The mystery of John Muir

[oprn]

Ya the choke part is out to lunch! I don't agree with that but then I don't live in Mexico either. He would have had a quick attitude adjustment if he had lived in my world!

[Ceckert64]

It a good book, the how is nice for sure. I find it a little obnoxious in the shop manual the are always saying use the tool VW241 Etc, and even a simple task there may be a “special tool” where the idiot book sometimes gives a good alternative. Also the process are nice to read through. It come from working on a VW that is greasy dirty and rusty and tells how to do it with tips for if something is stuck rusted etc where as the shop manual works on a brand new car where everything is perfect. Sometimes I have seen where they are working on the dash and the speedometer shows 10 miles because it’s new. Anyway, they both have their plus and minuses, but it’s a good reference sometimes and a funny read, like the part about chokes
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1964 sunroof Beetle Restoration "Herbie"
“Joann” 1970 Elm Green Squareback
1972 Yellow Tin Top Westfalia -Sold
“Fitz” 1971 Westfalia Poptop EJ22 swap
“Rome” 91 Syncro

[Chickensoup]

we have ummm... already discussed this
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-'85 c10 5.3 LS, cam, heads, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'01 e46 325ci *tree modded
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP

[Gary Haberman]

It bothers me that people trash John's book. It was written at (and for) a different time when these were almost throw-away cars. I bought my first VW, a 1966 but in 1970 for $600 from a gas station-didn't even know how to drive a stick. This book keep my car alive considering I had little knowledge about cars or tools. I ran that car into the ground and sold it for scrap about 5 years later. I still have that book and read it for its insight and humor. Some of its procedures and still applicable to day, especially emergency ones but it was to keep the car going-not preserve or restore it. I keep my'62 bug safely garaged and dry, wax it often, change its oil every 1000 miles and check the valves, dwell and timing every month. It's my daily driver but I really don't drive that much anymore, when I do, I often get thumbs up-ain't it great?
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'62 T1 rag top.
I repair radios and dispense free advice on their repair.

[JDMbeetle]

This book helped me put a starter in my 74 beetle when I was still working out of a toolbox assembled from bits of homeowners 200 piece tool kits.

It's just one of those things like bug me video where it's really good for the beginner. I still flip through my copy on winter days to pick up extra nuggets of info for when spring comes and I can work on my VWs.
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71 Super Beetle
74 Standerd Beetle

[KTPhil]

Keep in mind the last time John Muir wrote the book was about 1972. Back then parts were of MUCH higher quality than the average today. The assumption was that you were broke and not very knowledgable. If those characteristics apply to you , then it's the perfect book. If not, well, it's good for attitude, and also, as I've posted, great for the up-front tool/parts/help listings.

Does it apply in 2020 without a 50 lb salt lick? Nope.

[Chickensoup]

Mechanics is boring and back breaking. Engineering is where it's at. Yes, I have read the book. Well, a good 80% of it. It's all basic level stuff like it's supposed to be. Good for the beginner. Worthless for everyone else. Trust me, if I had the money, you'd see

Oh, and sanding bearings? Fieling bearings? That is a strong hell no. I gave an explanation. You cant guess at crush. Or clearances. That is a recipe for disaster. He didnt get it. Idk why.
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-'85 c10 5.3 LS, cam, heads, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'01 e46 325ci *tree modded
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP

[Zundfolge1432]

Oddly enough you are among the target audience that book is written for, a youngster just starting out. I can appreciate your enthusiasm towards the VW.

Going all the way back to page 1 the OP ask who John was and about the book. If you’ve read the book give an honest assessment, have you actually read this book? Your comment earlier about rod bearings advising someone to throw them away should be a wake up call that there’s more to doing this than just reposting someone else’s opinion as fact. How many VW engines have you built that stayed together? It’s probably hard to see but I’m wishing you well, in 10 years you’ll be a pretty good Mechanic in 20 you be even better. Good luck man.

[Chickensoup]

[Zundfolge1432]

[Chickensoup]

I just like the art work. The rest of the books for the most part is meaningless to me.
_________________
-'85 c10 5.3 LS, cam, heads, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'01 e46 325ci *tree modded
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP

[KTPhil]

[Abscate]

Confucius say, “ Bentley is the Bible, Muir is the Catechism”
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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[KTPhil]

[oprn]

It's an awesome read at the very least and a Godsend to anyone maintaining a STOCK VW. Non acceptance here is mostly due to this being predominately an aftermarket performance based site. John wrote his book when VWs were German made and slowed down the traffic. Today's VWs are Chinese made, American assembled and go like stink.

Two different cars.

[Zundfolge1432]

I’ve always liked that book because it’s designed for the layman with zero experience. I’d imagine more than one person found courage and self esteem following a successful rebuild using it. The section on what to look for when buying a used Volksie is worth the price of the book alone. Rap on timing😀

Sadly there is always a contingent of nattering nay bobs of negativity.

Not my words credit Spiro Agnew.

[pyrOman]

[iowegian]

Funny how the opinion of Muir's book has changed over the years on tehSamba.com. When I joined, a lot of folks said it was only handy if you ran out of toilet paper or needed to start a fire. Ah----the Days of Yore.

[Zundfolge1432]

Around 1975-6 when I first started working on VWs John Muir’s book was it besides, Haynes or Chiltons or Henry Elfrink. I certainly didn’t have money for a Bentley manual and it was too technical for me to follow. So I studied Muir and it did help me along with a friendly VW shop which took pity on me and allowed a kid to hang around and empty the trash, sweep floors. Hopefully people are smart enough to overlook using chisels to tighten bolts and disabling all choke mechanisms. Muir’s work will stand the test of time.

[finster]