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Hi all, I need some advice on reviving a '69 Beetle that been sitting for about 2 or 3 years ::cringe:: none of the fluids were drained. What do I need to know about trying to bring this baby back to life?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 11:36 AMDrain the oil, change the screen, replace the plugs-wires-belt, put in 30wt oil. If you have the time and tools you can drain the tranny and top it off for easier shifting out of the gate. All of those things you could do in the driveway with only 1 special tool that'll set you back about $10. -
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Sun, May 4, 2008 - 5:37 PMThanks Min!
I just got it moved over to the new house - my vw guy says it looks to be in pretty good shape all things considered. I'll do a photo shoot of the old girl tomorrow and post some pics. -
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 11:02 AMNo worries. Keep us updated on how it goes. If it gives you confidence; I've pulled engines that looked like they'd not run in decades and done the same things I recommended to get them going. The better the condition when it was left to sit, the better the results though. -
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 12:14 PMThat's good to know! She was in great running condition when she got parked, except for the brake lights not working - can't get that one figured out - it's not the master cylinder....there's probably a short somewhere *sigh* and of course the gaping holes under the battery and in the passenger footwell. Lucky for me, he's also a metal fabricator and welder so he'll get that fixed.
My mechanic was impressed with the condition of the car. He asked where the car spent most of it's life and was not surprised when I said high desert California - he said there's hardly any rust on it.
Anyway, my hopes are high :-) I've had this car for nearly 19 years (June is our anniversary!) Now if I could just fine my copy of 'How keep your volkswagen alive....'
So, uh, where's the best place to get parts?
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Tue, May 6, 2008 - 9:44 AMwww.cip1.com
www.thesamba.com/vw (look in the classifieds for good deals)
The first link is the best for new stuff, assuming your local shops don't have it for less. Though...um...I don't want to tell you how to treat your car but I would really suggest you move that fuel filter from the engine bay to right next to the fuel outlet on the transmission fork. Also, the plastic ones are known for separating when put under weather conditions. 'wicks' I believe makes a good solid metal one that's got better filtration too. I only mention it because I was tasked with recovering a 66 convertible from an engine fire caused by those damned 99 cent filters. Otherwise you've got a great looking car there.
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Tue, May 6, 2008 - 2:37 PMCool! Thanks for the links and the advice - my brother lost his '67 beetle to an engine fire - made the San Diego nightly news because it happened on the Coronado bridge during rush hour, which caused the entire bridge to shut down. I'd prefer to avoid that kind of attention ;-)
I remember one time where the fuel line popped off the carb while I was stationed in Panama - I watched the gas gauge plummet, pulled over and figured out what was happening - then thanked the powers that be that the engine didn't ignite. I didn't know you could place the filter elsewhere, but now that I do - I most certainly will! -
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Re: Reviving a '69 Beetle
Wed, May 7, 2008 - 10:59 AMOuch...67's are a rare breed, that must have been horrid. The easiest place is to put them between the firewall and the carb, that's why you always see them there. You can put it between the tank and the hard-line inlet just below the tank, and where the hard-line comes out of the frame in the rear. Both of those are difficult to do quickly and require you pull one of the wheels off to get to the area. But if your line breaks/catches it'll drop on the ground away from the hot engine, not *on* the hot engine.
I actually work on bugs to bring in supplemental $$, the two things I do to every one are to get a solid metal filter, put it in one of those places and then wrap a safety wire around the fuel line right at the carb. Those two things are what cause bugs to ignite otherwise.
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