yoeddynz

Yep- a fine tip there I love that style of cover on the book- reeks of late 60's/70's. I found this old comic years ago. Its not so old but looks it and I love the style...

Wow- great info there Sisu. Cheers all for this. I'll relay it onto her. I was wondering if the tank is rusty... I have yet to look over car properly.

Yeah wings/guards Good idea making them bolt on as easy to remove in future if needed. I think Vivas were the last vauxhalls to have welded on wings

Just keep that pressure down. The nikki carb i had on the RX3, on a series 3 rx7 engine, ran well with a little facet fuel pump. The flow was more than enough and pressure was about 3.5 psi. Much more and the float needle will get forced open and start flooding. I think the return is there so the pump is not working so hard against a closed needle. But some pumps are fine with that. I'm running a carter pump with no return and I can hear it when the chamber is full. I think the pump needs fuel running through it to keep it cool but as soon as the engine is running its cycling fine. Ask on Ausrotary as plenty of knowledge/experience on there. It would be worth popping the top off the carb, turn it upside down and double check the float heights as this affects the running quite a bit. With the car level and the engine is running the fuel height should be half way up the sight glass on the carb.

Cheers for link. I always thought deep cycle batteries dont like high loads- something about the plates being much thinner and buckling under high draw or such. And the opposite being that car starting batteries dont like constantly being run low and charged up again. I know some boat batteries are designed to be fine for both. Yeah its pretty original. It was her Dads and he wore the paint right through over the years polishing it. She had it repainted 30 years ago but its due again especially on the roof. Pretty solid. She took it for wof last year and it failed on some small patches of rust under back seat. I'll have a look. Otherwise its just a dented door and two patches of rust on bottom corners of one wing. She had the engine fully reconditioned but there has been a fuel problem since then.

Who's dishwasher did you use? My dad would kill me if I did that. You could use a brillo pad and some autosol polish to clean camshafts? that would be ok on the lobes if not too scratchy? There's quite a few guys on here who are very clued up on these engines and I'm sure they'll give some advice/tips on your build and where to get the best prices on parts etc But some pics up of the wagon. I like the older coronas.

Wicked little car- needs 13" wheels.... As long as you keep the pressure going into the Nikki below 4 psi you should be ok. Thats all the pressure they need. Anymore and it will flood. But if you need to you could run a return back into boot and add a little pipe into the fuel gauge sender unit- so saving having to muck around with fuel tanks. Make sure the fuel line to engine is at least 8mm. I'd just block the return outlet on carb off and install a decent fuel pressure reg. What fuel pump have you got?

Something quite fun and satisfying about doing wiring. Especially if you go right back to bulkhead and re-do it all. Are your wings bolted on? If so were they always like that?

Ok. Just took some photos. She had the battery out and its quite big. I wont start a thread for it as its not my car but for your interest here are the pics I took. I'm not a big fan of combi vans (overpriced/way too trendy) but have always had a soft spot for Beetles and its been ages since I have been near an old one. Boy its cool. So simple and such a clean design. I love the interior. I'm sure I'll be asking loads of questions over next few weeks or so as its all new to me. I have found this for batteries.. http://www.batterydirect.co.nz/classic.htm $243 seems a bit pricey?

Yeah any info would be good about converting to 12V but I have an idea she wants to keep it stock standard. Yeah I know, I know... I think MGs had two little batteries- one on each side? Maybe for spreading the weight to aid in the handling..... he he..cart springs, king pins, lever arm dampers....

Our neighbour, two Bedford buses down the camp, has got a lovely 1963? VW beetle. She wants us to resurrect it for her. She said the battery is buggered so went to town to get a new one and noticed it was a deep cycle. I am guessing that is all she might find? Or are there still 6 volt starter batteries being made? From what I understand deep cycle batteries don't likethe high current draw of starter motors etc? What type should she get - I'm asking anyone here with VWs in the know. And are 6 volt beetles rare? I'm sure I'll have more questions soon...

Looking bloody good! Nice colour choice as it looks proper period. You can get the chrome insert for windscreen rubbers from the likes of Basis in Renwick or on trademe.

linglongs?

there must be a way of shimming out the outer swing arm mounts to put a bit of positive camber in?

Oooooh I like a nice Rx3. Looks nice in white. Much better then all the pearl flip gunmetal pink modern colours most seem to paint them.

I'm glad you have had second thoughts. This car rocks and such an awesome colour. Get them steels on it and just chill with such an awesome cruiser. If petrol prices worry you then just remember they go well on Lpg!

You'll have to tie a sheep onto the bonnet and drive through town. If you do so and take photos to prove you'll earn mass respect and many beers will be owed.

Cool-how much do you want. He is not in a rush as he is finishing his Holden HR? wagon first. PM me a price if you like and I'll tell him. Cheers Geoff. A bit of weight added to Viva I am not worried about- it has to be cushty and comfy!

Yeah- what cletus said about the tunnel shape. My Viva has a quite a strong taper on the tunnel. Very large at the front shrinking down to tiny between the seats. I think that'll be a problem. Plus my tunnel has been raised about 1". I have sent the man some questions on a carpet set for a victor he currently has listed. I think I stil might be better to make my carpets up out of seperate peices. One over the tunnel going down to just under the floor mats. bits along the side held under sill cover plates. Then easy to remove floor mats. The back will just be strip going width ways over tunnel and extending forwards under the seats. Sound good. Is it possible to bind the edges of thin carpet with a half decent home sewing machine? Or do you need some special machine?

Yeah they are the ones I have heard bad things- like poor fits. Granted I have only heard that from 2 people. They list a viva set. I'll send them a question or two. They also list carpet off a roll similar to what I looked at today for a bit cheaper too.

Cheers-Its getting more fun to drive as I get used to the handling and usual 'old car quirks'. I have priced up some carpet today. About $260inc will cover the cost of 1.8 x 1.8m red automotive carpet and getting them to bind the floor mats after I have cut it all to shape. That includes them putting a heel mat in place too. Does that seem OK ? I have never priced up carpet. I think the carpet was 120 alone plus gst. This is a UK price as a guide.. Double the prices. Obviously cant get them there as frieght would be a killer. http://www.classic-car-carpets.co.uk/pr ... 297&page=1 There is a outfit selling sets on trademe for $310 but I have heard bad things about the fit.

http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/conver ... mption.php My Viva so far will do 10.5/100 but it does weigh half a ton less. I think for what you have its right on the money.

The little things in life.... Bought these from local who had them advertised on Trademe. $12 'buy now' for really tidy sunvisors! and he accepted my offer of $15 for the pair of taillights. Always worth having spares like that. My manky old mouldy visors I just removed... The seller is an older chap who loves old Holdens and Vauxhalls. Has and still owns HB Toranas. Btw- he's looking for a tidy HB Viva/Torana bootlid if anyone knows of one kicking about.

and with them bumpers you can do this....

I wonder what this car would have cost new? Amazing the deals out there. You do something like this.... sounds lovely.