NGC anyone own an aircooled bug?

[rodekyll]

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:





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

[Semper-guzzi]

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.

[Jake]

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? 

[Bulldog9]

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'  ;-) 

[radguzzi]

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

[Semper-guzzi]

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.

[rodekyll]

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.   

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.

[Semper-guzzi]

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.

[rodekyll]

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.

[Semper-guzzi]

Thanks for the wisdom! Yeah I'll look to see if I can find another throttle cable.

[Kentktk]

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 

[blackcat]

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.

[rodekyll]

An Apple iPad with the Retina screen would help those old eyes 

Not seeing you here would help, too.

[Lannis]

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

[boatdetective]

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.

[hidn45]

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

[Semper-guzzi]

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.

[rodekyll]

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.  :)   

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.    <--- 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.  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.  I can accept that. 

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."

[Chuck in Indiana]

 
It's done the double ton..
2016-05-24_02-55-34 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
 

[Lannis]

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 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

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.

[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.

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

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

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. 

[Lesman]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[jreagan]

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.

[Semper-guzzi]

Added roof rack and early style bumper. What do you guys think?

[jumpmaster]

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.