Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Story So Far
Bug is running. Bug is expensive. That is where we are. The engine compartment seal has been replaced. Engine and missing installation hardware has been replaced. Engine installed. Accelerator cable was replaced. Battery in place and cleaned. Engine wiring repaired and engine started. Generator and generator light are working. Car is in rough condition, more needs to be done. But I have a current total and am working on getting it paid. Most of the work is due to basic neglect of the car and engine due to the nine months it sat outside without care. But what I have now is a car being rehabbed, a list of what was done and what it took to do it over a period of four days. Thanks to the spiraling cost it might be a bit before I get Zazu back but I'm happy with the outcome. I may get some pictures of the car and the work.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Let There Be Life!!!
Zazu has run!!! That is the big news for today. Now it's battling poor wiring to try and get the electrical side of things working. So I'd say things are improving. Which is good. If I get another updated, I'll throw it up on this post.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Project Car
So my VW mechanic wakes me up. No literally, the phone ringing wakes me up with a very distinctive ring. "Your car has no battery and no fuel" is the gist of our conversation. Now the car had a battery when I parked it and according to the gauge half a tank of fuel. I'm baffled by this but figure we'll get it taken care of. And as I'm doing this I'm stumbling about my room pulling on my pants. So I called the person who had the car previously where my battery was and he just ended up getting a new one. This is the second new battery I've gotten. First one was caused by an errant drill while installing a patch underneath the battery compartment.
The original plan was drop the engine in and see where we are. Because the engine was not whole when I received it it has gotten a bit more complicated. It's now a "project car".So far it's been one thing after another. First the aforementioned missing generator pulley and air cleaner. Then the fact the generator had been installed wrong causing issues with the fan and housing. Something happened to the accelerator cable necessitating a new one. The heads were loose and the oil pan gaskets needing replaced.The engine bay seal has to be put back, new ends on most of the wiring in the engine bay. And we don't even know if it runs yet.
The only good thing to come out is that it's being done at a rapid fire pace. My car is indoors for the first time in quite a while and he's in good hands. The plan is to get it running, figure why it stopped running, then do a head to taillight check of appliances and systems. And it's not going to come cheap.
But once we're at the end game this car can run for years if I keep taking care of it. That's what the Beetle does right? Check the oil and the valves ever 1500 miles, feed it good fuel, don't hotrod and it'll be a good reliable machine.
I asked about the New Beetle and was informed with maitence costs you'll re-buy the vehicle in seven years. YIKES!! That's what VW got when the took away everything that made the Type 1 popular in the first place!
Does a New Beetle even compare? Well it is safer then a Type 1 by a huge margin. But that's about the only thing it's got going for it! All of the modern conveniences really are not convenient, just another thing to break down. Let's do a list, shall we? AC? Vent windows and a fan. Cruise Control? Left foot. ABS? Brain and left foot. Automatic Windows? Window crank and right hand. Automatic locks? Key and right hand. The Kafir is easier to work on, can be worked on by an amateur, parts are found readily, handles in all conditions, doesn't freeze, heater always works, and is a classic. You don't get that in a rebadged Golf.
The original plan was drop the engine in and see where we are. Because the engine was not whole when I received it it has gotten a bit more complicated. It's now a "project car".So far it's been one thing after another. First the aforementioned missing generator pulley and air cleaner. Then the fact the generator had been installed wrong causing issues with the fan and housing. Something happened to the accelerator cable necessitating a new one. The heads were loose and the oil pan gaskets needing replaced.The engine bay seal has to be put back, new ends on most of the wiring in the engine bay. And we don't even know if it runs yet.
The only good thing to come out is that it's being done at a rapid fire pace. My car is indoors for the first time in quite a while and he's in good hands. The plan is to get it running, figure why it stopped running, then do a head to taillight check of appliances and systems. And it's not going to come cheap.
But once we're at the end game this car can run for years if I keep taking care of it. That's what the Beetle does right? Check the oil and the valves ever 1500 miles, feed it good fuel, don't hotrod and it'll be a good reliable machine.
I asked about the New Beetle and was informed with maitence costs you'll re-buy the vehicle in seven years. YIKES!! That's what VW got when the took away everything that made the Type 1 popular in the first place!
Does a New Beetle even compare? Well it is safer then a Type 1 by a huge margin. But that's about the only thing it's got going for it! All of the modern conveniences really are not convenient, just another thing to break down. Let's do a list, shall we? AC? Vent windows and a fan. Cruise Control? Left foot. ABS? Brain and left foot. Automatic Windows? Window crank and right hand. Automatic locks? Key and right hand. The Kafir is easier to work on, can be worked on by an amateur, parts are found readily, handles in all conditions, doesn't freeze, heater always works, and is a classic. You don't get that in a rebadged Golf.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Oh It Got Interesting!
It's been awhile! Let me bring you up to speed. About nine months ago Zazu faltered and died bringing me home. This happened for no discernible reason in a building snow storm in April. Managed to find a parking spot but unable to arrange a tow. So he stayed overnight. When I came back he had been hit by vandals, smashing the headlights and tail lights. Easy to replace, right? We'll get back to those. But I was able to arrange a tow to my mechanic who had informed VW's were a hobby of his and it would be no problem.
Let me back up a second. You see my 1970's original 1600 single port mill has been replaced by a 1973 dual port mill out of a Super Beetle. This was also installed by a three handed fiend with apparent good results. Until it stopped working.
So car's at the shop. For four months I call with little result. No worry She Who Appreciates Being Obeyed has a truck, I have my other car. I learn my mechanics shop is closing and the Beetle still isn't done. That's OK I figure, he said he'd get it done. In the meantime after trying about three different tail light styles, all for the year 1970 mind you I find a pair that fit. But I need gaskets. If it's not one thing it's another.
By now my first shop is closed, my car is parked behind the shop, on the street. I'm afraid of it being towed so I shell out to have it moved across town to where my mechanic works. But it's no longer "his" shop so he'll work it when he can. The generator is being worked on, regulators etc. I have no reason to doubt this. It's all good. But it's November now. Which turns into December.
Needless to say it all comes to a head when SWABO returns to school and my Nissan's lights and window stop working. Mechanic says he'll get them working but no definite option on the bug. So I move Zazu to my VW Mechanic where he is possibly getting more TLC then my bank account will stand. So far I'm into the car two hours of shop time, two tows, and a new generator. But it will be done right and quickly.
I've learned the the lesson. When it comes to vintage cars, pay for a specialist to get the job done. Many people work on cars but not everyone can work on VW's to the level an experienced VW Mechanic can. I wish I had learned this nine months ago. My mechanic DID knock out the Nissan in good time and true to his word which I greatly appreciate but I should be driving my beetle. But that is then this is now and I will soon be rejoining the OCC a poorer and wiser man who looks forward to updating you on my adventures!
Let me back up a second. You see my 1970's original 1600 single port mill has been replaced by a 1973 dual port mill out of a Super Beetle. This was also installed by a three handed fiend with apparent good results. Until it stopped working.
So car's at the shop. For four months I call with little result. No worry She Who Appreciates Being Obeyed has a truck, I have my other car. I learn my mechanics shop is closing and the Beetle still isn't done. That's OK I figure, he said he'd get it done. In the meantime after trying about three different tail light styles, all for the year 1970 mind you I find a pair that fit. But I need gaskets. If it's not one thing it's another.
By now my first shop is closed, my car is parked behind the shop, on the street. I'm afraid of it being towed so I shell out to have it moved across town to where my mechanic works. But it's no longer "his" shop so he'll work it when he can. The generator is being worked on, regulators etc. I have no reason to doubt this. It's all good. But it's November now. Which turns into December.
Needless to say it all comes to a head when SWABO returns to school and my Nissan's lights and window stop working. Mechanic says he'll get them working but no definite option on the bug. So I move Zazu to my VW Mechanic where he is possibly getting more TLC then my bank account will stand. So far I'm into the car two hours of shop time, two tows, and a new generator. But it will be done right and quickly.
I've learned the the lesson. When it comes to vintage cars, pay for a specialist to get the job done. Many people work on cars but not everyone can work on VW's to the level an experienced VW Mechanic can. I wish I had learned this nine months ago. My mechanic DID knock out the Nissan in good time and true to his word which I greatly appreciate but I should be driving my beetle. But that is then this is now and I will soon be rejoining the OCC a poorer and wiser man who looks forward to updating you on my adventures!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
MPG
Just computed my mileage in mixed driving at 24.25MPG. I'm of my target of "An honest 25MPG" by 3/4ths of a gallon. I think with a tweak or two I can make that happen and it may change over a larger sample. But 99 miles on four gallons I can live with.
I've seen more Type 1's driving around. Three today alone! Must be the weather bringing them out.
Zazu got a radio today, with a better install for it on Monday. It's nice being able to listen to my tunes while I'm driving. Life is good.
I've seen more Type 1's driving around. Three today alone! Must be the weather bringing them out.
Zazu got a radio today, with a better install for it on Monday. It's nice being able to listen to my tunes while I'm driving. Life is good.
Friday, October 30, 2009
More work done
Last night I turned the first donut of the season. It felt great. Not something I do all the time but I like knowing I can do it.
It has been a day of fine tuning, fixing and cleaning and sometimes it's the simple and cheap things that work the best. My car has been hesitating off the line, sometimes to a dead stall. This is no good for city driving. Jon, my VW mechanic had addressed it as a bad vacuum line and suggested I change it out. It seems the fiend that owned my engine had also worked on it with his own three hands as well. My vacuum controlled advance has a different nipple size then the one on the carb. So the stock line did not fit the advance. So, in my constant quest to make my car a true daily driver I decided that this was the day to fix it. Thanks to the nice folks at my local O'Reilly Auto Parts Store getting the new piece of hose was free. And no more hesitation.
The carpet in the drivers well has come unglued and the duct tape that was holding it there came off. So it was time for something a bit more permanent. At first I thought of using a sheet metal screw but ended up with a two part adhesive. With some electrical tape to hold it until it bonds. No more carpet flapping around the pedals is a good thing.
On the rear bumper was a sticker proclaiming "Green is good. Seedless." Well after I was told what it meant the sticker had to go. Not that I mind those that flaunt their ganja habit, and it certainly wasn't offensive to me per se, but it's not something I want to advertise. Here in the Garden City what your bumper sticker says relates directly to who you are and how you think. We Missoulians are not afraid to put it on our bumper for the whole world to read. And that one really doesn't fit me. At all. So I scraped it off with a razor blade and replaced with an Alder Gulch Shortline sticker. That's much better.
I've also started a mileage log for Zazu to find out how much gas he actually drinks per mile. Or vice versa. I hope I can still get "An Honest 25 MPG" out of this car 40 years after his making.
At this point all that remains is to vacuum the car and he'll be ready for the weekend. Next week we get the genny turned around so it's being cooled properly, hook up the CB and hopefully a radio.
It has been a day of fine tuning, fixing and cleaning and sometimes it's the simple and cheap things that work the best. My car has been hesitating off the line, sometimes to a dead stall. This is no good for city driving. Jon, my VW mechanic had addressed it as a bad vacuum line and suggested I change it out. It seems the fiend that owned my engine had also worked on it with his own three hands as well. My vacuum controlled advance has a different nipple size then the one on the carb. So the stock line did not fit the advance. So, in my constant quest to make my car a true daily driver I decided that this was the day to fix it. Thanks to the nice folks at my local O'Reilly Auto Parts Store getting the new piece of hose was free. And no more hesitation.
The carpet in the drivers well has come unglued and the duct tape that was holding it there came off. So it was time for something a bit more permanent. At first I thought of using a sheet metal screw but ended up with a two part adhesive. With some electrical tape to hold it until it bonds. No more carpet flapping around the pedals is a good thing.
On the rear bumper was a sticker proclaiming "Green is good. Seedless." Well after I was told what it meant the sticker had to go. Not that I mind those that flaunt their ganja habit, and it certainly wasn't offensive to me per se, but it's not something I want to advertise. Here in the Garden City what your bumper sticker says relates directly to who you are and how you think. We Missoulians are not afraid to put it on our bumper for the whole world to read. And that one really doesn't fit me. At all. So I scraped it off with a razor blade and replaced with an Alder Gulch Shortline sticker. That's much better.
I've also started a mileage log for Zazu to find out how much gas he actually drinks per mile. Or vice versa. I hope I can still get "An Honest 25 MPG" out of this car 40 years after his making.
At this point all that remains is to vacuum the car and he'll be ready for the weekend. Next week we get the genny turned around so it's being cooled properly, hook up the CB and hopefully a radio.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Snow is wonderful
Winter is making a small appearence here in Western Montana. Rob brought the Lotus to class. His excuse? "I checked the weather today!" No excuse in October. Heck used to be September. Driving home was fun. All the little things that you need to do driving an old car in the cold. Crack the vent windows for more defrost. Check the rear defrost, even if the little green light doesn't go on. Check your brakes. Make sure to get that right headlight looked at. Enjoy the view. With a car like mine it's the little things that make you happy. That the binacle light works. That you have brights. That you're tires have not given up on you. I'm welcoming this weather and look forward to more!
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