heater channel replacement

71dub Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 29 Oct 2009, 4:20 pm

#743941

Hi guys after some advice have a 71 super bug that needs both heater chanmels replacing.At present i have body off the pan .is it better to do this way ? or with the body on the pan ?.have the parts to replace ,also have some one to weld the new ones in place .thanks for any advice

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 29 Oct 2009, 5:40 pm

#743962

I would've thought "with the body off" was the only way to do it ???

I replaced both sides in Jezebel years ago, and the basic way I did it was:
- body off, lying on it's side on a cheapy throw away mattress
- build a jig that sat under the body and located to 2 pan bolts, 1 front guard bolt and 1 rear guard bolt each side
- welded some bracing into the doorway, then cut the old channel out (the bracing is important, as without it the whole shell will twist and you may not get it lined up properly again)
- put the replacement channel in, and hold in place with the jig to make sure everything lines up
- weld it all in, then remove the jig and flip the shell over to do the other side

Worked pretty well for me - took basically one day per side - I ain't exactly the quickest at doing this sort of stuff.

Maybe someone else has a better/different process for doing it ???

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Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 29 Oct 2009, 6:07 pm

#743968

Where are you. If you are close to me, you could borrow my DVD from 'Bug me Video - Volume 7, Heater Channel and Panel Replacement'.

Kevin

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

71dub Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 29 Oct 2009, 7:25 pm

#743992

thanks for the offer kevin .i have the bug me video.that shows having the body on .was wondering if any pit falls if body was off

barrie

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 29 Oct 2009, 10:22 pm

#744062

71dub wrote:thanks for the offer kevin .i have the bug me video.that shows having the body on .was wondering if any pit falls if body was off barrie

I would be thinking it would be easier with the body off, but as mentioned by others make sure you brace in both of the doorways before removing body or you will have door alignment issues when all put back together.

Kevin

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 30 Oct 2009, 7:34 am

#744087

Off the pan is easier but as others have said, you need to brace the door area but it is also essential that you brace from side to side as well. Sides advice was excellent but you would need to make sure the bracing can't move when bolted to the holes for the guards. Another way is to weld a brace to the bottom of the door pillars on both sides for both A and B pillars.

Yogie

71dub Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 30 Oct 2009, 8:29 am

#744093

well guys thanks for the advice .will certainly giveit a go with body off .will let you know how i get on .will probably be a few weeks before i start.
barrie