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.

[63Ragtop]

Haven't done fuck all on this thing for awhile, haven't needed to!! Apart from what turned out to be a lose fuel pipe it been pretty reliable.

I did balance the carbs again, which made a huge difference as it would stall at the lights.

[63Ragtop]

Finally got around to installing a bit of fancy new technology in the bug.

No not a working fuel gauge.

I was going to mount it inside the glovebox but realized that it would take up a lot of space.

So mounted it through the side.

Fancy usb plugs.

[63Ragtop]

Bath time.

 

[63Ragtop]

I did do one other thing recently.

 

 

I removed the little air filter from the catch can and plumbed them into the air intakes, the can was catching the oil spray outta the crank case but I was still getting leakage outta the pulley and dip stick area, this set up creates a vacuum like the factory setup, much better.

But I was still getting a drip here from this connection no matter how hard I tightened the hose clamp.

So I hatch a plan, I had this pipe end left over from building the catch can, amazingly the same diameter as the vw part.

After some tricky welding and even tricker grinding, all sorted.

Even managed to not burn the paint

So far no more drips!

[63Ragtop]

I spoke to the excellent Barry at Weber specialists ages ago, I asked about jetting, first thing he says is what size chokes are you running? 30mm, 1600 vw with 36mm  Dellortos DRLAs need 28mm chokes. I'm sure you can buy them but I thought it was a good idea to try and make some.

And it doesn't work, then I'll buy some! Haha.

Halfway done.

Done.

Could not be fucked pulling the carb and manifold out so swapped out the venturis in place. Managed to not drop anything inside the motor.

Turns out I had one of the upper vents in backwards, why is it possible to put them in backwards!!?

Happy with the changes, car is much nicer around town to drive, now I can get the jetting better.

Stoked to have made parts for my engine and have improved things!