that70sBug

I was literally just looking at all the things I need to do and as I got the urge I started doing things. One thing I did was take out the Dashboard. It was not salvageable and so I decided it needed to go. Also, I knew I could get by without it since it is really just cosmetic and it can be replaced at anytime. I first started by removing all the knobs, I have 5 primary ones, Lights, Emergency, windshield wipers and 2 vents. the lights emergency and windshield wipers screw off counter-clockwise, the vent knobs just pop off. there is also a small switch looking black round recessed hole with a small red circle button that has a white "B" on it. When I tok this apart last night I had no idea what it was....but it does not unscrew....at least mine didn't....and I had to pull the dash lining from behind it. Anyway after doing a quick internet search the small red button with the white "B" on it is actually the 1970's version of a high tech test light which w...

I was at one of the autoparts stores and I decided to grab some moly grease and while I was in there I walked by one of the aisles and saw the little chrome and glass fuel filters, so for a couple of bucks I grabbed one and decided to throw it on the bug. I figured the one that was on the car was not good..... Yes it is the black thing there in front of the ignition coil.....I just guessed it is bad. HA SO I replaced it. It worked perfect and the other thing it did is expose the need for new gas....and possibly to drain the current gas.

I took the bug out for a quick drive around the block to just check the ride again after cleaning it up a little. While driving I noticed that the shifter had a very SLOPPY attitude. It was hard to find first, reverse or any other gear and I believe I started out in 2nd, it was that hard to tell. SO I researched adjusting the shifter....I actually first thought I might need a whole new transmission because I didn't think I could get the car into first gear. I found this link/video , even thought I wasn't grinding this video helped alot.  Here is what the shifter looks like with an "ORIGINAL" shift plate. Notice the lip on the right side.....(passenger side) this is meant to keep the spring in place, the new replacement plates like mine have two lips one on each side.  like the image below. My plate is the new replacement one. Also when I pulled mine open. Imagine what I found. the plate was upside down.....wow. Then I started thinking I am probably the 3rd or 4th...

So got out there and started tearing the interior out to help clean it and really be able to see what shape the underlying metal looks like. The front had carpet, and an under lament for padding, although the carpet was in fairly decent shape,  it looked like hell, so it's gone. As you can see the floor boards have a horrible looking surface rust starting which needs to be taken care of,  another reason to remove things to see what's there.  The next would be the back of the car and all theseats and carpet. The good part is that most of the back does not have floor with floor lament,  it has the seat which covers the battery,  the back rest of the seat which covers the back deck and the ball deck which is typically very protected from sitting water. As you can see just getting the stuff out will give me a much better idea of what's there. After its all out then it's time to wash the grime off of it and clean the leaves, rather crap and years of...

I am going to caveat my post and project with the following. I am not a Mechanic! With that being said I am learning and I am mechanically inclined. I bought four things today. 1.  How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot 2.  Sunex 9940M Metric S-Style Wrench Set, 5-Piece 3.  Valve Cover Gaskets 4. Carb Rebuild Kit I think everyone can agree that the first thing to do would be to get the car running in a consistent manner. So I am going to rebuild the Carb. In order to do that I need to remove the Carb, and the 13mm S Wrench will allow me to get to the back bolt. Then I will Change the Oil and Adjust the valves.  I don't have the highest of expectations that this motor will be the platform I continue with so if I need to swap out I would rather do some of the small things in order to help make a decision. If doing these inexpensive things first it will help me to see if the engine is even ab...

So day 1, got the beetle, hauled it on a trailer and got it home. Was able to get it running and it was able to go around the block.....but it won't idle. so the first step is going to be a Carb rebuild. I think it will be a good move to clean it take it apart and make sure it is all correctly functioning before I move to some other potential issue. Here are a few other details now that I have the beetle. 1. It has its original motor. Numbered and German writing and all...I was very happy about this. 2. The pictures were fairly accurate and everything that I thought was missing is missing....so as expected. 3. The tires need replacing, since one of them has the radial seperating. Would have like to keep these since they look pretty good. 4. The interior is in bad shape....as the pictures indicated but the dashboard is probably not salvageable and the knobs and all are fairly decent and will look great since they are original. 5. I had though one of the chrome sides of the st...

This has been a very hard item for me to find more information on and I finally found what looks like a good picture....UNTIL I get the 1970 in my hands this is what I am talking about and I will add to it once I find out more info. Notice the Spinners, and the 4 lug, Also I've found the tire size at jbugs.com VW 165/80 R 15 I am guessing there is not a lot of other info but once I have mine I will update.  Updated: what I found is that these rims seem to be stock, perhaps an upgrade, and the tires on it in the front might be stock size as above but the rear are 255/60R15, and are pretty fat.  Next steps for the wheels, is going to be to take them off and clean them.  

I have looked over the car in every picture....not the best way to tell but a potentially good way to see what I can before I get there to make an assessment of what I can see as part of the "Completeness" of the car. For the most part it looks like MOST of the car is complete there are a few things that are not visible but may just not be pictured. Here are the only things I note so far. 1. Running boards - Missing on both sides 2. Winshield Wipers - Both Missing 3. Antenna 4. Radio and speakers - expected 5. Spinners on the Enkei Classic Rims. (BTW) very hard to find info about them The things I want to check to see for completeness when I get there are the spare tire and whether or not any of the missing parts are in the car or around the car. I also want to see if the back seat is there and if there is anything that I may have seen in the picture that is now not there. If those few things are the only things missing then this will be one heck of a find.  If I ha...

Found a Beetle its a 1970 Convertible. The pictures are hard to distinguish exactly how good of shape it is in but I have formulated a few questions and talked to the guy who is listing it on CraigsList near Orlando.  Here are my Questions I asked. 1. What shape are the heater channels in? His answer I think they are pretty much in tact and I have looked at them and it seems there is not much rust on them. They are all pretty solid. 2. Does it run? Yes it runs, but it has a flat and I don't think the tire will hold air. 3. Do the Doors Close? Yes they are fairly tight and there is no sag. 4. will we be able to get it in gear? Yes we should be able to put it on a trailer. 5. Has it been in any wrecks? No it seems like it is in pretty good shape. I bought it to restore it and just didn't have the time so I was asking the same questions. ALSO. I restored a 1965 VW BUS and took me two years so I'm fairly familiar with what to look for and this car is pretty solid. S...