Bringing a neglected 1974 Superbeetle with A/C back to life

[M@DhAtT3R]

M

y First car was a 74 Super back in the 90's so it was rather hard to pass another up for $500 with the Girlfriend when i noticed a coworker had one just sitting in the wooded area by his house. Needs a lot, interior, floorpans, etc, but so far has been interesting. the clutch on the A/C compressor is rusted in the "always on" position but turns easily and i can hear it pumping when turned. anyway, thats for a later point as first we still have to get it running again and do not have an ignition key for it so the wheel lock is still on as well. rust on top so far doesnt seem far after the patina look in spots. so far have replaced the carb, distributor cap and Button, new plug wires, new carb, new ign coil. turns over pretty well when a jump pack was connected and bucked a few times but so far thats it. not sure if timing is correct or plug wires are in corect order but i would asume if it bucks any its at least not far off. sanded the points a little but when opened and closed, spark is weak so going to replace the condensor and points next to see if that helps. Definitely missed my old 74 i used to drive though lol. never seen one where it had the dealer installed A/C before either but that damn compressor does get in the way a bit when working on things.

[Schatzievw]

Good luck on your recent find. I also have a 74 SB with AC that I purchased in similar condition as yours. I stripped all the AC components because they were beyond useful. I think AC on a bug was a stupid idea anyway.

[Cusser]

When I bought my 1970 sedan back in 1972, it was equipped with the dealer-added DPD AC system with the same Tecumseh compressor you show in your photos. Granted, I'm in Arizona, and that system performed marginally OK when new. Plus my 1970's 1600cc single port engine was drawn down by the draw from the compressor.

I built up the engine to 1835cc dual port, and that helped a lot with the VW's performance.

If you really want to have AC in this, I would ABSOLUTELY add a complete R134a system from Gilmore in Las Vegas, ICE AC in San Diego, or from VW of Mexico.

As with any vehicle, parking in shade or under cover will really help cooling for the first 15 minutes.
1970 VW from the Pride and Joys section of Hot VWs Magazine April 1979

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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[nbvolks]

[vamram]

[Beeble1]

[Cusser]

[nbvolks]

[M@DhAtT3R]

Coming along a little more =) look any better? Sanding sections before finishing with color shifting rustoleum paint. wasnt worried about the overspray on the tires as they will first thing to be changed once it is up and running again anyways. REALLY wouldnt mind replacing the seats at some point either if anyone has extras to sell.

[Busstom]

It's already looking better with that blue paint! I like that.
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)

[Frank Bassman]

Cool project, you have some COJONES.

At the risk of getting flamed, I will suggest when you revive your AC you use a hydrocarbon based R12 replacement product such as envirosafe or red tek, there are others too.

They require about 1/3 the original capacity to work, put less drag on the compressor and therefore the engine. They cool extremely well, better than r134 in a system originally designed for the superior cooling r12, and comparable to r12 itself.

It is compatible with any ac oil so whatever residue is in the system still won't harm it. I would use ester oil personally.

Just do yourself a favor and make sure you vacuum down the system and the hoses are sound, otherwise go get em rebuilt or source new ones.


In my '73 Mopar with factory original dual piston compressor, the AC is FIERCE.


Good luck.

-Frank

[M@DhAtT3R]

Welp.... its alive! Installed new points and plugs today ( had honestly forgotten how much a pain plugs were to do, ::almost 30 years ago:: especially now with an A/c Compressor in the way and its mount). It now runs and revs and completely covered my leg in whatever had been making nests in the exhaust for years. took a can of starter fluid but i made a makeshift fuel canister and hose that was gravity fed and rode on the top of the open hood. Lots of stuff also flew out from around the cooling fan area and after a few minutes we shut her down at risk of a fire as some smoke started rising from right side of engine where a pile of leaves were ay cylinder 1. going to blow it all out tomorrow with the leaf blower. carb definitely needs setting a little as i have to keep a little throttle going . I think some of the valves are still being worked back to life, at first it would pop frequently through carb but now is less and less. Both the Alternator and oil pressure lights went out as well once it started so hopefully thats a good sign for the moment although i had already planned on replacing the Alternator with a new one to go with rest of new look. Here is the video of it running and revving, Im now not afraid to invest a little with the wife on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icRLSP2zObw
Sorry for the quality. iphones never send videos well to Android phones so i could upload it. I see an oil change coming tomorrow as i think it now deserves it. Have never changed oil on one before so this should be fun lol i know the transmission works at least as i hit the starter one time after having accidently having bumping it into gear The $500 Superbeetle Saga continues...

[M@DhAtT3R]

I do have a question though about the vacuum line located on the intake underneath the carb. should i be plugging this off if i am running it without the air filter to expect it to be able to idle as it could be causing a vacuum leak?

[nbvolks]

[Cusser]

[M@DhAtT3R]

Now today she idles on her own . Hows she sound?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/41EBWvT5kDE

[Busstom]

[nbvolks]

[chicagovw]

Beeble1 - you're in Illinois !!! Arizona and Texas (etc.) are way different !!!

You would be surprised- I have a home in Chicago, Illinois, and Chandler, Arizona-I am presently in Arizona, and while its like 110 today, Illinois gets into the 90s and with the humidity, is far more uncomfortable than 110 in Arizona. I have a/c on several of my air cooled VWs and love it-I use the modern systems from Gilmore or ICE (San Diego) which are more compact and use very little power to run.

I like this project, and look forward to seeing what you do with it!

[M@DhAtT3R]

Todays fun. =) First sanding and 2 coats of flat black primer rustoleum then color shift paint started. New pea shooters ordered and on their way, new blinker lights and taillights as well next. Will wet sand all runs out before clear coat finishing.