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Old 21st November 2007, 19:16   #61
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Vikram, Karlos, Ajit,
Thanks!

My objective with the restoration is to return the car to period correct stock condition. I also try to actually fix as many of the parts as I can vs. replacing them. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy (perhaps even smarter), but I get greater satisfaction from getting the old part working (or looking better) -- this quirk does suck up a lot of time though, but that's just ok with me. (Though I forgo this on all safety related parts)

The main issues are/were (some have now been fixed)

Electrical -- over the past 30+ years, quiet a bit of the electricals were butchered by sundry electricians who had added various (and it turns out unnecessary) parts including a "cutouter" as a relay seems to be called.
The result of all this was various functions not working and some working strangely -- like the indicator light on the guage that would not light up while the indicators worked, but worked when the emergency flasher was on.

I pulled out most of the electrical wiring printed out several wiring diag that were in color, stripped out the extra wiring (including an ammeter) and the various additional relays that were added. I searched around JC and SP roads for sources for good wiring cables but finally found a store in Indiranagar that carried good quality Finolex wiring. Finolex even has striped wires.

Anyway, over a couple of weeks, I've been able to restore all functionality and match the wiring diagram down to the color codes. The job done by the last electrician was horrible to say the least.

Only part of the electrical not sorted out is an electric fuel pump that was fitted at one point --perhaps when the mech pump was not working. This was fitted without a fuel pump relay -- a bad idea. It's currently disconnected, but I've not removed it yet as it requires pulling out the stiff fuel hoses and I don't have sufficient supply of the german braided 5mm hose yet. While I was at it, I also rebuilt the fresh air fan assembly and stripped and cleaned out the speedo


Speedo stripped.

Transmission: The 2nd gear synchro has gone bad requiring double de-clutching on 3rd to second down shifts. The gear shift was also pretty loose. I suspected a worn shift rod bushing. So, this past weekend, I pulled out the gear shift, transmission coupling and took a look at the shift bushing bracket inside the tunnel -- a bit tricky as the only access to the tunnel is from the small hole under the gearshift, the inspection plate under the rear seat or from an access plate at the front of the car. What I found was a completely missing bushing -- I saw it lying in pieces on the tunnel floor. So on sunday AM I spent a couple of hours removing the shift rod, fitting the bushing and replacing the rod. While I was at it, I checked out hte transmission coupler inserts as well. I had new ones, but the old ones were good and actually fit a bit tighter, so I put them back in. Anyway, the end result was incredible -- the gear now shifts like new and even the 2nd gear synchro problem has been diminished considerably -- have not had to d-d-clutch since then. This has to be the best return on a $3 part (the cost of teh shift bushing) and I encourage you guys to have a look at your bushing. While I had it out, I also sanded and painted the gear shift in the correct paint code (LD43).


Some pics...


Transmission coupler, all cleaned up and refitted. This is the rear access to the tunnel.


The gearshift end of the shift rod (the other end is in the trans coupler. This is the other access hole. The rod has to be removed at the trans end and slid forward in the tunnel. The shift bushing goes on a bracket that is about 4-5" to the right of this hole. The bracket needs to be inserted without dropping it into the tunnel -- long thin finger would be great.


The gearshift cleaned with the surface rust cleaned off being prepped for painting. Thought the references indicate LD43 as the correct paint, I think mine actually came with a Silver as I found no remains of the grey/black. Will follow up on this.


Transimission coupler inserts, top row is the old (right cleaned, left as is; bottom row is new)

That's all for now, got to run...

BTW, I wrote to the Wolfsburg Museum and received the birth certificate for my car. Pretty neat. It lists the date of manufacture, when it rolled out, the original paint and upholstery codes, original options fitted at the factory etc.

Byas
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Old 22nd November 2007, 17:56   #62
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hats off to you byas....good job !!!
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Old 7th December 2007, 18:36   #63
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Beetle Rally in Bangalore on Dec 15th Saturday
Starting from "Voklswagen Bangalore-Elite Motors-Passat Dealership" on hosur road will go around town and park at Taj West End.
About 12-15 cars anticiapated.
Please join the fun (will post the start timings)
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Old 10th December 2007, 19:56   #64
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Naren,
Timing? I hope I can get my car ready in time.

(continuing on my restoration saga)
One thing that bothered me about the rear suspension was that the right side sagged lower than the left. I contemplated doing int myself, but then I thought I could have the local VW mechanic on Hennur road do it. Very nice guy and he has looked after our car since 82. Initially I had believed him to be factory trained, but he is really more self taught.

Anyway... I met with him and told him I'd calculated how many splines each side should be adjusted -- to which he first said it could not be done, but then when I showed him the factory manual, he said he had his own way. So, I let him do it.

What I got back was the car sitting higher and still a bit uneven (though much less). I was annoyed that he had not listen to my approach. So took it back home and proceeded to redo it myself...

Here's the suspension disassembled...


I then dropped the spring plate and measured the angle with an inclinometer and sure enough, it was installed about 5 degrees more than stock.



I also found that the bushings had been incorrectly installed with the left and right ones interchanged. Here's the left side with the right side bushing. "OBEN" on the bushing means "top" and you can see that the thickness is different on either side of the hole.


Springplate now at the correct angle


Then as I proceeded to refit, I realized that the rear contral arm (the diagonal arm) had been fitted incorrectly -- the spacers were not placed properly -- they were different on each side. They should both be on the outside. In this photo they are still incorrect (one on either side), but I've corrected them now.


So if I can get the drums back on, shocks installed, brakes bled and adjusted tomorrow I can make the Saturday run.

Byas
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Old 10th December 2007, 20:44   #65
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Byas you are amazing with all this. I am thrilled to see the attention to detail you give to your work. Way to go!
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Old 10th December 2007, 21:43   #66
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Well done. Byas, please tell me when I can hand over my Beetle to you for restoration.
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Old 11th December 2007, 12:37   #67
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well done Byas.........will keep you posted. The Elite Motors-Volkswagen Bangalore cancelled their opening ceremony and our beetle rally.

However we plan to have our monthly local rally on the 15th and i will keep you posted of the timings and the meeting point. (Tentatively 4:00 pm sharp, Cubbon Park (near KSLTA Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association)
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Old 11th December 2007, 23:58   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 71Convertible View Post
Naren,
Timing? I hope I can get my car ready in time.

(continuing on my restoration saga)
One thing that bothered me about the rear suspension was that the right side sagged lower than the left. I contemplated doing int myself, but then I thought I could have the local VW mechanic on Hennur road do it. Very nice guy and he has looked after our car since 82. Initially I had believed him to be factory trained, but he is really more self taught.

Anyway... I met with him and told him I'd calculated how many splines each side should be adjusted -- to which he first said it could not be done, but then when I showed him the factory manual, he said he had his own way. So, I let him do it.

What I got back was the car sitting higher and still a bit uneven (though much less). I was annoyed that he had not listen to my approach. So took it back home and proceeded to redo it myself...
.
.
.
So if I can get the drums back on, shocks installed, brakes bled and adjusted tomorrow I can make the Saturday run.

Byas
Bug! Welcome aboard AIRHEAD,

Thats one HISTORICAL car you got man.

Interesting, Lemme know whether its completely Original or Restored.

Man, You sure have got what it calls PASSION for your BUG.

Your pics are taking me back the memory lane, time when i used to get such detailed job on my BUG.

My restoration pics are on Bangalore Beete Club picassa album.

Sure would like to hear from you on your future plans. Pls post us complete pic of your Convy VW.

Note from the Support Staff: Please avoid quoting large posts in their entirety.
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Old 12th December 2007, 00:01   #69
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Naren, lets plan and call everyone, will get in touch with you tomorrow afternoon.
Wednesday my grandpa's LUNA is supposed to be ready. (FULL RESTORATION)
I'am all excited to ride it after 12 long yrs.
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Old 12th December 2007, 06:29   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naren4140 View Post
well done Byas.........will keep you posted. The Elite Motors-Volkswagen Bangalore cancelled their opening ceremony and our beetle rally
After my last post, I thought the only way I could be ready for Sat was to do couple more hours that night, so for the next 90 min or so, I put the rest of the stuff back together adjusted brakes/bled yesterday. So, bummed that the rally was canceled, glad that the note pushed me to finish up sooner. Will try to make it on Sat (we may have moved a school reunion to the afternoon thinking the rally would be earlier in the day)

Karlos --> you're welcome to stop by anytime

Pavan, yes the car is original. We've had it since 75. I still have the original records including service records coupons etc (these were the punch card reader type stuff that the state of computing then I guess). It had a respray in original color probably about 10 years ago.

I have interior in black basket weave coming in from TMI next week. Body needs some touch up on rust. Will drop the engine to paint all the tin and fix a couple of leaks -- Might try to do this myself as well, but will need to fabricate an engine dolly.

(will post some pics over the weekend)

Byas
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Old 12th December 2007, 10:55   #71
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Byas and Pavan i spoke to a few members but most people were not free saturday. They suggested that we do it the next sunday not the coming sunday.
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Old 12th December 2007, 23:51   #72
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Byas and Pavan i spoke to a few members but most people were not free saturday. They suggested that we do it the next sunday not the coming sunday.
Naren as per general talks with members i had today, Everyone feels that its been too long we've met. One serious meet if not a rally is required to draw some by laws and have some set of rules and regulations for the club. So long its been a loosely held one, Man lets get a bit serious about it. We are "lambi race ke ghoda"
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Old 14th December 2007, 12:34   #73
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Sorry folks we need to reschedule the beetle rally will keep you posted of the new dates and time.
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Old 17th December 2007, 16:45   #74
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why are we discussing BBC criteria and plans on an open forum? its better we start calling each other, deciding on this and then post plans on public forums...pls friends
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Old 5th January 2008, 23:36   #75
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Bangalore Beetle Club

Hi all AIRHEADS,

Requesting all bug owners to reply.

Time since Bengaluru saw the beauties on Road.

I am still waiting.

Time for Lights Camera and more action BBC'ites
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