VW beetle toad

[BPoland]

Is the 65 a 6 volt or 12? I had a 63 Bug that was 6 volt. I had to jump it once using 12 volts. It didn’t like it at all. If it’s a 6V system, get the harness that has its own bulbs. It will require drilling a hole in the tail light housing, but then you don’t have to worry about 6V or 12v

[wolfe10]

1967 was the first year 12 VDC was standard from the factory. Along with the 1500 engine. The hotrod of bugs, as pre heavy bumpers and 1500 engine. OE in 65 was 1200 CC. 66 was the only year of the 1300 CC.


BUT (yes, LARGE BUT) many of the older 6 VDC vehicles have been converted.


MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS.

[Roy-c]

the automatic stick shift trans that came out in 1968 was actually a standard shift trans that used a set of electrical contacts in the gearshift to energize the clutch whenever the gearshift was touched. Worked pretty well once you understood it but was a pain to do repairs on. They also had a torque converter that allowed it to stay in gear at idle. ( for when stopped like at a traffic light ) Complicated system. Didn't end up being real popular.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Roy-c

the automatic stick shift trans that came out in 1968 was actually a standard shift trans that used a set of electrical contacts in the gearshift to energize the clutch whenever the gearshift was touched. Worked pretty well once you understood it but was a pain to do repairs on. They also had a torque converter that allowed it to stay in gear at idle. ( for when stopped like at a traffic light ) Complicated system. Didn't end up being real popular.

AMEN! Worked my way through University of Texas in the late 1960's- early 1970's turning wrenches on VW's. Between the hot temperatures in Texas and the soft blocks in the 1968-1970 models, they paid for my college education.


Solution for "soft block" where the head studs would pull out of the block with the symptom of a loud, but deep exhaust-type noise (head actually rocking against the cylinders) was to totally disassemble the engine and install "case savers". Drill out the block, tap and insert a steel insert. NEVER came out, ever.


OH, the good (or not so good days): 3,000 mile oil changes, 6,000 mile valve adjustments. Mention that to an under 40 something and get that "deer caught in the headlights look".

[ByeTheWay]

Look at Remco: Towing – Remco before you buy!!

[theroc]

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

Look at Remco: Towing – Remco before you buy!!

I'm not quite sure why you keep posting that link as Remco is not longer offering transmission lube pumps and as such has removed their individual vehicle information pages that some felt were informative.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

Look at Remco: Towing – Remco before you buy!!

Old air cooled VWs don't need a pump for the transmission. It gets lubed by the crown gear spinning around and throwing oil wherever it's needed.

I don't even bother with a braking system for my kit car. Nice and light is another bonus. Under 1850 pounds.

[Spidergawd]

Originally Posted by wolfe10

AMEN! Worked my way through University of Texas in the late 1960's- early 1970's turning wrenches on VW's. Between the hot temperatures in Texas and the soft blocks in the 1968-1970 models, they paid for my college education.


Solution for "soft block" where the head studs would pull out of the block with the symptom of a loud, but deep exhaust-type noise (head actually rocking against the cylinders) was to totally disassemble the engine and install "case savers". Drill out the block, tap and insert a steel insert. NEVER came out, ever.


OH, the good (or not so good days): 3,000 mile oil changes, 6,000 mile valve adjustments. Mention that to an under 40 something and get that "deer caught in the headlights look".

I had a 1970 Westfalia bus. I fondly remember constantly tweaking that old girl to keep her running well. I screwed a little box inside the engine compartment with spare points, a feeler gauge and some sandpaper to keep that old 009 happy.

This was my bible: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by Spidergawd

I had a 1970 Westfalia bus. I fondly remember constantly tweaking that old girl to keep her running well. I screwed a little box inside the engine compartment with spare points, a feeler gauge and some sandpaper to keep that old 009 happy.

This was my bible: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive

No more points to clean, file or replace for me! I installed a Pertronix ignition. All fits under the distributed cap and uses the stock coil. Excellent system that I have put in all my stuff that used to have points.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

Here's my rig hooked up. You can see the tow bar if you zoom up.

Beautiful coach. Best gasser ever built. Hard to believe Winnebago moved away from this floorplan.

Your kitcar looks pretty cool too.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Spidergawd

I had a 1970 Westfalia bus. I fondly remember constantly tweaking that old girl to keep her running well. I screwed a little box inside the engine compartment with spare points, a feeler gauge and some sandpaper to keep that old 009 happy.

This was my bible: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive

Yup, getting harder to find one of us "old-timers" who worked on that vintage air cooled VW's. Was actually still working on them in 1975 when the first watercooled VW came out (Rabbit).


My (not) favorite when I worked at the VW dealership in Juneau Alaska was the Kake Alaska taxi, a 1970 VW bus. It came to us on the ferry once a year for maintenance. Used many hours a day, not one inch of pavement on the island and rarely out of first or second gear. Had to start with two hours with a steam cleaner to even find the engine, suspension, etc. We drew straws to see who had to work on it. That year I lost, and it was on my lift for a solid week.

[Healeyman]

On a total side note, there is a company, EV West, in SoCal that makes a $7,600 turn-key kit to convert an early VW Beetle and van to an Electric Vehicle.

Since this kit keeps and uses the stock transaxle, just put the transmission in neutral to disengage the electric motor when towing.

Watch some of the videos.

Scroll down for the bug kit.

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index...6c91bb17f33cc1

Scroll down for the Van kit.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

Beautiful coach. Best gasser ever built. Hard to believe Winnebago moved away from this floorplan.

Your kitcar looks pretty cool too.

I totally agree, they really dropped the ball when they went away from this floor plan. Best I have seen.