New Owner 1971 BAJA -- Advice

[Tac Z]

Hello All,

My fiance and myself decided we wanted to take advantage of being stationed in Arizona and just bought a BAJA bug for a pretty decent price. We are completely new to this and wanted to hopefully do all the mechanical/cosmetic issues ourselves, giving us a chance to learn. Our base has an autohobby shop so we can hopefully do more complicated work/painting there. The major problem as of now is the idle, the engine will shutoff if you do not put enough gas into it. The previous owner said he tried "tuning the idle up"...something along those lines, but to no avail. He assumes that it's the carb that needs cleaning. I noticed that the fuel and air filters are really dirty so both will be need changing. The fuel filter seems to be leaking...or something because there is residue all over the pipe and along the rest of the components dripping down. I can't tell if that's where the leak is coming from but there is a small puddle forming underneath the engine. Cosmetically, I want to fix the cracking all around on the sunroof! I do not know if I could just epoxy and paint it over or what needs to be done (again my inexperience). Also, I assume it's an all metal body, so I do not know if I can just drill in the screws or need to apply certain methods for the siderails (ie large washer, etc). The door panels are coming off on both sides and ones partially ripped so it may need replacing. For the two holes on the dash, is there anything productive I can do for those or do I just need to find plugs for them? There are additional "highbeam" lights in the front that were disconnected because the 2 10'' speakers and amplifier were draining the battery too quick, so I assume we need to upgrade the alternator. Would a 90A one be efficient? I am confused on the type of alternator to get, the one we have is 14v and we would like to add an led bar later. Any and all advice is welcome (especially if you notice something wrong that I did not see), my apologies if this post is out of place and I look forward to reading and exploring this new community we joined! Thank you!

From a distance it looks pretty on point, but taking a closer look you can see the following.

[Multi69s]

Welcome to the site.
Don't want to seem like I am bashing you, but there is an area of concern.

1st off, if it is leaking fuel, don't drive it. You need to get the leak stopped now. Leaking fuel is never a good idea, but in your case it is worse. You do not have a sealed exhaust system. The collector is a slip fit onto each exhaust runner. That means that if the engine burps or farts while sitting at a stop, you could set off the leaking gas. Also, the fuel line is not American standard size, it is 5mm metric. There are too many VWs with engine fires, and I don't want to see your new ride added to the list.

Generally if an engine will not idle, there is a clog in the idle circuit. It could be just a jet, or the carb may need to be cleaned. As far as the large hole in the dash, you can put a tach there. How many watts is your amp pulling? Before, I dumped money into an alternator, I would have the battery load tested, and check out your charging system 1st. The stock gen can keep up with an "average" size amp. Don't assume anything on the car. Now is the time to give it a major once over. Change all fuel lines, inspect the brakes, and you should a fun enjoyable project.
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[Tac Z]

[Chochobeef]

I am sure you will have a lot of fun with this project car. I call it a project car because its going to take some work to make it safe and reliable.

Follow Multi69's advice and I will add to it. I would move the fuel filter out of the engine area and either near the outlet pipe by the transmission or under the fuel tank. You can listen to people who say otherwise, but originally vw's used a fuel pump with internal filter. Its when they stopped using those that people started putting them in the engine bay and usually right above a heat riser or the distributor.

Lets also talk about electrical. First, you have a generator (usually good for around 30A of charging power). Before doing any electrical work, disconnect your battery so you don't dead short something. Start by inspecting your connections and clean them as necessary. Check the Trans to Chassis ground strap. Clean or replace. Check the voltage regulator connections (this is under the back seat on the driver's side). Clean/Replace battery cables as needed. Clean all your fuse box connections. If I had to guess its going to be a mish mash of rats nest under the hood. Trace everything out and make sure you understand what is happening there because it may not match the wiring diagrams. On a side note I would ditch the see through distributor cap and get a stock bosch on.

If you made it this far great. It is a bit long winded, but you want to have a good understanding of what you just bought. Leave your interior work for last because that is cosmetic. Drop your engine and strip it down for cleaning. Looks like some pushrod tube leakage and valve cover leakage. Could also be oil cooler leakage that you can't see.

Hope some of this advice helps. Enjoy and have fun. Your in Arizona and there are a lot of good people on the samba who live there.

[75Flamebug]

NICE BAJA! It'll be a nice "little" project car. The only thing I would be concerned about is the heat risers not being connected. Almost kind of funny to me why the PO didn't just remove them from the manifold.

~K-VW
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1975 (Standard) Flame Bug
YouTube - KlutchKyle
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----------Since Oct 2014----------

[Tac Z]

K-VW: Is the heat riser not being connected going to be a large problem? I can't wait to get it up and running!

Chochobeef: Thank you for your advice! I think until I get a better knowledge and experience I'll eventually move the filter. I am severely limited on experience and tools. I currently am at work, but will upload a picture of the inside of the hood during lunch. So I have a generator and not an alternator? My noviceness is really showing, but the leakages you describe I will have to google and see what I can do. Looks like this weekend I'll be replacing the fuel filter, cleaning the carb/jets, and figuring out the other leakages you mentioned.

Thank you both again for your inputs. I just need to start rack and stacking priorities and get to fixin'!

[FeelthySanchez]

Welcome aboard Tac.

Bajas & AZ: possibly one of the finest pairings ever. Many good times are now just waiting to unfold.

So far, seems to have only the common/typical minor issues to address/correct.
The stock heat riser is a very useful feature for everyday driving, especially in cooler climes. It's also frequently one of the 1st victims to be sacrificed for quick/cheap "performance" on these kritters.

I'll now throw-out another detail re heat risers & the off-road extractor exhaust that she wears: stock heat risers do provide a de facto 3rd & 4th "leg" for manifold support.
This detail is not as critical on DP (dual port) engines because that configuration features a center anchor point, but on single ports (like this) it can be an issue - especially when beating-around offroad. Ya'll don't even need to ask how I learned why!

Correct on the generator, & (from foggy memory) believe it's the std 38 amp model.

[Tac Z]

[cbeck]

If you upgrade to a higher output alternator, don't forget to upgrade some wiring to handle the increased current.

[FeelthySanchez]

That issue of gas fumes should occupy 100% of any available repair time, period.

Re heat risers:
Not much can be done in the short term without some hardware & welding.
There may be a commercial "heat riser retrofit/repair" kit offered by somebody, somewhere, but I'm still searching for one.
We used to make them from steel block-off flanges like these:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1835844
We would scrounge some suitable steel tubing, cut/fit, then jig-up, weld & drill thru. Simple & crude, but effective.

[jjohnson67]

It is a super beetle.... A lot of great advice. Cool project.

[Tac Z]

[obesepolice]

the difference is in the front suspension. supers have a strut where as standards have a torsion beam setup. Not that I have first hand knowledge but apparently supers do not make good bajas, or so I have read. The do make nice little track cars though.

[Tac Z]

[obesepolice]

ahh dont let it disappoint you. I say get it running, and beat the hell out of it.

[All_talk]

At your experience level I'm going to recommend you buy a copy of the John Muir "idiot manual" and read it cover to cover.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=how+...lzvaar4h_b

I'm not calling you an idiot And don't let the books title fool you, its like the VW bible and a great read. It will give you all the basics and background, then the great folks here on the Samba can fill in the rest.

Gary

[empi3]

[gimpy60]

Anybody besides me notice that is a super?
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How the hell ya spost ta fix it, ya don't even know how it works boy

[Tac Z]

[gimpy60]

Dude, that front suspension will not tolerate abuse!!! Don't try to make a desert car outta it, unless you have a good pair of walking shoes on.

It's already weakened from the chop, & that little bar on the shock towers will not help a damn bit.

You wanted advice, listen to it. Use the car for on the street. or walk home. You might spend a bundle to stiffen the front, but it will require a ton of welding & fab. work, not worth it , IMHO.
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How the hell ya spost ta fix it, ya don't even know how it works boy