My First Beetle Project- 1964

[pilottangocharlie]

A correct rear apron is just about back on the car. When I purchased the Beetle it had a later apron that was attached at the top with a sheet metal screw on each side.

I will also be doing a “fuel line-ectomy” as the original has a good size leak at the front attach tab.

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Tyler

[rwf8ball]

Where did you get your car blasted at? I'm in Dallas Texas not far from you, it looks like they did a good job. I would like to try them if the price is right, by the way how much did you pay? if you don't mind me asking.

[pilottangocharlie]

The company that is doing the body work had a third party do the sand blasting and I am guessing they have some sort of agreement on special pricing. The blasting was done at Powder & Protective Coatings of Texas. They are in Dallas as well. We separated all the parts there and they charged $250.
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Tyler

[turbotype1]

car looks solid.... nice way to start a project .

smokin deal on the blasting by the way
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[rwf8ball]

OK thanks I will definitely give them a call.

[pilottangocharlie]

No photos until I get into the shop tomorrow, but today I went to Portland, OR to pick up a very nice correct decklid that will replace the one that has been cut up on mine. Somewhere along the way the hinge area on my original one was cut and welded and the hinges aren’t in their proper place causing the decklid to sit off to one side.

The seller also had a set of square boss heads that will need to be rebuilt so I picked those up as well.

I shipped everything back to myself in Texas as the decklid was a little big to carry on the Boeing.


A few repairs are underway on the heater channel areas where they are starting to rust on the lower surface.
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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

Yesterday turned out somewhat productive. I started by running a tap through every nut on the pan. I then got the beam on the frame and bent the new brake lines.

While I was working on that she was putting the pan seal on with nails. It turned out looking great.

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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

Engine parts should be done this week and I was eager to see how the accessories would look together so I did a mock-up using a spare case I had in the garage. I think it is safe to say I’m ready to build my first VW engine.

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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

The project has been a little slow in the last few weeks, but I did pick up the engine parts from the machine shop this week and have started putting the 40HP 1200 together that will power the car. This is my first air-cooled engine rebuild and I couldn't have asked for a better machine shop. Automotive Machine and Supply in Cleburne, TX did the machine work and completely rebuilt a set of '65 373 heads I picked up on eBay for $30/ea. Now to get a running engine hung on the chassis before the body is ready to drop on.

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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

Slowly getting the 40HP back together. I got everything together and the halves joined and the upper rear camshaft stud threads were trashed. I tried to repair them while the case was together, but just couldn't. I decided to pull it all back apart, repair the threads, clean all the internals, and have a second go at it.

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Tyler

[GB2S]

Was the fuel line ectomy success?

Geoff
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1963 Ragtop

[pilottangocharlie]

[scrivyscriv]

I just realized we have the exact same FH workbench
I used 2x6 for the side legs since I planned on mounting my vise and gratuitously beating things on it! Would definitely build another one again if I needed to.
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[pilottangocharlie]

[scrivyscriv]

[pilottangocharlie]

Nearing completion of the engine. I just need to pressurize the oil system, drop the pushrods in, and adjust the valves before the first start.

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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

A small update on the project.

I have been working here and there with the engine to get it running as good as I can. I ran into fuel pump leak problems during the first run, but managed to suspend a fuel can over the carb to bypass the leaking pump. I thought I had one of the bad rebuild kits so I purchased another from the classifieds here. Upon rebuilding a second pump it leaked the same as the first so I tried tightening the six pump half screw VERY tight and that stopped the leaking. I've got about an hour of run time on the engine and it is running superb. The carburetor I pulled from the junk yard has a throttle shaft that is a little loose and will drip fuel if any is sitting on top of the throttle plate, but other than that it is okay. I will work with it for now and look into a solution later before the car hits the road.

Now to get the transmission back together and onto the pan..

A photo of the nearly completed engine on the test stand this evening after some more runs to test the rebuilt fuel pump. I will have the rear engine tin fitted soon.

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Tyler

[pilottangocharlie]

Inspired by anthracitedub and his transmission tear down and rebuild thread I set out to get the transmission apart that came in the car when I bought it. This was a good running transmission that had no problems from the little that I drove the car before starting the restoration.

I was hesitant to dive deep into the transmission as I have never messed with them, but I finally decided to give it a shot.

This evening after our family dinner date we went and picked up a cheap twelve ton press. The rest is history....

I made it through getting both gear stacks and gear carrier disassembled and the parts mostly cleaned up. It may be a little overkill, but I bagged the parts as this is a total newbie that will be putting it all back together. I have to say this is amazing fun to get to learn how this box of gears really works.

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Tyler

[dodgerodder]

You’re making great progress!

What did you cost the pan with? It looks really good!

Looks like the texture is smooth, some of the bed liner coatings are really sharp & rough
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My 66’ build thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=699235

[pilottangocharlie]

The pan is covered in bedliner that was cut down before applying so it isn’t as rough as it would be normally.
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Tyler