Digitalbill's official 73 Super rebuild thread.

digitalbill · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:56 am Post subject:

So, another update.
I now have a full set of "new" doors donated to me. They are in better shape then my existing ones so I can rebuild them off the car and when I am ready for final paint, go ahead and mount them.
Also, I discovered fuel leaking into the oil so I decided to try a new fuel pump first.
While taking the pump off, I cracked the little plastic rod guide thing so now I am waiting for a new one to come in.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

bridgetroll13 · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:02 pm Post subject:

It may or may not be the best, but you definitely can't practice with NO equipment.

Erik

digitalbill · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:47 pm Post subject:

I hook my Brother up with a boat, he hooks me up with a welder and one of those auto darken helmets.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I know it's not the best equipment but, it should be good for the floors at least (for now)
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

bridgetroll13 · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:43 pm Post subject:

I too have recently acquired an SB of '74 vintage with similar brake issues (which is why I come to be reading your post Wink

). I have an "82 diesel Westy that has educated me about old brake systems Shocked

so I've purchased all the brake lines / hoses m/c, wheel cylinders etc... I'm looking forward to following your journey since I'll only be a little behind you.

Wrench on!

Erik

'82 diesel Westy, '91 Vanagon GL, 89 diesel Jetta (mostly lawn ornament)

digitalbill · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 10:45 am Post subject:

So I am watching # 6 of the Bug Me video series.
They are putting in a new floor pan without taking the body off.
I am really excited to do this now.....
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 5:55 am Post subject:

So, I got my new shift linkage bushings installed.
It was not too horribly bad. My biggest problem is that I started at about 1:30 in the afternoon. By the way, it was about 90 degrees at 100% humidity.
By 2:15, I was wiped out.
A friend came by and finished bolting everything together. What an amazing difference in shifting.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:32 pm Post subject:

So, pulling up the rear carpet and tar boards, I could feel the dampness.
Here is what I found

Not horrible so, a wire brush and Por 15 should hopefully resolve the issue on both sides.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

I had a heck of a time taking my front seats out so, I am hoping this helps.
I kept reading about a "tab"

I finally found it

This is a picture of the pass side (right side in America)
The picture is also kind of upside down so the tab is to the rear of the adjustment bolt.
In the picture, the top is the rear floor.

Here is how I did it.
1: Slide the front seat forward a little bit
2: Take off the spring that connects the seat frame to the slide adjuster thing
3: Take the rod that connects the slide adjuster handle to the pin off
4: Take the adjustment stop pin all the way out.
5: Slide the seat forward just a bit and, with some needle nose pliers, hold that little tab down and slide the seat back
6: Once the seat clears that little tab, the seat will slide all the way back and out of the car.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:12 pm Post subject:

Volks Wagen · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:56 pm Post subject:

This is not negative towards you, I'm just shocked at the state of that - Jesus Christ! I've never seen a roof so badly savaged by tinworms. WTF happened to that? Hope the quarters are OK for you man. There's a few salvageable bits on there and with the wheels $75 brings you out ahead I'd say, but jeeeeez it's et by the bastards. Maybe you could sell the rest as art... like a big sieve?
_________________
1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.

I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

digitalbill · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:51 am Post subject:

So, I got my parts car home last night. I will be taking off the rear quarters in the next few weeks and prepping them to install on my daily driver.
In addition, the front and rear window channels are rust free so I can use those also.
The guy tossed in a pair of (I think) centerlines and empi rims.

_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:50 am Post subject:

Ok... latest drama:
Since day 1, the shifting has always been sloppy compared to most of the other manuals I have owned but, I figured that was all part of the VW charm.
Wrong.
Saturday while out in Royal Palm Beach, the shift linkage bushings finally decided it was time to go away.
Basically, I lost first and third gears.
A search on this site showed me what the problem was and, a look under the access cover confirmed it.
One of the rubber "blocks" was completly gone and the other one was "kinda" in there.
I ordered some poly ones from McNab and, once they come in, I will document the replacements with pictures.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

Buglybaja18 · Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 8:03 pm Post subject:

Cool thrwad, stumbled on it today. I too am doing a driving slow rebuild of my 69 baja bug for a daily driver. One piece at a time. Keep us posted !

digitalbill · Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 6:11 am Post subject:

Yeah, still no new pictures but, I bought another 73 last night.
It is just a shell and in pretty rough shape but, the doors and, more importantly, the rear quarters are good so now I have parts so when I am ready to tackle the "death foam", I have good panels to weld back in.

$75.00 is totally worth it and, what I don't use will go to the recycle place.
Don't worry too much guys, I am not trashing a perfectly good body. The roof had a tree or something fall on it so it is destroyed and there is enough rust to make it not worth it.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:49 am Post subject:

For those who are keeping up with my drama.
I attempted to drive the fat chick to work on Monday and it broke down about half way here.
I was able to get a pull from a guy with a truck (also a bug owner) to the shop.
The analysys was the following:
1: The coil wire was resting on the manifold and as a result, three burn holes in it (probably why I died)

2: The accelrator pump was clogged

3: Jets were partially clogged

4: Points were not gapped properly.

So, after fixing all of that and putting in new fuel lines, I was able to drive it 30 miles to work today without a hitch.
Still a work in progress.....
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject:

OK... latest update.
I was able to get four new tires mounted and balanced and it was time for a road test.
First, it is not holding an idle anymore once it is warmed up. Hopefully it is just a carb adjustment.
On the highway, it does the "super shake" from 40 to 45 MPH and then smooth's out.
Up to 60 MPH it felt good but I didn't want to push it.
I filled it up with gas (I have no idea how old the fuel in it was) and I think something happened. It is running a bit rougher now. I picked up a new fuel filter and once the motor cools off, I will see if that helps.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:16 pm Post subject:

OK... I just ordered new window cranks (mine are both broken) and rear lap belts from Jbugs.

Slowly but surely.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:12 am Post subject:

So, my voltage while running was low so, I put in a new regulator and that fixed it.
I still have an oil leak and it looks like the easiest thing to do is pull the engine top find/fix.
I am hoping it is the valve covers.
Anyway, there is a car show this weekend and I am going to try to get the fat chick there for it.
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

digitalbill · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:59 am Post subject:

Well, this was a big weekend for the 73 super.
The brakes are good to go and it stops pretty solidly. No worse then an old Jeep CJ5 if I had to compare.
First, I drained the oil. It did smell burnt but, more concerning was the sludge. Granted, I did change it cold but, the sludge was pretty substantial on the pan and on the screen. I cleaned everything with Kerosene and wiped the bottom of the engine down. I filled it back up with 40 weight synthetic blend. Lets see if that helps at all.
Then, on to the plugs. I have never seen plugs with this much this much carbon build up.
Plug #4 (pass side, closest to the "rear" (bumper) had so much carbon that there wasn't even a gap anymore.
Plug #1 (drivers side closest to the firewall) was only finger tight. I put a socket and extension on it and turned it by hand.
I put new plugs and wires on it and, what a difference. All I need now are new tires and I am ROLLING!
_________________
Beer_
Because no good story started with eating a salad.
-------------------------------------------------------
My build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541120
-------------------------------------------------------
1973 Super Beetle (work in progress)

olmer2 · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:17 pm Post subject:

Looks like you are getting close to taking it down the road under it's own power! The front ends are easy to work on, so one afternoon and you should be food to go there. As far as adjusting, do this--->

On the rear brakes, adjust the rear shoe adjuster until you cannot turn the wheel by hand.
Back that adjuster back of 4-5 clicks. NO MORE.
Now adjust the front shoe, the same way. They may drag a little bit, but that goes away the first time you step on the brakes.
Do the same on the other rear wheel.
On the front, adjust the lower shoe first. The same way as you did the rear.
Do not worry about a little drag on the shoes until you drive the car.
The shoes have to get centered back up in the drums. This happens the first time you apply the brakes.

This is what Russ shared with me, and it made my brake issues SOOOOO much easier.
_________________
MAGIC SMOKE. The mysterious internal component of all electrical parts that allows them to work. If you let it out, the part will no longer work and could start a fire
'64? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...highlight=
Buggy (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399142&highlight=
74 bug http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=547777


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Premium Membership \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Digitalbill's official 73 Super rebuild thread.
Page: 1, 2, 3 Next

Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up		Share:
		Print View

	Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2, 3 Next
Page 1 of 3