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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:24 pm Post subject: My 1974 Super Beetle Rebuild |
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Have been waiting to do this for many years, so for my 48th birthday, I decided it was time. Picked up my '74 Super Beetle at the beginning of October and brought it to its new home. It runs, but isn't much to look at and it'll need a lot of weekends to get it to where I want it. Here are some pics of the past couple of weekends tear down.
The floor pans are pretty solid, looks like they've been replaced in the past, some surface rust inside, but solid. Not sure if I'll replace them or not. I'll post pics here from time to time as we continue. You can also visit our web site for updates and many more pics.
http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com |
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flyboy161 Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2009 Posts: 2091 Location: Perry, GA
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CWAVE Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2008 Posts: 510
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on your project! I waited two years longer than you before I got into my project! Makes me feel 18 again. Let's hope I drive more responsibly once mine is done!
Have a great time with it! BTW, your website is great. Enjoyed looking through it. Love the concept drawings. _________________ ___
My 1973 Sports Bug Body off Restoration:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=666556 |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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CWAVE wrote: |
Congrats on your project! I waited two years longer than you before I got into my project! Makes me feel 18 again. Let's hope I drive more responsibly once mine is done!
Have a great time with it! BTW, your website is great. Enjoyed looking through it. Love the concept drawings. |
Thank you....! |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:11 pm Post subject: Tear Down Continues |
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Spent some time on this awesome fall day removing the back seat, panels, carpet and padding from the inner wheel wells and fire wall. These items were original to the car which was a pretty big surprise. I’ve never removed the padding on one of these old Beetles and not be greeted with rust holes, so this was a first for me. No rust at all, not even surface rust. Inner wheel wells and fire wall are solid as a rock. What looks like rust in the pics is insulation that is going to be a bear to get off. It’s as sticky as it was the day it was installed. I also began removing bolts that hold the floor pan to the body. Since the the pans had been replaced some time in the past, all of the heat channel bolts came out without an issue. The four bolts that secure the floor pan to the cross member, one was missing on each side. The one remaining on the passenger side came out without issue. The one remaining on the driver side just didn’t look right and without much pressure, it broke off. The four under the back seat came out without any problem and the two that mount on top of the tunnel came out without issue. All in all, not too bad. The next big job will be to remove whats left of the tar paper(?) insulation on the inner fire wall. Any tips on removing that tar paper insulation would be appreciated.
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:43 pm Post subject: Steer Wheel, Steering Column and Dash Removed |
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My goal this evening was to finish getting the steering column and dash out of the car. That has to be the ugliest dash I've ever come across. Most of the dash was already disconnected, so I pulled the speedometer and labeled all of the wires so I’ll know where they’ll go back once everything starts to go back together. The steering column proved to be a challenge. Once everything was disconnected (so I thought), I figured the steering tube and shaft will pull right out. Well, it didn’t and after fighting it for an hour or so, I posted for help and member Joel quickly gave me the response I was waiting for. Instead of just loosening the bolt on the uni joint, I should’ve removed it completely as the shaft has a groove for the bolt to slide through. 60 minute headache, 10 second fix. The wiring looks like a mess, but it’s actually somewhat organized. That’s why I take lots and lots of pictures, we’ll need them when this puzzle goes back together. Also noticed that the dash was made exactly 41 years and 2 days ago today. Now it's time to find a replacement dash, anybody got one for sale or at least in better condition than the one that I took out?
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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EXJAY Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2009 Posts: 1109 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Nice project, I like it! _________________ EXJAY
'74 Superbeetle (Family owned since new)
'73 181 Thing (sold) |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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Did a quick test this evening to see just how heavy the body is and how easy it’s going to be to remove from the floor pans. I’ve confirmed that the pans have been replaced some time in the past and the previous owner didn’t take the time to install the proper seal between the body and the floor pan, they used silicone. Yeah, silicone. Oh well, was really surprise at just how light the body is, I picked the back up with ease as my wife slid a 2×12 between the back of the body and floor pan. Glass is still installed, but the doors are removed. Only thing still securing the body is the struts. Won’t be long til we get these two separated and the real work begins.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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flyboy161 Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2009 Posts: 2091 Location: Perry, GA
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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Didn't do much of anything to the Beetle this weekend, which was probably a mistake since the weather was so nice. However, I did take advantage of the nice weather to put up and test Christmas lights. Yes, Christmas lights. Hey, it's better to do it when it's 78 degrees rather than when it's 30 degrees. I did get the struts unbolted from the body so now it's 100% ready to remove from the floorpans. Still need to rig up some saw horses or stands to sit the body on. I have limited space, so I still want to be able to store the chassis underneath the body. I also began stripping the rear decklid. I quickly found that 4 coats for paint is harder to get off than expected. I plan to get some things media blasted if possible, but I was more interested is finding out what kind of condition the decklid was in. Maybe next week I'll get the ball joints disconnected and the body totally off of the chassis.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Pulled the gas lid flap and license plate light cover from solvent that had been soaking since last night. The solvent did a pretty good job of removing layers of paint, but I’m only using it in hard to reach places. The spring on the gas lid flap had so much paint on it, it’d hardly close, now it works like a charm. I also received my replacement deck lid from Mark Bolina that I found on thesamba.com. Well worth the 20 dollars, it’s in very good condition, no rust, just needs cleaned, sanded and it’ll be ready for primer. Still need to find a gasket for the deck lid light cover, the existing one has seen better days. Also began to tackle the thick undercoating that will have to be removed from the fender wells and inner fenders. The undercoating has done a good job protecting the metal for 40+ years, but it has to go. I’ve read using everything from acetone (which works pretty good on the tar residue) to oven cleaner. I tried both tonight after work. The oven cleaner had little or no affect, the acetone had minimal. I guess it’ll be a heat gun and paint scraper in the near future.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Trying not to switch from one area of the car to another with no rhyme or reason and I’m trying to order a bunch of smalls as needed. I’ve been concentrating on the deck lid and before I move to the next project, whether it be big or small, I want to completely finish one before moving to the next. I need to sand, clean and prime the deck lid and it’s done for now. I ordered a latch seal, license plate light lens gasket, bulb and seal for the light housing. So until those parts come in, I’m now looking at the wiper motor assembly. I know it works fine, I tested it thoroughly before removing it. But like most, it’s need of some serious cleaning and some paint. So while I wait for parts to arrive to finish the deck lid, I think I’ll give the wiper assembly the once over.
I’m also keeping track of everything I need, big or small. I’m also keeping track of everything I buy, how much it was and where I bought it. That may help others who come here looking for answers. You can see what I need, what I’ve ordered, etc., by checking out my Parts Needed page http://kentuckyhotwheels.com/parts-resources/vw-parts-needed/. Of course, I’m constantly updating this page.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Amazing what a little acetone, scotch brite pad and elbow grease can do. The before and after of the wiper motor cover and about 30 minutes worth of work. I hope to get the wiper arms disassembled soon and try the Krud-Kutter rust removal on them. Supposed to be good stuff. While the wiper assembly is out and apart, I’ll take the time to change the gear grease and give the motor a good clean up as well.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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I think 80% of the project is going to be cleaning and sanding. Began to take apart the wiper motor assembly to prep it for cleaning and paint. Just lots of dirt and a little surface rust. Also spent some time on the donor deck lid. Had a couple spots of surface rust, but other than that, it just needs cleaned up and some light sanding to prep it for primer. I also cleaned the donor deck lid hinges. I’ve ordered some OEM replacements, but these actually cleaned up pretty good. Shot them with some primer to sell to somebody else who may be able to use them.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
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