Volkswebbin - Technical

How to break in new rings

2010-09-05T21:33:46Z

I'm installing new cylinders and piston and rings on my 1600 DP.Going up to 87mm.What is the correct way to break them in?Can you drive it right away?

First breakdown!

2010-09-05T20:55:06Z

I was on my way to a distant store in heavy traffic, and was almost there when some guy kept going in and out of the stopped right lane. I found my opportunity and passed him, then pulled into the parking lot and the car stalled. Let out the clutch in 2nd since it was still rolling and it would not restart. Pumped the gas pedal a couple times while cranking and no catch, which told me that it did not run out of gas. I rolled into a parking space and took the air pipe off the carb and looked to see fuel trickling from the main venturi. Hmmm, stuck float valve. I went inside the store to drop off my son's phone to get the glass replaced, then came back out to fix the problem. Got a screwdriver from under the back seat, removed the top of the carb, and blew out the valve. Must have been some debris from my recent fuel line change, I clearly heard something pop out. Put it back together, held the pedal down for a few seconds and it started. Thank goodness it was something easy!

Fixing broken iPhone screen: $105
Fixing broken Karmann Ghia: $0
Having a car you can fix in 90 seconds: Priceless

Paul

Connections, connections

2010-08-30T18:53:49Z

Hi everyone,

The (+) battery connector (or cable) is giving me problems. Each time I turn the key to the first notch, the two lights on the dash light up. then when I start the car, it just clicks and goes off.

Sometimes when I repeat the procedure, the same thing happens. Other times, the lights don't come on at all.

I've had this problem before so what I did was remove the cable from the connector, cut it (for fresh cables, as the copper wires were already turning green) and reconnected it to the battery.

This worked for a while but I'm back to square one. I got myself a new connector but the problem persists. Sometimes it would start but when I try again, same problem.

What do I do??? Please help.

Carb leaking gasoline

2010-08-30T18:52:56Z

I have a similar question to deerfisherman. Recently I have been experiencing this problem: Just after I start up my '64 Beetle, almost always, when I look back at the engine, I see that there is all this gas leaking from the top of the carburetor. This is not a problem I have ever seen before. When I first noticed this, I figured it must be some problem with the needle valve (which the float in the reservoir is supposed to push up -- when the reservoir is full -- to stop any more gas from entering). I removed the top of carb, and could blow into the inlet until I pushed up on the little pin, which would stop air from going through. This seemed to indicate this valve was OK. However, I happened to have an old carb rebuild kit, which luckily had a replacement for this valve. So later I installed this in my carburetor just to make sure, thinking this would surely fix the problem. But the same thing continues to happen. The other thing is, it still happens, but so far it has always stopped eventually if I start driving around. Now why would that be?? The carburetor is a SOLEX 28 PICT-1.

Can't drive in 4th gear

2010-08-30T11:01:06Z

ok I have stock 72 sb but I have a 009 in it.New stock carb got it for xmas.Runs well but cant seem to wind it out.when I get to 4th gear it bogs out and then slowly will gain speed and go faster.Timing is right point gap is right.could it be the main jet is wrong? accelerator pump not working.also from a dead idle if you pull the carb all the way open with your finger real fast.it craps out and coughs.Tried to adjust carb helps but not really .Anyone have this problem lately and fixed it?
thanks James

Left front wheel bearing

2010-08-29T21:27:30Z

While in the process of fixing up the '63, I've noticed that my left front tire/wheel has a slight wobble in it - this is in conjunction with a groaning/moaning sound that is present unless turning.

I was thinking of checking the bearing and, as always, wanted to ask the pros here at Volkswebbin' is there were any tricks/tips that they have to offer a shade tree mechanic!

Thanks again for any advice - the forums have yet to steer me wrong!

Webber carbs

2010-08-28T12:40:25Z

I have a 1968 bug with auto stick. This vehicle has two webber carbs on it & it is a pain to start & keep running when you first try to start it. In the summer it isn't too bad . I have to wait & let it warm up for awhile before I attempt to put in gear because it will stall. I have heard you must balance these carbs & the equipment is not cheap. Also what should the rpm be for this car?. Thanks for your help.

If you have done many rebuilds you might be able to answer this

2010-08-28T03:32:38Z

Ok I have this 1600 i picked up.It runs but has a bad knock so i took it a part today to check the pistons.all the pistons i have seen have a arrow to point them at the flywheel.No arrow on the top. has STD stamped on them and a little notch on the the edge.So which way do they go in?The pistons seem new and the heads too.The person who rebuilt it stopped because of the knock.no.1,3 and 4 the notch are one way and no. 2 the notch is another way.can anyone help
thanks James

Ghia VIN Question

2010-08-27T20:19:11Z

Trying to determine production date and model year for a recently purchase Ghia in California. I believe it is a 58 or 59.

- Chassis VINs match 2082080 (located underneath rear seat and on the right hand side of the trunk)

- 493 appears behind the spare tire

Any help is appreciated - thanks

Mitchell

gas from fuel line to carb??

2010-08-26T15:13:20Z

First, let me start by saying I am female and dont know a whole bunch about some of the technical stuff so please explain simply. LOL! I have a VW trike-aircooled-1971 model engine with Solex 34 Pict 3 carb-single port. My problem is it wont keep running. I replaced fuel filter and gas did look nasty(yellowish milky). The fuel pump is working great however it seems the gas is not getting into the carb. You can pour gas into the carb and it will start and run fine for few minutes but you have to keep pouring gas into it in order to do so. With the fuel line disconnected from carb there is another hose from carb that gas keeps pumping out of. Where is that coming from and why is gas not getting into carb from fuel line? Also, there is a part sitting on the driver side(left) of carb that is round-just sticking out-what is this? cant find it anywhere. Looks like a small can-shaped thing. LOL If anyone can deduct anything from what I'm saying, I would appreciate any help. Let me ask too that Ive read something about blowing out something on the passenger side of carb. Does that apply to this carb? Thanks and Im sorry Im dumb in this department.

Tech Tip: Accessory position for key and a headlight buzzer

2010-08-26T12:14:02Z

If you want to listen to your modern stereo with the key off there are only a few alternatives.

1) Switched power wire always on> drains battery even when off, worse if left on
2) Toggle switch for switched power> clumsy and ugly
3) Hidden switch> clumsy
4) Door switch and 4 relays> can't play stereo with door open and wiring is complex.(suitable for pre buzzer cars)
5) Buzzer wire and relay> Stereo stays on until you pull the key out of the ignition.

This is a plug in modification that is easily reversed. The headlight buzzer is an optional spin off mod using the same circuit.

jim

Dome Light Switch

2010-08-23T20:09:03Z

Hi Guys,
On my 72 super the dome light switch is caput on the drivers side, which has 4 spade connectons (orginal), but only 3 wires are connected to 3 spades of the 4.
On the passenger side (which works fine) is a single spade connection & 1 wire connected to it.
When I try to order this part I can only get a the single connection. Is there something here that I should know about? Is the a conversion for this? thanks Cuse

Is Trout Blue Metalic???

2010-08-22T17:18:37Z

Hi... I'm getting the body of my Ghia pained Trout Blue (L330) and I wanted to know if it is a metalic colour...

here's a pic of a car with that colour...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XZfvCLysi9E/SrDrq … cali34.jpg

it's a colour used on 1950's VW's... not sure if it's metalic or not...

let me know,

thanks!

muffler studs

2010-08-22T07:05:36Z

I'm replacing the muffler on my 1968 Ghia (1500 stock engine)... I took the old one off and found that the 4 studs going into the cylinder head are stripped (and looks like they have been for a number of years...

I can order some from Cip1.ca (or buy them locally in Toronto, Ontario).... buuuut

I don't know what they are... does anybody know what size it is or length?

Thanks!!! (the mechanic is making his way down the list of things I don't have time to do... such as repairing stripped and broken studs... soon he will get to them and might need some...

thanks in advance!!!

spaghetti system 1969 vw bug 12 volt

2010-08-22T07:00:37Z

I am rebuilding this bug and love doing it. My book has only a diagram for 1961 6 volt. Not cutting it. Any advise on websites to look at this mess????