On the road again!

The car is running, driving, and doing great. She is officially licensed, registered, and insured. I fixed the leaking axle. It turned out to be the seal "rolled" and cut. Seems to be holding well.

Here are some videos of the Maiden Voyage, on July 1st, 2012. The last time I drove her on the road, under her own power, was June 5th, 1992.

Engine running

After problems with the engine, then a rebuild of the top end, and a head replacement, finally got the engine running. Now I just need to fit the tin and exhaust, then into the car it goes.

Engine Almost There!

 The engine is almost complete. I am hoping to get it started by the end of the weekend

The axle seal decided to leak when I fill the tranny up with gear oil.

Brakes Done

I had adjusted and bleed the brakes about two week ago. After two days I noticed that the was brake fluid on the garage floor. It turns out one brake line was leaking, apparently due to a bad connection. Also, the master cylinder reservoir had a hairline crack in it. The sad part is that it ruined the paint in the spare tire wheel well. Got a replacement reservoir from Wolfsburg West, and a new brake line from Old VWs Restoration. Everything works.

Gas tank installed, all I need to finish is the passenger door, and the body is pretty much done!!!

Engine build up

Short block was assembled without too much trouble. My biggest concern was that the engine wouldn't rotate once the case was torqued down, but it spun just fine.

After I installed the first head I realized I never checked to make sure the arrows on the pistons were facing the flywheel, and even though I set up the pistons and cylinders ahead of time in order, I felt uneasy without physically seeing the arrows for myself. Well, the arrows were facing the correct direction!

Both heads installed and torqued to specs. The bad part is that the rocker arms are in really bad shape, so I will be needed replacements.

Engine reconstruction

Sorry for all who is following the blog, I have been slacking with updating.  Last week I got the brakes bleed, only to discover that the master cylinder reservoir has a small crack in it, ruining some of the paint in the spare tire well. 

The Engine  Mantling  has begun. It would be farther if it wasn't for some misplace bolts.

Dash is pretty much back together, 8-track player installed!

Sun-visors installed as well. 

Windows in

 Added some fuzzy Dice tonight. She needed something, to give her that "classic" feel!

The rear window was installed yesterday, as well as the side pop out windows. Almost feels complete!

I spent a while today chasing down an electrical gremlin, to get my back-up lights to work. Of coarse, it was the very last thing I checked. There was a frayed wire inside one light housing. I was just happy to get these lights glowing!

Carpet Installed

The whole from carpet has been installed. Actually starting to look like a car again, never looked this good 20 years,

A nice extended view.

Not perfect, not pretty, but done

The headliner is in.

Headliner Padding Installed

Finally got the headliner padding installed, next step-the headliner, wish me luck!

Front Bumper and Running Boards

I got the front bumper installed. She looks like a Beetle again.

I also had time to get the running boards. They are Wolfsburg West as well. They are one of the only places that you can find colored running boards, well, other colors, not only black.

Rear Bumper Installed

I got the rear bumper installed today. It went on pretty easily. It is a Wolfsburg West bumper, so it is made very well. I did not, however get the back-up installed. I need to get them rewired, after the engine fire in 1991, the wired that ran through the engine compartment got a little burnt.

Dash Warning Light

Again, It is always the little victories. I got my fuses today, so I was able to power the entire system, with a low voltage battery from a Power Wheels. There is just something cool to see those two light all lit up.

I got the roof insulation installed today

Steering Wheel Installed

The new steering wheel is installed. It looks great! I hooked up the horn wire, and powered the system. She once again has a voice.

I also installed all the bumper brackets.

Windshield Installed!

Just got the windshield installed. Took my Bro-in-law and I just over 4 hours. But we got it. Thanks Kris

Flasher Relay

Well, it appears that after 40+ years, my flasher relay "black box" no longer operates. I have ordered a replacement unit. I think I will tackle the headliner next

Wiring almost done

I have almost completed the wiring. The headlights and turn signals are installed and actually work! The running lights are a glow in the picture. The entire system is not powered, I just "hot-wired" the system, to get power to the lights.

Parts!

It has been like Christmas, I have gotten parts from Old VWs Restorations, Wolfsburg West, and Airhead parts

Here is a nice big box!

A couple of awesome bumpers from Wolfsburg West. Pictures don't do these bumpers justice.

Sleeping Beetle, SHHHH!

The other night when I turned off the garage lights, I saw a lovely image of the fire reflecting of the white paint of my bug. So last night, I decided to try to take a picture. I use an F-stop of 11 and left the aperture open for 21 seconds. I was pretty happy with the end result.

More parts on order!

Finally made my final big parts order. I will get getting stuff from Old VW Restoations in GRB, Wolfsburg West, as well as some small stuff from Airhead Parts. I have had great. I've had great conversations with all 3 suppliers, and they are all great!

I have also been working in the garage. I got the pellet stove hooked up, it however doesn't pump out as much heat as I would like. Although my garage isn't fully insulted, so I am working on that. I am also workin on getting the bug out of the corner, and into the middle of he garage, for ease of installing parts.

Parts On Order

Just made a pretty good sized parts order from Old VW Restorations. Looking forward to getting the stuff and getting rolling. I am going to try real hard to get it complete by June 16th, the day of my annual summer party.

Pellet Stove Update

Well, I have had this old pellet stove sitting in the garage since fall, and have never done a darn thing with. Well, I finally starting to install it, since winter has finally arrived! I just needed to get a collar that goes through the wall of the garage. I am hoping to get the that installed in the next few days, then I can heat up the garage in preparation to install the wiring harness. Then the carpet, then the headliner.

New Cyber Pal!

I have recently meet a new friend online. His name is Eric Shoemaker, and his site is 1967beetle.com/ I have only been emailing him for a short time, but he has already been a wealth of 67 info.

Super slow progress

Yes, progress has almost stopped. Even though I aquired a used pellet stove for the garage in late summer, I never hooked it up. Poor Bitty Bug has been under cover for a good 6 months now. Right now I have been trying to acquire those strange one year parts, the 67 Bug has been know for. In the perfect world, she would be complete by June, so I can have a Phoenix Party, but who knows. I just want to drive my girl!