Engine decisions for 60 beetle

[Kthomas]

I did change the bearing and I’m wondering if that’s the issue. It looked like the old one which I have since thrown away. 😩
Does the plastic sleeve slide down through the bearing when correct because this one doesn’t ?

[Kthomas]

This is the one I got.
It is the 62

I guess I thought since I had a later steering wheel the shaft was probably a later shaft but maybe not ?

I’m not sure how to proceed now. I wish I had just left the old bearing in there although it sounded rough.

[EVfun]

The spring in the Wolfsburg West screen shot you show should be around the plastic sleeve on the steering shaft. You show the metal spring seat at the bottom of the plastic insulating sleeve as expected. The spring goes around the plastic sleeve. Then there should be a contact ring, then a plastic insulation washer, then the circlip in the groove between the sleeve and the spines. This allows the horn button pins in the '60-'61 steering wheel to contact the contact ring when the horn button is pushed.

I have this hunch that because of this awkward insulation system on the early shaft the correct steering column bearing had a larger inside diameter. It was the 1980's when I modified the system to work like the later system to use a Grant steering wheel. The bearing wasn't nearly so old and I didn't touch it. I just ditched the "Plastic washer," the jumper wire between two rag joint bolts, and ran a new wire down the hollow steering shaft and connected it to a steering side rag joint bolt.

I believe the easiest plan going forward would be to source a '62-'67 steering shaft and just convert the whole system to the later type bearing and horn. Your existing column with its new bearing should be fine. Your turn signal switch will be fine (getting a '60-'61 turn signal switch used to be a common part of switching later Bugs to "snowflake" taillights.) I know of no source for the '60-'61 upper steering column bearing and it seems to be a different part than the later one. I know it is different than the early one.

You also already have a later type steering wheel. The ratty old steering wheel you have is a '60 steering wheel. I see the plastic insulation on the bottom and a busted horn ring where the half ring goes through notches in the steering wheel spokes. The new steering wheel has a later type half ring horn button. I can tell because the steering wheel does not have the notches for the half ring to pass through and because I see the extra terminal on the horn ring that is for the ground wire that then goes down the column to the rag joint.
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[Kthomas]

Thank You for your reply.
This forum is great !
I’m now on the hunt for a 62-67 steering shaft.
Life is an adventure 😀

[Kthomas]

62-67 steering shaft
I just found one 😀

[Rome]

Excellent and useful details, EVfun!

[Kthomas]

Finally got the new steering wheel assembly mounted .
Now I need to wire everything up.
I was looking for wiring instructions to wire later turn signal assembly up to 60 but it seems like the later assemblies have 3 wires . Mine has 6.

[Kthomas]

I need to upgrade my wiper assembly from 6 to 12 volt. I know which one came out of the car so I know it’s 6 volt ( although there is nothing saying that on assembly )
. The question —- How can I tell if the other is 12 volt or six ? There is no writing on it either except for the symbol on top.
Ultimately, will it work or is it just a later version of the 6 volt ?

[mukluk]

The wiper motor may have a 6V or 12V stamped into the base near the output shaft as shown below. If no such marking exists, they'll typically have their part number stamped or printed on the side of the base which you can then use to identify it positively. Just looking at the picture, I'd say most likely your Bosch wiper is a 6V unit (113 955 111 H or P).

Concerning your 3 wire turn signal switch in a '60 quandary, if you don't mind deviating from completely stock you can install a small relay box set up as shown below. This will allow you to use your 3 wire switch and have full functionality of your snowflakes instead of tracking down a good 6 wire switch.

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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Kthomas]

This chart makes no sense to me.
My original switch has six wires and the new switch has six wire of different colors and this chart was written by a left brained engineer. 🙄

[mukluk]

If my logic jibes with whomever came up with those directions, the wires will be as follows:
Yellow -- connect to flasher output
White/Red -- connect to left rear brake/turn
Yellow/Red -- connect to right rear brake/turn
White/Green -- connect to right front turn signal
Black -- connect to left front turn signal
Red -- connect to brake light switch output
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Kthomas]

Thank You
Looking at it was giving me a headache ! 😀

[EVfun]

[Kthomas]

Ok
I’m finally getting back to my bug after a long period of burnout.
The reluctance to move forward started when I put the body back on the chassis and the engine wouldn’t start. It started fine without going through the wiring harness and main switch. I thought it was the starter so I’m on my third . The original harness had a melted mire but after testing all parties involved it wasn’t grounding out on the other wires. ( I don’t think )
The question : if I replace the wiring harness should I just get one for a later bug ( 70 or so ) since it now has a 1600 engine with regulator mounted on generator and 12 volts are to be used ?

[EVfun]

You should generally use a wiring harness for the year of your Bug. The wiring was routed differently on different years, some along the floor, some back on the left side in the roof, some on the right side on the roof. The fuse boxes where in different places in different years and even the number of fuses changed a few times.
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[Kthomas]

I just ordered a new wiring harness.
A friend is doing the body work on the shell and hopefully will paint that this week .

[Kthomas]

Returning from friend who did the body work and paint. Lots of little dents !
Headliner is next. I got a TMI vinyl one and I’m not really looking forward to doing it but there is no one close brave enough . Arghhh. It doesn’t seem like that big a deal but more will be revealed.

[Kthomas]

Had lots of little dents.
No dents now 🙄😀

[Kthomas]

Why would my gear shift lever keep popping out of the socket ? I have the plate oriented like this photo I found.

[67rustavenger]