it as a classic vehicle driven by a well off member of society.
_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation