Black Fastback Build Thread

[notchboy]

[Tram]

[notchboy]

Scratch? Shit didn't know that happened. But them again I got bored reading about the birth of this thing. Show me the baby Then I strolled back in.

A scratch is a good thing - that first one allows the bad spirts, juju, haunts, goofs, gremlins, demons, ghosts, ex-wives, lost hopes and dreams and any failed STD tests from your past to be excised from the project. I think you need a bigger scratch Steve

_________________

[Clatter]

Whoo! Yesterday was a big day..
I let the scratch out for sure.

First of all, it was this kid's 16th birthday!

Just so happened that it was also the big day where i got to drive the car.
How weird is life?

After running it the night before, i let the guy in back know he needed to move his crap.
Of course, i got stuck waiting..
But it was HIS birthday too, so what are you going to do?

Drove to the cemetery down the street for a few pics;
Just to show Bob that yes, the car will get driven..

After walking around and checking that nothing was loose or amiss,
I headed over to the highway frontage road.
Waited until there's some room between cars, and did a few harder 3rd gear runs from 30 up to 60 MPH and back down again to seat piston rings.
Also did a few harder almost-come-to-a stops to bed the brakes in.
Had to stop by and show the car off to William at Pierce because that's what you do, right?

After eight miles or so, taking Owen around the block, etc.
Car went into the garage (!) to have the hot break-in oil dumped right away.

It can now sleep with the bus for a while out of the weather.

I'm more than a little sick of working on this particular car right now.
Time to put down the crack pipe and get some Jesus.
The list of things still to do is a very long one.
Window parts on back-order, and million little things to do still.
Not the least of which is to raise the rear up a little bit.
There was no way to angle out of my driveway and keep the muffler off the ground, same with the lot over at Pierce.
While a smaller muffler would help,
You'll notice the header is lower then the bottom of the muffler.
The header stays, make no mistake..

If you look at the pics, the front tires are too big.
Not sure if i need another size down, like 205 to 195, or if it needs a smaller ratio, like 55 to 50, but something needs to happen there.
Want to leave the front as low as it is, but not have rubbing or look stupid fat like that.


Either way, the finish line is now in sight.
Was SO very relieved to have the clutch/trans/linkage all actually WORK first try!
This was my first full transaxle rebuild, not to mention that home-kludge shift linkage rod..!
Sometimes a boy gets lucky.

Made a huge list of all those things that need done, and all the parts that finish the car got put in these two boxes.
Piles and piles of parts are getting put away in boxes and moved up to the attic.
More than ready to clean up after this project already..
Remember ALL those fasteners that used to sit here, for how many years?

Anyways, i didn't get any first-drive video because the sound just never seems to be even close.
Plus, we'll say i was more than a little distracted at the time.
Maybe we'll get a few later once the car is together and can be run-in properly.
You'll notice that the plate doesn't have any registration stickers as well.
How bad would it suck to get impounded?


I'll describe what the drive was like in words if anyone wants to bother.

First of all, i didn't run the engine hatch lid, so all of the sounds are way different.
With no rear seat or sound dampening or anything it's really loud.
Carb sucking noises and valvetrain clatter are amplified.
The gear reduction starter is really crunchy; Sounds Mopar. A nice nasty touch.
The trans was SO quiet. didn't hear a peep from it.
Wondered if it was going to whine or grind.. Nothing.
Same with the fuel pump, you can't hear if it's running even with the car off from the driver's seat, have to climb underneath to hear it.
Also, once the motor got hot, the cooling air from the fan gets sucked into the passenger compartment!
Thought the heat was on, but no, it pulls what seems like ALL of the blasting hot cooling air in; like being in a convection oven.
This with windows down.. Since i have no window regulators in, that was that.
All of those chemical smells, from Curil T to ceramic coating to paint to ultra copper all burning off searing and swirling hot through the massive racket..
What an experience.
Good thing Mom didn't come on the initial drive.

Even though it had a second valve adjustment on the run stand after cam break-in, it started ticking a slight bit on the 1-2 side at idle, at least at first start-up.
I just ran it anyways;
once it was off the stands i wasn't going to dick with another vale adjustment.
Oddly enough, after running it in and getting it full hot, it all quieted way way down.
Maybe I'm used to type 1s with dual springs or straight-cut gears or..?
But the valvetrain is super super quiet on this thing, like hydraulics or something.
Maybe it's the beehives?
Cam gear is quiet, pistons don't slap at all, it sounds really tight and tidy.
Only noises seem to be from the carbs or exhaust.

The muffler is a joy sound-wise. Really nutted that one.
Was worried that, since it is so big, dual-chamber, and glass-wrapped it would have been OEM quiet.
Not so.
It has a bommy rumble at idle and low-speed but not at all obtrusive.
At full song, it gives just a bit of that glass-pack rasp.
We'll know how it really sounds once the whole compartment is sealed up.
Yeah, it's really big hanging back there,
But it works just so well..

The distributor needs tweaked.
Always like a lot of initial advance, like 10-12 BTDC and limit all-in to 28.
This 050 has a wide swing; at 32 all-in it was way down at like 4 or 6 initial.
That made it lazy to respond, not snappy, and stumble a bit stabbing it.
Going to tweak the stops on that sucker before it ever gets run again. Annoying.

When it advances, though..!
The Web 163/86b has been described as Jekyll/Hyde, and that is most apt.
It's well mannered down low and will be fine to drive in traffic (once it gets some more initial timing).
WHoo! Hang on when it comes in. I'm really surprised it makes as much power as it does.
And with stock-size 'S' valves 41/35.. Must be the big header.
Combo works, and how. We'll call that a huge win and far better than expected.

Shifter is better than i thought, but not perfect yet.
Reverse is really weird.
Thought i couldn't get it in reverse, but then let out the clutch and the car moved back.
It popped out a couple of times when moving the car around in the back yard.
It'll need an adjustment; shortening the rod a bit should do the trick.
All five forward gears are perfect. Perfect perfect. Thank God.
Throw is really short, and smooth. Was worried it would feel 'scrapey'..
Shifter shaft will need to be bent to an angle like the factory type 3 shifter.
Thought i would try and run it straight and see, but it will definitely need laid back.
Not sure if i can get a bent one from bug@5-speed anymore, or if a bending operation is in order.
Either way, it will get old over time having to reach so far for the shifter.

Brakes were mushy/spongy crap full of air.
I think only one caliper was working.
They have to come clear back apart again to re-do the rear torsions anyway.

Alignment was way off as well. Not even close.

Shocks are way too stiff.
Great when a too-low car hits humps fast to keep it from scraping,
Not great from a ride perspective.
Was doing the bobble-head thing like a lowrider guy without accumulators.
Might have to pop for some Konis..


Anyways,
Test run was a success.
Not stoked to have to rip the rear end clear apart or buy more tires,
But very, very happy about the trans and motor.

There's a list of things still to do that's Sooo long.
From gauge lights not working to sound insulation, building doors, finishing the headliner, on and on and on.
On and on..
And on and on and on and on...

Rippity rock till the break of dawn...


Look! An Oval!
WHO wants to drive it?
THAT kid?

_________________
Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[suruba]

I’m so happy for you!!!


It looks great. I hope it drives as great as it looks. Congrats. Sincerely a glorious build.

Dave

[Clatter]

[Jason37]

Worth reading all 201 pages to see you get to this point. Where many would have not stuck it out, your perseverance and dedication to this build is inspiring. 🙏

[nogoodwithusernames]

Congratulations on the first drive!
_________________
71 Squareback, 1.7l T4 w/ crank trigger fuel and spark
(Conversion thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732508&highlight= or https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=151375&sid=f0542d44a322d290c29d6609fac7f215 )
74 914, 2.0L w/ D-Jet

-Derek

[VWporscheGT3]

Nice to hear about your first drive. sounds like you have a million things bouncing around in your noggin to get settled out , But knowing you..you'll get it worked out to perfection. Good job!!!
_________________
Schnell, SCHNELL!

I like being wrong, Because, it is another opportunity to learn. If you stop learning from your mistakes than what is the point?

If you have any questions about Forged ICON 4032 VW pistons just shoot me a line.

[Bobnotch]

[notchboy]

Enjoy the sunlight kid. Well deserved. Next beer is on me



Link

_________________

[Ceckert64]

Nice job! It looks great! It’s funny how the first drive after a major project can be so exciting but yet so disappointing at the same time when major systems don’t work as they should. Great that the transmission worked so good. Keep plugging away at it, I’m sure you’ll have it running like clockwork in no time!
_________________
1964 sunroof Beetle Restoration "Herbie"
“Joann” 1970 Elm Green Squareback
1972 Sierra Yellow Tin Top Westfalia Camper
“Fitz” 1971 Westfalia Poptop

[andybla]

do you have oil or gas shocks?

[Mr.Duncan]

Shoot, do I need to fly out there and help bleed those brakes?

So glad to see it running. It's beautiful.

100% worth reading all 200 pages.
_________________
(Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com

Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle

[twinfin]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Link

_________________
________________________________
"It's knowledge to learn from your mistakes. But it's wisdom to learn from others!"
------------------------------------------
“He that goeth to bedde wyth Dogges, aryseth with fleas.”

"The Blue Submarine"
1977 Campmobile, Type 4 2.0 liter Federal, Non-Catalyst, Fuel Injected with Valvetrain from the type4store, 411 Heat Exchanger Preheaters, S&S Header, Supertrapp Silencer. ...and a lot of help from Clatter and TCash and friends!

[Clatter]

Thanks for the well wishes.
Warms an old man's heart.

ALL of you guys have also contributed to the project, too!
Everyone who just posted on this page!

This project wasn't just my project but all of us.
SO many contributors.. I'm really touched.

Now that the car is in the garage the pressure is lifted.
Makes it easier to just tackle things one at a time.
Staring at the car all outside in the weather on stands,
Plus these piles of parts all scattered around,
Made it stressful and overwhelming to be out at the shop!
Now that it's out of the way, i can knock things out one at a time.

Like yesterday i went to the DMV and got it registered.
Funny how non-op is usually a one-way thing..
Nobody ever heard of 'op' before.
"Hi, i'd like to op my car"..
Huh?
The opposite of non-op; they weren't sure how to do that one..

In the meantime, we're turning this thing right around..
Trans was making noise.

Plus, he doesn't need an 8000RPM motor for his first car.
He's getting a 1776 with dual Kadrons like he deserves.

I'll keep from contaminating this thread again.
That POS needs OUT of there ASAP!
Because...

They announced that the Bug O at Sac is ON this year!!

http://www.bugorama.com/

We're going. Car is making it's debut.
Plan is to finish the details, have Wences buff it one last time and trailer it up to the show.
That's right, Bob, it'll get trailered to it's first show.
I'm going to take a couple wheels off and put mirrors underneath as well!

Maybe find a set of velvet ropes?

Get a carpet cut?

Lights?

Guess I'll need a generator for the lights..


Have to find those rotating colored covers...


And some tinsel..



_________________
Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[Max Welton]

Amazing work. I just looked at your first post to get a sense of how far you brought the car forward. And the kid got to watch you do it. Full dad points!

I just showed the pictures to my wife to prove that there IS hope for mine.

Max

[Bobnotch]

[eyetzr]

[Erik G]

just a heads up that is a very dusty show, we used an enclosed trailer to bring a black 53 to debut at Bugorama, and we only had to travel 12 miles. Bring Wences and his spray detailer of choice and lots of microfiber

Car looks fantastic, I have been thinking of going to see my folks, maybe I'll make it that weekend.