My new 66

[swhitcomb]

Well, that sucks. Went to reassemble the front drivers side brakes and this happened.

Was trying to clean up the threads, going slowly, backwards and forwards, and it still broke off right in the bolt hole.

So that brings up a question. If I bought these, and already had a set of late Ghia spindles and calipers, would it just bolt on, or is there a special spindle for these?

https://www2.cip1.com/c13-22-2962-b/?fbclid=IwAR3B...V-tXVXA6GU

So I moved on the the rear brakes, and remembered I hadn’t powder coated the little bracket for the ebrake cable. So I didn’t get it done.

I did pull the spindle and start cleaning the inner fender in preparation for the new heater channels.

Guess I’ll need these.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Took the trailing arms off and took them to a machine shop to get the new ball joints pressed in.

Then I did some powder coating. Got another spindle from a friend, which, luckily enough, is off a 66. Ordered new tie rods that should be here tomorrow.

I’m the pic below, the pre heat shield is powder coated in Eastwood semi gloss black. The cylinder tin is factory paint. Pretty close match.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got the drivers side trailing arms back from the machine shop. Guy said the ball joints were the hardest ones he’s ever removed. Pressed the new ones in for me. I’m going to look at a beam on Sunday. The one in the car is fairly rusted. Hopefully coming home with a new one. I’ll order and weld adjusters into it. Also picked up new tie rod ends. Replacing the front brakes has quickly gone to a full front end rebuild. Oh well, it’ll be safe which is what I’m after.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Still gathering parts for the front beam. Collected this one yesterday. Will save me quite a bit of work.

Also got these.

About to place a CIP order for all the stuff to finish putting the new beam together.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[ODDER316]

Way cool. I just picked up a 66 in similar fashion. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a vw. I’m excited to get building and follow along with yours.

[swhitcomb]

Haven’t posted an update in a while.

Wife decided she wanted a Fastback. She’d been looking for one for a while, and hadn’t found anything local. Well, a few Fridays ago she sent me a link to a Facebook ad while we were at work. Car was sort of rough but I called the guy and he only wanted $500. So, we bought it. I spent a few hours here and there cleaning it up and making an assessment of what it needed.

Anyway, on to the Bug. I was able to sell my Super Beetle, so that freed up some cash to buy stuff for the 66. I ordered wheels and tires, amongst other things. Also ordered Masterseries and some satin black paint for the beam and pan. Pulled the old beam completely apart. Went to powder coat the tie rods and put the new ends on them, when I realized the passenger side tie rod has pressed in ends that aren’t replaceable. So, I’m going to have to source a good used tie rod.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So a friend of mine has the tie rod. Just have to go get it.

Also got the rear brakes back together and the 2 rear wheels back on the ground.

I then decided to start cleaning up around the heater channel in preparation for replacing it.

Got the beam out of the car. Masterseries should be here tomorrow so I can paint the new beam. Old one was even worse once I got it out of the car.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[67rustavenger]

The green spring should be installed closest to the wheel cylinder.
Bentley Manual Section 7 (Brakes) page 17, fig. 26, 27.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[swhitcomb]

Paint is here. Hopefully by the end of the weekend the beam will be painted.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

First coat of Masterseries Silver is on the beam.

All cleaned and ready for paint.

1st coat of primer

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Went back out to the garage last night and got some more done. Cleaned up the front of the frame head and got it ready to paint.

Going to finish the beam and put it back on the car. Once it’s on, I’m going to replace the channels. So, I started cleaning and prepping the back of the passenger side channel. Found a ton of foam where a channel should be.

If I can get off my ass I’ll go put the second coat of Masterseries primer on the beam and a first coat on the frame head.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got a second coat on the beam yesterday. Hopefully top coat tomorrow, unless it’s too cold out.

Also got a first coat on the front of the frame head to I can put the car back down on the ground when I’m done with the beam.

Then I started cleaning the seam sealer and hidden spray foam out of the front firewall. Out of pure luck, a friend gave me the entire front clip of a 71 Karmann Ghia, and this corner is largely intact on it. I’m going to cut both out and fabricate a patch.

This is the same spot on the Ghia clip.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Finally got some color on the beam.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Can’t wait to get these on.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[Zorba2.0]

Looks like that heater channel removed most of itself for you!

How do you like the Master Series so far?

[swhitcomb]

I love it. I’ve used it on multiple projects over the years with excellent results. It holds up really well, and is extremely easy to use.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got some work done today.

Finally got the passenger side control arms back from the machine shop this week, so I finally started painting them. Got 2 coats of Masterseries silver on them. Waiting for it to cure, then they’re getting 2 coats of semi gloss black.

While I was waiting for the first coat to cure, I decided to remove the washer fluid and black fluid reservoir piece from a Ghia clip I have so I can put it in the Bug. 37 spot welds later, it’s free of the Ghia.

Once the suspension is painted I can put the front end back together and start on the next project. The drivers side floor pan. The PO already replaced the passenger side. The drivers side had been patched, and while it was done fairly well, I just couldn’t not replace it. So, pans, then channels and all the repairs surrounding them. Then the chassis gets painted. Then hopefully the reassembly begins.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got 2 coats of black on all the suspension parts that aren’t powder coated.

Also got the reservoir piece cut out and started fitting it up.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Well, got it welded in. I cleaned up the welds and made them prettier after I took this pics. I’ll have to post it later. When I was done I cut out and started cleaning up the drivers side pan remains. The old pan had a giant patch on it that I’d never be happy with. By pure luck, the one I ordered from CIP is the same brand as the one the PO put in on the drivers side 20 some years ago when he never finished the car. Got into it and found the corner of the napoleons hat is rotten. Set me back from getting the pan in this weekend. Ordered it last night, as well as the spare tire well. It needs some work, and it’s easier to just replace it. I wasn’t planning on doing so much metal repair on this car, but if I’m going to do it, I’m doing all of it at once.

Used this behind the reservoir piece to prevent it from rusting again.

The ugly old pan.

The sticker on the old pan.

The sticker on the new pan.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got the new pan in. Took me a bit to get the welds dialed in, so it’s going to need some cleaning up.

Started with weld thru primer on the lip

Then fit it up and welded it in

When I was done I removed most of the rest of the passenger side channel.

This rust is what fell out of where the channel used to be.

Then I got sick of my garage being a mess so I cleaned it up a little.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster