Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Semper-guzzi on September 22, 2016, 03:07:47 PM

Title: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 22, 2016, 03:07:47 PM
Back from a long hiatus, was on a 7 month deployment. Was going to buy a second bike when I got back, but bought a 1970 VW bug instead. Dual port 1600. Not fast, bad brakes, but boy is it fun.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 22, 2016, 03:49:36 PM
i put in a career doing those and am currently bringing a barn-find 78 superbeetle up to baseline.  They can be fun, and if you squint just right they're hard to tell apart from a guzzi.

If you need brakes consider the full 4corner dik brake upgrade..
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: ritratto on September 22, 2016, 04:07:09 PM
No Beetle, but i have 1960 Karmann Ghia. Fun little car. Had it fifteen years or so.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 22, 2016, 04:09:22 PM
I'm looking for one that doesn't have the inner rockers and heat channels totally rusted away...
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Mark Harpell on September 22, 2016, 05:20:03 PM
Spent most of my career as a foreign car mechanic....did a on of valve jobs on beetles and porsches.....owned a few...had a 64 with 28k on it..and this was my last one...an original Manx on a 65 pan....i rebuilt the whole thing......
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii224/stripah/2d2209e599d9929d8c3b0da77a1646fe.jpg) (http://s265.photobucket.com/user/stripah/media/2d2209e599d9929d8c3b0da77a1646fe.jpg.html)

Lets see some pictures.......
Rob has one in his shed...dont remember what year it is though....he'll chime in....
I love beetles...
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: drw916 on September 22, 2016, 06:06:36 PM
No Beetle, but I have a 1973 Porsche 914 that has been in my family since 1974.  Over 200,000 miles and bone stock except for an engine rebuild 5000 miles ago when the mechanic forgot to put oil back in it!
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: ITSec on September 22, 2016, 06:32:34 PM
Not recently, but back when I was 16 I had a 1961 Beetle with the old 6-volt electricals. What a pain to even find a headlight bulb!
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: EldoMike on September 22, 2016, 06:39:59 PM
Had a VW repair shop back in the late 70's(yeah I'm that old)...still buy and sell one every once in a while...always partial to the buses...
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Sheepdog on September 22, 2016, 06:47:41 PM
I have a '62 Type I that is an upcoming project. It is remarkably complete and sports a canvas top. I'm looking forward to the restoration. I did a '72 Type II back in the nineties...they harken to simpler times.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Gliderjohn on September 22, 2016, 08:02:06 PM
I don't remember what year it changed but before screw on coil wire caps it was not unusual for the coil wire to vibrate loose and the engine just quits. Many moons ago I was riding in a car in the middle of nowhere in the Kanas Flint Hiils country and we ran across a stranded bug in a rain storm. The owner was soaked and staring in the engine compartment when we stopped. I just cracked my window due to the rain and asked what the problem was and he said it just quit. I said check your coil wire, sure enough that was it. He had an amazed look when he saw the problem that I had diagnosed without getting out of the car. :thumb:
GliderJohn
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Guzzistajohn on September 22, 2016, 09:33:29 PM
I have a brother in law that has a pretty good buisness rebuilding vw motors (if you take them out) he has a thing that's like new. His bug will leave la 10 ft scratch
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: oldbike54 on September 22, 2016, 09:41:41 PM
 Had a '55 model in high school , rolled it onto its side on old HW 20 near Enid OK , we flipped it upright. , waited 10 minutes , drove away .

 Dusty
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: wirespokes on September 22, 2016, 11:12:27 PM
I had a bunch of bugs in my youth and a transporter as well. The first bug I rolled coming home from the movie Bullit. I collected parts to build a dune buggy, but found a body and built a 64 bug instead. Lost number three cylinder in 1971 in the bay area and managed to drive it to my aunt and uncle's place where I rebuilt it. Traded it to a friend for a 66 transporter. Wish I had the transporter still - that was a good van, but sold it to pay off a debt. Was good timing, too, got a good price just at the beginning of the first gas crisis in 73 or 74.  My GF has a 71 Convertible. Nice car and she drives it constantly with no issues, but I've gotten soft when it comes to cars and want a heater, defroster and something fairly quiet. Funny thing is, I never drive except to haul recycling or fetching building materials.

That Manx dune buggy was a big WANT back in those days. I still think they're pretty cool.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 23, 2016, 08:59:23 AM
I've had: '56, '58, '60, '62 and '73 Beetles, a '70 Ghia and '65 21-window Microbus.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Jurgen on September 23, 2016, 10:09:31 AM
I havn't had anything but VW (style air cooled vehicles) since I sold my Studebaker back in '60 (except for my current ride GTI MK6 and Breva 750).  Including a THING, Karman Ghia, Westfalia, 356A etc., currently restoring my original 356C.  Spent some years as VW and Porsche mechanic with many engine OH and valve jobs.  Anything air cooled is FUN and easy to work on.

Jurgen
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: ritratto on September 23, 2016, 12:51:46 PM
Here is my 1960 Ghia.


(http://thumb.ibb.co/nabn6F/100_1017.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nabn6F)
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 23, 2016, 01:45:38 PM
Here is my 1960 Ghia.


(http://thumb.ibb.co/nabn6F/100_1017.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nabn6F)


 :drool:
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Old Jock on September 23, 2016, 01:59:33 PM
 :1:

The Karmann Ghia is a real stunner, fantastic thanks for letting us see it

Lucky Lucky guy   :drool:

John
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: charlie b on September 23, 2016, 02:44:27 PM
Had a 71 bus.

Blew the engine on it cause I didn't know the redline was passed if you went 70mph in top gear (drafting semis).

Second engine lasted less than a year before a valve bent.

Yes, I thrashed it pretty good.

My wife would love an old beetle.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: sib on September 23, 2016, 02:48:58 PM
(Thread drift advisory)  Not a beetle, but I had a '65 Corvair.  Great car for those who like to constantly fiddle, because it required constant fiddling.  To paraphrase what is said about harpsichords, you spend half your time tuning it and the other half driving it out of tune.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: brider on September 23, 2016, 03:24:34 PM
Not long ago, before I diagnosed and fixed the slipping problem on my Cal II Auto, I was seriously considering selling the steaming pile and getting something I'd enjoy just as much, and I could fix myself, and get accolades for driving something that not many people see anymore (like my Guzzi)....a '69-'71 Bug.

I drove a '70 bug for MANY miles, still miss the interior smell and sound of the engine. I'd love for my kids to learn how to drive one.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Sheepdog on September 23, 2016, 05:08:37 PM
Had a 71 bus.

Blew the engine on it cause I didn't know the redline was passed if you went 70mph in top gear (drafting semis).

Second engine lasted less than a year before a valve bent.

Yes, I thrashed it pretty good.
That was the last year before the "Suitcase" motors were introduced in Type 2s. 70 mph is a bunch on a bus with a 1600 upright...
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Mark Harpell on September 23, 2016, 06:27:12 PM
A year or so ago, a 21 window Safari went for over $200k at auction.......would have never believed it....
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: BoatDoc on September 23, 2016, 08:09:39 PM
Had a 66 Bug for about two years in the 80s, then a 76 Camper for about two years after that (should not have sold it) and now have a 78 Bug Vert that I got in 94. It has about 190K on it and drive it a couple times a week. Fairly trouble free. It died by the side of the road three weeks ago for the first time in a decade. Bad coil.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 24, 2016, 10:44:25 AM
Here are mine. Being in socal, you can find man rust free or not much rust for pretty cheap. I gotta figure out how to fix the fuel gage and speedo. Got it up to a gps verified 72 mph. Super fun. Lowered front end is a bit bouncy tho.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/nKiW0a/20160922_122250.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nKiW0a)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/dKNPLa/00202_28_NTMCb_IRXH_600x450.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dKNPLa)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/mJXPLa/20160922_122302.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mJXPLa)
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 24, 2016, 12:13:25 PM
Here are mine. Being in socal, you can find man rust free or not much rust for pretty cheap. I gotta figure out how to fix the fuel gage and speedo. Got it up to a gps verified 72 mph. Super fun. Lowered front end is a bit bouncy tho.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/nKiW0a/20160922_122250.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nKiW0a)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/dKNPLa/00202_28_NTMCb_IRXH_600x450.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dKNPLa)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/mJXPLa/20160922_122302.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mJXPLa)


Sweet! Maybe I should have my friend, that spends his Winters in San Diego, find me a suitable rust-free fixer-upper and have it shipped east.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: blackcat on September 24, 2016, 12:23:17 PM
Every now and then I look at The Samba classifieds for a bus or bug.  Personally, I don't want to restore a car as it's probably cheaper to just by one completed by another enthusiasts. 
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1973908
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: radguzzi on September 24, 2016, 06:25:32 PM
Welcome back Kev...!  That is sweet.

Well cool, as you already found out, you are gonna dig that rig.  I see the front end has been dropped.  Regarding the brakes, I installed dropped front axles with disc brakes on the '69.  Much better profile in my opinion and certainly will aide in braking (duh) and handling.

Since these photos were taken I have reinstalled the painted bumper brackets, POR'd the inside of the new premium quality bumpers with silver and I need to finish the interior...  Yeah, been a long term project.   

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/921/k4d1VE.jpg)


(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/922/gQOytu.jpg)

==========


Mark,
Nice Manx.

=========

Charlie,
Yes you should...






Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 24, 2016, 06:50:36 PM
Welcome back Kev...!  That is sweet.

Well cool, as you already found out, you are gonna dig that rig.  I see the front end has been dropped.  Regarding the brakes, I installed dropped front axles with disc brakes on the '69.  Much better profile in my opinion and certainly will aide in braking (duh) and handling.

Since these photos were taken I have reinstalled the painted bumper brackets, POR'd the inside of the new premium quality bumpers with silver and I need to finish the interior...  Yeah, been a long term project.   

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/921/k4d1VE.jpg)


(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/922/gQOytu.jpg)

==========


Mark,
Nice Manx.

=========

Charlie,
Yes you should...

 :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: ohiorider on September 24, 2016, 06:53:30 PM
Nothing lately, but if I turn on the way back machine, I recall owning:

- 1959 Karmann (not Ghia) Beetle convertible
- 1962 beetle
- 1968 beetle
- 1972 beetle

I think I put well in excess of 200,000 miles on VW Beetles.  The 68 and 72 were purchased new, I was in sales, so these little cars had a bunch of miles put on them.

Bob
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 24, 2016, 07:14:22 PM
Undropping the front end is no big deal.  Search "turning torsion bars" to see how it's done.

I've owned these air cooled VWs (that I remember).  Many were acquired because I was a shop mechanic and the bill was too high or folks just brought by because they were done with them.  That's back when you could buy a rolling project for under $100, give them some love and flip them for $500 -- and turn a profit.  I'd have three or four around the garage, driving the best one and fixing/selling the rest.  After mixing and matching for runners, final scrap was traded to others like me or sold.

Real goners with good pans (not listed here) were stripped and sold to the Manx people for dune buggies.  I was once able to hire a flatbed and send out a full semi full of pans -- 20 as I recall -- for a pretty fair return.    I still have one of their shop coats with both Manx and Moto Guzzi included in the original stencils.

57 ghia
70 ghia -- one of my favorite cars

64 notchback - odd little thing
67, 69 fastback TL's - VERY nice appointments by VW standards.  The 69 was also one of my favorites.
67 68 72 squareback

58, 62, 64, 67, 70 beetle
63 beetle convertible -- miserable.  Damp with the heat off and damp and steamy with the heat on.  Main feature was a porous roof.

56 kombi-bus with semaphores and more putty than a season of Star Trek.
58 21-window canvas top
63 full greenhouse kombi-bus with flip up windscreens and fold-in side mirrors.  Hated it because all the seals leaked and even with the gasoline heater it wouldn't warm up.  Also featured porous roof.  Shudda kept that one.  They go for silly money now.
57, 59, 62 64 65x2 67 69 71 standard type 2 busses.  One I bought just to grow pot in.

61 kombi drop-side.  Rated at 1-ton with a bastard 36hp engine/16" wheels.  Did 50 loaded with scrap paper for the recyclers.  Sides could be detached and used as bike ramps.  Perfectly fit two pallets.  Storage everywhere.  My favorite pickup truck, although the '53 F100 stepside is a close second.

here's the old ghia during reconstruction.  I'm the good looking one:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/c8nVtv/David_Doug_and_ghia.jpg) (http://ibb.co/c8nVtv)


Thinly disguised super 90 -- did the ton.  I had to cut the back apron to fit it.


(http://thumb.ibb.co/c8Zofa/Carmen_Ghia1bw.jpg) (http://ibb.co/c8Zofa)

Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 24, 2016, 07:33:22 PM
Welcome back Kev...!

Thanks!!!! Feels great to be back. Heading to the east coast in a few months. That's my next duty station. New River NC. Good riding and driving roads I hope.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Jake on September 24, 2016, 08:01:41 PM
Had a '66 Bug...6 volt...needed to save money 'cause gas was getting up to about .75 a gallon!  Dad had a '71 Van.   Poor man's sporty little car.  Duck tape on the heater channels and I was good for Michigan winters.  Who need defrost? 
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Bulldog9 on September 24, 2016, 10:39:03 PM
Not a bug, but a 912E, basically a 911 with the 914 motor which is basically a modified VW Type 4 motor.  I love air/oil cooled motors!  http://www.912bbs.org/vb/showthread.php?43391-770-Update.

Depending on what you want to do as far as originality, while the Type 1 has a huge abundance of parts and hot rod capabilities, the Type 4 motor is very robust and well worth the effort for driveability.

Welcome back man, glad youre back safe. I'm getting ready for trip 8 over the pond to the land of eternal mutants............ ..........  One of the benefits of a deployment is the post deployment 'self gift'  ;-) 
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: radguzzi on September 25, 2016, 08:10:16 AM

Undropping the front end is no big deal.  Search "turning torsion bars" to see how it's done.


Yeah, they are not the same thing actually.  The torsion bar adjustment can change the attitude of the front but is meant to be an adjustment for the rear.

The dropped front axle is a cool fix plus I added the disc brake option.  Diggin' it.

Rob

Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 25, 2016, 12:29:26 PM
So I joined the samba, had a question for the masses there about my sticky throttle. I get feedback but also all these VW gurus pointing out everything wrong with the engine lol.  Here on wild guzzi you post a pic of your Goose and everyone says sweet bike, ride the puss out of it, on the vw forum I get, is that belt cracked? Put hose clamps on the fuel lines before you blow up! Is that cap cracked on the vacuum port? That's the wrong throttle cable and aircleaner! Come on guys, it's 4 days old give me a break.  I like you old farts.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 25, 2016, 03:03:24 PM
Yeah, they are not the same thing actually.  The torsion bar adjustment can change the attitude of the front but is meant to be an adjustment for the rear.

The dropped front axle is a cool fix plus I added the disc brake option.  Diggin' it.

Rob

You are indeed correct, and I may have misread the pictures.  The torsion tweak on a 70 type 1 is done at the rear axles.  The rear torsion bars are round and look like a drumstick bone with knots on the ends.  They have unlike numbers of splines on their inboard v outboard ends (36/40 or 40/44 something like that), and this allows a lot of adjustment in a few degree increments, within the limits of the undercarriage. 

The front torsion is a stack of 8 or 10 parallel leaf springs that when assembled make a square cross section.  They don't really allow for adjustment, although your steering will adjust itself without notice if the grub screws are loose.  To actually 'lower' or 'raise' the front end most folks went to either an aftermarket adjustable torsion setup or a steering knuckle with a repositioned spindle.  I've seen whacky mods where the entire front suspension was cut and rewelded too, but I wouldn't want to be holding the beer for that guy.

Super-b's are completely different up front with coils over MacPherson struts.

What I saw in the OP's pics looked to me (using my 7" tablet screen and old eyes) like an IRS bug with the rear torsions turned up a small amount and smaller front wheels to give the visual effect of a lowered front end.  It didn't look like an altered front.  If I can get to a bigger screen I'll review it again.  Sorry if I misread the pic.


My kid is on the samba board with his Ford-powered Westie.  He's generally polite.   :rolleyes:

What is the sticky throttle issue?  Depending on what you're experiencing it could be anything from a sawed-through tube to excessive spiders in the tubing to a jammed pedal cluster.  On a '70 it could even be the throttle plate shaft is so worn it's cocked in its bore.  It's a fairly easy troubleshoot, although some of the fixes are less than elegant.  Let us know what you're experiencing and maybe we can pin it down.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 25, 2016, 04:08:55 PM

(http://thumb.ibb.co/kQ9ktv/20160924_161601.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kQ9ktv)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/f9YZmF/20160924_161615.jpg) (http://ibb.co/f9YZmF)

You can see the other side of the butterfly hitting the alternator opposite my finger when the throttle is engage. I think I'll just dremel the bolt head down a bit.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 25, 2016, 06:23:22 PM
I'm not entirely sure, but I think that a '70 bug still had a generator.  IIRC, the changeover came ~late 72/73.  If so, it's the extra lump of the alternator casting that's your binding problem.  You say it's a dual-port.  That's a 3-section manifold.  There may be enough play in the intake stuff to loosen the heat riser and scoot the center section of the manifold to the left a couple mm.

I think the carb is from something earlier, too.  See how it's blocked up to clear the alternator?  I also notice the choke is rolled back -- possibly nonfunctional.

The throttle cable is definitely not correct.  That honker is sawing through your tubes and causing a lot of sticksion.  I'd deal with that asap, and get that vacuum advance port plugged.

This looks like a generic 12v replacement "crate" engine, but with less attention paid to the way the parts fit together.  It has the "common" long life parts -- universal crankcase, alternator mod, '50's bus distributor, '67-ish carb, smaller crank pulley (silly), and the ever-present blue coil.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 26, 2016, 09:04:10 AM
Thanks for the wisdom! Yeah I'll look to see if I can find another throttle cable.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Kentktk on September 26, 2016, 06:19:31 PM



What I saw in the OP's pics looked to me (using my 7" tablet screen and old eyes) like an IRS bug with the rear torsions turned up a small amount and smaller front wheels to give the visual effect of a lowered front end.  It didn't look like an altered front.  If I can get to a bigger screen I'll review it again.  Sorry if I misread the pic.



An Apple iPad with the Retina screen would help those old eyes  :grin:
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: blackcat on September 26, 2016, 06:49:00 PM
Thanks for the wisdom! Yeah I'll look to see if I can find another throttle cable.

Buy two and learn how to change one in the dark. Don't ask.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 26, 2016, 06:52:51 PM
An Apple iPad with the Retina screen would help those old eyes  :grin:

Not seeing you here would help, too.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Lannis on September 27, 2016, 10:20:11 AM
So I joined the samba, had a question for the masses there about my sticky throttle. I get feedback but also all these VW gurus pointing out everything wrong with the engine lol.  Here on wild guzzi you post a pic of your Goose and everyone says sweet bike, ride the puss out of it, on the vw forum I get, is that belt cracked? Put hose clamps on the fuel lines before you blow up! Is that cap cracked on the vacuum port? That's the wrong throttle cable and aircleaner!

I'm afraid you're going to be sadly disappointed if you mention the oil filter on your Tonti-framed Guzzi, or the in-tank fuel pump on the later model ... you'll hear "hose clamps" till the very thought of a hose clamp will make you quiver ...

Not to mention car tires on your bike or the tappets on your 8-Valve  ....

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: boatdetective on September 27, 2016, 11:06:25 AM
Had three in my family. Dangerous little shitboxes, if you ask me. I never got used to the irritating valve clatter and lack of heating.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: hidn45 on September 27, 2016, 11:36:51 AM
Always wanted to jack up a Type III (adjustable front & rear), put mudders on it & have an SUV - before there was such a thing...  Pancake engine was the only Type we never had....  Only one left here is a '69 Baja Bug (wide-eye) project.  Been sitting since I got back into bikes....

Last bike nite I went to here there was a VW trike with a Holley Bug Spray on it - been decades since I saw one of those
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on September 27, 2016, 06:27:58 PM
Well I went thru and added hose clamps and replaced the throttle cable, bought a spacer to raise the carb up some more, and go figure, it's the wrong one. Ugh, so gotta get a new spacer for it.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: rodekyll on September 27, 2016, 11:50:52 PM
Good entrance to the nickle-and-dime world of worthy bugs!  Did you notice the difference between the throttle cable and what you had? 
The Samba guys are just looking out for you with their picky details.  :)   :whip2:

You'll want to pay attention to how tall the intake is getting with all those spacers.  Usually you only see stacks of them in industrial applications where the engine is governed to run a set rpm (and some early busses that were also governed).  Aside from the funny pull angle on the throttle cable it's going to change your carburation (like it's not already just as good as a finely-tuned hole in a bic pen barrel).  Did you try loosening the center section and knocking it sideways a skoosh?  Remember to loosen the boot clamps if any, and also the heat riser bolts at the muffler.  IIRC, there may also be a stud on the top of the engine case supporting the center -- way down underneath along the case seam.  Or not. 

Going out of the box --  Is the carb downpipe cast or pipe on that one?  Can you drop a bar in the downpipe and bend it to the left?  Can you remove the carb and dremel out some of the alternator casting?  They did that with my neck -- worked wonders -- and the problem is similar.   :bike-037: <--- grabs aching post-op neck and dashes in the opposite direction of what might be work

And in my ongoing battle to remind myself why I'm not a mechanic anymore -- I got the "whole enchilada" brake kit in for the superbeetle (stayed with drums):  front and rear drums, shoes, slave and m/c, soft lines, and hardware.  Like they said -- "everything I need to do the brakes under one part#".  Except front wheel bearings or seals, rear cotter pins and e-brake clips.  :shocked: They also forgot to ship the screw kit for the engine tin.  I hate it when that happens.  Did they not think the new front drums might need bearings?  Do they not appreciate how yucky 30-y-o tin screws are?  Nobody wants to reuse those.  Ok -- maybe individually cleaning and reusing 26 freaking stamp mill escapees that are going to look like crap against freshly painted engine tin and rip me bloody installing is just *my* peeve.  :evil: I can accept that.  :violent1:

Anyway, I got the old stuff out and the remainder hosed down.  The legend was that the bug had sat in water, and I could see the high water mark on the backing plates just above the spindles.  I decided I wasn't going to clean and inspect the old bearings, and reassembled to the front drums.  Bearings and seals in on Thurs.  One of the shop employees will better have replaced the m/c by then -- I'm not going down there.  He'll do the tin screws too if I don't get new ones.  Like the Meatster done quoth: "I would do anything for love, but I'm not getting paid enough to do that."

Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on September 28, 2016, 06:49:47 AM
 :evil:
It's done the double ton..
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7169/27190037106_9d67ecbd49_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HqG3Kd)2016-05-24_02-55-34 (https://flic.kr/p/HqG3Kd) by Charles Stottlemyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/107188298@N06/), on Flickr
 :smiley:
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Lannis on September 28, 2016, 07:49:33 AM
Had three in my family. Dangerous little shitboxes, if you ask me. I never got used to the irritating valve clatter and lack of heating.

Although "dangerous" is a relative thing, is it not?   I have not reached far enough back into automotive history to resurrect a Type 1 VW, but have gone back 26 years and drive a 1990 Ford Festiva/Mazda 121 when I drive a car.   Weighs 1800 pounds, no power anything, will cruise at 70 on the flat, 5 speed so it will keep up with traffic with its 1.3L engine.

Simple, light, and (unlike a VW) gets 42 MPG overall, 400 mile range from the 10-gallon tank.   Has a shoulder harness, too!   And I got 270,000 miles out of my last one before I sold it on, running strong.

Judging by the same standard as the "bug", this is a "dangerous little shitbox" too.   No airbags, very little mass, thin steel.   BUT (and this is a big BUT with knobs on) if you judge it by motorcycle safety standards, and motorcycles ARE my standard, it's like driving an armored car compared to my Guzzi.   And a VW Beetle would fall into the same category.

If a Beetle got comparable gas mileage, I'd probably reach back and get a '67 .....

Lannis 
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 28, 2016, 08:49:07 AM


If a Beetle got comparable gas mileage, I'd probably reach back and get a '67 .....

Lannis

My friend John has a 1910 cc, 90 hp engine with dual Webers in his '62 Beetle and can get 39 mpg if he keeps his foot out of it. Average is more like 36 mpg. My '73 Super Beetle "Stickamatic" with bone-stock 1600 averaged 32 mpg on my 100 mile daily commute.

Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Lannis on September 28, 2016, 09:43:30 AM
My friend John has a 1910 cc, 90 hp engine with dual Webers in his '62 Beetle and can get 39 mpg if he keeps his foot out of it. Average is more like 36 mpg. My '73 Super Beetle "Stickamatic" with bone-stock 1600 averaged 32 mpg on my 100 mile daily commute.

I'm pretty easy on a car, I drive like I have an egg between my foot and the gas pedal, let it lose a little speed going up hill, and gain speed going down, so maybe I could get close to my Festiva numbers with a Beetle, I don't know ....

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 28, 2016, 10:26:56 AM
I'm pretty easy on a car, I drive like I have an egg between my foot and the gas pedal, let it lose a little speed going up hill, and gain speed going down, so maybe I could get close to my Festiva numbers with a Beetle, I don't know ....

Lannis

Me too. I always get better fuel mileage out of my vehicles than other owners with the same. 
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Lesman on September 28, 2016, 11:55:06 AM
In High School I had a 1961 with a 1972? motor.  Loved the 6 volt stuff. It was my first or second car. I think I paid $200 for it.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Lannis on September 28, 2016, 12:05:27 PM
Me too. I always get better fuel mileage out of my vehicles than other owners with the same.

I read a series of Tom McCahill articles in Popular Mechanics on "Driving for Gas Mileage" back when I first got my license.   Since I was buying my own gas, I was highly impressed and followed his advice ever since.   

I've also noticed that I get a lot more MPG out of the same car than other people driving it ...

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: jreagan on September 30, 2016, 04:38:20 PM
Just back from a work trip...

If anybody is looking for various parts (heads, gas tank, carbs, radios, assorted knobs, half axles, etc) my Dad has a metal shed full of the stuff.  He used to fix up late 60s/70s Beetles (all 12V, no 6V stuff left in the shed).  He's in Pigeon Forge TN so if anybody is interested, give me a shout and I'll hook you up.
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: Semper-guzzi on October 10, 2016, 07:06:44 PM

(http://thumb.ibb.co/gJhdfa/20161009_093948.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gJhdfa)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/cw7B0a/20161009_093959.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cw7B0a)

Added roof rack and early style bumper. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?
Post by: jumpmaster on October 10, 2016, 10:57:34 PM
I've had: '56, '58, '60, '62 and '73 Beetles, a '70 Ghia and '65 21-window Microbus.

My first car was a used 59 bug convertible w/36 raging horsepower, got it up to 60 mph a couple of times going downhill on the DC beltway, with a following wind.  Later got an early 60s Karmann Ghia - don't remember the exact year - that had been sitting for a couple of years under a tree.  I had to use steel wool to clean the tree sap off the windows 'cuz no liquid cleaner or polishing compound could defeat the sap.  It was made from 2 different cars; the front quarter from one car was grafted onto the rear 3/4 of another.  The builder did an amateur job, just sloppily overlapping the front sheet metal over the rear metal, resulting in a half-inch bump where they overlapped & were welded together.  Amazingly, it rode & tracked fine.  Painted it with spray can paint & it didn't look half-bad.  Had a Scirocco in the mid-80s - a neat car except that the dash developed Grand Canyon sized cracks after 3-4 years from sun damage.