"Menace" '65 Tourist Delivery Build

[Chickensoup]

[Rome]

Ignition switch: OK, give the original lock a try to get it back together and working. You probably know that the original factory key code is found stamped into the driver's door handle? If you can't get the switch back together, you could buy an aftermarket VW ignition switch, widen the existing hole under the dash where the harness comes through, and mount it vertically. Won't be very ergonomic to use, but will save you from drilling a fresh hole in the dash to the left of the ashtray where the switch would normally be. I went back to look at your dash photos and noticed there really is no factory hole there for an ignition switch.

Engine: Doghouse shroud- best to buy this insert to press into the upper left mounting hole; or try to press one out of a spare case by running an M10 x 1.5 bolt fully into the insert and tap the bolt head. https://www.wolfgangint.com/store/product/engine-case-nut-insert-111199102/

Adriel- you're right about a '64 engine lid having a different handle than a '65- forgot about that even though I have a '64 lid outside.

Chicken- I'm not sure if the engine lid latch from the '67 is the same as needed for a '65, but my guess would be yes. And I'm confident that the lic. plate light would also fit a '65/'66 lid. The '66 lid has 2 or 3 small holes in the upper left quadrant for the factory "1300" emblem fastening posts. Thereby, '64, '65, '66, '67 are one-year only lids.

[Chickensoup]

Thanks for the help guys. It's really appreciated.
dont you just love it when your tired and forget to install a main bearing?? Lol

This is where I'm at today. Cleaned the heck out of the case bush brushed and solvent then started assembly.

[dustymojave]

Your car appears much the same as my 1965 Bug. I bought mine in late 1973 from the original owner and got the invoice with the car.

The color was "L87 PearlWeiss".

Mine also had the locking steering column

Mine was bought new through a program that the invoice called "Fly And Drive Vacation". It was ordered with radio delete, but with a sunroof. The buyer picked it up at the airport at Frankfurt Germany. Drove around Europe for 2 weeks, then returned it to the folks at the airport he got it from and left it while he flew home. His local dealer in Orange County California called him about 3 weeks later with his new Bug.

I still have the original rear apron in original paint. I kept both front and back when I made a Baja out of it in '74.

I don't know where you're at. I'm in the Mojave Desert of SoCal.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[Chickensoup]

Cool story and good stuff to know about the tourist pass program. I'm over on the other side of the country in rural GA are you gonna turn it back to stock since you have the rear clip stil?

[dustymojave]

Nope. Unfortunately, that Bug got converted to a Baja Bug and I beat it to death until the body shell and pan were full of spider-web looking fatigue cracks. The yokes broke off, the left side floor had a rock rip from the napoleon hat to the torsion housing, the sunroof had rattled to death, someone had broken into the front, maybe trying to hotwire it, and when I drove it onto the freeway, the hood flipped open and the hinges ripped and bent the cowl up into the windshield opening. Aside from no rust, the car was junk. I learned that for offroading at my level, a Bug needs to have an internal cage structure to survive. I removed the running gear, torsion housing, all suspension and anything else salvageable, and used it to build my Hi Jumper off road race buggy you see in my avatar. That was over 40 years ago. Note: that was at a time and place where VW Bugs were EVERYWHERE!!!!
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[Chickensoup]

WHEW she was heavy but I got her done. today I was able to sperate my body from the chassis whit the help of myself and a couple jacks. I've ordered all the parts to get the whole pan and chassis done expect for a backing plate and drums. Next week(if the parts arrive by then), I'll start working on the beam, moving to the pan, then transaxle and other miscellaneous stuffs.

Also, does anyone happen to know the brand of the 356 style rims? I've only got 3 lol.

[Adriel Rowley]

[Chickensoup]

[Adriel Rowley]

[Chickensoup]

Quick question... So if i decide not to rebuild my gear box then should i not even bother popping the top plate off? I’m gonna be pressure washing the whole chassis and pan before i start disassembly and was wondering if i will risk damaging the gasket between the box top plate and steering box housing/body.

Also, what is this... seems like a dumb question but is it some sort of bumper mount or maybe some sort of aftermarket beam stabilizer?

Update on the engine: i finally found a guy who happen to have just 1 single bearing of the size i need. Joe from evwparts.com helped me out. Nice people over there and easy to work with.

Thank you

[Chickensoup]

Some parts came in today. I'm expecting a few more to come in soon. I forgot to buy a few small parts like tie rods , a rear backing plate, a drum, and then cip1 sent me a notice that 2 of the items that I paid for were now out of stock so they refunded my money.

[bad91teg]

awesome project .. and that parts haul ,dam . nice . did you buy the rear pan halfs from cip1 ? thanks and keep up the GOOD work !

[Chickensoup]

[Chickensoup]

Another part came in, still waiting for the cherry on top though. But does any one have any experience with these chinese steering dampers? The finish looks a little questionable. I maybe touch up a few spots. Also, should I oil the shaft at all when its extended or just leave it alone. I ask b/c there is much at all on it right now.

Thanks

[rah253]

Man, quite the resto project, nice work so far! i am looking forward to your progress and the post coming through, as i do mine at the same time! I do not know anything about the steering dampers, good luck on that.

Keep updating!

[Chickensoup]

I wqsnt able to get much done today. I removed the beam and started disassembly and that's about it really. I hoping that if all goes as planned tomarow then I will continue on my beam and maybe weld in the adjusters.

More parts came in today,

[Chickensoup]

So again today, I made slow progress. And who's to blame?? My stubborn ass preassure washer!!! no not really, it's more of a me cause but I cant admit that lol. Bu anyways, I planned on getting the pump fixed on my pressure washer so I could clean my beam but had no luck I spent close to 4 hrs of the day on that thing. I've got it mostly working but not well enough. I plan on a pump rebuild now unfortunately. Looks like I got back off track, so enough of my sorrows. After I called it quits I drug my beam for roughly 2.5 acres and then started wire wheeling away. I got enough of the crud off for me to start actually working on it.

Then I lifted the light beam onto my table and destroyed my back.... power cleans aren't gonna be fun tomarow. I also started to soak my pedal assembly in pb blaster and I'm hoping that will make disassembly go smoother next weekend.

Quick question... so, if my drums say that they were made in Brazil, does that mean they were replaced at some point?? If they were, then I guess that's good?

Oh, and here's the little devil,

It may look innocent on the outside, but on the inside, she's an evil mf.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode as we take a look into what lays behind the crusty beam... well, hopefully

[Adriel Rowley]

Brazilian isn't as good as German, mostly because of the metallurgy was lackluster until recently. There was a time when Brazilian and Mexican parts were all that was available. I wouldn't worry, especially if don't need to be turned. Now if chatter, then do worry of course. I am going with a questionable rear drum on Ruby for now until can take her out and check it.

I and many others have had great success with SiliKroil, even to help frozen rings. Also, for getting rid of rust, many including myself love EvapoRust. The 3.5 gallon has the handy basket. Toss in rusty hardware and an hour later no rust.
_________________
Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[Chickensoup]