Old Volks Beetle restorer

[LannaGuy]

I'm not sure if anyone is interested or still following this? so this might be the last post

 

 

[LannaGuy]

Maybe I should have noticed before but it's got NO seatbelts!  anyone know where i can get some fitted?  BTW drive like a dustcart but looks like a movie star

[KC 71]

Be nice with a Porsche engine in it !

[LannaGuy]

2 minutes ago, KC 71 said:

Be nice with a Porsche engine in it !

yes even after restoration, new disc brakes and pipes, body overhaul it is a horrible drive it must be said... I guess i've been spoilt with modern cars but it's sooooooooooooooooooooo slow to get away and that could be fatal on these u-turns

 

here's a little vid.. gorgeous aesthetically but, unless i can sort something out, a pig-in-a-poke when driving 

S_6092806817757.mp4

[KC 71]

I am sure it will be ok

[KC 71]

I used to enjoy going to the VW bug jams in the UK
There is nothing nicer looking than an old restoration

[gobs]

On 5/17/2017 at 11:13 AM, LannaGuy said:

yes even after restoration, new disc brakes and pipes, body overhaul it is a horrible drive it must be said... I guess i've been spoilt with modern cars but it's sooooooooooooooooooooo slow to get away and that could be fatal on these u-turns

 

here's a little vid.. gorgeous aesthetically but, unless i can sort something out, a pig-in-a-poke when driving 

S_6092806817757.mp4

Wow! That's a nice bug...

Finally you've got what you were expecting for: great job!

 

Of course, stock VWs are not modern cars, but with more use you'll get accustomed to her and you'll enjoy the drive. Low power and low torque, it's a state of mind by itself: a cool and fun drive but never in a rush. Don't drive her as you'ld do with a modern Honda, Toyota, Ford or whatever. Just relax and enjoy...

AC by itself consumes a lot of power. Just one time try her with AC disconnected and you'll feel the big difference...

If you want more power and/or more torque, you'll have to go for an engine rebuild. From memories, you can get about 70 to 80 HP from stock engine but with bigger cylinders and 2 carbs for example. 1741cc engines have a good reputation for daily use and are reliable enough. There are full kits ready to mount for that...

 

About seat belts I think you can easily get them in LOS. There are "hidden brackets" in place and ready to fit in the stock body interior...

 

Use her, drive her as she required to be, and through 2 to 3 weeks you'll get a big smile on your face!

Good luck.

 

[LannaGuy]

On 1/28/2017 at 9:15 PM, gobs said:

It's called the "If ain't broke don't fix it" rule...

And for my part I do believe this rule: why bother if everything runs good and clean?

I think you made a great find, Lannaguy. Enjoy her as she is now and maybe after months or years of drive see further what you'ld be willing to "modify" or "change"... eventually.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

 

engines running like a pig at the moment... need that engine rebuild so thinking KB as I was disappointed Mr Nui brought me the car, after 6 months, and it runs so dreadfully   

[LannaGuy]

On 5/21/2017 at 7:08 PM, gobs said:

Wow! That's a nice bug...

Finally you've got what you were expecting for: great job!

 

Of course, stock VWs are not modern cars, but with more use you'll get accustomed to her and you'll enjoy the drive. Low power and low torque, it's a state of mind by itself: a cool and fun drive but never in a rush. Don't drive her as you'ld do with a modern Honda, Toyota, Ford or whatever. Just relax and enjoy...

AC by itself consumes a lot of power. Just one time try her with AC disconnected and you'll feel the big difference...

If you want more power and/or more torque, you'll have to go for an engine rebuild. From memories, you can get about 70 to 80 HP from stock engine but with bigger cylinders and 2 carbs for example. 1741cc engines have a good reputation for daily use and are reliable enough. There are full kits ready to mount for that...

 

About seat belts I think you can easily get them in LOS. There are "hidden brackets" in place and ready to fit in the stock body interior...

 

Use her, drive her as she required to be, and through 2 to 3 weeks you'll get a big smile on your face!

Good luck.

 

Hi again, engine keeps cutting out and i daren't try a u-turn on the highway as the power is so low it would be dangerous!  I just can't keep the engine going and no choke. Seems to me the engine needs an overhaul so any recommendations where i can get this done are welcomed. Your Mr KB might be an alternative as I'm, not sure Mr Nui does this and was not keen when i asked him months ago.  Looks gorgeous but...  

[KC 71]

Hang on in there LannaGuy
I cant make any recommendations
But this is Thailand.Theres got to be someone out there who can rectify it

[oldcarguy]

adjust the valves and do a compression test ,

 

that will show you what you have to work with,

 

if I recall the motor has lots of KMs on it and never was apart , if that is true you are running on borrowed time anyway before a valve snaps......

 

and make sure all the rubber seals are around the motor , with 35C outside temps the air that is "cooling" is hot to begin with....

 

and always check that the oil is at the line........Oil is what really cools the motor

 

 

[LannaGuy]

2 hours ago, oldcarguy said:

adjust the valves and do a compression test ,

 

that will show you what you have to work with,

 

if I recall the motor has lots of KMs on it and never was apart , if that is true you are running on borrowed time anyway before a valve snaps......

 

and make sure all the rubber seals are around the motor , with 35C outside temps the air that is "cooling" is hot to begin with....

 

and always check that the oil is at the line........Oil is what really cools the motor

 

 

yes i'm resigned to a re-build and am searching... found one guy near Sayuri who, i understand, rebuilds just Beetle engines so I am checking the fella out pronto!  

 

80,000 kilo on the tachometer but that maybe 180,000  haha but i doubt it the gentleman owner before me was over 80 and had the car 32 years.. but one never knows

 

I'll stay in touch

Edited May 23, 2017 by LannaGuy

[oldcarguy]

you may not have to rebuild the engine ,

 

do a compression check ,  its easy , just take out the spark plugs , read the Idiots guide.....

 

you need 3 things to make it run : compression, fuel and spark

 

no power can also be fuel

start at the front of the car ,  there is a filter in the bottom of the fuel tank , and a short piece of rubber hose ,

then the metal line thru the chassis (make sure that it is cleaned out ) , then another piece of rubber hose  that connects to the motor ,  then the fuel pump and out of the fuel pump to the carb,

clogged fuel filter , main jet with a piece of dirt in it ,   weak fuel pump

ignition points bad or not adjusted,

 

but if it has a dead spot right when you press the gas pedal and try and take off , then check the accelerator pump squirter,  just take off the air cleaner , get a flashlight and look down the carb , you will see a small brass tube pointing down ,  now pull back the accelerator arm , the fuel should squirt straight out the tube ,  if not take off the top of the carb , pop out the tube and blow it out , it needs to be a steady stream, not a drip drip drip

I am sure there is something on youtube........

 

OK , enough for today , this is easy stuff , owning an old VW means you need to understand your car and do some of the simple things yourself , otherwise you will be stuck on the side of the road too many times..

The Idiot book was our bible , now you have that and also youtube

 

first thing , pull the air cleaner and check the accelerator pump squirter.......

 

OHHH and there is a number on the side of the carb, post a picture of the carb and the number

something like Solex 30 PICT or maybe a 34PICT

 

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by oldcarguy

[steve187]

car is looking good, you can go up to 1671cc without having to do work to the inside of the engine. in the UK at the moment, collecting bits for my bay while there.

[oldcarguy]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

car is looking good, you can go up to 1671cc without having to do work to the inside of the engine. in the UK at the moment, collecting bits for my bay while there.

 

I am be the odd man out here , but HEAT is your enemy with an Aircooled VW ,

 

so making the 1600 motor bigger will create MORE heat, as the barrels are thinner and have less cooling fin area,

and then with the AC  you even  create more heat

 

see if anyone has the book "how to hotrod your vw engine by bill fischer"  or if someone can scan you the part about cooling your engine by painting case and barrels etc flat black.......

 

Other ideas for cooling ,  look and see if you have a "doghouse" fan shroud" these started in 1971 , now do a google search for type 4 oil cooler on bug , the type 4 cooler is about 30% wider and its easy to go....

 

put a screen on the rear of the fan shroud covering the fan opening ,  but first get a light or use your phone and take a picture , you want to make 100% sure there is no plastic , cloth, string etc that got sucked up in the fan ,  356 Porsches had this screen....

 

the bottom of your engine is what is making the heat , you need to make sure that the heater boxes and exhaust heat does not get into the engine compartment and then sucked into the fan ,

you want the coolest air possible to be sucked in the fan ,  so make sure all the rubber seals are around the motor , that all the sheet metal / cooling tin is on so hot air does not get sucked into the motor.

 

Engine pulley needs to be stock size or even larger !    We used special larger pullies so the fan turned more , but a stock size steel pully is fine , just make sure the fab belt is tight ( look at idiot book) and that you have a spare belt and tools to change it if it breaks,

 

you only have a few minutes after a fan belt breaks before you kill the motor , so an extra red warning light on the dash is not a bad thing ,  also a temp gauge  is good to have , or rig up a temp warning light......

 

my fingers are tired from typing........but you get the idea.........People have driven stock VWs across Africa ,  just keep the motors cool .....

 

 

 

 

[LannaGuy]

Surprised it started after 6 weeks!  once I've finished moving house I'll get the engine replaced or restored. 

S_6360326034703.mp4

[billd766]

On 17/05/2017 at 11:13 AM, LannaGuy said:

yes even after restoration, new disc brakes and pipes, body overhaul it is a horrible drive it must be said... I guess i've been spoilt with modern cars but it's sooooooooooooooooooooo slow to get away and that could be fatal on these u-turns

 

here's a little vid.. gorgeous aesthetically but, unless i can sort something out, a pig-in-a-poke when driving 

S_6092806817757.mp4

 

This used to belong to my son in the UK.

 

It started out as a 1200 Beetle owned by a lady teacher, honest guv.

 

By the time he had finishes with it, there was a Porsche engine, gearbox and clutch, it was lowered, wheels and tyres replaced and he even installed a nitrous oxide injection system. Not only that it was street legal'

 

He used to show it at various V W clubs in the south of England.

 

One time at Ford airfield he was second in the 0 to 60 mhh standing starts. Sadly he blew first gear on his 4th run of the day. Last year at 38 years old with a wife, 2 kids and a mortgage, he sold it and bought an older Porsche 924.

Edited July 9, 2017 by billd766

[LannaGuy]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

 

This used to belong to my son in the UK.

 

It started out as a 1200 Beetle owned by a lady teacher, honest guv.

 

By the time he had finishes with it, there was a Porsche engine, gearbox and clutch, it was lowered, wheels and tyres replaced and he even installed a nitrous oxide injection system. Not only that it was street legal'

 

He used to show it at various V W clubs in the south of England.

 

One time at Ford airfield he was second in the 0 to 60 mhh standing starts. Sadly he blew first gear on his 4th run of the day. Last year at 38 years old with a wife, 2 kids and a mortgage, he sold it and bought an older Porsche 924.

wow is the Porche the only engine that could be swapped into a beetle do you know?  I'm wondering if I should just toss out the originall engine  

[billd766]

7 hours ago, LannaGuy said:

wow is the Porche the only engine that could be swapped into a beetle do you know?  I'm wondering if I should just toss out the originall engine  

 

It took my son several years to rebuild his and he was working part time with his mate who had a V W restoration business so he got a lot of help with the work. There are specialist companies in the UK who do this but AFAIK there is not a lot over here in Thailand.

 

Beetles were not that popular here.

 

I have no doubt that you could import an engine, gearbox etc completely rebuilt from the UK but then you would run into Thai customs and what they wold charge as import duty I have no idea, but it would't be cheap.

[alaninlamphun]

We are due back in Chiang Mai soon and our beetle could well be for sale if anyone is looking for one?


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[LivinLOS]

On 7/9/2017 at 3:14 PM, LannaGuy said:

wow is the Porche the only engine that could be swapped into a beetle do you know?  I'm wondering if I should just toss out the originall engine  

 

Subaru turbos are done also.. Lots of cheap BHP.