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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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So for shits & giggles, I took the Ghiapet out to check for tire clearance issues & I'm glad to say that while they're REALLY close at several points, I'm only getting a little chatter from the tread blocks on the body at full lock.
Considering that the rear bumper is just sitting in the slots, I'm kinda surprised that it hasn't fallen off yet. 
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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Today I yanked the engine that I’ll be using in the interim out of the same stalled project that I liberated the front beam from & began stripping it down to assess why it’s had a random, mostly dead #4 cylinder.
So, once in, I found a wasp’s nest & a horribly cross threaded #3 spark plug.
After removing the head, I inspected it for cracks & burned valves but there were no issues with the head other than signs of it not firing.
It’s pretty oil soaked.
So I removed the cylinders & was happy to see that it was probably due to someone not getting the rings aligned correctly, the gap on both compression rings were at 12 o-clock & the oil scraper was at 6.
While none of the compression rings on any of the other cylinders were lined up, two of the other cylinders had the gap of the oil scrapers pointed straight down.
So I plan on adjusting the rings on all cylinders, having a valve job done, getting the spark plug holes repaired, & reassembling the top end.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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Onceler
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2010
Posts: 1646
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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| TDCTDI wrote: |
So for shits & giggles, I took the Ghiapet out to check for tire clearance issues & I'm glad to say that while they're REALLY close at several points, I'm only getting a little chatter from the tread blocks on the body at full lock.
Considering that the rear bumper is just sitting in the slots, I'm kinda surprised that it hasn't fallen off yet. |
Check out that articulation! You'll be rock crawling in no time. Is ur sway bar disconnected? As far as ring gap orientation, if it's wore out, orientation won't matter much, but might get a few more feel good miles out of it
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1972 Karmann Ghia |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 3:15 am Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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It no longer has a sway bar, it was used to reinforce the tierods. This not only allows for better articulation but it will also reduce understeer so I can hang the ass out a bit easier in the dirt.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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The Ghiapet found a friend. 
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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This morning I decided to tackle the engine.
& yanked it.
While it was out, I decided to replace the mounts.
Somehow, I’m sure that I’m going to regret this.
But it’s solid now, and now I just have to tie it into the body for extra support.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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I have been trying to determine whether the engine tin to body fitment was due to a sagging frame horn or if it was due to body damage. I have concluded that it is all due to the poor beast being punted in the ass at some point & sorta straightened after that. There's no body filler back here but it has definitely been pulled.
As you can see here, the rear apron in the engine bay ain't quite kosher.
I also decided to deal with some of the rust issues before plugging the engine back in as there isn't much of an engine seal flange anymore.
So I started by removing what's left of the seal flange
And then slathered everything down with some Ospho.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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| c21darrel wrote: |
Did you give it a running start?
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Oh hell no! They're less likely to get away if you ambush them. 
Oh... Wait... You're talking about the engine.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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Today I cut a section of engine seal channel out of a donor.
Then I burned off the undercoating off the back of the piece so I could see where the spot welds were.
After that, I cleaned it off with a wire brush.
Once cleaned, I ground the welds down with a die grinder.
And separated the channel from the scrap.
I then cleaned it up a bit...
And clamped it in place.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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| c21darrel wrote: |
| That was a good way to source that piece without destroying it (like I would have). |
Wellll... you have to destroy a bunch of shit before you learn how to save the piece that you want to keep.  Hopefully this thread will serve as a guide for others so that they might learn from my mistakes. 
So the next step was to glue it back together... here goes nothing!
& here it is reattached.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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Evil_Fiz
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2011
Posts: 1045
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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That electric copper crab claw sure looks handy. Thanks for the how-to.
What grinding bit/burr/attachment (not sure what the correct term is ) did you use on the die grinder. I need to get a die grinder but am clueless as to what bits to get for it. BTW which style grinder do you find most useful, straight or angled?
Pardon my ignorance,
Emil
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“…It's not just about what's interesting. It's also about what's helpful, and it's helpful even if it helps just one other guy working on a Ghia.”
kiwighia68
See my build on TheSamba at:
The K_R_A_K_E_N_N : a 70 Ghia Convertible reinterpreted |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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The “grab claw” is actually a spot welder. The tongs clamp the two pieces together, hit the button & BZZZT, they are one.
I use a 2” cutoff wheel on a 90* die grinder, I find them easier to control.
As far as brand goes, I have used all of the name brands. Snap-on, Matco, Mac & spent lots of money on them but found that the cheap ass Harbor Freight die grinder work just as well & last just as long.
The 2” cutoff wheels from Harbor Freight are also some of the better ones, stay away from the cutoff wheels from Lowe’s hardware, I had two in a row fly apart just spinning it up to speed, those get painful quick as shrapnel.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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Evil_Fiz
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2011
Posts: 1045
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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Thanks for the info on the grinders. I should have thrown in an extra  in the crab claw comment. I recognized it from all the youtube videos on how to build one using a microwave oven transformer.
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Emil - only partially clueless
_________________
“…It's not just about what's interesting. It's also about what's helpful, and it's helpful even if it helps just one other guy working on a Ghia.”
kiwighia68
See my build on TheSamba at:
The K_R_A_K_E_N_N : a 70 Ghia Convertible reinterpreted |
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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It’s not fancy, in fact it’s Harbor Freight also they’re cheap ($179) & don’t last long. Don’t buy the extended warranty, buy it, use it, & return it before the warranty expires, they’re that bad, but it’ll get those PITA jobs done quick. I bought this one yesterday & the trigger is already acting up.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12846
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing the Ghiapet |
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I got the new engine seals in place, got the engine reassembled & swapped a doghouse shroud onto it along with a freshly cleaned intake manifold & new muffler.
I still need to install all of the fresh air tubes & preheat tube & riser.
Holy Hell, that solid trans mount makes for a noisy beast.
I also pirated some seats out of a Miata that will allow me to fit in this bitch.
This also gives me enough headroom for a helmet.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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