Message Board

Rag top for a late model

olspeed — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:36:26 GMT

I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about putting a early style sliding rag top in to a late model bug. back in the late 80's I remember an ad in hot vw's for a kit to do such a thing.(speaking of Man I miss my thing!) Does anyone know if these people are still in business, and has anyone tried to install something like this. I am in the process of building up my 76 Bug (not a super) back to what I had in 95 when I parked it. I've installed new heat channels floor pans and I am repairing the rest of the rust. I had the local metal shop make my new 10 gauge side rails for my 3" lift kit, and it should be getting sprayed and striped shortly. But I was kind of thinking of some kind of sun roof but I have hear all kinds of horror stories an the clear plastic ones that you cut the roof and install, every one says they leak. If I could find a roll back roof from a wrecked late model bug in my area I would go that way but I think the sliding cloth top would look cooler.

Forum: Beetle

Spare tire in the trunk...

bschwarz77 — Thur, 08 May 2008 01:07:31 GMT

Hey guys & gals (are there any gals on here?)
This is just an annoying little thing with my beetle: My spare wont fit down in the front of the nose like it should. Is this because the tire size people always give me is bigger than the original size that was put on these wheels when she was new? (1969) I have it laying flat in the trunk on top of the gas tank. I thought this was one of the differences between the standard beetle and the super? Were the standard beetles sold with a smaller tire for the spare...something like a donut for new cars? The only time I've ever gotten a tire to fit down in the nose like it's supposed to, I had to pull out the jack (the old one) Then, when I closed the trunk I about didn't get it open again! I had to get someone to help me yoink the tire out because it was wedged in there.

Any idea what the deal is here?

Forum: Beetle

Can't get those heater boxes off!!

bschwarz77 — Thur, 08 May 2008 00:50:33 GMT

I'm trying to replace my nasty old heater boxes with J-pipes, but I cant get in there to the last nut to get those off. Do I have to pull the engine off the transmission to get to those? I've even tried using a socket wrench with an angle piece but can't get enough muscle on it to turn the nut. Is it even possible without pulling the engine?

Forum: Beetle

New member and project

SandTrap — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:31:20 GMT

Hey, I've been working on a sandrail project. Looks like a good place to learn from guys that are in the know.

Forum: Sand Rail

Hot Spark Ignition Products

AlphaWolf — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:52:37 GMT

I purchased one of their distributors with their electronic ignition in an effort to make my 1970 beetle more reliable than the 009 with points.

First their distributors are pinned 180 degrees out from my original 009 and stock VW distributors so you have to set the engine to TDC on 1 and then switch plug wires and re-time the engine to get it to work.

Okay, started right up once setup. Engine sounded better. Took it for a short ride and everything was great. Pulled onto the freeway and 20 miles away from home it started missing. The missing started getting worse and worse and worse. Finally stranding me on the freeway.

Waited 40 minutes and it started and it ran for 5 minutes fine before it started to missing again and after 5 more pull overs and waiting for the ignition system to cool down I got home.

Called Hot Spark. They blamed my Voltage Regulator and my coil. They said if I purchased their high OHM coil and a new voltage regulator they would send me a replacement no charge. I did and they did. Same result but now I am $140 lighter.

I put new points and condenser into their distributor and it ran fine. Then 200 miles later ignition cuts out again stranding my son. You guessed it their Trick coil with 200 miles on it died. New coil and back running again.

They either cannot take the heat of an air cooled motor or they cannot take our antiquated electrical system. Either way avoid their products like the plague.

Forum: Beetle

I need some advice please

mclamorewp — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:43:40 GMT

I found a standard beetle (not super) and the guy wants 1100.00 for it. I'll give you a little description of it. Paint and body in good shape for the most part except for a few rust spots..which i'll get to in a sec. Interior is in pretty good shape. Seats and carpet are good as well as dash. Only problem there is parking brake lever is missing. The man said the car ran supposedly but has been sitting for 9 months. Got some rigged ignition set up. The worst of it though is the rust..got a couple bad spots on the body itself...worst being one about marble sized that goes about 3/4 of an inch into the body. So knowing all this..would you guys give him 1100.00 for it? Thanks in advance

Forum: Beetle

Tools

baarson — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:25:15 GMT

Planing on taking my 1977 bug on its 1st long trip since 1985. What tools and replacement parts should I take? Keep in mind the limited space in have.

Thanks!

Forum: Open Forum

Bumpers/ Gas heater.

bradley — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:24:43 GMT

I was wondering about removing bumpers and if this is street legal or not and if the legality might differ from province to province. I know you can buy those little metal pieces to put on instead but was just wondering about the legal side. I'm in Alberta but moving to BC in the Summer.
I also have a gas heater that I apparently just need a glow plug to make work but the thing freaks me out and I would rather remove it. I've had my runnins with gas and fire and I would like to know if there is anything I should know about removing the thing, it seems like I'm just hauling around extra weight.
Thanks!

Forum: Beetle

Fruitless Bus Search

mclamorewp — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:17:04 GMT

This may be a silly question..but why are busses in decent shape so hard to find? All I ever see is either the fully restored ones where people want your 1st born child for it..or they are rusted out hulks.

Forum: Bus

Heater box tins w/ the new J-pipes...

bschwarz77 — Sun, 04 May 2008 07:29:56 GMT

I am pulling the heater boxes and putting in some new plain jane j-pipes instead. I haven't gotten too far along yet, but as I was taking off the tins down there, I was noticing how they attach at two points to the heater boxes...which won't be there anymore. Will this pose a problem or is there a part I might be missing that I didn't know about? I'm also wondering if the hose from the fan housing that essentially ended up attached to the heater boxes can be capped off at the fan housing or what's the best thing to do with that? I've read up a little on this but haven't found anything that specifically addresses either of these.

Thanks!

Forum: Beetle

Newbie questions

mclamorewp — Sun, 04 May 2008 05:09:59 GMT

I'm new to this forum and the air cooled vw's. Used to have a fox but thats another story. I'm looking to buy a beetle and was wondering what to look for. I'm hoping to not spend more than 4k USD if I can help it. Also is it feasable to use a beetle as a daily driver. My pickup just sucks too much fuel. Appreciate any help I recieve

Forum: Beetle

78 fuel-injected Super Vert won't pass smog

ILOVEMYLEO — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:39:40 GMT

EVERY time I try to pass smog, the "vw specialists" who tweek my bug so it'll pass render my bug useless. Last time it cost me $300 to get it to pass, and then another $300 to undo the damage that was done to make it pass. It's never run poorly otherwise. I get around 34 mpg, only run 91 octane, it doesn't smoke, it doesn't make people cough when I'm sitting at a light. It was flawless until getting it smogged. Now I'm stuck going through this crap again, while trying to get it to pass smog again. I need to find a VW mechanic with smog equipment who can actually keep my bug running smoothly AND pass smog. Any suggestions? (and PLEASE don't say ShadeTree in SC. After they worked on it two years ago, I couldn't even get it to run long enough to park it on the other side of the street for street sweeping.)

Forum: Beetle

High performance exhaust better or worse gas mileage?

bschwarz77 — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:11:22 GMT

I just bought some J-tubes to put in place of my filthy heater boxes for the spring/summer/fall. This may be one to debate but will that provide better performance? Better gas mileage? The big question here is if I buy one of those fancy squirrelly-looking high-performance exhaust systems, I understand I'll increase a little horsepower/performance... but what exhaust option is really the best for Gas Mileage? I'm looking to really peak the gas mileage above all else. Horsepower would be nice but not if it's gonna turn it into a gas-guzzler. Any other ideas on improving gas mileage on the beetle?

Forum: Beetle

Drum to disk (front) brake conversion?

bschwarz77 — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:59:51 GMT

Here in the next few months when I have some money saved up, I'm going to be replacing the front axle on my '69 beetle. I'm looking at buying the entire spindle-to-spindle deal. I'll get the stock height, not the one that lowers. I'm curious how difficult it is to do the conversion from drum to disk brakes while I'm at it? If I do the conversion, do I need to get a special brake master cylinder... like something that provides more pressure? It may not be worth it, aside from some rust, the front brakes seem ok and could maybe be rebuilt?

I'm also going to go ahead and get a new steering box at that time. I rebuilt the one I have now about 5 years ago along with new tie rod ends. Any other ideas on stuff I should throw on the wish list for this project? Is it time for new tie rod ends also?

Thanks!

Forum: Beetle

new guy!

bradley — Thur, 01 May 2008 21:43:29 GMT

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum. I just bought a bug two weeks ago! It's a standard, I had a 74' super about six years ago and, the usual story, had to sell it to move, missed it and now I have a bug again! I have enjoyed and learned tonnes from looking at this site, thanks. I do have one Question; my insurance papers say my car is a 74' and the tag on the door says 08/73' the only part I had to buy turned out to be a 73'. Can anyone tell me what year it actually is, might be easier for getting parts down the road. The bug is in great shape, everything works and runs great. Thanks everyone, happy to be cruising in a bug again.

Forum: Beetle