• Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Topic: Old VW's just get better and better

Took our youngest son out for a long drive today. He is recovering from autism and loves going for rides. We headed west on a winding road without a care in the world, and did not even think about turning around until the sun started setting. Came to the end of the road, then made a right to go around a lake, then we came to a major highway. Should I take the fast way home? Naahh! We turned back had fun around the curves and hills, stopping at a remote gas station to get some snacks, then sat in the car to enjoy them. Also came across an old barn that made a nice backdrop, so we stopped to take some pictures (see below). Party was over when I got a call from another one of the boys who needed to be picked up from the YMCA, so we hunted down a freeway heading that direction and took off. I don't know why, but the car just seems to run better and better as time goes by. Maybe the engine was still tight when we got it, and is finally loosening up. Or maybe instead of abuse at the hands of random mechanics using mismatched parts, the engine is reaping the benefits of TLC for a change. Whatever the reason, it seems to get smoother, quieter, and stronger with time. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something special about air cooled vw's    smile

Paul



http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee288/altema/Karmann%20Ghia/Ghiaatbarn03.jpg


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee288/altema/Karmann%20Ghia/Ghiaatbarn02.jpg

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,889

Re: Old VW's just get better and better

lots of smiles and a cool story. Your VW just likes the TLC it is getting and the wind in its grills  :0
I was in that neck of the woods with my VW a few years ago dogging a Miata around the curvy roads in the center of the state. We just kept going faster and faster, he was surprised I could keep up. What feeling, just going and going with a happy VW

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: Old VW's just get better and better

Paul said "it seems to get smoother, quieter, and stronger with time."

I just read this today and agreed with this. I've had several problems just stop. My '71 Super sat for 14 years in the desert. I had to replace most rubber items and the seats. The compression was about 100 all around. That was good enough so I drove it daily for the last 4 years putting on 20,000 miles.

Now it's time for paint and some bodywork so I figured on replacing the pistons and cylinders. Today I checked the compression, before pulling the motor, for more info on what's going on inside. To my surprise the compression is 135 avg all around. Glad I didn't buy the cylinders!

How can it go from 100 to 135 psi? My theory is the rings were stuck from sitting and freed up from driving. Or little German elves in the night.

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Old VW's just get better and better

jamesdagg wrote:

How can it go from 100 to 135 psi? My theory is the rings were stuck from sitting and freed up from driving. Or little German elves in the night.

jim

I guess VW's were meant to be driven smile
I'm glad your super was in the desert... my Father's SB has been sitting in his driveway and has moss growing on the headlights!

Paul