First VW, a 1970 Bug. What did I get myself into?

[70’DerpyDerby]

Good evening y'all!
It has been quite a while since I posted last, about 9 months ago actually. Since my last post my wife and I got married, sold her car and bought an Expedition, and a whole host of other life things that have slowed progress on the car. No big deal, that's the perk of project cars right? They'll always be there when you have time and get back to them!
Anyways, in the last few months I resealed the input and output shafts on the transaxle, started assembly of the engine with new bearings, a mild cam, painted both the engine block and trans, started painting all kinds of odds and ends, and ordered a hoard of parts. I also picked up a German 34 Pict-3 recently, it needs a rebuild and an idle shutoff valve, but otherwise it is complete.
The engine should be completed this week with a brand new set of 1641 pistons and jugs from A&A, new windage pushrod tubes (for whatever those are worth) and I cleaned up and painted the headstuds. I drilled and tapped an oil passage plug towards the bottom of the engine to accept an oil temp sensor, as I figured that would give me a good and accurate reading.
Today I also received another box of wholesale clouseout parts from RockAuto including a washer pump kit for $13, an adjustable cooling fan temp switch for $9, and a points kit for $3.
If you made it this far thank you for reading and following along, I really appreciate it!

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Phil “Deluxe”

1970 VW Bug "Derby"

[Buggeee]

Congratulations!!!

This is such a thorough effort, the bug is going to be awesome. Super impressive how you pieced together the pans from all those quarter pans.


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Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[70’DerpyDerby]

[70’DerpyDerby]

Just a quick update from the last couple of weeks.
I’m working on getting the engine fully assembled and ready to test fire. I still need to clean out the intake crossover piping as it’s plugged with rust and dirt. Tins still need final fitment before painting, and I have get seats in it for mounting location measurements. On the bright side, I found a local guy giving away a bunch of free VW stuff. 10 wheels, 5 chrome with tires, and 5 OEM wheels. Also had a VW engine stand and a bunch of other goodies. Not a bad Tuesday afternoon if you ask me!

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Phil “Deluxe”

1970 VW Bug "Derby"

[VW_Jimbo]

Congratulations! I have been married for 31 years and it has been an awesome journey! Not easy, not hard, just perfect! I had to learn to listen and keep my mouth shut. Took 10 years. Those were the roughest ones. After learning to just listen, life got way easier!

DUDE! I just caught back up! You are killing it! Fast working hands for sure!

Looking forward to hearing it roar to life! Keep on moving forwards.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[70’DerpyDerby]

[Rome]

Before you continue on your engine, remove the 4 small M6 bolts that hold the generator backing plate to the fan shroud. Rotate the backing plate with the gen 1/4 turn CW so that the gen's terminals point upwards at the "2:00" position.

There is an air duct inside the backing plate (inside the fan shroud) which needs to be in the corrected position to enable air to pass through the duct and thereby help cool the end of the generator.

Measure each of your 10 free wheels carefully for overall width and the backspacing. The chrome ones look to be 5.5" wide. The unpainted ones would be either 4.0", 4.5" or 5.5" wide, with various possible backspacing/offsets. Some wheels have the width stamped into the flat sections between lug bolt holes. If they have "ET_" stamped in, that is the offset in millimeters (ET stands for the German word Einpresstiefe, meaning press-in depth = offset). Usually the wider wheels fit best on the rear axle. For the fronts, just find a pair of the narrower ones that are exact matches.

[my3bugs]

this is my 70 FrankenBug , it had a baja bug front end on it when i got it . 40 some years ago .

do as Rome said , your generator it tilted wrong so the venting isnt right . ya air is forced thru the genny .

[70’DerpyDerby]

[Bobs67vwagen]

Nice work all around , you are an inspiration to all the young vw enthusiasts who by following your progress , get motivated to take on a similar project. I had a 1970 diamond blue bug brand new and it was one of the best all around bugs I ever owned. If I remember correctly the sunroof on your car has 2 drains that go down the front windshield pillars, make sure they are not clogged. Someone please correct me if I am not remembering that correctly as it's been a lot of years. Is that 67 bug we see in your photos also yours? Best of luck with your car-Bob

[70’DerpyDerby]

Thank you Bobs67vwagen, I really appreciate the support!
It’s been a long road here but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The sunroof does have drain holes, which are clogged. However the sunroof also doesn’t have a seals anymore so it has to be tarped before it rains.
That is a 67’; It’s my buddies who has let me keep my jalopy in his driveway for 2 years.
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Phil “Deluxe”

1970 VW Bug "Derby"