tar board substitute?

[tomsbuggered]

I pulled the engine out of my '59 Beetle last night to check the starter bushing and replace the flywheel seal. While it is out I am wondering whether to replace/remove the tarboards ? They are unsightly, curled up after only two years. Would it be better to just remove them or is there a better replacement out there? I see Empi has a S/S set but they don't look like they fit like the stock tarboard. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, what is best method to remove/replace starter bushing ? I have read using an easy out or thread tap works. Can they be drifted out ? The starter has a tendency drag sometimes.

Thanks in advance.
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June 1956 VW Oval Beetle

[jason]

If engine is out use a drift. A piece of wood would also work. I think the SS ones are for looks only.

[cyclehobby]

I replaced my old, original and sagging engine tarboards with new ones from Chris Vallone at ClassicVWBugs.com. They're heavy rubber material and they look both correct and very nice when installed.
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1967 Beetle
Northern NJ

[Bryan67]

Leave the fake chrome stuff in the 80`s where it belongs. Try Wolfsburg West for tarboards. They are very nice. But like anything, will require some trimming to fit right.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[rcooled]

[my59]

[andk5591]

West Coast Metric tar boards are a more flexible waffle pattern material. That is all I am using anymore. Easy to work with and look good.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[tomsbuggered]

Thanks for all the replies. I would like to stay with the tarboard; shipping from either WW or WCM or Chris Vallone; may dirve the cost too high. I did buy a set from a local suplier but they look to be poorer quality. The saga continues.
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June 1956 VW Oval Beetle

[panicman]

There is an old thread in the ovals forum where a prominent samba user made his own tar boards to get as close to factory match as he could. I’ll hunt it down for you, and you can consider making yourself some high quality and authentic functioning tar board.
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Plate of shrimp

[Dangermouse]

I replaced mine and came to regret it in short order; have learned to love the bare look instead... If you must use them, don't cheap out.

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Do not follow me, for I may not lead. Do not lead me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either; actually just bugger off and stand over there will you.

[panicman]

I was partly right... it’s John S Henry. He has a great website that details ALOT of VW stuff, but also his 57 resto. I can’t copy anything in here as he has protections, but here is a link.

https://www.thebugshop.org/goresto.htm
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Plate of shrimp

[[email protected]]

[Rick Anderson]

Look at the kit from Classic VW Bugs Not original but very good quality: https://www.classicvwbugs.com/vw-karmann-ghia-engi...ation-kit/

[andk5591]

Sure looks like the WCM stuff.....Just sayin'
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[aa390392]

I have made 2 sets using the J.H. method, out of doubled up " tar paper" both pairs have enduranced time, and still look great. Buy the paper at most home improvement stores.
Cheers Thomas
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[Digger89L]

Cip1.ca has German-made tarboards on sale til month-end for $69 CDN. If you can add $30 more to the order, you'll get free shipping. Their boards a very good quality. Ordering inside Canada will save you the 30% exchange on the dollars, and excess shipping costs ...
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"If you can't fix it with pop rivets, crazy glue and duct tape, or hold it together with zip ties, velcro or magnets, it REALLY is broken."

[tomsbuggered]

Well I ended up making some engine compartment "liners" out of light gauge steel and then coated them with "rock guard" product. They look good and no fear of them ever warping or sagging. I may post pics if and when I solve my dragging starter issue.
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June 1956 VW Oval Beetle

[andk5591]

Something VERY important is using OE style that has a fabric on the one side. The fabric goes againts the firewall - not on the engine side. Just replaced it on a car that the fabric was coming loose and it wold eventually get into the fan.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[chrisklinger]

Just as an addendum, on my Ghia, the front (crap aftermarket the PO put in, before the bondo I'm guessing) tarboard managed to come loose, and wiggle its way between the front tin and the firewall.
And sat on the J-pipe
And caught fire.

Only engine fire I've ever had, in about 40 years of VWs.

Lemme tell, that shit is not easy to put out, once it lights. And once out, it relights itself. Over. and. over. again.

I was DAMNED GLAD I had a full, large halon extinguisher.





RAMVA forever.

[matthew henricks]