Hey all. Most of you would know my 1966 VW beetle.
The one thats registered as a 1962.................
Anyhow, started the strip down process today and
its coming along nicely. Removed deck lid and bonnet,
chrome trim on bonnet, side steps, chrome trim on wheels
headlights, tail lights.
Tomorrow i will start on the guards and see how we go.
Funny, the passenger side step was a bitch. Broke all the
bolts along the sill except one and it took me 25 minutes
work to remove the 2 bolts into the front and rear guards.
The driver side..... whole thing off in 5 minutes, all bolts out
and no hassles at all.... I guess you cant win em all hey. 馃檪
I'll keep you all posted as much as possible.
Oh yes, and plenty of pictures. nn[ Edited on 24-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]
BLUE_62 路
Resto photo 2
BLUE_62 路
Resto photo 3
pod 路
good to see you kept her and are fixing her up馃檪馃檪
boersch 路
looks good :thumb what you got planned for it?
Lams 路
looks good
keep us updated! wish i had the space/equipment/skills/knowledge/bravery to do this on my own, my car needs new paint too
BLUE_62 路
boersch wrote:looks good :thumb what you got planned for it?
Hey,
Thanks for the kind words. I dont want to disclose too much at the minute as plans will probably vary bewteen now and completion. Its nothing super special but it should come out a pretty sweet, clean cruiser in the end which is what i want.
Nothing with huge power, or sparkly paint. Just tidy. 馃槈
BLUE_62 路
Front guards are now off and rears to go.
A little disappointed at the rust which appeared very minor in
the front passenger guard. After poking at it with a screw driver for a while,
its been decided its getting cut out and a new sheet welded in as best i can.
On a positive the heater channel is still very solid,
rust only being the sheet metal.
Whats a resto with out rust thou hey.
Hopefully rear guards off tomorrow. Will see how time permits.
[Edited on 23-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
resto photo 5
BLUE_62 路
resto photo 6
MikeM 路
:cussing I hate rust
BLUE_62 路
Another day of glory.
Rear guards came off a treat. Only borke one of the 12 odd bolts so luck was on my side.
No hiden secrets in the rear either. Tomorrows job will be
intereor out and whats left of the dash, Cd player and
speakers came out yesterday. (last night)
BLUE_62 路
Resto photo 8.
All coming together nicely.......
or should i say appart 馃槈
Lams 路
what do you do when the bolts break and you can't get them out?
I HATE RUST :cussing
Looks like you're having fun
Chewy 路
That rust aint to bad check out my 66, all 4 wheel arches have it bad too
Both A pillars are no longer connected to the heater channel
And the windscreen frame is rotted
BLUE_62 路
All the bolts that are rusted and now broken will have to be drilled out and the thread re-tapped.
It'd not going to be too bad as the broken bolts are easy to get too.
After seeing that photo chewy i feel glad. I recall seeing that
same photo when you first posted it on your little peice of the web Not good. :duh
[Edited on 19-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
No photos for today. Not a hell of a lot of progress in the major department.
All the glass is out and the seating except for the driver side. Chrome side moulding stripes are off so too is the glove box, rear parcel secton carpet,
front bumper and all rubber seals from boot lid, deck lid, window surround etc.
[Edited on 20-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
Look mum, no doors!
or much else for that matter...........
All i need is a hole in the floor and its fred flinstone eat your heart out. 馃槈
[Edited on 21-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
Resto photo 10
BLUE_62 路
Ok, pulled the pin today. Took it for one last crazy drive with
everything stripped. Did a ripper doughnut in the dirt.....
wish i hadnt now as everything is filthy.
All good! Pulled it back in the shed,
pulled the battery and disconnected the fuel tank and
unvolted the body from the chassis. Now seperated
i will start removing and cleaning up salvagable components
and get what needs restoring, retored. Started to sand back
what i thought was bubble rust near ariel. My luck, it was a
slight dint thats been filled with filler and the paints cracked.
Woohoo. Once less pot of rust. 馃檪
Oh, chassis bolts. Only broke 2 馃檪
BLUE_62 路
resto photo 12
BLUE_62 路
resto photo 13.
kombi_kid 路
big day i see looking good keep it up!
cheers
rhys
BLUE_62 路
Can someone tell me, i am pulling the beetle to bits madly.
Now when it comes time to rebuild and bolt it back
together..... How do i go about sorting out bolts?
Most of them are stuffed and need replacing. Is there a
cross reference chart that will tell me what size each bolt is
or do i just organise the old ones in a manner, so i can get
them matched when its time to replace?
**Me thinkin i should have bagged and labeled all bolts that
i have already taken out...... :duh
[Edited on 23-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
kombi_kid 路
i think if you ring around the VW places they do sell kits of bolts etc i remember an ad about stainless bolt kits but cant seem to recall where!
cheers
rhys
Canni. 路
good idea to bag and label everything..and take photos..a general rule is things are always much easier to take apart than to put back together lol what are your plans for her? good luck 馃檪
[Edited on 23-5-05 by Canni.]
BLUE_62 路
What are my plans for her.....
That i cant tell you yet. I have some ideas
as mentioned a while ago. Something simple but
effective. I hope anyway. I started off thinking, i'll remember
where those bolts go..... HA! I feel like a dick now dont i..
All good. time will tell, i'll just be bendigo Bolts and Fastners
best customer. :thumb
greenbug70 路
Looks like your not short of workshop space goooood shed
Chewy 路
BLUE_62 wrote:Can someone tell me, i am pulling the beetle to bits madly.
Now when it comes time to rebuild and bolt it back
together..... How do i go about sorting out bolts?
Most of them are stuffed and need replacing. Is there a
cross reference chart that will tell me what size each bolt is
or do i just organise the old ones in a manner, so i can get
them matched when its time to replace?
**Me thinkin i should have bagged and labeled all bolts that
i have already taken out...... :duh
[Edited on 23-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
Yea bag and label everything, even if the bolts/bits are stuffed, keep them so when you buy new stuff you know exactly what you need.
Dont throw anything out..
Bag all the bolts/bits from an assembly in one bag so you know when it goes back together you have everything you need there and your not missing anything.
Take photos of everything together so you can see how things fit when you re assemble
Lookin sweet as man keep it up.
PrettyBlueBug 路
Wow.... Bugs look so sad when they're bottom is not attached! 馃檨
I'm sure it'll look awesome whatever you decide to do to it. Be prepared for your budget to go flying past though..... 馃槈
BLUE_62 路
Thanks again for the kind words. The budget i have not even
considered. I thought i will start and spend what ever i have
to, to finish it to a certain standard. To set a budget means
cost cutting and a lesser quaility finish, settling for less than
acceptable standards. HA. anyone would think i have
unlimited capital. I wish, just doing it over time so it wont
hurt so much. 馃槈
Pulled the front beam and front brakes off today, all seat
belts removed, carpet off the pan, starter motor is out.
Still heaps to do. Thinking i might tackle taking the motor out
this afternoon. See how we go. :thumb
[Edited on 24-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
OK, motor is out. Was amazed to find it was only 4 bolts.
Exhaust is off too. Gearbox pops out of 2nd when u back
off the throttle which is apparently the main shaft collapsing.
common issue with a 1966 model car
(thats what i have been told anyway).
Dunno whether to rebuild or replace.
Any ideas?
derraux 路
Blue_62
Most bolts on a vw are the same the mudgard bolts are all 8mm x 1.25 cant remember what the floorpan bolts are but when puling it apart you would have only used about 3 different sized spanners I replaced all of my mudgard bolts with stainless.
The bolts you broke if they stick out slightly you can heat them up with an oxy till they are red hot then throw cold water on them till cold you will then be able to take them out with your fingers or maybe pliers they wont be tight you will burn a small amount of paint off but i assume you are repainting anyway.(this is much easier than drilling and tapping
BLUE_62 路
Hey.
Sorted the bolt situation out. You are right about only really
3 sizes. All in there own little tubs should be fine to replace.
As for the 2 that broke, thats a problem as they have broken
off clean with the suspension supports on the rear.
It'll end up a drill and re-tap the hole situation.
(good thing my old mans a gem at that sorta stuff) 馃槈
Still Ummin about gearbox. I think a change over reco box
would be the way to go. Atleast that way i know it will
be reliable. I'll keep ya's all imformed. :P
BLUE_62 路
As the weather gets colder im spending less and less time
in the shed working on the dub. Doing smaller things
in doors where i can!
Front beam and bulk head are coming together nicely.
All i need to do is weld the threaded crush tube into the bulk
head on the pan, and weld up a couple of tiny hair line
cracks and i can strip the whole pan clean of crap and
repaint it all with rust proof and a nice top coat of either
gloss or matt black. Was thinking of using some sound
deadner but apparently you can't actually paint over sound
deadner. Does anyone know if this is correct?
The fuel line that runs the length of the chassis.
Is it a brass tube or is it a rubber hose with the 2 brass ends?
Obvisoly if it is rubber inside the tunnel i will want to replace
it as the last thing i want is for it to perish and have to
dismantle everything again. 馃槈
[Edited on 28-5-2005 by BLUE_62]
BLUE_62 路
OK, gearbox is off, so too is all handbrake cables, rear
drums, axles etc, as i got cunning and tried to remove all
in one big hit. Worked but you try moving the lot when you
have a split drive shaft boot and oil wants to run every-
where. All good. Next job is to strip the pan down completly,
and clean it up. Shouldn't be too difficult. Couple more
photos to keep you all up to date. :thumb
BLUE_62 路
Resto photo 15.
Lams 路
you're flying through this disassembly process aren't you! someone's having fun :bounce
keep it up - now get back into the shed! heaters aren't that expensive :P
BLUE_62 路
Dunno about having fun, just more determined to actually
finish this sucker to the highest quality i can.
Only updates for today, all brake lines and master are off the
pan, pedals etc are out, so to is the gear shift lever. Only
thing left on the pan now is the handbrake lever, the heater
control tap, and the rear swing arms for the suspension.
Not game to remove in fear i wont be able to set back up
again correctly.
Gunna try a wire wheel and get all the crud off, if no success.
I'll send it to a sand blaster. 馃槈
BLUE_62 路
Started cleaning up the pan tonight. Have done the driver
side to the first step. Its clean from loose particles, dirt and
grime. Now to do the passenger side. Once this is done i
will work on the rear forks and suspension mounts. The front
bulk head is ready for weld, but wont focus too much on
cleaning that up until thats done. All fingers crossed by the
end of next week it'll be a nice rust proofed bit of metal
sheeting with a nice top coat of gloss black. 馃槈
He is a before and after. Driver side done, passenger side
to do. Photo doesnt do much justice but you get the idea.
Bizarre 路
looks good
are there many holes or is it more of a prevention thing you are doing??
BLUE_62 路
Purely prevention! Not one rust hole in the whole pan.
Very pleased with over all condition. :thumb
For once something is going right.... might be on a roll. 馃槈
BLUE_62 路
Still going on pan. Have done both driver and passenger
side and all thats left if the tunnel and the rear suspension
forks etc. Getting there slowly but surely.
I'll post a pic when its all cleaned up before it gets a coat of
paint. 馃槈
BLUE_62 路
Hey all,
juts a quick update. Still going on beetle, got my statesman
back from repair shop and been spending time on that for
the last couple of days cleaning it up. Saving money for
beetle so things can slow down for a little while, as i need
to send gearbox of for overhaul, body off for sandblasting,
engine off for a clean up and it all costs the $$$ i dont wanna
spend right at the minute, and with an offer of some 17"
mags for the statesman for 800 bucks (furys), mmmm,
its tempting. 馃槈
Keep ya's all posted as time progresses. :thumb
BLUE_62 路
OK peoples. Long time no update.
Thats probably because i have done very little in the past
month! Sad i know. However, the pan was completly
stripped and sanded back and re-sprayed in a glass black
which has come up pretty good. Still to clean up is the
rear gearbox forks, suspension mounts etc. Thats wont
take too long. They are in pretty good conidition as it is,
so a quick wash, and a touch up or too. Photo of the pan
incluided. Certainly looks better than it did when i first
stripped it, but certainly no show winning paint job. Rust
free pan has made life easier. 馃檪
BLUE_62 路
Oh, everything thats yet to be painted will be done in a
chip resistant paint as its exposed to the outside elements.
All good. Should be a few more updates to come. 馃檪
BLUE_62 路
So sick of not having my beetle so its flat out to re-assemble.
Gearbox is back in, handbrake, gear sellector, brake lines, brake master.
Few other little bits but i have to get a new heater cable
and a clutch cable before i go much further.
Engine getting sent away to mechanic to get rear main seal fixed.
A quick photo to show update... Nothing special, will be nice to drive it again thou.nn[ Edited on 5-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]nn[ Edited on 5-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]
BLUE_62 路
Sorry, its been a while i know. Just got onto a good front beam to suit my beetle as sold my adjustable one.
All being well on the weekend i will re-adjust the rear of my beetle and return it back to original height.
Give it a week or so fingers crossed and it'll ber back to a rolling chassis again. :thumbnn[ Edited on 14-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]
Lams 路
nice! so you're going back to original ride height?
nice to be able to do everything yourself :bounce
BLUE_62 路
Yeah, going for a more original theme.
I had it lowered and it handled quite nice but i also
f**ked both front guards with the front end being too
low, the front tyres being 165, and me getting too
excited going in and out of driveways!, also managed to destroy my exhaust cheese grater too :S
Positive camber on the rear add's character to a beetle,
with many frowning at the idea. :P
Standing back and looking at the big picture, everyone is
getting the little beetle and hotting it up, with very few
being put back to original condition. By no means will mine
be a concours restoration but it should end up a sweet
little ride that i can drive and enjoy. 馃檪
BLUE_62 路
Started to strip down the motor this morning and clean
everything up so it can be bolted back in. Finally got the
fly wheel off so thats gunna make life easier. The rear
main oil seal is well past its used by date!!
I'll post some pictures in a few days when it's looking more
like a pretty VW motor than a grease ball. 馃檪
BLUE_62 路
Nothing too special. Stripped the motor down of carby,
inlet manifold, fly wheel is off and ready for new rear main.
The cooling fan is off as can be seen in back ground, yet
to be cleaned. It's getting sand blasted and re-painted,
along with most of the other engine tin ware when i get
a chance too.
Balls rolling again so more updates more often :thumb
Oh, beleave it or not, the engine has been degreased,
and scrubbed, still looks like shit so i got some work cut
out for me. nn[ Edited on 22-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]
BLUE_62 路
Ok, motor is stripped down to just the block with pistons,
crank and rods intact.
Heads are in excellent condition so too are the bores and
piston faces, but will send them off for a second opinion
anyway. The heads will be getting replaced with some
twin port heads, and while the block is stripped i will be
getting a nicer road cam fitted.
All bolt ons appear to be in good condition and will be
cleaned and re-fitted. So far i am not sure what i want to
do with the case, whether it gets cleaned back to
original surface alloy casting or i paint it a nice gloss black.
Time will soon tell, and there is plenty of time to decide.
Pic of the block. not much to em. I am learning as i go
and am very suprised at how simple the damn things are.
No wonder they go forever. there isn't much in them to
break.
