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Mowgli25
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2012
Posts: 206
Location: San Antonio
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 Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject: What to look at in a beetle. First time owner |
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I'm in the market for a beetle to convert to a baja but Im not to sure what to be looking at that might be a common problem. It will be a stock beetle. I know rust on the floors and battery but what else. I'm buying running ones only.
I'm completely new to beetles besides my GF '06 but I know that completely different. |
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pafree
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005
Posts: 2298
Location: dayton, the one in texas
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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a 69 and up non superbeetle would be the years to look for. i would check the frame head or the area that the front beam connects for major rust through. finding a baja project or one that someone is getting rid of would put you ahead of the game as far as buying baja kits, bumpers, exhaust and tires and wheels.
spending a little more for a running one will be more fun to work on because you can still have fun with it while you are working on it.
example: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2884360369.html |
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Mowgli25
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2012
Posts: 206
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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| They aren't as easy to come buy as I was hoping. I was looking at a '64 that already is a baja project for $1,500 with a oil cooler |
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pafree
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005
Posts: 2298
Location: dayton, the one in texas
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Mowgli25 wrote: |
| I was looking at a '64 that already is a baja project for $1,500 with a oil cooler |
it depends on what you want to do with it. a street baja mix with some LIGHT off roading would be fine. the swingaxle limits you as far as lifting it but these cars are tougher in stock form then you think. if it runs, stops and is street legal then i would say jump on it. the center tunnel is the backbone of these cars so inspect from front (including beam) to the back horns that the tranaxle sits on for major rust and cracking.
don't be afraid to look outside of your area. one could be towed home if needed. |
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chucky73
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2010
Posts: 41
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| Check for excess end play in the crank. Something I didn't do on my running 1600.the case was to far gone. |
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Mal evolent
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2009
Posts: 2924
Location: San Antonio, Nuevo Mexico
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Mowgli25
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2012
Posts: 206
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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How do I check for play in the crank.
I ordered books today to read up on too |
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chucky73
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2010
Posts: 41
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:42 am Post subject: |
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| The book will tell you the specs, there will be some end play. But you are looking for excess end play in the crank. you can add some shims but in my case when you grab the pulley or fly wheel it would move end to end way to much. The shop handed me some shims to put in and said if I still had end play it was bad, besides measuring I think they even make a handy tool to help check. |
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Mowgli25
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2012
Posts: 206
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't have the book yet and I found a nice one already. Where is the crank to check this? |
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chucky73
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2010
Posts: 41
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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Here are a couple links you can check out. My 73 was in good shape so I thought. I could take the front pulley and turn and pull or push at the same time and the crank would move in and out a lot, I new that wasn't good. Now I have a 2275 so it all worked out for the best, but I did need to buy a new case. This is my first Baja so I am no expert just my experience.
www.vw-resource.com/endplay.html
www2.cip1.com › TOOLS › ENGINE TOOLS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYS2jng1gNc |
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STOICH
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2004
Posts: 1101
Location: Fallbrook
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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I would like to change a common statement. Especially for those of us that like to cut frame heads. CUT UP THE SUPER BEETLES!! your cutting off all of the suspension anyhow... they are cheaper cause nobody wants em, and the standards are getting pretty hard to find nowadays. The next best thing to a standard in the 71 and 72 super, which still have the flat windshields.. Seems like not long ago, there was a standard beetle in every TV show, and on every corner...
_________________
My classifieds
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=stoich |
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