Classic VW Beetle

Wee Willie Winkie    on 16 July 2004

Cheers for that.

Looking at e-bay has turned up this Baja:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2484...1

Hmmm. Could be worth a look!

Garethj    on 16 July 2004

Rust is the number one enemy, look for it all over the heater channels especially at the front and rear ends (lift the back seat up to check at the rear). The floorpans can rust through too, so that's your next port of call. All these parts can be repaired, but it's better to buy a good one in the first place as bodywork can be expensive in labour costs. Heater channels also join to the door hinge posts, so check there too. Lift up the carpets and mats. Later Beetles can suffer from rust around the roof gutters too.

Check for accident damage, ripples around the bumper hangers front and rear and alignment of the boot and bonnet. The doors should shut well and all the chrome should line up perfectly, otherwise it's been off for some reason.

Check the compression on the engine, 100psi and all 4 cylinders within 5 psi of each other is what you want to see. With the engine not running, pull and push on the crank pulley to check for endfloat. About 0.2mm is right, but if it feels bad the engine will need work. The engine bay should be clean as clean cooling air is important. Check for all the cooling tinware in place and all the rubber seals (including the ones around the spark plugs)

Check for smooth changes into all the gears and the brakes should pull the car up straight with no juddering.

All parts are available, but if you want to spend your time driving and not fixing there's a lot of hunting to find a good one.

The best book to read is John Muir's: www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1566913101/qid=1...6

Good luck!

Gareth

Wee Willie Winkie    on 19 July 2004

Well, I've gone and done it. Looked at a few over the weekend, and plumped for a 1974 Baja.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

AR-CoolC    on 19 July 2004

Any pictures?

Wee Willie Winkie    on 19 July 2004

It's the very same Baja that I posted the link to. Checked it out and everything seems a-ok. The description is right - there has been some welding but it's been done well and everything is in order.

Just sorted out my insurance - I'm ready to rock and roll!

3500S    on 20 July 2004

To qualify for exemption from emissions checks I think is 1976 although my recollection is very hazy. Must be the petrol fumes having driven my '69 P6B to work today.

Enjoy the Beetle, I saw a beautiful dark blue '67 in the way in this morning, sounded lovely :)

Wee Willie Winkie    on 22 July 2004

Well, it's now sat in my garage. One wide wheel arched, jacked up suspension Baja Bug. Drove from Nottingham to Southport today with no problems!

Now then, the guy I bought it off advised me to regularly check the oil. He mentioned the particular type required, but I've forgotten what he said!

I know this is strictly technical, but does anyone know the type I need?

Thanks!

DB

Garethj    on 23 July 2004

Beetles used to run a monograde 30W, but lots of people use a cheap multigrade like 10W-40W. It's a bit like asking what kind of beer you prefer!

Do an oil change and VERY IMPORTANTLY do a valve adjustment, then you'll know what kind of oil went in.

For the moment, you could always phone the vendor and ask him?

Gareth

Wee Willie Winkie    on 26 July 2004

Excellent - ta.

Garethj    on 4 August 2004

Growler's advice on dropping a valve is a good point, when you do a valve adjustment (every 3000 miles), make a note of the clearance you get on every valve then you see if one is beginning to stretch.

An oil temperature gauge is a good investment too, 80-105 C is ok, up to 115 C briefly if the weather is warm and you're thrashing it, but don't let it go over that.

Gareth

footy_72    on 4 August 2004

go to www.volkszone.com/VZi and use the forums there for anything you need to know about aircooled veedub ownership.

welcome to the club!!