Crank Shaft pulley rubbing on engine tin.

[KGCoupe]

A hearty Congratulations", and also "Welcome to the Karmann Ghia Owner's Club"!


I'm sorry to hear that your (presumably) long distance vintage automobile purchase didn't work out exactly as you had planned/hoped.
I know that you mentioned above you preferred to stay on the topic of your mystery noise, but I'd like to comment on your disappointment with the poor quality paint job if I may.
Speaking from my own experience, I know that the excitement of finally making the dream of Karmann Ghia ownership a reality "clouded" my vision to the point where normally obvious flaws became invisible to me even though the seller did provide ample photos of the prospective car prior to the sale.
Later when the Ghia was delivered and I noticed several areas which were somewhat disappointing, I looked back at the photos sent prior to the sale and was surprised to see those same flaws clearly captured when I knew what to look for.

In my case, the "disappointing" areas were minor in the "Grand Scheme" of Karmann Ghia Ownership and I was able to quickly change my focus on all the things that were "right" about my newly acquired car.

While I did (... and still do) feel that I probably paid too much at the time (2005), the ever so slowly rising Karmann Ghia values may have finally caught up ... but it doesn't really matter as I have no current plans of ever selling.

The cost of a complete high quality paint job is certainly a substantial amount, but the rust repairs necessary on the vast majority of surviving Karmann Ghias can rival (and often exceed) that cost.
If indeed those rust repairs were performed correctly on your new Karmann Ghia, that's a huge positive thing in your favor.
I encourage you to try and stay focused on whatever "Good" you can find on your new Ghia, and it sounds like you are already trying to do so.
I'd also encourage you to drive that new Karmann Ghia Cabriolet top down as often as your local weather will allow, and unless your heart is made of stone I suspect that any remaining buyer's remorse will likely fade away.

As djkeev has already pointed out, it is quite possible to correct a multitude of bad painting techniques such as orange peel and runs through the wet sanding process.
If you're not comfortable with trying something like that yourself, any reputable local body shop (or perhaps even a very talented auto detailer) should be able to help you out.


Anyway, Congratulations again and welcome to the club.

EDIT: I see by the additional photos you posted as I was composing my own response that you are indeed dealing with several issues that no amount of wet sanding can correct.

It's good to see that you are trying to remain positive about the acquisition, and that you've already begun to make plans to move forward with a "proper" restoration.

Although you are apparently far from being done spending money on this project, the "Good News" is that the values of Karmann Ghias in general - and Karmann Ghia Cabriolets in particular - appear to be rising much more quickly these days.
Barring any drastic change in the current world economy, it's quite likely that ultimately in time you'll find that you didn't pay too much for your car, ... you just paid it too early.

[Marcdeb]

Thank you KGCoupe.

Very nicely composed. I appreciate the warm remarks from all of you. And yes, I will not get that exciting first top down drive this summer (I'm in Vermont), but I have a lot to look forward to next spring.

I enjoyed reading about your acquisition experience. I also plan to keep this car as long as I'm able, so I want it to look great.

[TDCTDI]

YIKES! Forget bad feedback, that's thoroughly worth an assault charge... Maybe two.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Marcdeb]

[TDCTDI]

Yes, the studs are too long, that's why I suggested to look behind the tin from underneath.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Marcdeb]

[TDCTDI]

[Marcdeb]

[sjbartnik]

Ooof hack work.

That guy fucked you over good. You should return the favor.
_________________
1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[djkeev]

I'm not sure if there are any legal steps that can be taken. Maybe if you paid by PayPal or Credit Card there might be some purchase warranty policy?

No matter what happens, your attitude seems good, that is a MAJOR plus!!!!

The advice to make it mechanically sound before cosmetically perfect is a very wise statement and excellent advice.

It has already been mentioned to gi drive the snot out of it and I agree.

Fall in love with it first, now the extra expense of body repair will be easier to swallow.
You might even find yourself wanting to do a lot of it yourself.
VW's tend to make mechanics out of their owners.

I would cut off or grind off the offending stud / studs and call it good.

There is step one of your process finished!

The longer studs are often used for thicker high volume oil pumps...... which yours is not.

Keep posting, we will keep helping...... and hopefully stop criticizing the purchase.
As I've mentioned before....... YOU HAVE A GHIA CONVERTIBLE!!!!!! YES!!!
Now, let's set it right.

There is an air cooled member who has older type II's and a Vanagon.
I'll try to dig up his user name, he's a great guy, we met at the Flanders All Air Cooled Show. He comes down to it every year. He may be of great help if you're local to each other.

EDIT:

crukab

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=308


Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Marcdeb]

[63 vwnotch]

I've been part of this community for a long time and then some, it bothers me that some vagrant here seizes the chance to take advantage of someone.. Even if its half your fault for whatever reason, you're a better man than I, as I would've already called him out on it and forum slammed him into an arm bar..

My thoughts are DO NOT take it to an auto body shop, they are going to open a can of worms you Do Not want to deal with believe me, my suggestion is to color sand it and buff it and call it good.. get the mechanicals sorted out and enjoy it for a few years... if you have the paint he used or the code even better, many shops will shoot it into a rattle can for like $20.. so you can touch up/ blend as needed and color sand
_________________
BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[TDCTDI]