i haz a volksbuggen!!!

[bubbleman7546]

first car thats going to be a running project. as far as i know, it's a 65 and i'm picking it up next week!! gonna be a fun project!! ;D ;D

 

[coius]

nice... enjoy it. Also, REPLACE THE FUEL LINES!!!.

I just got done fixing a leak on mine under the gas tank by the fuel pump (only on fuel injected beetles), but those lines are fire hazards. Replace them every 3 years also.

First thing to get: Fire Extenguisher!!! GET ONE RIGHT AWAY!!

not to scare you, but Bugs have a habit of catching on fire when any problems with the fuel line causes a leak in the engine compartment.

Also, make sure the belt to the generator is on there. That also goes to the engine fan. If that belt breaks (or you suspect it has), pull over right away! that will blow out your engine faster than you can blink!

Also, be sure to find a VW Shop in your city and any VW Clubs they got. Those guys will be REALLY helpful.

Last thing:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

 

[porter]

You'll have listen to Kraftwerk.

 

[bubbleman7546]

coius- thanks for the info. i actually already got a nice mini chrome fire extinguisher. and my dad's friend is actually a VW specialist, so if i need some help i can just call him up. it already runs, but it needs a lot of electrical, needs a stereo, paint, interior, new tires, and a lot more stuff. i hope to have it done by the time i get my license. i actually used to go on the samba to try to find a beetle. now i finally have one. the only thing i dont know about it, is the year

 

[Patrickool93]

It's really people replacing the fuel filter and not replacing the clamps on it with new ones that apparently cause fires. They were one-time deals. My VW is fun to drive. Only a few more months till I'm legal to drive it though

 

[Bunsen]

You'll have listen to Kraftwerk.

Wagner, you mean?

 

[iMac600]

68kMLA is turning into VW central. :lol:

Fuel Hose is cheap enough, get the proper clamps or reattach the factory clamps and it should be set. Found a whole load of these at work last week, with some gaskets, seals and various other bits in a box labelled "Old F**kers" (literally).

Hey, the older the better.

Sounds like an interesting project, it won't tear your face off but it'll do everything else. After all, there is a reason these cars are so popular.

Very nice.

 

[coius]

It's really people replacing the fuel filter and not replacing the clamps on it with new ones that apparently cause fires. They were one-time deals. My VW is fun to drive. Only a few more months till I'm legal to drive it though

Actually, it's the cloth tubes that break the rubber inside that springs leaks. If it happens in the engine compartment, it will cause a fire when it touches the engine block...

 

[Patrickool93]

Word for word clipping from a VW book I have from a mechanic in response to the question

"Didn't an inordinate number of Beetles catch fire?"

"The original clamps that hold the lines onto the fuel filter were not reusable. The filters were cheap enough-like .50- and you could find them on display at auto parts stores, unboxed the way you find lighters today. Bit that didn't include the new clamps. Hardly anyone had the original clamps except for the VW dealership, and they cost a hefty $6 each. So many drivers would replace their fuel filters conscientiously (very good) but leave off the clamps (not good) Soon after, the hoses loosened and leaked, and gas went everywhere, which resulted in fires (bad)."

The fuel lines in my Beetle are fine, and have not necessitated replacement.

 

[mac-man6]

You'll have listen to Kraftwerk.

Wagner, you mean?

Custom paint job with flames with Rammstein cranked. Feuer Frei! Haben sie ein Deutschen playlist?.

 

[Christopher]

Custom paint job with flames with Rammstein cranked. Feuer Frei! Haben sie ein Deutschen playlist?.

We are living in a Amerikaaa, Amerikaaa, dum dum dummmmm......

 

[Phreakinus]

Also, make sure the belt to the generator is on there. That also goes to the engine fan. If that belt breaks (or you suspect it has), pull over right away! that will blow out your engine faster than you can blink!

Why would it destroy the engine if the belt breaks? You mean because the fan would not be spinning?

 

[stevebez]

Also, make sure the belt to the generator is on there. That also goes to the engine fan. If that belt breaks (or you suspect it has), pull over right away! that will blow out your engine faster than you can blink!

Why would it destroy the engine if the belt breaks? You mean because the fan would not be spinning?

Exactly.

No fan and the engine bakes to death FAST.

 

[iMac600]

Thing to remember is that these engines are air cooled, unlike motors of today and even back around that era where the motor uses an anti-freeze liquid cooled radiator system.

Overheating a motor is pretty serious... can warp the block, the heads, the internals even. In the case of a VW, that belt is fairly crucial to the life of the car.

 

[Christopher]

Could you add a radiator?

 

[iMac600]

Could you add a radiator?

I'm guessing not. Due to the design of the engine already in there it would lack the necessary water channels in the head and block required to hook up a radiator and water pump.

You could possibly flow water over the fins on the outside of the motor, which would work, but the radiator would need to be mounted in a place of maximum airflow to ensure the water itself doesn't get too hot. Most cars have it mounted directly behind the grille as it is a place of maximum airflow, on a Beetle this isn't the case.

Probably best to just ensure the belt is in good shape, inspect it every now and then. That would be the easiest way to tackle the issue.

 

[John8520]

Also, carry spares! That's one thing great about our 69 camper bus, there is a place to spare duplicates of most commonly problematic parts, as well as lots of tools!