Der Grune Kafer - My 1967 build - Photo Heavy

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Learned something new. In 1967 the swing axle flange was a two piece. Rancho built the transaxle for me but I did the axle installation. This was due to the fact that the axle tubes were being powder coated with the pan and other items. Soon after I installed the trans and filled it with gear oil I noticed some leaks. I contacted Dave at Rancho and he explained that in 67 the flange was a two piece press fit design. He typically just replaces them with an older version.

This past week I removed the axle tubes and repaired this issue. A lot of work to remove all of the brakes and bearings but I'm glad its an item off the list.

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Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Removed the heater tubes over the weekend and patched in the holes. Its a California car and will never have heater boxes on it.

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

sealed off the heater tubes that run down the sides as well. They are not complete at this point. I ran out of time and energy to complete the welds. Once complete they will be covered with seam sealer and carpet. I will be using the drivers side heater tube to run all of the wiring.

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Little update for this week. Sold the beam last night. It did not meet my needs. Nothing wrong with it at all just didn't work with my vision any longer. So another step back. Waiting for a new beam to be built. Will update when that arrives.

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Ive been chasing rust for the past month or so now. Find it, remove it, treat the area and weld in new metal. Over and Over again.

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Now for a bit of a rant. As I said before I will not bash any company on this thread, with that being said I would like to get what I paid for. I have spent thousands of dollars with a certain company, the marketing this company does is second to none. Each dollar I have spent has taken me months and sometimes years to put away so that I can afford to make my purchase. What I assumed would be the best in the business. Seems that everytime I turn around I am finding subpar workmanship. The latest in a long line of disappointments is a caliper bracket that came with my very expensive brakes. I took the bracket off of the spindles while I was making some changes. The powder coating was missing from where the fasteners were attached. So I stripped back more of the coating to find that not only was the mill scale still on the part but no media blasting of any kind took place before the power was applied. The powder was so thin that it peeled away with the simple tightening of a fastener. I wont mention the company name here but only because I am deciding if it is worth my time to file a suit against them for subpar products.

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Repaired a small section inside the rear wheel well recently. While working that area I found that the lower sheet metal of the heater channel was rusted through. Removed the old damaged metal and replaced the entire lower heater channel sheet metal with a new piece I picked up from CIP1.

I ended up buying a spot welder to complete the install.

shanered · Samba Member Joined: October 24, 2022 Posts: 77

Nice progress. I'm currently doing similar work to a car that's been in my family since the 60s, my great grandma wrecked it in 71, me in 24? I think. I hit me head and the last few years don't seem to separate in my brain. But metalwork nonetheless. Keep it up you're almost done!

shanered · Samba Member Joined: October 24, 2022 Posts: 77

And the brakes... I've gone a few different directions with my driver over the years always circling back around to stock German parts being the most reliable, durable and forgiving. I just removed my dropped spindles, the two piece construction always bothered me and guess what broke in the wreck...

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Root_Werks

Can't believe I didn't see this thread sooner. Looks like a clean Bug to get started on and the progress is outstanding!

Thanks for all the pics!

-Dan
_________________
When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee?

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Sesh_Vdubs · Samba Member Joined: November 20, 2023 Posts: 61

Some small updates to my build. Visited Washburn Metals two weeks ago and picked up a couple of large carb windows. I also purchased a 2180 long block that was builit by Chico Performance a few years back. Im going to change the heads to a big valve setup. New front beam came in from Pan Draggers as well.