Barn Find Beetle-Need Help to Get it Running

[jrbuzz8]

Alright, replacing the ignition switch is confusing and my Chilton’s manual is absolutely no help. This is where I’m at with it after trying to follow the book’s instructions. I cannot get the cylinder out, nor can I get the switch out.

[Starbucket]

[Starbucket]

[Eric&Barb]

[jrbuzz8]

It was all one piece, unlike others I’ve seen. I got it off and replaced the switch, which now works well when the key is turned. I still have to figure out how to get the car running. I know for a fact that the carburetor is way out of adjustment so can I do anything about that that’ll help to get it running for more than four seconds? And yes, that is the accelerator pump jet that I see working great now.

[Starbucket]

[jrbuzz8]

Yep there’s a solenoid and it audibly “clicks” when the key is turned. I still can’t quite get it to stay running for more than a few seconds, though.

[Eric&Barb]

Might try draining the carb by removing the drain plug on the left side. Could be water has gotten into it.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Starbucket]

Get a container and disconnect the fuel line from the carb and have someone crank the motor and see if the pump is suppling continuous squirts of gas. Have a fire ext. handy and keep container away from any sparks. If the gas is only a dribble look for a fuel filter and replace it, if no filter remove hose from other side of fuel pump and blow into it and have someone remove gas cap and listen for bubbles as the tank might have hardened sediment clogging the fuel outlet to the motor.

[jrbuzz8]

Alright, so the fuel pump is not pumping anything. I took a look at the fuel line that goes directly into the pump and it was basically dry. So, I’m going to search out the filter under the car, because I’ll bet that’s clogged and causing the issue. Can I run a can of Sea Foam gas treatment in here to help loosen anything else in the lines and go through a few filters?

[Cusser]

[Starbucket]

You can pull the sending unit out of the tank and look at the bottom of the tank with a flashlight. Some compressed air from the pump line could clear the line plus now is a good time to replace the rubber gas hoses as yours are probably hard as a rock.

[jrbuzz8]

Alright, there are no clogs in the system. One area of one line had a hole in it, so I replaced the line. All of the fuel lines in the back half of the car are new. There is fuel going into the fuel pump, but it still doesn’t make it to the carburetor. I’ve even tried putting fuel directly into the fuel line that runs from the fuel pump to the carburetor, putting the line back on the carburetor where the float needle is, and trying to start it. It’s doesnt start and when I pull the line off again, it’s empty. What is going on? The fuel pump is new and it works fine.

[Eric&Barb]

[jrbuzz8]

Yep, the pump is an exact match to the old one that was on there. It does pump fuel through the line. The needle in the carburetor is also fine, as I keep checking that. Am I just supposed to keep cranking it until fuel starts flowing into the carburetor? If I can get it running on starter fluid/carb cleaner will fuel begin to flow into the carburetor and fill the bowl?

[Eric&Barb]

[Starbucket]

I think the float is stuck in the up position. Remove the fuel line from the pump to the carb and connect a clean piece of hose to the carb and blow in it, if you can't the float is adjusted wrong or stuck, time to pop the top off the carb. You can buy an ear wax suction bulb from Walmart or any drug store and put a piece on fuel line on it and squeeze some gas into the carb so it will start when you fix the needle or float adj..

[jrbuzz8]

I’ve tried removing the top of the carb, filling the float bowl and starting it. It will run until it runs out of fuel in the bowl and then it’ll quit. Fuel is going through the line to the carburetor, I can see it and the line is wet with gas when I take it off the carb. I’ve also blown air in through the needle valve and it’s very much clear and in the right position. The float is constantly down because there’s no fuel in it, yet it won’t draw fuel into the bowl or fill the bowl at all. The fuel lines are all clear for sure, the fuel pump is putting fuel through the lines, and the car will run if fuel is being put into the intake, but it will cut out as soon as no more fuel is present.

[Eric&Barb]

[Dark Earth]

Carefully take the fuel line off the carburetor that comes from the fuel pump. Have someone turn the engine over while you watch fuel coming out of the fuel line into a gas can. Have a fire extinguisher handy. If you have fuel going into the gas can, hook a fuel pressure gauge up and see what pressure you have.
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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~