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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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 Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:06 pm Post subject: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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This thing is like a time capsule. Filled with artifacts from the early to mid-70s. PO walked away from it, never to return.
The engine looks like it was showered in oil, and never cleaned up. It's all down the apron and all over the underside of the deck lid.
Looking for some educated guesses as to what caused this. Keep in mind, this is my first VW, and I am not a mechanic.
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rcroane 
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2015
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:30 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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Is the motor seized? Can you put a wrench on the pulley nut and turn it by hand?
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'65 Sunroof Bug |
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Apostle_
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2023
Posts: 110
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 7:04 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| That should clean up nicely. Good find! |
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 7:45 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| rcroane wrote: |
| Is the motor seized? Can you put a wrench on the pulley nut and turn it by hand? |
Sorry, should have mentioned that. Unbelievably, it turns by hand. Oil is still in the crankcase, but just enough to register on the low end of the dipstick. |
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Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 354
Location: California
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:49 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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All that oil might have help preserve what looks like a wonderfully original engine. I bet that thing will start up with little effort. Once you know it’s running you can start tinkering with it. Oil change, adjust valves, cap, rotor, points, clean out fuel lines, etc. Once it runs, move on to brakes. Not super cheap exactly, but you can do it in intervals.
If you get a Bentley manual (eBay, samba.com) you could probably do it yourself (or with a friend).
Cool find!
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1966 Volkswagen 1300 Sedan, 1641 cm³, 12 volt conversion, L456 Ruby Red, Platinum leatherette. |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35900
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:55 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| Replace all rubber fuel lines (including under the tank and next to the tranny, before you even crank it! |
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:41 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| Replace all rubber fuel lines (including under the tank and next to the tranny, before you even crank it! |
No worries there. Just about anything that isn't some type of metal or glass is going to have to be replaced. I am hoping a good portion of the electrical system can be salvaged. I don't mind keeping it 6 volt for now.
Amazingly, as of this writing, I believe I won't have to replace the pans or channels. It was kept extremely dry. There will be surface rust to deal with of course. |
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| Stockholm VW wrote: |
All that oil might have help preserve what looks like a wonderfully original engine. I bet that thing will start up with little effort. Once you know it’s running you can start tinkering with it. Oil change, adjust valves, cap, rotor, points, clean out fuel lines, etc. Once it runs, move on to brakes. Not super cheap exactly, but you can do it in intervals.
If you get a Bentley manual (eBay, samba.com) you could probably do it yourself (or with a friend).
Cool find! |
I know there are a number of different books for the DIYer. Do you consider the Bentley the best one to start with?
btw, your '66 is outstanding. |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11081
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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The Bentley manual IMO is a must have for the home mechanic. It contains all the procedures and specifications for your year vw.
As stated above, the Muir Idiot book is a good guide as well. Plus it's a fun read.
I prefer the older Muir books, as I don't care for the later books that cover watercooled models.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35900
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
The Bentley manual IMO is a must have for the home mechanic. It contains all the procedures and specifications for your year vw.
As stated above, the Muir Idiot book is a good guide as well. Plus it's a fun read.
I prefer the older Muir books, as I don't care for the later books that cover watercooled models. |
Yes, the sweet spot is about the '72 spiral bound edition. They come up used. |
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carcrazed
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2007
Posts: 958
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| summerof78 wrote: |
| rcroane wrote: |
| Is the motor seized? Can you put a wrench on the pulley nut and turn it by hand? |
Sorry, should have mentioned that. Unbelievably, it turns by hand. Oil is still in the crankcase, but just enough to register on the low end of the dipstick. |
My 61 still has the original engine that sat since 1979. It still turned and fired up with no trouble. somehow I believe that old waxy, sludgy oil from the 60s and 70s preserved the inside from moisture taking over.
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1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles
"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong." |
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stale air
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2007
Posts: 5660
Location: Senoia Ga, formerly NorCal
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| Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 6:02 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| carcrazed wrote: |
| summerof78 wrote: |
| rcroane wrote: |
| Is the motor seized? Can you put a wrench on the pulley nut and turn it by hand? |
Sorry, should have mentioned that. Unbelievably, it turns by hand. Oil is still in the crankcase, but just enough to register on the low end of the dipstick. |
My 61 still has the original engine that sat since 1979. It still turned and fired up with no trouble. somehow I believe that old waxy, sludgy oil from the 60s and 70s preserved the inside from moisture taking over. |
Agreed. My 58 sat from 72 til 94, and after changing all the vitals, ran like a top.
Its the original 36er, and to this day has never let me down.
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35900
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:45 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| carcrazed wrote: |
| My 61 still has the original engine that sat since 1979. It still turned and fired up with no trouble. somehow I believe that old waxy, sludgy oil from the 60s and 70s preserved the inside from moisture taking over. |
Homemade Cosmoline?  |
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26530
Location: Douglas, WY
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| carcrazed wrote: |
My 61 still has the original engine that sat since 1979. It still turned and fired up with no trouble. somehow I believe that old waxy, sludgy oil from the 60s and 70s preserved the inside from moisture taking over. |
I decided to pull the plug today. Slow as molasses. It took a few seconds for it to decide to start flowing, but eventually a tiny little strand started.
Eventually several strands would flow, but all very thin and in no hurry.
This was more than two hours ago and I'll bet it's still not finished. |
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wdfifteen
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2019
Posts: 696
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:01 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| Replace all rubber fuel lines (including under the tank and next to the tranny, before you even crank it! |
+1000 on that!!
One morning a few weeks after I bought my '65 I went out and saw an oil slick under the car. The fuel line under the tank had basically dissolved after 50 years and let all the gas out of the tank. Lucky for me it happened in the middle of the night while I was asleep and the car was NOT in the garage. |
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wdfifteen
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2019
Posts: 696
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:05 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| summerof78 wrote: |
I decided to pull the plug today. Slow as molasses. It took a few seconds for it to decide to start flowing, but eventually a tiny little strand started.
Eventually several strands would flow, but all very thin and in no hurry.
This was more than two hours ago and I'll bet it's still not finished. |
It wouldn't hurt to put the plug back in, put some diesel fuel in the crankcase, and slosh it around (rock the car from side to side). Let it sit over night, drain it, and refill with the cheapest oil you can find. Slosh it again, drain it, and refill with good 15w-40. |
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DUNTOVFAN
Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2023
Posts: 111
Location: Fremont
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:56 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| The oil cooler seals might be shot causing the oil leak. |
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 173
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:25 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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| wdfifteen wrote: |
| summerof78 wrote: |
I decided to pull the plug today. Slow as molasses. It took a few seconds for it to decide to start flowing, but eventually a tiny little strand started.
Eventually several strands would flow, but all very thin and in no hurry.
This was more than two hours ago and I'll bet it's still not finished. |
It wouldn't hurt to put the plug back in, put some diesel fuel in the crankcase, and slosh it around (rock the car from side to side). Let it sit over night, drain it, and refill with the cheapest oil you can find. Slosh it again, drain it, and refill with good 15w-40. |
Will diesel break down the hardened, waxy oil that is caked in the oil fill, air cleaner, etc? |
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scrivyscriv
Samba Electrician
Joined: October 04, 2011
Posts: 3342
Location: Memphis
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ruby Red Sedan Restoration - Sat for 47 years |
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Yeah, diesel or kerosene will help clean it up, but there's no easy/quick/mess-free way to clean up an engine. Lots of hand scrubbing!
Take a peek down the cylinder tins and fan shroud and make sure you don't have any mouse or squirrel gifts. That will cook an engine pretty fast. The oil everywhere might be from oil cooler seals, oil pressure switch, or the rear pulley from excess blowby. If you get a good compression check on the cylinders and don't find any obvious external leaks I'd just clean it up and enjoy it 
Congratulations on the find!
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help. |
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