My '69 and my journey so far. Lots of photos!

[Xhai]

Hey guys,

I thought I'd share my VW journey with you all. I'm new to VW's and this is my first!

I've always harboured a love for Bugs -my mum had 1964 Beetle in the 90's when I was a kid and my dad is an ex kombi owner and has had an unfinished Baja project in his shed for years.

My 30th birthday was back in March, so I bought myself a little treat I was on the lookout for a relatively rust free Beetle for some time. They're getting harder to find in Western Australia these days, so when this old girl came up for sale I snapped her up.

It's a 1969, 1500 with a subtle two toned paint job. Odo reads 79468, but it could be on it's second rotation (or more).

My mechanical knowlege is limited, but I was keen to read and learn and do as much as possible myself.

Photos from the time of purchase:

My initial plans for 'Daisy' after sorting out any mechanical issues:

● Paint the fenders
● Install stock exhaust
● Replace corroded rear bumper
● Install stock wheels and new tyres
● Fuel gauge not working
● General cosmetic clean up
● Interior replacements: passenger window crank, broken sunvisor clip, ugly stereo, missing door handle finger plate
● One dim headlight
● Seatbelt upgrade
● Clean engine bay

It all started after a little sunset cruise two days after I bought it. I started getting some pretty heavy hesitation 5 mins into the drive. I could tell something wasn't right, so luckily I didn't venture too far from home. The engine ended up spluttering and cutting out while driving along. After a little while of being stranded I was able to get it started again, so I tried to dash home, but the same thing happened a couple of minutes down the road. This happened repeatedly, until I finally made it home in the dark after a painful couple of hours. She remained sleeping in my garage while I researched and problem solved.

The Samba became my daily reading, along with Muir's book. With these resources guiding me I dived right in!

Turns out there were a few issues going on: the float needle valve in the carb was intermittently sticking in the closed position starving the carb of fuel, hence the engine dying. This was caused by dirty fuel and crud making it's way into the carb. There was also poor fuel pressure coming from the pump due to fuel line and fuel filter blockages. Of course, the source of the crap was the fuel tank. It was corroded and the lining on the tank walls was badly peeling. The mesh screen at the bottom of the tank was non-existent.

This is a sample of fuel that the fuel pump produced. Not good!

So the work begins! I drained the tank and began cleaning it, getting ready to use the tank resealing kit I purchased. It was a tedious process, but the final result was worth it. I had the most success by putting a length of metal chain in the tank and shaking it around - this knocked the tank walls clean.

The kit I went with

The build up of crap before cleaning

After sealing

I replaced the tank outlet tube and mesh screen

See the old outlet tube

I used this time to repaint the outside of the tank too

And a new fuel sender. Finally a working fuel gauge!

I also had to clean out the metal fuel line in the tunnel. I flushed it with carb cleaner and compressed air. I was amazed at the rust flakes that came out.

Replaced both fuel filters (one under the tank, one near rear left wheel). So we're good to go! Well, maybe after a carb clean. I took it apart, carefully, and documented where everything came from and where it goes. Cleaned it all and flushed the jets with carb cleaner. The bowl was filthy. The float needle valve was a bit tight, so I gave that a soak for a couple of days. Replaced gaskets and put it all back together.

We had a lot of rain this winter, so it was good to spend the colder months working on the car with a mind to having her up and running nicely for spring and summer. By this point I was actually glad about breaking down - it forced me to start learning about the engine and how to probem solve.

I replaced the spark plugs and worn ignition leads. Checked valves - all good, set points on the distributor and adjusted timing to 7.5° BTDC. This was a great learning experience for me. It was now driving nicely, but had a bit of hesitation. I was able to fix this by adjusting the automatic choke and the fuel/air mix on the carb. I found that playing around with my 30 pict-2 carb resulted in a lot of trial and error until I found that sweet spot.


It was now time to paint! I was excited about this part - the primer grey fenders had to go. The PO had filled some dings and dents on 2 of the fenders and primed them, but never finished the job. He then painted the remaining 2 fenders primer grey because he liked how it looked?? Oh well. The paint ain't original and I didn't have a code for it, so I had it scanned and colour-matched at an auto paint store. The colour of the paint provided was dead accurate - I was impressed.

I removed the fenders and began prepping them. This whole task was wayyy bigger than I Imagined. A thankless job! But I knew the end result would really be worth it.

Unveiled a few different colours in the process

I primed, used body filler where necessary, painted and clear coated. I don't have a compressor so this was a rattle can job. I'm very happy with the result! Save for the lack of reflective shine in the clear coat. I may be able to achieve this with a good buff and polish soon though.

Added new fender beading (a little hard to install by yourself) and all new rubber seals for tail lights, indicators, and headlight o-rings.

I also knocked out a small dent in the headlight ring.

Replaced the rusty rear bumper. Just a cheapy, so I'm keeping it dry and polished as it doesn't appear to be the best quaity.

I had one dim headlight. After more Samba research I managed to find a poor ground. Fixed that up - no more black eye!

Existing stereo

Upgraded the old stereo head unit with a new one I found on eBay. It's chinese 'quality' and was like $30. It has a vintage look about it and works fine. Even has bluetooth It suits the style of the interior.

And here's me on a coastal cruise enjoying the fruits of my labour. I gotta say, doing the work yourself is hard, but so rewarding. It makes driving her even more enjoyable!

And finally, Daisy making friends

Still to come in this thread:

● Stock muffler install
● Stock wheels and new tyres
● Speaker upgrade and handmade wooden speaker shelf in the rear

Thanks for reading guys

[Tim Donahoe]

Looks great!

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[jamin12369]

Cool car,

[73SlowBug]

What paint did you use? That looks great!
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Daily driven....Slowly.

[Rome]

Good going so far. Car looks so much better and "finished" with single-color fenders instead of the primered look. How many spray cans did you need for the fender repaint?

Are those current rims 14" diameter?

Does the engine have stock heater boxes installed, or have they been replaced with J-tubes?

[Xhai]

[themrfreeze]

That's the nicest "rattle can" paint job I've ever seen. I'll be painting my bug in the spring (autumn where you are) and am taking some inspiration from the job you did!

As for the heater boxes I'm also a noob air-cooled VW owner and the thing that's quickly becoming apparent to me is that keeping things working as stock as possible seems the best way to go. Perhaps buying a replacement breast plate so you can reconnect the heater hoses might not be a bad idea.

[Rome]

[Xhai]

[Xhai]

I recently removed the 4 tip exhaust and fitted a stock muffler and pipes. I went with a Jopex branded one - wasn't too bad in terms of installation and fitment.

It’s nice and heavy and seems to be good quality. A lot of other brands I looked into had poor reviews regarding quality and seemed like they didn’t line up well with heat risers etc.

The old exhaust removed! Luckily the old bolts weren’t too seized. I gave them a dose of WD-40 the day before.

Lined up pretty well, but not perfect - I had to manipulate it a bit to get it bolted up. This would have been easier with another pair of hands helping me.

I’ll have to shimmy the pods around a bit to get them to line up with the heater boxes when I eventually get the heaters working again.

I’m really happy with the change. I love the stock look with the pipes, and it sounds awesome! Finally got the typical VW fweem She sounds chirpy and happy now.

Getting there!

[docdanracy]

Very nice work!
_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[themrfreeze]

I literally did the same exact thing with my '68 VW1300 about 3 weeks ago! Totally agree...the fweem is worth the effort!

[Buggeee]

It seems to me that the stock fweem is now the rarity. Nowadays a loud pipe on a vw is like tattoos, I tell my kids I'm a rebel for not having one. The stock beetle muffler stands out from the crowd when I hit the local cruises with it. "Look that one chirps!"

You are doing a great job with that bug. It's looking good!
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[Xhai]

[Xhai]

Time for a safety upgrade! I replaced the existing front seat belts with modern 3 point retractable belts. I found these on eBay from a car restoration shop.

The existing belt on the drivers seat was twisted and being held together with a knot. I like the idea of not dying, so was happy to get this upgrade underway

Surprisingly, the bolts included with the new belts had the same thread as the existing ones, so I was able to upgrade the fixings while I was at it.

The arms on the buckle bolted nicely into the tunnel. These are rigid arms, so it makes for easy access.

The tricky part of the install was making a bracket to bolt the retractable spool onto. The belts I was replacing only had the two anchor points, and I needed a third for the spool. I made a bracket so I could share the lower anchor point with the spool. It sits up against the rear kick panel, but still allows for the back seat to be lifted up for battery access etc.

Feels so much safer and more secure now. Really happy with the result!

[Xhai]

I finally managed to hunt down some stock rims and hub caps after searching for some time. They were a little worse for wear - a bit of rust and flaking paint, so I had to clean them up before primer and new paint.

Primed and ready for paint

I decided to do them satin black with a white trim to give the illusion of white wall tyres

The hubcaps had a bit of surface rust and a couple of small dents I managed to knock out. WD-40 and some 000 steel wool brought them back to a nice finish.

Masking them up for the white paint took a bit of time

I did about 3 coats of the black and white before finishing up with a satin clear coat

Fitted with new Hankook 165/80 R15 tyres

I love how they turned out! Especially the white trim. Really happy to lose those hotwire rims and go back to the stock look. Feels a lot nicer to drive with the new tyres too

[themrfreeze]

Those rims look great...I did the EXACT same thing to my rims when I first got my '68 over the summer and they made a world of difference in the appearance of the car.

[wcfvw69]

You're doing a great job putting that bug back to stock. It looks so much better with the stock rims and muffler.

Nice job
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[docdanracy]

Nice work!
Coming along nicely
_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos