'78 Vert: Okay, after nearly 14 years, I'm out of excuses

[Buggeee]

Nice valve stems.
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[DeMinimis]

Shiny.
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[DeMinimis]

Swapped out bushings on the right rear last night. After 41 years, you might think the trailing arms would be slightly out of wack with each other. Nope. Spot on with my digital angle finder.

This weekend I'll repack CVs and install new boots (old boots still intact, but they are, well, really old). Had hoped my bearing seal kit would be here, but not looking likely. Used to be, years ago, I'd order some stuff (if the good stuff) from a big retailer just over the border in Canada. You know the one. It was awesome as I'd get my stuff in around two days. Not so anymore. They now use DHL. Looks like I'm still a week out before I'll get those seals (and a host of other parts). Edit: Only 3 days! Guess I'll ignore DHL's projected delivery dates in the future

Went on a buying binge again with Wolfsburg. Since it appears someone once jacked the car with the front bumper (underside buggered up), I ordered up a WW bumper. Also ordered up the final missing pieces of all the rubber this car needs (only needed a few little pieces and new rubber over the tunnel floor mats).

I have the telltale signs of leaky oil cooler seals. Once those seals arrive, I'll drop the engine and deal with that. Will be a good time to thoroughly spruce up the engine. Although the exhaust is tip-top, I'm going to remove it all, blast it, and coat it (grey). May as well.

As always, this is getting out of hand.

Still Needed:
Bilstein Strut Inserts
Trunk and Rear Compartment Carpet
Speakers and a small BT Eq that I'll hide somewhere (I'll mount a 5" in the factory location in the dash and come up with a way to do a stealthy mount under/behind the dash for the right speaker. A couple of easy to remove 6.5" speakers in boxes for the rear -Nothing too fancy).

Possible:
Topline Coils
Windshield (will see if my Orig German windshield's rock chip can be fixed (doubt it as I'm guessing it was already fixed (looks like a DIY)).
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[DeMinimis]

Didn't get far today. Messed around and replaced the shock tower/body bushings. Had to grind down the thick pads I had to match the orig pads. Pain.

I've never had factory CV bolts before, so had to run to town tonight to get a 8mm triple square driver. Armed with the correct tool, I'll get to the axles tomorrow.

Ordered Bilstein strut inserts after verifying they (damn drop ship supplier) had them in stock. The next day they said they didn't have them in stock and tried to talk me into Sachs/Boge. Asshats. Supply is down/NLA. Email into Bilstein to see when they will be available again. Hope it's soon.

Getting a bit obsessive:

Bummer one of the POs wore a ring. Still, got to love the FV knob.:

_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[DeMinimis]

Got my front bumper from Wolfsburg West. Wow. It's so thin and light I could use it to wrap my sandwich for lunch tomorrow. It's actually thinner than some unknown thin aftermarket bumper I have laying around that I was going to give away or toss. Man, that's disappointing. Came in a nice bag though.
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[chicagovw]

Neat project. Congrats on getting back on it. Sorry that the WW bumper is junk-can you return it and have the original straightened out? There are specialists that will do it-not inexpensive, but that way it will be correct.

[DeMinimis]

Thanks. Unfortunately WW charges a 15% restocking fee. So that's $30 and change, plus another $30 to ship it back, so may as well keep it. Definitely should have sprung for the re-chromed originals out there. Read over and over how great the WW bumpers are, but they really come up short in my opinion.
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[Dwayne1m]

FWIW, I had 2 bumpers rechromed and the cost was $700.

[DeMinimis]

Thanks. I have a couple emails into chrome shops around the state. We'll see if any take small jobs and cost.

Hope to grease up CVs and install the axle (right side) tonight. Somehow managed to get pneumonia. Got some massive horse vaccine yesterday (shot) and another today. At least my shop is heated. Working on a Bug is better than laying in bed, right?
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[Buggeee]

See kids, that man loves his backing plate.
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[DeMinimis]

[Dwayne1m]

Where I took my bumpers they didn't do the actual rechroming. They would wait to get a bunch of things together and then send the lot to Michigan, so if you're looking for a fast turn around.. .… I think it took about 3-4 months before I got them back, but they did a great job on them, but for $700 I would expect that.

[74Shovel]

About 15 years ago I had an oil tank and triple tree for my Harley rechomed. I found a local shop in Seattle, near where I lived at the time. They had the parts for a week, the quality was excellent, and the cost was about $140. Try visiting the local Harley dealer or a custom bike shop. They will know who does the best work for fair prices, and with a reasonable turnaround.
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Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

'78 Super Convertible

[DeMinimis]

Thanks!!

Well, long ago I lost my VHS from Convertible Specialties (best video ever -used it for my former '79 in 2005 and the top came out perfect). They kept the business going for a while after Discount Dave passed. Before they closed their doors, I asked and they sent me a DVD copy of the top install video. Worried I lost it. Turns out, ten years later, it was exactly where I placed it for safe keeping. That's a win!

_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[DeMinimis]

'78 CEII verts had an off white top. In '05 I ordered top kits for this and another Big. The top for this was much too white. Sold that outer top years ago. Fast forward. I could not duplicate the texture, but I got a pinpoint in Ford White. It is an exact match to my orig boot (needs cleaning). For the win.

_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[Buggeee]

Oh Yeah! It's a perfect match. You must have had a smile on your face when you opened that box.
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[DeMinimis]

Yessir. I may have even let out a little squeak of joy.

So, CVs (German boots), bearings (German seals), serviced. All new rear brake components. Need to find my old Torque Meister tool. I think I know what box it's hiding in.

Ordered up some Conti (German) 12mm hose for the vapor canister. Canister is now de-undercoated.

Will probably back out today, remove rear wheels, and pressure wash the front of the engine, trans axle etc, today. Probably not wise for a dude trying to get over pneumonia, but I generally don't claim to be.

Found it. Bought this in '09 when I put a Kennedy clutch/flywheel in this Bug. Still impressed with the mechanical advantage. However, my 1/2 impact got me damn close to where I needed to be (basically tighten to get to a cotter pin hole). I have a big torque wrench, but 255 is top measurement. This is so much easier.

195s definitely look better than those old 165r15 tires.

_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[Epilog79]

Lookin good there, keep up the good work. As a fellow 79 vert owner I am familiar with the process. I love your wheel choice. I did the same with mine. With your tire size choice, did you go 195 in the front as well?
I ran 195 in the front with the Topline tapered sport springs and their disk brake kit. It all fit perfectly. They are just to the edge of the fender with a nice lowered stance as well. The rears I stepped up to 205/60. They fill the wheel well nicely. I didn’t reindex the spring plates.

Keep up the great work. We all enjoy watching your progress.

[DeMinimis]

Thanks. Running 195s all around. Had rub issues with 205s on my former '79. Yours looks great!

Heck of transaxle leak (front). Looks like it's been leaking a long, long time. What a mess. Probably the shaft seal, but could be the reverse switch washer. At least I hope so. Easy enough if it is. Have to clean up that mess. It's just coated.

Hope you see ya at Woodburn.
_________________
Yes Virginia, beer can make you smarter.

'78 SB CEII In Progress.

[Epilog79]

We look forward to the Woodburn show every year. My kids love to see all the crazy VW scene.
I hope you get that trans leak/seal taken care of.