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Post by Volktales on May 11, 2017 20:02:29 GMT -8
You guys are all something else... And Don, don't you have ENOUGH project vehicles lying around here, there, and everywhere???  |
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Post by Volktales on May 11, 2017 20:38:10 GMT -8
I hoped to have more pictures up tonight, but photobucket has completely failed me. Going to have to find another way..
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Post by PICTUP on May 12, 2017 16:37:23 GMT -8
You guys are all something else... We are just envious Russ  But we know you have worked hard to have what you have and you very much deserve to be surrounded by a bevy of beautiful VWs  And Don, don't you have ENOUGH project vehicles lying around here, there, and everywhere??? Yes, yes I do. Tis rather embarrassing.   |
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Post by Volktales on May 13, 2017 6:48:05 GMT -8
Sooo, no pretty pictures until my computer is fixed/updated/replaced... But work has been progressing. First up was a full brake inspection. The rears shoes were basically unworn and the drums look great. They even contained their original oil "slingers" that deflect any oil leakage away from the shoes in the event the bearing seal leaks. Someone has replaced those oil seals in the past and are not leaking, although one seal was installed so deep, that you could probably get a second one in there too! One wheel cylinder looked OK, the other a bit rusty.  The front drums were fine as well, and still contained their original ball bearings, which is a rarity nowadays. One of the outer bearings was full of thick stinky grease, and sure enough the race surface had completely failed. Luckily I had one NOS one in my stash and this will be replaced.  Nasty grease that is...  And this is why. This bearing must have been VERY noisy in operation. Hopefully the others will be better. The wheel cylinders were not so nice in the front, with one rusty, and one leaker. This leakage had also damaged the front shoes which will be replaced. Fortunately the owner has some NOS shoes in his stash. All wheel cylinders and flex hoses will be replaced as well. The master cylinder has been previously replaced and was likely done just before Peter bought it. The brake fluid was very clean as well. Because of this I will try to reuse the master cylinder. Unfortunately whoever installed it deserved a kick in the ass... Beetles feature a double walled bulkhead where the master cylinder mounts, and there are two internal bushings which strengthen this area where the attachment bolts pass through. These bushings have a habit of falling down while removing the bolts and many don't realize they are not in the right position. The result is a damaged bulkhead when the master cylinder bolts are tightening up without the bushings in place as the thin bulkhead material crushes. This has occurred here and is not all that pretty... See picture below. (Those giant washers are not supposed to be there)...  This post will be edited once more pictures can be reloaded... |
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Post by Volktales on May 13, 2017 6:56:01 GMT -8
The next thing checked was the fuel tank. It had been replaced earlier in the car's life and had a 2000 date code on it. Removing the gauge sender allowed an internal inspection.
There had obviously been leakage issues in the past. Someone had taken the unusual step of applying silicone where the bolts pass through, and then greasing up the bolts as well. Odd.
About a 1/4 tank of old fuel remained and fortunately it had not all turned nasty. The tank was quite clean inside and Peter thinks he may have added stabilizer to it all those years ago. It worked well. The old fuel lines basically fell off the tank, so obviously all will be replaced.
Here is a shot of the original "Perfection" gas heater installed in the car. This will be disconnected as it would need some significant work to be functional again.
The engine was given the quick once-over. Sparkplugs were not worn at all, crank endplay is good, carb will get an internal inspection and cleaning. The fuel filter will be removed from the engine compartment and the gas heater take off point bypassed. The ignition points will be replaced (they go fuzzy when sitting), and of course the oil will be changed and valves adjusted. The engine was very likely rebuilt shortly before the car was taken off the road as it is much cleaner and completely leak free then the rest of the car... So far, so good... |
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Post by Volktales on May 13, 2017 7:16:31 GMT -8
Removing the fuel tank reveals a few things... You can see the leakage from the steering dampner in the picture. Also note that the master cylinder was replaced, and someone has left the cardboard shipping tube in place over the brake light switch!
The suspension has not faired quite so well on the Beetle. The front king and link pins are worn, and don't appear to have seen much in the way of grease over the years. This will not be dealt with at this time. The tie rod ends on these earlier cars seem more prone to wear then the larger ones on the later '60's Beetles. All four tie rod ends have worn to various degrees and the steering dampner is leaking as well. We will wait until the car is up and running before getting back to this.
One front shock bushing is completely shot as well, and must have clunked big time when being driven. The bolts for that are soaking in Moovit in anticipation. The only other concern is the transaxle. Just like my '64 Ghia was, this gearbox is happily dripping oil from every orifice it can. The axle boots are even both the original one piece units installed at the factory 53 years ago! I will attempt to stem the tide with creative bolt snugging, but eventually that trans will have to be removed and fully resealed. For now, topping up the oil will have to do...
With the inspection now complete, the first job is to install the new six volt battery and hard start relay, and prepare the engine for firing up. With regards to the hard start relay, this should be considered a mandatory modification on all six volt VWs. As usual no permanent modifications will be done to the car to install this, and it could be removed if the car is fully restored one day with a new wiring harness... Looking forward to hear it run...
Now off to Dad's to put his T-bird back together. Another story for a future time... |
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Post by Volktales on May 14, 2017 14:00:20 GMT -8
Managed a couple of more pictures before Photobucket failed yet again... Will try again...
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Post by 77eurobus on May 14, 2017 17:25:35 GMT -8
Great work as usual Russ. Looking forward to the T-Bird story!
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Post by peter on May 16, 2017 18:48:59 GMT -8
Looking good. Thanks Russ.
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Post by Brenticon on May 16, 2017 19:57:34 GMT -8
Wow .... looks good, thanks for posting
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Post by Volktales on May 26, 2017 21:27:33 GMT -8
The new battery has been installed, and the electrics tested to see what will need attention. The main lights worked just fine, as did the wipers. The left turn signals are not co-operating, but I think there are some grounding issues to deal with. The horn is being shy as well... I did attempt to crank the engine over, and was rewarded with an uninterested starter. Peter stopped driving the car for this reason and I will have a boo at the starter first before installation of the hard start relay. Awaiting a parts order as well...
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Post by Volktales on May 28, 2017 18:58:40 GMT -8
So the hard start relay arrived today from Lordco. And it was not what I expected... Internal wiring was different to the expected Ford style, so could not be used. Eventually figured out the correct part number and this should be here tomorrow. Meanwhile thought I would deal with some electrical issues. Given a six volt system, there is not much "push", so clean tight connections are a must. I first removed, cleaned, tweaked, and reinstalled the wiring at the starter. Did it crank? No. Next up was jumping the main battery terminal at the starter to the switch terminal at the starter. Immediate cranking was the result. It still refused to work via the ignition switch. The wiring at the switch was removed and bridged together. Again the starter cranked ok. A bit of tweaking allowed the connectors to grip tighter, and now the starter cranked via the switch. Once the hard start relay arrives, it will still be installed to ensure continued cranking.
So since cranking was now possible, why not try to see if it would run? The first thing to ALWAYS check on an air-cooled VW is the points of course! They were pretty much closed up and burnt to a nice crispy consistency. New ones are on order (they are not the common type), and I had already checked for crankshaft endplay, ease of rotation, oil level etc. A bit of file work to the points, and gap adjustment, followed by a bit of fresh fuel dumped into the carb. Press the accelerator once to set the choke, turn the key. It fired almost immediately and ran longer then expected. The fuel tank had been removed earlier, but the remains in the fuel lines and carb still were combustible. It even idled fine, so was pleased about that...
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Post by Volktales on May 29, 2017 21:05:50 GMT -8
Sooo, finally got my hands on the right 6 volt relay...
This is the correct type, as used on most Fords 1955 and earlier. The part number is S62, a Standard brand part number. This will be installed next to the starter, underneath the car. Should eliminate any future no cranking issues.
I will have to see why the charging light did NOT go out when the engine was running. Hope it is not the above voltage regulator. That is a rare non- Bosch version made by Garbe Lahmeyer, a much lesser known supplier. My '62 has a Garbe Lahmeyer distributor, which features a prominent VW symbol on its cap. I will check the brushes and polarize the generator for sure anyway after sitting for so long.
Original cars feature things like the above sticker on the door. These details always get lost when restored unfortunately.
Car had 45,000 miles on it back in '76. Odometer has around 79,000 on it now, and that might just be original.
Tomorrow the turn signal switch will go back together, hopefully in working condition. And time to install that hard start relay... |
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Post by mitchy965 on May 29, 2017 21:55:00 GMT -8
wow!! Buck Kinney!!first Canadian inducted into the NHRA hall of fame for lifetime achievement.for more than 45 years he set and broke many world records in drag racing. good old pitt meadows boy (where all my oats were sown)and my personal hero in my youth. actually inspected and passed the first car I ever restored at his shop in poco. every time I read or hear his name I smell racing fuel and burning rubber and remember standing at the starting line at mission raceway.
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Post by Volktales on May 29, 2017 22:17:06 GMT -8
I knew nothing about Buck Kinney, but that is interesting history. Imagine a drag racer's shop working on a lowly Beetle! Whatever comes through the door puts the food on the table... |
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But we know you have worked hard to have what you have and you very much deserve to be surrounded by a bevy of beautiful VWs 
