Hello and Appraisal of Our 73 SB

[corro23]

Wanted to say hello to everyone. Plus, say Thanks! This is a very cool community. Its amazing how willing people are to share their knowledge and take the time to post their details about their restorations. Not to mention the guys who make all those videos! I am already hours and hours into reading and searching!

I wanted to do a little show and tell and see if you guys can help me figure out what i got myself into + how my son and I can have some more fun!

My son is turning 16 in a couple months and insisted on a "old car with some personality"! Having had 3 beetles in the past, I knew where my head was at. In the past, no tools, garage, space, or internet kept me from working on my beetles. So, i thought this would be a good opportunity for my son and I to have fun and learn some stuff together!

We ended up finding a 73 Super Beetle that had a good body, but seemed to need a little love in other areas. So far, we have done some minor cleanup stuff seals, rubber, fuel hoses. We just got done with a disk break conversion, some new headlights, and have the parts on order to do the shift rod bushing and coupler.

We need to go through the entire process of learning to do a tune-up. So, I am not 100% sure some of the questions I have wont be cleared up this process, but just to get this conversation started and get some ideas of what to watch for...

We are seeing that the car runs "ok", but it seems laggy (compared to my memory of my older beetles). Seems a bit gutless in 2nd gear on hills especially. It is a bit hard to get started, keep it started, and seems a little slow to warm up.

It has a EMPI carb on it so I figured that was a good place to start with improving how well it runs. I have been reading that they are inconsistent in quality. My logic was that the carb and distributor were a good place to start.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Old carb PO gave to us

Prob a stupid question ... what is the best way to tell if you have a generator or alternator?

[Bama Dave]

Nice looking car and great family project! Lots of great info on this site, so welcome and read a lot.

I think you would have money well spent to send your old factory carb to a guy that does the best rebuilds/restorations. Go to www.volkzbitz.com and take a look. I did the same and my carb runs factory new.

I also recommend getting a rebuilt factory distributor. I think a 034 SVDA pairs best with the Solex 34 PICT 3. Do a search for distributors in the classifieds here. You’ll find 2 or 3 folks who restore those to perfect condition.

Another good read is www.vw-resource.com. Take a look at their information on setting the carb, timing, etc.

Good luck!
_________________
David Richerson

1970 Beetle
1971 Super
1972 Baja

[Tom K.]

This video does a splendid job taking you through the entire tune up process. You do need to pay for it though. It also assumes that you have a stock distributor.


Link

_________________
'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[corro23]

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Welcome!

Here's a good reference thread I've built up on parts suppliers, workshop manuals, and resources for classic VWs

AlmostHeavenWV's Orientation Page for the Samba


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On the car currently, you have an aftermarket carb and distributor. You will find some will swear they are good only for a paperweight. Some have had decent luck with both of those brands/items. It is ultimately your choice after further investigation as to whether or not you wish to keep those parts or use OEM carb (Solex 34pict3) and distributor (Bosch DVDA 205AN or 205AJ)

[Buggeee]

Its a pretty color.

You have an alternator. Easy clue is that a generator is a cylinder that maintains its diameter full length and the alternator steps out bigger towards the pulley.

For the box of thoughts... If you replace the fuel pump it will take an alternator specific fuel pump (shorter) and the related fuel pump rod is an alternator specific fuel pump rod (also shorter).

Enjoy the smiles and waves from happy people remembering their bug.
_________________
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

[corro23]

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

The 1973 model came with a 205AN DVDA from factory. Many people favor the SVDA "034" nowadays. Simple personal choice, when it all boils down.

Main point is to match the 34-3 carb with the correct throttle plate (they were slightly different when matched to a DVDA or a SVDA).

I see you are getting your carb from Tim and distributor from Bill. I would simply allow those guys to give you a quality pairing and think no more on it. If you tell Tim what distributor you will be using (he likely already asked you) then he will make sure it is properly matched to work with the distributor that Bill is sending you.
_________________
1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[corro23]

[Tim Donahoe]

When you install the new carb, you might want to clamp that fuel line at the carburetor nipple. Also, the wire going to the choke should be shrink wrapped to provide more insulation. If the wire grounds, your wiring harness is apt to burn up.

By the way, nice looking bug.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[corro23]

[heimlich]

Nice car. It looks like you've got a good start.

You posted two pictures. One of an EMPI carb and the other of a Bocar. Those Bocar carbs are the best aftermarket ones but they are no longer made. Do not throw it away as it can be rebuilt.
_________________
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Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here)

[corro23]

We put in a new shift bushing and coupler. WOW ... what a difference it makes to have a bushing in there. The old one was MIA ... just the clip and a small ring of plastic. Lol.

Here is a weird issue. I have not done a ton of searching yet, but figured I would bring it up to see if anyone can point us in the right direction. We replaced the turn signal and now that we put the steering wheel back on it is seeming to slip a little during driving. Nothing you would notice, except that the wheel is off center after driving around a bit. The half dozen or so times we drove it before we had brake issues it did not seem to have this problem, but it could have been that we just didn't notice it. The horn also beeps sometimes when turning the wheel.

We have not been driving the car a ton since we got it. Brakes went out and we were waiting on parts and the time to do the new disk break install. So, like i said it might be that it was doing it before we changed out the turn signal and we just didnt notice.

[Buggeee]

Gap may affect horn as well.

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

[corro23]

[corro23]

So, we got the new turn signal in ... Good German. FYI WW said that the supplier for these doesnt make them anymore. Luckily we were able to find one here in the classifieds.

Thanks for the advise.

Interesting thing when installing it I forgot to put the C clip back on. So, the wheel slid down to far and was making a connection and causing the horn to beep again. Once we got the clip back on it was perfect. It does make me wonder if I had simply added a thin washer in front of the clip, if the less expensive switch would have worked.

We got our slipping steering wheel taken care of and adjusted the wheel itself also. w00t!

Time to start on the engine! We will be going through and doing all the steps that AlmostHeavenWV_VW mentioned and then installing our new parts. Carb, fuel pump, distributor. Ignition coil we have should be fine, right?

[corro23]

We are making lots of progress and having fun. However... we have a clunking in the rear that we are trying to track down. The clunck is when we hit bumps on the road.

We put on new disk breaks and everything seemed to go generally ok with that, but I wouldn't discount us making some sort of mistake.

We put some new shocks on. One of the old ones was completely gone and the other was on its way out. This seemed to help but not stop the noise.

We ordered some shock pads and have it on the list to replace those as soon as they get here.

Is this in and out play in the CV normal?


Link

[260KMN]

Yes

[corro23]