74 Standard Beetle restoration

[dubsteez79]

After 9 years, it is finally ready to come out and play. Sorrynotsorry for the massive photo dump but wanted to consolidate the build on here. I started a build thread years back under a different username and forgot all that info so here it is. Took 2 cars and lots of metal to make this car. Started out as a rat rod/driver build and snowballed into this. My dad egged me on to make it super nice and I listened. Ive built 3 other cars since starting this project which is one reason it took so long. Cost of paint/bodywork is the main reason though lol. Its first show will be at Farmington Dragway this weekend and im super excited.
-rebuilt 1600 dp with dual carbs, engle 110 cam, blue coil and lightly ported heads.
-Interior came from Sewfine in Colorado.
-Scat procar front seats.
-adjustable narrowed beam
-early lights
-early late model fenders
-Custom bumper brackets(including bumper mounts on body)
-Metal dash conversion
-New custom wiring harness and fuse box
-All powder coated everything. Mostly in silver vein, black and silver.

More pics to come soon!

[dubsteez79]

Few more shots of the interior. Doggo approved!

[Pruneman99]

Looks awesome! Definitely the back dating improves the look IMO. Some purists won't like it though

What carpet kit is that?

[Glenn]

[dubsteez79]

Thanks guys!

The carpet kit was also from sewfine.

If I was to ever build another late model to daily drive, I would probably leave it original other than mechanical upgrades and lowering. I can be a purist at times as well. Just didnt happen on this particular build lol.

[gwdrum75]

Very nice!!

If you get the chance, I would love to see pictures of the front and rear mounts for the bumpers.

[[email protected]]

Excellent, another build thread AFTER completion!

The car turned out great! It’s only a matter of time before we start saying “man, I should have saved that 74, instead of scrapping it”. People are already going way beyond on would have never been done 5-10 years ago on Bay Buses. How narrow did you go on the front end? Did you use any type of drop plate on the rear? For those looking about getting something like this done, do you have an estimate of total labor hours?

[dubsteez79]

So much f***ery happened this weekend that I did not make it to the show I had intended.

My pertronix electronic ignition took a poop. So back to trusty old points I went. Luckily im a parts hoarder and kept the old stuff in the box.

Also, I found that my Bosch Blue coil that I had painted to match the motif of the engine bay, has a large crack around the wire post causing loads of visible arcing. I swapped that out with the original coil that came on the car(after cheking for 3-4ohm internal resistance). All of this had a positive effect on how the engine ran and idled

However, the engine does have a "bump" every 2 or 3 seconds thats almost like a misfire. I have an 009 distributor and am not certain that I set the advance at the correct rpm. The engine does not kick back when I crank it so I dont think its way over advanced. But I could definitely be wrong. It has a slight hesitation upon taking off in first but not that bad. Ive only driven it through the parking lot at the shop so I dont have any road manners to report. Waiting on insurance to go through before I can put a tag on it and drive it. Would timing being incorrectly advanced be consistent with these symptoms?

I plan on doing some final tuning this week and report back with my findings. I have not adjusted my valves since I broke the cam in. I need to syncronize the carbs. I did set the floats to the correct height before I put the carbs on and set the mixture screws to the recommended, beginning settings as per instructions(maybe for weber 34 ict's?). I do need to confirm my timing numbers. I set it on 30-ish at a high idle(no tach so unsure of rpm).

More info on the engine, it is a stock displacement 1600 dp with dual empi 34's, engle 110 cam, 009 points distributor, lightly ported heads, stock coil, header with heater boxes and dual quiet packs.

Thanks ahead of time for any input yall may have.

[dubsteez79]

[dubsteez79]

[[email protected]]

[Glenn]

Maybe i should start a build topic
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Buggeee]

It's gorgeous. Perfect in every way. Some lucky soul brought home a trophy only because you missed that show.

I run a SVDA with those Empi carbs and have no hesitation. Runs great. It might be the 009 that is needing to wind up. My son's bug has a 009 with a stock carb and hesitates like you describe.
_________________
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

[Dal Churchill]

dubsteez79, I'm not usually into lowered Beetles but the stance of yours looks excellent. Stock rims on a slammed bug seems to be rare but I think they're perfect on your car. The whiteness makes them appear bigger like 16 inchers! Awesome quality and cool build thread!

[dubsteez79]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all of the feedback greatly. This is the bug ive always dreamed of building/driving and I cant wait to go cruising in it. As all builds go, im sure Ill have a few growing pains as I start to drive it, but thesamba will come to the rescue as it always has. The knowledge and loyal following on this forum is indispensable. I wish others(namely mk1 watercooled sites) would take note.

Ill be fiddling with the carb tuning and such this week and will report back with my findings. I may end up buying a vac advance distributor at some point if I dont like how the 009 performs but Ill wait til its on the road before making that decision(and spending that money) lol.

[dubsteez79]

Next question. I am planning on running air shocks all the way around with tank/compressor/controls at some point. I actually bought ma803's for the rear before but the advertised compressed length was 2-3 inches higher than the spec stated because of an internal bumpstop so I returned them. I saw on the monroe air shocks thread that someone had their beetle pretty low on ma803's out back but I did not have the same experience. Any input would be appreciated.

[dubsteez79]

In addition to my previous question, What are you guys running for exhaust hangers on the quiet pack style mufflers. I have something made up and an idea of how to finish it but figured yall might have some better ideas.

Pay to play with car pics

[Chris333]

The rear of a Beetle is too heavy for air shocks, you need bags in the back.

[Glenn]

[dubsteez79]