I put aside a bit of time on Sunday (all day) to get a bit closer to our 1971 S beetle 1600TP. In two years it has done 10,000 miles and all I have done is one oil change and oil top ups. It was starting to run a bit sick.
So I got new plugs, points and condenser. New rocker gaskets and oil kit.
I took my time and changed all the components as required, including removing the distributor and checking the vac advance. I completely disassembled the distributor as it was all gummed up inside, and reassembled and lubed all.
I took my time with the plugs, and applied a lick of anti seize grease to the threads. I did all of the rocker adjustment very meticulously, and found most of them were far too tight, but all had some gap.
I adjusted the heater cables, handbrake and tightened a few screws and bolts. All this time the oil was draining over a few hours, and I went through the process of replacing the strainer and oil quantity etc.
Lo and behold, I hit the key and he purred. Took him for a spin, and he showed me what a good beetle he can be. I have to say, the $70 or so I spent on stuff was well worth it. I got closer to the dub, and got a few beers in to boot.
As John Muir says in the 'Idiots Guide to Keeping Your Volkswagen Alive'.
"No one has enough money anywhere - Banker, Indian chief, Gestalt therapist, no kind of person - to not set their own valves on their Volkswagen! It's a personal thing between you and your transportation"
helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
