Bug decklid

[Humanure]

I recently bought a 1960 Bug. The previous owner modified the position of the decklid so the top sits a few inches out from normal. I am sure you all know what I am talking about with out having to explain it. Well anyways, I want to put it back to stock appearance and I see what I must remove to do it. My question is, is there supposed to be some type of rubber molding on the upper decklid itself or upper part of the body of the bug? I have no molding except on the lower portion of the body and I am afraid that the upper part of the decklid will rub against the body whenever I open up the engine compartment. Also, once I do get it back to stock, I am afraid that the motor might overheat because I do not know if the previous owner removed anything that tunnels air to the motor if there is such a thing. Can someone advise me on this? The reason I am wanting to put it back to stock is because 1st. the looks and 2nd. to keep rain out of the motor area. The car runs a little crappy in the mornings after late night thunderstorms. Either water is getting on the airfilter or distributer. Please help! Thanks.
Brian

[driverfound]

My bug doesn't have a seal in that area. Does your engine have an oil temp sensor? Buy yourself an external oil cooler system and you won't have any cooling problems. I'm not an expert but this is how I would do it. I too had the stand-offs on my decklid and have taken them off and put them back dozens of times and I've never scrached the "primer" once. Mine is an ongoing resto project.. Hope I helped a bit..

[TimGud]

No there is not supposed to be a seal on the top of the decklid area.When you take off the decklid stand-offs you adjust the decklid to clear.The seal on the lower part where the decklid meets the body is to keep the exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) out of the engine compartment as the heater air comes from there.If you are running a stock motor and all the tin is intact and all the seals between the tin and body are good and all the tubes for the heater and warm air tube for the oil bath are there it shouldn't overheat.(unless the timing is off) The idea behind the stand-offs is if a 1600 is put in there the fan needs more air flow. The later model Beetles had louvers on the decklid as well as below the rear window for that reason.I too would rather have the stock look and my solution on my 63 beetle was to find an early convertible decklid as they have the louvers in them. But,this was an expensive solution and that is probably why your 60 had the standoffs when you bought it. I believe that a company in Pheonix makes fiberglass ones that are cheaper.(Innovations in Fiberglass ?)Anybody know the company name?

[keifernet]

Yeah I think it's Innovation's too...
If the decklid and the rest of the car's paint isn't primo, you can( or have someone) cut the louvers out of a 70-71 decklid and Graft/weld them into the early deckid, I have done this on several occassions.... Or get another decklid ata swap or wherever and have it done while yours is still on..... Beware the spring! it must be in just the right location to work correctly.... look at another bug if you get messed around... it will help you figure it out.... good luck!

[Humanure]

Well I finally did it. Took off the stand offs and it looks great! The car still drives like normal but after driving around a bit it becomes difficult to start. Can this happen if the motor gets too hot? The lower portion of the decklid gets hot too the touch. By placing my palm on the surface, I can only hold it there for about 8 seconds. Is that normal? Unfortunately I do not know the size of the motor. The car does not have an oil temp sensor so I may look into the external oil cooler system and fiberglass decklid. All the info you guys gave me has really helped and I thank you for helping out a newbie.
Brian

[keifernet]

Well, the lower portion is only inches away from the exhaust.... it should be hot. You don't see people just whiping there radiator caps off a water cooled car or trying to touch their engine compartment do you???
Air cooled (hell all) engines generate heat, the difference between acceptable running temp and overheating is a fine line on the vw engine... Making sure it is tuned right and the correct oil ect. goes along way to keeping it in the right range, take the time to read through some of the other threads, since Everett re did this forum ther is alot of good info and tech things being discussed...
Stay away from any of the external oil coolers, NEVER mount one behind the fan housing(what a joke, i'd love to go off on that, and probably will sometime ) the best, unless you have a monster motor and are running on the street and ad one properly, is the FACTORY offset/aka dog house cooler fan housing and fan....
If you have an early car without all the decklid vents a 1600 could run a bit warmer but why put those standoffs on there?? YUK!
I've seen people cover a small 2x4 block with carpet and use it to block the decklid up a coulpe inches when driving around in the summer and take it out when you don't need it, .... It may seem ridiculous but it works....

[[email protected]]

hello all
would anyone know of any business's in
san diego, LA, or Orange County that manufactures fiberglass decklids?

t/y