1963 VW Beetle:Ragtop Resto.

[63Ragtop]

As you can see, my oil pan has a hole somewhere, apparently the boy doesn't know anything about that!? Hopefully this cable lasts longer than the last one, 2021 I think.

At least I'm getting faster! So close!!

Arhhh, nearly!

Just about.

@#$&+!!-&&#$++_&#!!!!

a few hours later...

Needs adjustment but seems fine.

Now, wonder why the wipers stopped working....

[63Ragtop]

Well, one step forwards, two back.

Got a new/old swiper motor, works nice old one musta been lazy as.

Was giving it welly pulling out of a side street and oopsie.

I have been dreaming about building my own stainless system. Pic of running car.

[63Ragtop]

Pulled the headers off, tried to reweld it but it had cracked right at the inside weld.

Was impossible to get down in the bottom here, so many holes.

Made the call to completely chop it up.

Then I had to repair all the damage I'd done trying to save time.

Decided to give it all a clean it loosen up years of blackness.

Luckily with the removable ass end I could use the engine as a jig.

Now I know this is probably terrible welding, still very much learning how to TIG.

 

[63Ragtop]

Once I was happy that was all sealed up, I checked the muffler fitted and tacked it in place and melted it up, note the self clearancing flange. 

Also took the opportunity to fix a couple other small things.

I had to mangel this flange a few decades ago, for some reason the stud was bent on my old head and instead of fixing that I just cut a massive notch.

Sorted, and 3D printers think they invented "additive manufacturing"

Happy with that I gave it all some more hi temp paint.

And fitted it all back together with some shiny new hardware.

Took it for a drive seems fine, engine actually felt I bit smoother, I think. Will see how it goes.

Pretty happy with the repaired header as I haven't done a lot of pipe/tube welding, TIG welding is bloody cool, so much more control.

Chur.

[63Ragtop]

After a month in the shed it needed a good wash, also gave all the windows a good clean which really tidy it up.

Next thing is the Bluetooth amp has fucked out and I need to sort the long tie rod, I think it's gotten bent hitting the bottom of the gas tank, low life problems.

 

[63Ragtop]

Drove this thing to work today.

Unhooked the el-cheapo blueteeth module, test the amp with a rca plug, fine, reconnected the module and it works fine.  It does get random electrical interference, the old turn off and turn it back on gets rid of it. Took the gas tank out the other night and turned the tie rod half a turn, tracks much straightnesser.

It's running real nice now, once she's all warmed up it just hummms.

[63Ragtop]

Semi pointless update.

I did score these for a reasonable price. 6.5inch 3way JBLs.

Asian dude selling several pairs for dollar reserves on TM, look brand new, he had the boxes etc but was selling the grills separately, which I didn't want anyway. I'll 3D print a trim to cover the screws. Plan to make proper front pods like this.

Also, this Bluetooth unit sucks! Will have to replace it with something better.