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What did you do to your Oval today?
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Strawman914 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 9:34 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Long-time lurker, but it is finally time that I shared my VW project. Long story is that when I was born, my parents were broke college students and had to sell their '56 Euro (for $280) to pay my birthing bills in New Haven, CT in 1966. My first car was a 1964 Beetle sunroof that I bought in 1982 while a sophomore at Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. I used my paper route money to hotrod it in my mother's San Francisco house with a tiny garage. Mods included: 1385cc pistons/barrels, Engle 110 cam, header, dual Kadrons, lowered with a lowering front sway bar (remember those?), and one-piece windows. It was stolen from in front of my house about six months into the project, and I replaced it with a '66 11-window Bus. I've also owned one more Beetle ('63), '66 Fastback, '69 Squareback, '67 rusted-out 21-window Bus that I bought for its engine (and sent to the crusher in 1983!), Manx-style buggy, '75 Bus during college, '81 diesel Westy (GTi Golf-swapped in 1999), '86 Syncro Westy (Suby-swapped in 2001), and most recently a '93 Westy Eurovan (TDI & manual swapped). But it was always my dream to build a "legacy" Euro Beetle.

I finally found a '56 Euro Beetle in a Samba ad about two years ago. My wife and I dragged it out of the guy's front yard in Oakland, CA using a come-along. It is a complete basket-case: the MY '58 36hp engine is locked up; the doors were cut for one-piece windows; the trim holes are welded-up (poorly); it is missing the semaphores & W-lid; the seats are hashed; it has the wrong aprons (riveted on!), fenders and hood; it came with no lights/lenses; it has no interior panels; etc. But it is surprisingly straight and there's not too much rust. The cowl is damaged from the hinges; obviously, the hood flew open at one point...

Because I'm a Porsche 914 guy and I recently bought out a guy's estate that included two 914s, five engines, six transaxles and four trailer loads of "stash," I am in the midst of building an upright Type 4 engine and have recently completed a 901 5-speed conversion into a '74 Beetle IRS chassis. Regarding that pan, I narrowed the front beam 2" and installed CB Performance disc brakes on raised spindles, welded-in adjusters, new balljoints, and I installed narrowed tie-rods and sway bar. I also narrowed the rear trailing arms 1" each side so that the wheels will tuck under correctly beneath the narrower early body. I welded-in early pans so I can install early-style seats; I have a set of 1980s era Corbeaus that I might use, although I might opt for 914 seats since I've got a couple good sets.

This is a medium-term project, since I've got a couple other projects that I'm trying to finish up (M54B30 swap into an '85 BMW 524td chassis, Suby EG33 swap into 1975 Porsche 914 that I plan to flip, and I'm helping a friend swap an M54B30 into a 2000 BMW 323 wagon) before going whole-hog into this Beetle. I also autocross a built EJ257-swapped '73 914 (302whp, LSD in modified Suby transaxle, metal flares, 911 front suspension, big front sway bar, etc.), and my wife autocrosses an '01 Corvette or her mostly stock '75 914 -- and those cars always need attention.

As shown below, last night I finished welding up a rotisserie that will make it easier for me to address rust -- mostly in the bottom of the heater channels. My luggage tray has some rust-through, too.

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slayer61
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 6:46 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Applause Thumbs Up
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Cusser wrote:

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67rustavenger wrote:

3/4 race cam? What's missing, one of the lobes? Shocked


Paul

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56Cabrio
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2024 3:51 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Got the vert running after years of being parked.. for 13 years Embarassed
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1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023


Last edited by 56Cabrio on Thu Jun 13, 2024 9:02 am; edited 1 time in total
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MJMarkham
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:33 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

After years of the cheap TMI vinyl interior kit, I have reworked the interior on the '57... new headliner, carpet, seat covers and door panels. Also upgraded the steering wheel...


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57 Ragtop Oval, 58 Lowlight Coupe

WANTED: Original 58 Ghia Dash Knob
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WadeLinger
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:29 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Hooked up the wires behind the dash.

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WadeLinger
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 1:10 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Wired up the headlights.
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markendee
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:38 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

I registered the 54 in March but couldn't decide on a way to attach the plates that made me happy.

I finally fitted my number plates today.

I Really did not want to drill holes in front bumper and have the plate hanging down and getting all bent up.

I looked at frames at accessory shops and online but couldn't find what I wanted.

We replaced the front bumper (?) in my daughter's Toyota on Monday and I liked the look of the number plate support frame.

Bit of recycling and jobs done.
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Also like that the rear plate colour matches the Hearts (sort of)
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Riff Raff
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 8:50 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Da TOW'D wrote:

In the 80's one of my helpers always showed on time and was enthusiastic.

so he and his 2 brothers became doctors.


Gratifying I'm sure to know you played a part in him becoming a good quality human.

It really does take a village!
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Da TOW'D
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:45 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Over the years I've hired a high school kid to lend a hand in my shop and maybe they would learn something.
In the 80's one of my helpers always showed on time and was enthusiastic.

We found a '60 bug and put it together for him. His family moved to Halifax and he drove the bug across Canada and used it for a few years.

His father was a doctor and his mom was a nurse so he and his 2 brothers became doctors.

Flash forward to today he stopped in to say hi and wanted to see my VW fleet.
First I showed him my 1957 black beetle and he asked if it still runs.

I told him of the long story of how a friend traded it to me for doing a brake job on their Toyota. How another high school guy and I stripped it down and rebuilt it.

I checked the oil and pushed on the vee belt .

It is just a little above freezing here so I told him to push the manual choke on the carburetor because the choke cable is broken.

Then noticed that the flex fuel hose was split and just sitting on the fuel pump with the outlet aimed right at the distributor.

I replaced the hose and we started it right up.

I'm sure glad I was showing off and not just got in and tried to drive off.

BTW I do have a on board fire extinguisher
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tehillah1
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:47 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

aa390392 wrote:
Polished the Inca red Kab,
Polished out prairie beige
Picture tomorrow


What a great color. Was that exclusive to convertibles?
Ya gotta be sad to see that one go. Do you have your sights on the next one?
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aa390392
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 10:22 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Am kind of remorseful, I put a lot of love/work into it..and enjoyed it immensely
The color, Inca red was most unusual and not often seen..she was fun to share with viewers..hopefully the new owner will also enjoy, but I have my doubts.
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
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2Dokas
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2022 7:48 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

aa390392 wrote:
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And I sold it today


Looks awesome. Happy or Sad?
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aa390392
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:04 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

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And I sold it today
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet
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aa390392
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:32 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Polished the Inca red Kab,
Polished out prairie beige
Picture tomorrow
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet
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Da TOW'D
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:33 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

I replaced the 30 year old cracked tires with new 185 60 R 15 from CIP 1 and being wider than the original 165 15 I added longer front bolts that keep the tires from rubbing on the front suspension. But the new bolt was too long now I have less steering angle. So back in the shop and grind a few threads off.
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'57 type 1 Blackberry
'58 SC Ruf
'62 type 3 Notch
'92 Eurovan Willy DD
and NUTS
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5500
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PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2022 9:29 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

donny273 wrote:
Putting together a 36 hp wolfsberg west dual port motor with counterwighted crank and a few other goodies. Noticed I have two types of shroud fans lying about. One has more vanes on it than the other. Was one for a buss and the other a type1. Which should I use? Looking for reliability not crazy high performance. Thanks for your help.


Assuming both have holes in the backing plate (how the early generators were cooled).. The early fans had fewer blades. Later ones cool a bit better at the expense of a couple of horsepower. I went with the later ( I think 24 blade vs. 16).
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Turtlecar56
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:27 pm    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

It’s been a while, so here’s what I’ve done. I didn’t like how the frontend was coming along. Impatient and butchered it out, so I started over. Got a donor frontend and started over. Got a 4 tab hood. Hopefully within a month it’ll have some paint on her.

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donny273
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:45 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Whats the best bang for the buck in regards to 36hp performance exhaust. Seems the Wolfsberg Abarth knock off is the low cost side of things and the CSP the high in both hp and $. Thoughts? Any other good options out there?
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BulliBill
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

1956NZ wrote:
My first post....my 1956 RHD Beetle I bought in New Zealand in 1985 has been in my barn since I drove it from California to NJ in 1986.Thanks to the US Navy they shipped it to California. It is my own personal barn find. I finally had money and time to rebuild the engine. New cylinders, pistons, seals, Empi 30 pict carb, electronic ignition, wires, coil, plugs, alternator, fuel lines and fuel pump. Gas tank in great shape, new valve in tank and new fuel lines.

It will not run!
It is timed, spark and fuel. It will idle for about 10 seconds then die.

Any thoughts? Help


Welcome to the Samba.com! You'll have to tell us more of the story about your history with the Oval, and your progress in getting it running and back on the road.

My first guess is either a restriction of some sort in the fuel system from the tank back to the carb. It could be dirt/debris settled at the bottom of your tank clogging up the brass sock screen which is attached to your fuel "shut-off" valve, or a chunk of something blocking the metal fuel line in your chassis somewhere. When you ran the engine, were simply turning the key and it fired up and idled and then died after ten seconds, or were you trickling fuel down into the carb throat to keep it running? We need a bit more detail to try to help.

You did not say what kind/size engine you have. Is it a 36hp stock engine or a bigger or later model and size engine? We'll need more clarification.

Assuming it is a stock 36hp engine, I would move the car outside away from all sources of ignition, have a good fire extinguisher handy and get a plastic cup and towels/rags ready and then I would first disconnect the metal fuel line which screws into the to the inlet of the 36hp fuel pump and use the cup to catch fuel from the pipe. Fuel should flow naturally from the pipe at a decent rate. If little or no fuel flow comes out for at least 15 to 20 seconds you go upstream testing for flow at other points of connection in the fuel lines until you find the clog.

Did you remove the fuel "shut-off" device screwed onto the bottom of your fuel tank and check it for debris, a common cause of issues? There are rebuild gasket kits available and that shut-off valve should be cleaned and functional. Brand new fuel shut-off valves are even available. Is the interior of your tank clean or rusty with debris?

You mentioned the fuel pump but did not indicate if it was old and used, rebuilt, brand new and whether it is original German or USA, Brazilian or Chinese made.

Give us a lot more detail so we can try to help... We'll eventually get you running...

Bill
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donny273
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2022 6:23 am    Post subject: Re: What did you do to your Oval today? Reply with quote

Putting together a 36 hp wolfsberg west dual port motor with counterwighted crank and a few other goodies. Noticed I have two types of shroud fans lying about. One has more vanes on it than the other. Was one for a buss and the other a type1. Which should I use? Looking for reliability not crazy high performance. Thanks for your help.
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