First project
Posted by kkdds3@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 27 comments
My dad and I just picked this up the other day, and were looking for some advice. For background I have no experience working on cars, but my dad owned a baja bug a while back so he is at least somewhat familiar with the common maintenance items. He’s a bit too old to do the work himself now though, so I’ll need to be the one working on this. Any advice or help at all on anything below would be appreciated, and I can give more info if needed.
It’s a 1960 convertible with 224k miles on the odometer and is currently registered non-op.
The vehicle runs well and hasn’t had any leaks after moving it to my garage last week. The front seats both need some new seatbelts and have their rails cleaned (the driver’s doesn’t slide currently). The backrest for the back bench is currently not bolted into the body of the car and is missing seatbelts. Other than that it’s in decent enough shape to drive.
Any advice would be helpful, from what lubricants or whatever you use to what tools I’m going to need even. I have a few books on the way for car repair to start learning myself as well.
Side question: What is the deal with the transmission? It looks like there is a toggle/splitter for the gearbox but I can’t find anything on it when I search online.
Thanks again
Klo187@reddit
She looks like she needs some aggressive mud tires and an Ej swap.
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
An engine swap is definitely beyond me atm but tires I could do lol
Kharon8@reddit
It's a Beetle: It needs oil in the engine and brake fluid in the brakes.
Basically any modern oil is good enough, SAE 30 is stock but many people use 10W30 or 10W40, 'old engine oil' if available.
Brake fluid is more or less normal DOT4.
John Muir's 'idiot book' (1) tells everything you need to know, in a beginner -friendly format and it's a good buy if you don't already have it.
Beetle is a simple car and it shows in the tool set too: Metric socket and wrench set and couple of screwdrivers, flat- and phillips #2- heads, will take you a long way.
A multimeter and feeler gauge for adjusting valves and breaker points and 11mm brake pipe wrench for replacing brake hoses.
If a whole set is too much, then 10mm, 13mm and 17mm sockets and wrenches and you can do >90% of the stuff you need to do, not really many tools needed.
Add a 17mm allen key for the gear box plugs. No-one changes gearbox oil so it's probably vintage stuff by now.
You have a 'type 3' engine, which is a bit different than ordinarily used in buggies, but the only major difference is the cooling fan position at the end of the engine instead on top.
Checking brake and fuel hoses is a good idea, those tend to age.
1) For example, from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-Step/dp/1566913101
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Sorry for the bad angles, here's a few of the gearbox
https://imgur.com/a/NRko4PR
Kharon8@reddit
Thanks!
To me it looks very stock gearbox, but of course the internals may be whatever.
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Thanks for looking anyway! I guess the diagram on the dash will remain a mystery for now lol
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
🙏 thank you so much. I ordered that book and the rest of this is great for someone starting at 0
NatesYourMate@reddit
Bump, sick project dude! Never seen anything like that trigger up/down turns the transmission to forward reverse?? Would love an old head to lay down some knowledge on that.
If it runs well and you've already identified the basics that need done, I'd just start there man. Getting those things out of the way will get you familiar with the car and any other issues will probably crop up while you're in there. I know it's what anyone would tell you, but I'd say do all of the fluids. You can't know the last time they've been done (unless you've got the maintenance book, in which case SCORE!), and again it gives you a good chance to get familiar with everything. I'd go oil, brakes and trans first personally, then check the belts, but I'm no pro nor a bug guy.
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Hoping to figure out what it is too lol. And yeah no maintenance book, although I do know the oil is fresh. Everything else likely needs a change for sure
Kharon8@reddit
If brake fluid is clear like water, it probably is fresh too. The darker it is, the worse it is.
The worst I've had in a non-project car, was looking like coffee ... not good at all: PO hadn't done anything for a number of years.
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Luckily the previous owner was a Ford mechanic for 30+ years so he generally took care of his stuff. He only had this for a few years before selling it to us.
Kharon8@reddit
Checking/replacing engine oil and brake fluid is always a good idea in any car, also in a Beetle.
Muted_Reflection_449@reddit
AWESOME ❗😎
Please don't mod it, this is rare survivor stuff, obviously ❗👍🏼
D4wnR1d3rL1f3@reddit
Already heavily modded tho innit?
Muted_Reflection_449@reddit
🤔🤣❗
Seems like period mods that might be hard to find. Anybody can put on modern stuff, but to keep it original is different, imo...
TucsonTank@reddit
Super fun! Those things are getting expensive.
404-skill_not_found@reddit
Clean ride! Have fun with it!
BranchPitiful2884@reddit
is it 4x4 ?
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Tbh I’m not sure. I assumed it was RWD like other bugs and am not knowledgeable enough to be able to tell at a glance.
The person we picked it up from didn’t know either.
leesfer@reddit
Just use your eyeballs and look
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
So I just tried to check, and there is an undertray running the whole length of the undercarriage that makes it difficult to see anything.
Looking from the rear it looks like there is a shaft connected to the gearbox that extends to the front. The undertray blocks view of the front though, so I can’t see a front differential to confirm it. I can post videos/screenshots if needed
leesfer@reddit
If it was 4x4 there would be axles going to the front wheels that you would easily see.
The chance of this being 4x4 is slim to non though. It has the stock front suspension beam.
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Ah okay, makes sense. I assumed there would be more visible under the car so thought it was something else.
https://imgur.com/a/TeyDlQb
There's (crappy) pictures of the front suspension, and it looks like you are correct.
leesfer@reddit
Yeah this is RWD
DirtCheap1972@reddit
I have a buddy with a beauty red one. He put a 2.0 turbo VW engine in it. It’s a blast in the dirt and sand
kkdds3@reddit (OP)
Would love to do something like that way down the line! The guy we got it from said he replaced the engine (a 1776), drove for a couple weeks, then parked it for a few years so it should have some time though
Twin_Flyer@reddit
That will be a blast to drive on a nice day!!