Friend's Silver Manx clone

[cjsuner]

Hello,

First time posting in this section, I usually stay over in the 68+ Type 1 section. But I am helping a friend, who lost her husband, with her silver manx clone.

After adding some fresh gas, I got it to fire right up, which is pretty surprising since it has been in hibernation for 4 years!

I do have some questions though, regarding the cable routing of one of these buggies... I noticed that the accelerator cable has worn a slot in the casing of the transmission and engine... What is the typical method for accelerator cable routing for these? What is this missing? Obivously, the front tine of the engine isn't there, which would normally have the cable run through it.

Secondly, and supposedly the reason that they stopped driving this buggy, was that there is something wrong with the clutch. Now obviously, I can see that the bowden cable is completely straight, so I assume thats issue #1, but is there anything else that you can currently see that would be something to investigate about the clutch cable?

Didn't get a chance to try and move it, as the fuel filter on the side of the engine started to leak, and since it was above the exhaust, I didn't want to test my luck with fire, in somebody else's car, so I have a new filter and hose on the way.
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71 Super Convertible (Orange)
74 Standard Beetle (Light Blue)

[Dale M.]

Throttle cable is pretty typical of a Manx clone if builder did not get throttle cable tube just right during shortening process....

Not in favor of way shoulder harnesses are attached to roll bar, should be just below shoulder level of seat.... Done typical of any 4/5 point harness installation...

If it is a runner, looks like a good clean up would make useable/sellable...

Did notice the one boot of swing axle we can see is cracked and needs replaced.... Should probably do both sides...

All in all it is basically a VW BUG with strange body... Treat it as a BUG...

Tags say it has sat for a while, DMV is going to want back fees unless it was non-oped...
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“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[cjsuner]

Thanks for the reply Dale!

Agreed on all the points mentioned. The shoulder harness is more like a neck harness at this point, need to get a shoulder bar installed on the rollbar.

Yeah it is a runner indeed!
Link


Noticed the swing axel boots also, I assume I can just pop those off and put new ones on, as they look like a clamshell style? (never worked on Swing axel before)

Luckily it has been on Non-op, and stored in a aircraft hanger until last year, so all in all, it's pretty clean.
Plan is to keep it for the widow and her kids, so they can stay connected to their dad.
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71 Super Convertible (Orange)
74 Standard Beetle (Light Blue)

[KAmes]

There is supposed to be a bowden tube for the accelerator cable also, having said that what you have there is not unusual.

[NJ John]

My accel cable was like that. I secured steel tubing to meet up with a factory flexible tube.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[cjsuner]

Well dropped by the house today to change out the fuel lines and fuel filter. No more fuel leaks, so that is great!

Now, onto the clutch problem. With the engine running, I push in the pedal, and try to go into gear, and it grinds.
I assume this is from the clutch cable not being properly bowed. So next step would be to add in some washers and create the proper bend, does anybody have a specific washer size they recommend for this?

If I have a helper push the clutch pedal, i do see the arm move, but I suppose it is not enough. (new hose not in picture)

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71 Super Convertible (Orange)
74 Standard Beetle (Light Blue)

[Q-Dog]

First, check the clutch pedal free play and tighten if needed.

Lack of a bend in the clutch bowden tube makes the clutch chatter when releasing the pedal, but it won't prevent the car from going into gear. That sounds more like the clutch adjustment is too loose.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[cjsuner]

Alright, another day with the buggy, messing with the clutch.

I found that no matter how much I tighten the clutch cable, I cannot disengage the clutch. As you can see in this video, the arm is leaning very far forward, and with the press of the pedal, it goes even further. Still, with the engine running, I cannot get it into gear.

Link


So I am thinking now that it is a bad throw out bearing? Anybody have other thoughts? I'll drop the engine next week, to figure out if it has a 180mm or a 200mm clutch/pressure plate, and what throw out bearing there is.

I can however, start it in 1st gear, and get it to roll forward under it's own power.
That was a fun little adventure, starting it in first, and learning there was no brakes! Upon further inspection, there isn't any brakefluid in the resevoir. So either there is a leak, and after 4 years in storage it went out OR they removed all fluid for storage.
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71 Super Convertible (Orange)
74 Standard Beetle (Light Blue)

[oprn]

Sometimes the clutch disc surface rusts to the flywheel and pressure plate when sitting for a while.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[cjsuner]

Thanks for the the tip!

However I doubt that is the case here, as the buggy was stored 4 years ago, due to clutch issues. It was running around just fine before that.

But I still will check it out!
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71 Super Convertible (Orange)
74 Standard Beetle (Light Blue)

[BIGMIKEY]

The clutch cable tube could have broken loose from one of the welds. Try looking down through the parking brake opening as you work the pedal. Sometimes you can hear it moving in there.

Mike T
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BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

[Q-Dog]