Inheriting a 1968 fastback that's been sitting since 2004.

[i]

Hello everyone on the Type 3 section of this website. I'm about to inherit a 1968 Fastback that has been sitting in a garage/closed trailer since 2004. It turned over in 2013, but didn't start. The only known need is a tie rod replacement, but I'm guessing a bunch of other stuff might need to be changed. Oil, battery, cleaning out spider webs, that sort of thing. I was wondering what else is known to need replacement and how should I go about trying to get it running, was told to get a safety inspection and AAA membership before I do anything. Is that a good idea? I have about a month and a half solid to do nothing but try to get it running to the best of my ability in the summer. Currently reading HTKYVWA by John Muir slowly and ordered the brown type three book (planning on making a full scan of it because I couldn't find a PDF if anyone wants it). Thanks in advance if you share some wisdom!

[KTPhil]

All fuel and brake rubber lines have to be replaced. Flush brake fluid. Change engine and trans fluids. Lube front end. Check brake linings. All this before you start it and take it down the street. Safety first!

Have friends who are familiar with Type 3 cars before you start.

[Erik G]

right, the smart man will do the brakes first. Don't forget the fuel hose under the tank... Do that when you have the tank out to swap the tie rod(s). The type 3 has a special inner left tie rod end that's at an angle, beware of that. inexpensive oil filled shocks will probably be needed. don't get the gas shocks, they ride rough.

the fuel pump (mechanical) is likely to have gone bad. Bug fuel pumps might or might not work well depending on the carbs you have.

full scan of the brown manual will be a copyright infringement, I wouldn't suggest doing that except for your own personal use...

welcome - type 3's are great, much better than a beetle

[Bobnotch]

[Ossipon]

What everyone else said plus...Something that others may have almost touched upon, but missed; the gas tank, and carburetor float chamber. If the car was put away wet like mine was, the gas had turned to shellac and the internal filter inside the gas tank was useless and plugged from the shellac'd gasoline. There was a small residue in the fuel line from the tank to the back. But this was nothing compared to the gas tank. And it is a smell which will haunt me forever. (And any water in the tank may rust out the tank)
One other bit. Were the tires flat or nearly so? Don't take it out on the road if they inflate. They do not have long for the world.
_________________
Ossipon
VWs in my life:
Air
Type 1 - 59, 62, 63, 71 Super 68 KGhia/ Type 2 - 59 Single Cab / Type 3 - 64 Notch
Water
GTI 83, Jetta 81, 85, 87, 91 TDI, 98 TDI, 09 / New Beetle 99 / SportWagen 05, 13 / Tiguan 18 / T3 92

[Rome]

i, do you know if this '68 still has its factory original fuel injection (standard equipment on US-spec Type 3 starting with the '68 model year), or if it was converted to dual carburetors? Regardless, the advice of replacing the fuel hoses is prudent. Ask for hoses that are ethanol-fuel resistant.

[gt1953]

Do not be in a rush to get it going....found mine under a pine tree for ten years. At first it seemed over whellming. Just take one system at a time for inspection repair replace. Like all of the electrical connections,I did that on mine and do not have any eletric gremlins. Finding decent centric not out round rear brake drums was a challenge. Now i just drive it knowing it is reliable.
Just how I found the car.

_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

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