72 super refresh

[dubsteez79]

72 super with 1600DP.

Got this super to work on for a retiring coworker. He wants it "right" as it was his wifes first car that she bought new in 72, and they both enjoy driving it. Even if it does smell like fuel inside and doesnt drive that great. It has had some spotty work done on it over the years as this thread will show. I plan on getting this as close to stock as possible within his budget which I dont think will be that difficult since the major components seem solid.

Questions I have include:

WTF is this tube beside the jug? Looks like drainage but I dont know

What are these wires underneath the rear seat? They look factory

This gas cap looks aftermarket and leaks as much as if you just shoved a rag in the hole.

A running list of the issues it has right now:
-Oil leaks. Missing nuts on the oil drain plate are causing at least some of this
-Hesitation until revs build
-Gas cap leaking and no gasket on the fill tube. Leaks and runs into heater channel
-Fronts seats need recovering
-Control knobs for front vents not working properly
-Radio doesnt work but did before the last mechanic messed with it
-All the fuses are ancient and need to be replaced
-Clutch needs replacing
-Needs alignment and maybe front struts. Wobbles down the road and requires a fair amount of steering.
-One heater box cable not connected
-Carburetor looks aftermarket and has wrong filter on it.
-Crankcase vents are disconnected and open.
-Oil pressure light stays on while driving. Goes out momentarily when free-revved.
-No thermostat. Havent checked for flaps yet but am not confident that they are in there.
-Fuel filter in engine bay(with owners who probably dont check stuff like that before every drive like a lot of us enthusiasts do)
-ripped up glove compartment
-Crunchy wiring in the bay

Ill definitely be updating and asking questions along the way for this one. Any details about 72 supers that are odd or specific would be great to know so I can get this thing back to tip-top shape for them. Any pictures of stock engine bays/info would be greatly beneficial as well, since im going to have to find some stock stuff to install. More pictures and commentary to come! Thanks in advance!
_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[Paul Windisch]

The tube in the first pics is a road draft tube, part of the crankcase breathing system. It is doing exactly what it was designed to do, vent excess pressure and oil mist onto the ground.
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[dubsteez79]

Thanks! Does it hook to the breather and such in the engine bay or is it connected somewhere less obvious?

This picture is after I sprayed engine degreaser, rinsed, and let sit and dry overnight btw
_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[Paul Windisch]

It should end up in the bottom of the oil filler housing.
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[Paul Windisch]

Found this in the gallery.
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[dubsteez79]

Awesome. I keep forgetting about utilizing the gallery but I will now. Thanks!
_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[Paul Windisch]

You’re welcome!

The gas cap does not look stock, but might work okay. Look at the condition of the seal on it, and make sure it is making good contact with the filler neck.

I don’t know what those wires are for, but someone will likely chime in.

Take and post some decent pics of the whole engine bay, the carburetor, the distributor, and the fuel pump. We may be able to help just looking at those.

You will likely be best off replacing all of the front suspension rubber components, and obviously, check all of the joints for excessive play.
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[Tom K.]

That car looks to be in amazing shape. Single owner? Treat it like the gem it is - a true survivor. The wires could serve the rear window defogger. A relay would be near, but maybe it was removed. Regarding the fuel smell, note that the source could be elsewhere. Search Samba to learn how the fuel venting system works on these cars.
_________________
'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[Tim Donahoe]

The elephant in the room? Get a new gas cap. Wolfsburg sells the proper one.

Also, change the oil now, and get new acorn nuts for the oil drain studs. Do this when you change the oil and replace the gaskets and copper washers at the sump plate.

Crankcase vents? Show a picture of the engine compartment.

Do a complete tuneup. A carburetor restore—or a new one—seems likely.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Q-Dog]

I almost never see the rubber valve on the end of the road draft tube in place. And new ones don't seem to last more than a couple of years.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[dubsteez79]

I tried to upload a bunch of pictures this weekend via my phone but it failed multiple times and I didnt have time to upload at a computer. I found that the main oil leak and light is definitely caused by the sensor and ordered a new one. It had failed and was leaking past the spade terminal which ive had happen on several over the years. They used the same sensors at least up into the late 80's on rabbits and such. The gas smell is 100% coming from the gas cap not sealing and the lack of rubber grommet between the filler neck and cubby that the filler neck sits in. I opened the trunk and saw that the paint had even been discolored underneath this from so much spilling out over the years. Ill have to figure out something to get most of the smell out before I give the car back so any ideas on that will be greatly welcomed!

Ive got a bunch of small parts on order for the car and a full tuneup is definitely in order. The car is a very nice survivor other than the few oversights that will be addressed. I also found that there are no flaps in the fan shroud so I will be sourcing an entire "thermostat/flap" set from awesomepowdercoat or the classifieds.
_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[dubsteez79]

Photos as promised

_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[daven]

I'll be the first to comment "Take that fuel filter out now if not sooner" - move to the fuel line between the body line and the engine line near the transmission.
Dave

[dubsteez79]

[Paul Windisch]

The only things I can suggest are: get the correct air filter and housing, then install the breather hose, then install proper preheat. Otherwise, that thing looks really solid! Not much butchery in that engine bay!
_________________
*ASE Recertified Master Automotive Tech*

1984 Mexican Beetle
-1914cc
-L3 Heads 35x32 valves 52cc chambers
-0.040" deck for about 9.1:1 Compression
-Engle W110 cam
-CB Super Stock 1.1:1 Rockers
-Stock Heat Exchangers w/ Tri-Mil Muffler
-Dual Weber IDF 40s w/ 26mm venturis
-034 SVDA Distributor

2013 Chevrolet Volt DD
2005 Pontiac Montana SV6

MAHLE Service Solutions
Applications Engineer

[dubsteez79]

Went on vacation so havent worked on the bug in about a week. I did, however get it cleaned up as I enjoy working on clean vehicles more than messy ones.

I have a question about the clutch engagement. It engages very suddenly and jerks a bit when you let out on the pedal when taking off. It starts to engage at around the right spot. I have adjusted the freeplay to around 3/4" as recommended. I do not know if it has a standard sprung clutch or a solid type yet, as I have not had the trans out yet. Ill be checking the trans/engine mounts for any obvious damage or wear today. Could a worn out clutch cable or a damaged clutch fork cause this? Pressure plate issues? The engine is coming out to deal with a loud throw out bearing so I will take pictures when that happens. Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

_________________
It drinks the coffee.
Then Engineers the things.
Then drinks the beer to forget the things.

[zmichael84]

following! I'm about to do a similar refresh on a 74 super I just picked up. Post lots of pictures and questions so I can benefit too

[vamram]

Man, that is a beautiful and clean Super. Agree w/above comment - get a real '72 oil bath air filter.
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Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[Tim Donahoe]

If I had it to do over, I’d get all my engine thermostat stuff from awesomepowdercoat. When I got my parts from Samba sellers, the right flap “C-bracket” was stretched out, so I had to replace that flap, and the return spring was worn at one of the curves (which would have broken into in no time). You’ll pay more, but you’ll get what you pay for. So, I had to replace these before installing.

The thermostat parts were the only questionable items I had trouble with, when buying from Samba Classified sellers, by the way. And I have bought many great parts from this resource.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[bnam]

Perhaps the wires under the seat are for the rear window heater relay? The rear windshield seems like it could be a replacement as it no longer has the chrome trim in the seal.
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL