maiden voyage after 3 yrs work

[Hot Rod Harp]

Hi Community...

It's chilly in NJ today too, but will warm up later, put on long pants & shirt 1st time since before summer. I could use some help. TheThing was running
ok out of gas can, but found hard line was clogged, ran a parallel 1/4" line per VW instructions ok. After running for a while 15-20 min began smoking, washed oil off bottom, replaced VC gaskets (from rubber to cork). I cannot remove the bottom sled tins to access push rod tubes which may be the leak area. Any advice?
May take maiden trip today around the hood as I've never driven it.

I had the gas gauge working until I was troubleshooting no license plate light and emergency flasher not working yesterday and must have knocked something off/loose cause now the needle in buried below empty and will not go full when grounded. I'm going to dig into it shortly.

_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[Hot Rod Harp]

Update...used a piece of glass to straighten the valve covers flat and going back to cork gaskets helped. Washed bottom best I could when dry runs without smoking. I still want to remove the sled tins so I can change the push rod tubes and seals, but the screws won't budge, hit it with PB Blaster, nothing yet.

Yesterday replaced a couple of broken slip on connectors troubleshooting no license plate light and emergency flasher. Now the fuel gauge needle is pegged below empty and will not move to full when grounded.

Tomorrow I'll remove speedometer completely and investigate. I tested the sender and have continuity from sender to back of gauge.

The maiden voyage was fun, 2nd gear sounds strong, but clunking is coming from the front, I think I'm missing bump stop bushing on top of the left shock.

I'm glad it's a hobby and not a job.
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[newfisher]

If you grow tired of it, I have a spot in the garage for it

[obus]

must be a Jersey Thing "thing". My gas gauge doesnt work and my clunks on the right.
_________________
July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
66 21 window bus built 8/31/65 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=777273

[Hot Rod Harp]

LOL....it's because we can't pump our own gas......jk.
Removed front Bilstein shocks yesterday found bottom rubber bushing shot.
I ordered OEM style from the TheThingShop and Fuel gauge & vibrator from
West Coast Metric. The car is 45 y/o and if it's not one Thing it's another.

I like your orange Thing, mine was in much, much worst shape when I got it,
but is was cheap and came with donor metal & windshield.
Now that the pans and seats are in, it's going to need a top instead of a tarp this winter.
Oh, and the ball joints boots are ripped, don't think I can change them
myself got to find some one who will.
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[Wildthings]

You could try a hand impact driver for removing the screws that hold the tin. This would require getting the vehicle high enough in the air to be able to swing a hammer underneath it though.

Alternately you could try using Vise Grips on the screw heads. Also when you go to put new screws in, it you are willing to use something besides the original pan/fillister heads screws, use a washer head screw with a hex so you can use a wrench to do the removal.

[Hot Rod Harp]

Thanks for the advice Widthings, I have a Sears hand impact driver that I tried while it was on truck jack stands
using a cut down handle sledge hammer after using PB BLaster.
2 came loose, one head snapped off, others won't budge.
Worst case try vise grips or grind heads off. I don't want drill and tap, but will if I have to. Because I don't want to remove the engine yet.

Well I had some success today, my West Coast Metric parts came in so I change both the fuel gauge and vibrator and now
it reads correctly. I think it was only the vibrator, but changed them both.
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[wizrod]

[Hot Rod Harp]

Thanks P for the suggestion. Where did you order the BJ boots from?
What tool or large split pin? Next year i need to replace the BJ boots on my bus as well.
I want to try this while on the car, I know it's more work but I'm retired so I'll just keep at it.

I just got it; a split pin is what we call a cotter pin. I'll try it.
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[Wildthings]

[Hot Rod Harp]

Wait...we were talking ball joints, no? It's a late 74 Thing w/ CV joints, and yes one of those boots are torn as well.....old cars.
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[Wildthings]

[Hot Rod Harp]

I'm still looking for good ball joints boots and maybe some stainless steel wire.
In my search someone mentioned Saran Wrap as a temporary fix, then I found
these split boots.

https://www.ebay.com/i/163621146889?ul_noapp=true

Anybody try it ?
_________________
74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956