yoeddynz Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I think Exide still make them and they are called a 115.. If not then an MG specialists will be able to source you one - MGB's run 2 of them to make 12V.. I can't even fathom a reason why they do TBH.. Is there a possibility to convert her VW to 12V? Would be a better allround solution and if she is planning on keeping it it would pay for itself after a few years of fitting 6V bulbs and batteries. Plus she can run a stereo and normal electrical add ons.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 i had a older beetle that was 6V converted to 12, pretty sure it was just a later model alternator (6V ran generators) and battery obviously, and then just replace other stuff like bulbs and points etc as/when they blew out. Most/some things are likley already replaced with 12V if it has been regularly used at all in the last 30 years. someone with more recent experience will no doubt offer more practical and accurate advice shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 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.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 For your reading pleasure.. http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/htm/6v_12v.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borgweiser Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 MG batteries tend to be higher so they touch the seat springs with hilarious results.. Nek minnit - car in flames six volt is sweet as, have hundreds of bulbs for 6 volt if you ever get stuck. Converting to 12v also makes the wipers alarmingly efficient and the indicators rage like a dubstep looser after a week on the fries Shouldn't have any trouble ordering the correct 6 volt battery and a quick google will most likely give specs.. Only benefit to 12v conversion is lighting and faster starting, but after converting to 12v a number of times on pre 67's lo and behold the lights are still shit.. Extra volts just shooting more light in random directions apart from road. To answer your question- all pre 66-67 beetles are six volt. Tell her to sell it to me please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10Speed Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 6v batteries shouldn't be too hard to find... metric nut in Chch will have them if you can't find anyone closers... as for 12v conversion it's not too hard... replace bulbs, flasher relay, genny + stand, horn (maybe can't remember for sure). Fit resistor to wiper motor (see vw shop again for one with a nice heat sink). leave starter as 6v for double starter speed and awesome cold morning starts. All up will probably cost you around $500... oh and the thread requires pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10Speed Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 think I paid $180 for one about 6 years ago... fyi don't be to shy about using a 12v battery to jump it, nothing bad will happen if you don't run for too long on 12v looks pretty tidy, even the seats aren't torn.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borgweiser Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Yeah not bad, do want. Send it to me please <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Yup, MGB's ran 2 6v batteries, one under each rear seat for quite some time. The purists will claim it helps with weight distribution etc etc but the american market fucked up those cars enough anyway. Still should be plenty around, Paul Walbran will be able to help if you can't find any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheCreator Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 is it a 63? looks kinda tidy http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravans-motorhomes/parts-accessories/batteries-inverters/auction-440274847.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisu Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 The basics - pre '67 Beetles use a 77amp 6V battery. No it isn't rare as there were millions of beetles before 1963 all with 6V Technically the rare one would be a 85amp 12V option code M197. The Good - 1963 has narrow indicator turn signals on the front which are a one year only. -The body colour is a NZ only color, it was a dulux color. So that is sort of rare anywhere else in the world. But take something like inside of the glovebox lid to get it matched. The Bad - Getting back to the 6V thing as this has alot of emotional baggage. Look at it this way, nothing you are changing from 6V-12V changes the car. By that I mean it is all unboltable, so you can stick it in an apple box and she can stick it in the attic. Living with a 6V car is a pain in the arse. You are more likely to get rear ended because the brake lights are so dim they look like side lights and she has no 3rd brake light. These guys have shit that could help that looks period.here One of the other aspects is that your headlights/indicators are not bright so punters pull out infront of you as they can't see you. If you have a normal car following you, fuck knows what xenons would do now? But you get a shadow just infront of you cast by your car It is like driving with your sidelights on. The Ugly - Creature comforts, you break down and you reduce the chance of a Shell/BP having a part you need being 6V. The radio that she has is a 6v 70's aftermarket one not a early 60's one. Also the 2 mount AM/LW 8ft aerial on the drivers side isn't a VW only thing. Check out something like http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/ for an old style look, but with digital fm tuning and ipod compatiblity. So something else in the apple box. Going by the newish fuel pump I would suggest that the fuel tank is rusty. Fit an inline clear fuel filter in place of the old crusty fibre flex pipe. The upper pipe next to the distributor. When she has it painted you can fit the fuel filter underneath the fuel tank out of sight if she wants. But you want to get the car up and running. The main things that will strand her or stop her enjoying a classic are electrical problems and fuel contamination. They do a Bosch 009 dizzy that eliminates the condenser/points/vacuum advance but still looks the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheCreator Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 epic story sisu. im not s big fan of having the fuel filter next to the dizzy because if there is a leak there could be a engine fire and thats one of the last thing someone wants to happen to someone elses car that they have been working on. oh and when you go to change everything over for the 6-12v conversion, buy everything off the net, its way way way way way cheaper then what alot of the vw places sell it for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisu Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Yeah sorry for the brain dump. Yes I know the fuel filter next to the dizi is not the best location, point taken. You can pick up fuel line and small hose clamps from Repco or somewhere similar like this to be on the safe side Just make sure the lengths are correct and not touching anything - like the broken throttle return spring that goes thru the fan shroud, you can replace that when you take the generator out and remove the one strung off the air filter. If you want an owners manual check out : John Muir - How to keep your VW alive $40 from whitcoulls here It is written in a good vibe and explains alot of things in an easy to understand way. Such as "when you start the car give it time to warm up, roll a cigarette and get it drawing well before you head off." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 If you want an owners manual check out : John Muir - How to keep your VW alive $40 from whitcoulls here It is written in a good vibe and explains alot of things in an easy to understand way. Such as "when you start the car give it time to warm up, roll a BIG fat joint and get it drawing well before you cruise off." 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.