Too Much Coffee

How's the VW going?!

Well, she's under anaesthetic at the moment! Took the engine out to get to rebuild the engine bay area after it had been cut away to suit a type 4 motor. I've chopped out the battery tray and o/s lower 1/4 to repair rust damage.
The gearbox looks ok apart from a leak on the input shaft, it's 1303s box as part of the irs conversion.
I've got to try and sort out the serious amount of -ve camber on the rear wheels though. I'm not sure what's causing it? When I've done welding, I'll try adjusting the spring plates a couple of notches and sit her back down to see the effect. I'll post some pics when I get chance... There's no adjustment anywhere else that I can see, if this doesn't cure it maybe the arm brackets aren't welded in the right place??

Oh and then there's engine back in, rear lights, wiring throughout, new brakes/pads & cables, engine lid to repair, tailgate to repair/refit, pop out hinges and seals, cargo door handle, safari seals, handbrake lever to sort, cab floor repair, MOT. Have lunch and then paint the interior, retrim the seats etc, headlining.... and a whole bunch of other stuff that I don't even know about yet...

A gearbox leak on the input shaft? In the bellhouse? The rubber seal is notorious for going bad if I remember correctly - I was lucky not to have to do it. While you are in there you may want to do the release bearing because it's such a cheap job but what a pain when it goes!


The seal for the 'box is here I think:

http://www.vwheritage.com/vwh/VW-Beetle ... lateID=vwh

item 13 on that page I think?

The -ve camber? The bus is too high up and the bottoms of the wheels are pointing inwards? It could be that it's set too high on the adjustment but I'm almost certain that the IRS keeps the camber right no matter what the ride height is set at within reason. I used to get freaked out at my camber if I had the car jacked up then put it back on the ground. What 'cured' it was rolling the car back and forward a meter or so a few times (or driving it), to let the wheels edge out. This may not be your problem but it certainly was mine

Sounds like you have a busy day ahead of you, do you think you will get the seats re-trimmed before tea time?!

ooops, should that be +ve camber? The bus was sitting virtually on the deck with about 2" clearance between the exhaust and the floor and the tops of the wheels were approx 2" further in at the top than the bottom. The rear tyres look virtually new on the outer edge but completely bald on the inner! Not good...
I'm gonna pull the 'box out anyway while it's easy and just give it a quick once over with new seals etc... I'll sort the clutch too, but not before tea time got the interior to complete! I wish!!

Oh and were having a manic week at the coffee bar, busiest since we started 7yrs ago and I'm at home playing with a VDub!! Happy days...

chissit wrote:Oh and were having a manic week at the coffee bar, busiest since we started 7yrs ago and I'm at home playing with a VDub!! Happy days...

Yeah, it's important to keep ones priorities straight!

Yeah too right! I don't know if that's +ve or -ve, probably should before I start assuming I know what you are talking about! Sounds like you may need to adjust that slightly on the torsion splines

Sounds like it's going strong

Yeah, it's important to keep ones priorities straight!

I feel sooo guilty, I should really go straight back to the bar and see if everything's ok... I will, soon..

Negative camber FTW!

Seriously though, it's a necessary by-product of slamming a torsion-bar equipped vw. Tyre wear is of course an issue but you're not going to be doing many miles surely? Anyhow, you seem to have plenty of time after lunch so why not fit an airbag kit!!

I was thinking yesterday about cal look beetles... ahhhhh...

A bit off-topic but hey.. it is a v-dub so ... thought I'd post a couple of pics of my now (almost) finished beetle....

Nice Joris! I'm always a fan of matte black beetles! 1303... mmmm! Is it a stock engine/gearbox?

Yep a stock 1300 engine with the stock gearbox. Still need to get tires for the chrome rims I've got and revise the starterengine. Would love to slam the beetle down to the ground but with all the speedbumps here in the Hague it would be hell to drive

Where are the scythed wheels and spikey bits?

Ahh, now chrome rims would look sweet!

Gouezeri wrote:Where are the scythed wheels and spikey bits?

You'll know when you sit down in the car