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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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 Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:31 am Post subject: New [Excited] SquareBack Owner |
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Hello Samba World!
Three weeks ago I purchased a 67 Squareback in Chico, CA from the one of the mechanics at LateNightAirCooled and drove it all the way down to my home town in San Diego! Car drives amazing, and was the POs daily driver and is now my new daily driver, and i absolutely love it! I have been lurking on this site for quite sometime and had a few questions about my new ride so i figured a nice introduction would do well. I am very handy and have previous VW experience, completely rebuilt the type 4 engine on my 914, so i am familiar with air-cooled classics.
Engine is a freshly rebuilt (10,000 mi) 1600 with dual 34 Webber ICTs and an electronic distributor. Transmission is also freshly rebuilt (10,000 mi) with a supper diff, alum. side cover, and welded 3rd and 4th. Car fires right up every time, and i can drive away in a matter of seconds, i absolutely love that!! (can not do that with my 914 at all!!!!) car is also lowered two clicks front and back.
One question that i have for the time being, since it is more substantial than any of my other questions, what does it mean when the red generator light comes on? Every once and awhile, usually in the mornings, the generator light on the fuel level pod illuminates, for no more than 2 minutes and then turns off the rest of the day. Is it a warning sign that the generator will need replaced soon?
Another question, struts. The car seems to react very negatively when i drove over any imperfection in the road. Is this a squareback trait or are my struts shot?? What is a good replacement for a nice cushiony ride?
Here are some pictures. Thanks in advance for the help, and looking forward to joining this community!!
[Engine specs lister below are for the engine that was in the car previous to the most recent rebuild, owner chose reliability over power]
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011
Posts: 1593
Location: Louisville, ky
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Generator light coming on at stoplights is normal and not an issue. If it comes on otherwise it is an issue. Biggest flag when the generator light comes on at driving RPM. You will notice the fan is on the other side of the generator. Lets say a belt breaks or a pully comes loose. Once that fan stops spinning the air cooling stops and engine meltdown is imminent.
I can't help on the strut question. I have a standard beetle.
Beautiful car by the way, ok needs a little bodywork. If I didn't absolutely love the beetle, a squareback, especially a bright orange squareback would be a great car and a lot more practicle than the beetle. |
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 1:08 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the generator light info and compliments! So far the light only comes on right when i first start the car, and it doesn't happen every time. Has not come on once after driving for a minute or two after startup. So from what you are saying, this is just normal operation, i guess the generator is getting up to full operating speed...
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011
Posts: 1593
Location: Louisville, ky
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 2:09 am Post subject: |
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By stays on a minute or two, I hope you mean stays on until I put it in gear and press the gas. And once off cold idle narry a problem.
Although I only have that generator light thing once it comes off of cold idle and the idle slows significantly. |
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eyetzr 
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 1472
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 4:16 am Post subject: |
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Nice car & welcome. ptjjb, the fan is attached to the crank on a type 3. Check the voltage output & belt tension on the generator. If you need the extra power there are a couple of alternator kits out there.
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 23022
Location: Northwest of Normal
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:22 am Post subject: |
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| [email protected] wrote: |
Generator light coming on at stoplights is normal and not an issue. If it comes on otherwise it is an issue. Biggest flag when the generator light comes on at driving RPM. You will notice the fan is on the other side of the generator. Lets say a belt breaks or a pully comes loose. Once that fan stops spinning the air cooling stops and engine meltdown is imminent.
I can't help on the strut question. I have a standard beetle.
Beautiful car by the way, ok needs a little bodywork. If I didn't absolutely love the beetle, a squareback, especially a bright orange squareback would be a great car and a lot more practicle than the beetle. |
Not on a Type 3.
Also, Type 3s do not have struts. On your handling issue, first check tire pressure and let us know what it is. Second, check the upper torsion arm for play at the right front wheel. With the car on the ground, pull out on the top of the right wheel with both hands at the 12 o'clock position. Does it move out?
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
Those who can- do.
Those who can't? Subaru. |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23522
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:15 am Post subject: |
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If I had to make a guess, I'd say check the generator brushes first, as they might be worn. Next, check the system voltage at the battery. What you're looking for is 14.1 to 14.5 volts at 2300 rpms. If it's less than 14.1, then the Voltage Regulator is on it's way out.
Do the checks Tram suggested above to the front end. I'm betting the PO probably put a set of gas shocks on the front, which is helping to kill the ride. Since you're at least 2 splines down, you can go with lowered link pin oil shocks up front, to help get some of the smooth (normal type 3 ride) back. A quick search of the forum, will yeild a Monroe shock part number that several others have used on their cars too. 
When a type 3 is lowered, it WILL still ride better than a bug, IF you have the tire pressures correct (18 psi), and oil shocks up front. 
Welcome to the forum, it looks like you found a nice car, that's bee taken care of.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:02 am Post subject: |
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So I am writing this while on the side of the freeway waiting for my tow truck to arrive... I think the generator just crapped out. I was going down hill and could all of a sudden feel the engine pulling back in speed while still giving it gas, felt like some was resisting the turning of the engine (generator I presume). Red light came on as I was still going, so I pulled off and called the tow truck.
I will take it home and I think just buy a new generator from the local auto parts store. What is the general opinion and difficulty of switching from a 12v generator to alternator??
Thanks for the help, will have to investigate the shock issues later...
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:34 am Post subject: |
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Hopefully some of you can chime in on diagnostics, but another possibility i would think is that i ran out of gas... The fuel gauge sending unit was recently replaced a few months ago and it showed i had in between the 1/4 and R, but if that is off by enough i could have been out of gas i guess. I have never ran a type3, type4 or any other car for that matter out of gas, so im not exactly sure what that would feel like when in the middle of driving. Best way to find out though is to grab a container of gas and put it in the tank and see if it fires up! Im at work now, and off the side of the busy freeway, so that is good for now in my book!
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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eyetzr
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 1472
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Toss some fuel & see if it sparks up. If so, check the sender that it is measuring the full height of tank. Mine used to get stuck, 3 times & got a new sender.
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23522
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| eyetzr wrote: |
| Toss some fuel & see if it sparks up. If so, check the sender that it is measuring the full height of tank. Mine used to get stuck, 3 times & got a new sender. |
Yup, toss some fuel in it, and see if it'll fire up.
If it doesn't, then I'd suspect the electronic module in the distributor has died (check for spark). I only say that, as they do like to die. Most here carry a set of points and condensor in the glove box, for when the module dies, so they can get home. Another thought somewhat related, would be that the 12 volt power wire fell off the coil, causing a "no spark" issue.
One more thought (if you do have spark) is that the fuel pump died. Believe it or not, that's fairly common these days due to a lack of quality parts. 
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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Bobnotch, thank you for the detailed response, i will start checking all of those things. While on the side of the road, i checked and seem to remember all the wires being present, but will double again. any suggestions for quality fuel pumps if thats the case?
Would you say that my initial thinking that the generator binding up is an unlikely scenario?
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23522
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| dfelz wrote: |
Bobnotch, thank you for the detailed response, i will start checking all of those things. While on the side of the road, i checked and seem to remember all the wires being present, but will double again. any suggestions for quality fuel pumps if thats the case?
Would you say that my initial thinking that the generator binding up is an unlikely scenario? |
I've actually gone to using an electric fuel pump (Mr.Gasket brand 042S), as I had 3 mechanical pumps on different vehicles die within 1 year, and 6 months on a replacement mechanical pump.  I've already got a couple of years on the electric pumps, and as long as you don't run them out of fuel, they stay good.
As for the generator binding, I'd think you'd hear the bearings making a hell of a noise long before that happened. I've yet to see 1 lock up, but I have heard bad bearings in 1 before (sounded like a bad main bearing in the engine).
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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She is running again!! Put just under a gallon of gas in from my portable container, but it took a while before it fired up, i imagine because the mechanical pump had to do a lot of work to fill the lines and carbs back up with fuel. I guess i will not let the tank get below 1/4 tank any more and I'm going to keep a reserve container in the trunk as backup. ill have to check the sender to see if the float is getting stuck. thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated!
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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vwfye
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2000
Posts: 7751
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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64 No'back Speedster "Pearl"
LME "Little Giant Killer 3"
1974 Ghia "PUK" |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23522
Location: Kimball, Mi
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dfelz
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 34
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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General question, what are some good websites to source new parts for our cars?? I use pelican parts a lot for just about anything needed for my 914. Is there anything similar for type3s. I am interested in things like brake pads, oil filters, oil strainer gaskets, electronic distributor module replacement, exhaust gasket, and so on...
Thanks!
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David
'67 SquareBack, 1600cc
'71 Porsche 914, 1911cc
'16 Toyota Tacoma DCLB, TRD Off-Road 4WD |
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eyetzr
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 1472
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:04 am Post subject: |
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Lots of choices for parts, CIP1, ISP, others I cannot think of at the moment. The classified ads here work well, check the feedback section. I hunted down NOS & German/original ball joints & tie rod ends. As always you can ask here & find things as well
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23522
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: |
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I have a tendency to shop around. But a good portion of what I buy comes from ISP. I also use Wolfsburg West, AirHead parts, CIP, AutohausAZ, and a couple of others. The classifieds are a big help, unless you're looking for something special that's probably NOS, and then you'll need something NOS to trade, as those guys don't like to part with the "good stuff".
I stay away from Mid America (modern day JC Whitney ), as they mostly have chinese stuff, and it doesn't fit right (damn aftermarket parts). Just my take on it. YMMV.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 36193
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| I have a tendency to shop around. But a good portion of what I buy comes from ISP. I also use Wolfsburg West, AirHead parts, CIP, AutohausAZ, and a couple of others. The classifieds are a big help. |
This mirrors my habits, though I would add West Coast Metric to the list. I usually start with ISPwest.
No one vendor hits 100% on every part, so use search on the parts here in the forum to see what people's recent experience tells you. For example, windshield seal quality has taken a big leap forward with ISP's molded, original-profile rubber. It used to be a problem with anyone's seals. |
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