A Schwimmwagen named "ilsa"

[Dan22]

I am wondering if water will get inside via the emergency brake cables and conduit. Have you made consideration there? Sorry if I did not see it.

Very cool project too!
_________________
1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[54bugn]

Hello Dan22. As per the 3rd or 4th last picture I installed a rubber marine control boot around the exterior of the cables sealed to the hull, and I am using 1954 cables which have grease fittings on the cable guides at the back. I have filled the cable guides with grease which should hold the water out for as long as I need. Thanks for the props and for asking.

Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[maplesyrup]

Great work, love this build
_________________
Bugger

[54bugn]

Thank you maplesyrup.

Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[VW_Jimbo]

Hey Mike!

Just checking in again and see the silicon. Not a bad idea to use it, but any sunlight that it sees, slowly weakens it. In the trades we use Polyurethane adhesive in these types of high water areas, like flashings and decks. Elastomeric sealants are even better but lack the expansive properties which Polyurethane has. Would highly recommend switching on any other seal up duties. Poly and Elastomeric are both susceptible to sunlight damages as well but at a much slower rate. They are even better if they get overlaid with latex or elastomeric paint.

My old man is a boat builder in his late retired years and swears by elastomeric on the interior side of the wood hulls he builds. He uses fiberglass on the exterior. I do not think that is an option for you, but it is hard and waterproof!

Just some extra stuff that you may have already considered, but if you had not, might be worth a few hours of research to see if they hold any promise.

Keep up the engineering victories! Love reading your progress!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[54bugn]

Hey VW_Jimbo, thanks for writing. I am actually not using silicone. (Not sure if I said that, if so I appologize) It is Marine adhesive/sealent I am using. It is supposed to be waterproof and restistant to sun and the outside elements. It sticks to everything….ask me how I know lol…. and dries fairly solid but flexible.
Hope that reassures you, guess time will tell.

Thanks for following.

Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[VW_Jimbo]

Awesome! You may have written it, and I may have read it, but my wife tells me I get fixated on aspects of things. So, it is probably my issue.

Glad you got it figured out. Keep on working towards the finish line! Love your project!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[54bugn]

Thanks VW_Jimbo, nice to have people watching to see if they have better ideas than mine, keep me in line. Glad you’re enjoying the build.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Hello all, sooner update this time, just got home the other day but had to get into trying the finish the second side of the rear wheels.

A couple of pics to show how I fit the brake line close to the axle tube which allows me to get a decent seal around both.

And then magically and after a bit of swearing the main seal is all installed.

Lastly was to install the boot for the brake cable, and torque the drum in place.

Finally I adjusted all 4 wheel brakes, and filled the gearbox with oil. Tomorrow I will paint the new pieces added with the primer gray and install the wheel, and get this thing on all fours all sealed.

Stand by for that.
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

Great work again, really interesting to see how it's all sealed up. What's next on the list after getting it on four wheels?
_________________
When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy

[VW_Jimbo]

[54bugn]

Thank you cyberdyne systems 101 and VW_Jimbo. Glad you are enjoying the build. To answer your question the original Schwimmwagen has two steel reinforcements that originate from the transmission mounts and run up the back to a horizontal steel brace, similar to a dune buggy rear cage. I will be welding these in before the engine install. Stay tuned for that.

I managed to get the right rear side painted and the wheel installed today, pushed it outside in the rain and took some photos where we are now. Enjoy.

Next up finish the parking brake cables and bleed the brakes. Stay tuned lots more to come.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

Looking great on dry land . Looking forward to your next instalments.
_________________
When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy

[Two Glove Boxes]

Great work. When's the float test?
_________________
1950 Deluxe Sedan Build

1951 Split Standard Hoffman Build

1960 Dove Blue Double Cab Patina Build

Two Glove Boxes

DLK

[54bugn]

Thanks for the replies folks, probably won’t be in the water till next year at this rate. But more progress last couple of days.

After all the major changes to the parking brake tubes, routing and length and using a mix of 1954 parts on the 1971 pan and an EMPI dune buggy cable shortening kit I managed to get the parking brakes working and adjusted at least for now. May need more later with time.

Working on bleeding the hydraulic brakes currently hope to have that done in the next couple of days. At least then it will stop. Now that I got it waterproof I am getting ready to cut a big hole in the tub under the engine to access the oil change cover on the engine. A friend of mine with Oxworks, Dave is cutting me steel plates so I can seal it up when not needed. Here is where the hole will be.

Getting ready for more structural work, the propeller mount, and the folding roof mount next.

Stay tuned,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Hey folks, one last instalment of my Schwimmwagen progress for this time off. When I left you last I was able to complete the parking brake setup, and was moving onto the hydraulic brakes. I firstly bled the master cylinder which seemed to work well.

I recruited a friend initially to be the designated brake pumper (thanks Peter), and was able to bleed the back brakes, but not the front. Later realizing I didn’t adjust the push rod properly. So got that adjusted and recruited my wife, my “brake bleeding queen” to do the honours and it is now working on all four wheels. Thanks Naomi!

Have to go back to work for the next two weeks but stay tuned lots more to come.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

Some great updates there. It's good to test the brake system, where will the reservoir end up?
_________________
When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy

[54bugn]

Hello cyberdyne systems 101, made some decent progress this past couple of weeks with all four wheels on the ground body fully sealed and all the brakes working so pretty happy.

If you look at the closeup photo right behind the spare tire there is a large black cap, that is the brake reservoir under there. On the original I believe it was a gear oil reservoir to pressure lubricate the front end.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Hello all so a bit to report this time back home. First up I finally got
My windshield cut to size made my own edge seals and installed the windshield.
Hard to see it in the pictures but it is engraved A1A glass certified for road use.

Next up I installed the hinges for the engine lid, installed the lid, then installed and adjusted the 4 latches that hold the lid down. Plus I installed the tie down point where the propeller attaches to when up in transit.

Next up I played with getting the support tube that runs across the body just behind the front seats in the correct position as this is where multiple items attach including the roof. I finally settled on a spot based on measurments from an original Schwimmwagen and seat placement and this is the result.

I also made the engine heat exhaust vents on either side by the exhaust exits and temporarily mounted the muffler in place to see where everything sits.

Plus in the pictures you can see I mounted the propeller lowering bar with its chain to the exhaust cover and to the engine lid as per original. Plus I temporarily attached the propeller mount on the back end of the car.

This is all exterior items you may think weren’t required yet but I have my reasons. First of all the cross bar needed to find its home so I can carry on with the steel reinforcement of the body and know where to install the tubing so the mounting bolts pass through them. Second I have decided to take the car to the Great Canadian VW show in Vancouver on August 18th to show it even though it’s not completed so want it to look further along then it is. Plus lastly I wanted as many pieces on as possible as I plan on painting the whole car its main color when I am home next.

So stay tuned for lots more coming when I get home next.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

Looking great Mike, really coming together now.
_________________
When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy