63 Ragtop

Well I picked up a 63 ragtop last week and im sure that I will be on here more often. It has a 1641 with a single solex 30/31 carb, but I will be looking for a nice dual carb setup if anyone has one let me know. I am also looking for a case so I could start building a bigger motor. Oh and also a narrowed beam would be nice cause I think the torsion springs on the left side are shot and while im at it might as well replace the beam with a narrowed on(3" max) If anyone could help me out that would be great. Here is a pic of the bug.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/833000-833999/833910_1_full.jpg

Be careful with the 1641 in the Arizona heat.

The 1641 gains its extra CCs essentially from boring out 1600cc jugs. This leaves thinner cylinder walls, and a lower ability to absorb and dissipate engine heat. That can cause warped cylinders, seized pistons, and a long hike.

If more oomph than a 1600 is desired, without going to major size, a 1776 is a much better engine for the desert.

yeah, thats about what im looking to build. I want something that has decent power along with reliability and decent mileage. I was looking at the motor last night and I noticed that there was a GEX plate attatched to the back of the case, so I dont know if this is a GEX motor or just a case. Ill have to talk to the previous owner and find out. It has decent power until you try goin up an incline then its foot to the floor. Where are you located boatcop and do you know of any good vw shops in the az area?

I'm in Parker. (Over on the River)

Karl's is OK, I've gotten a few parts from them. I try to get over to BAP (www.bapimportparts.com (http://www.bapimportparts.com)) whenever I'm in the Valley, to pick up odds and ends.

When I start the engine portion of my Baja project, I'll probably go with www.aircooled.net (http://www.aircooled.net). John Connoly, who runs the place, is a straight shooter who only sells top quality stuff, stands behind everything he sells and will never sell you anything you don't need. If he thinks you're ordering parts that don't look right, he'll email you and ask if you're sure it's what you want.

As far as your GEX engine, I don't doubt that it lacks power. Although I've never had direct dealings with GEX, from what I've been told their rebuilds are krap with a capital C. And not just from 1 or 2 people. Literally dozens of folks from all over the country have told me horror stories about their work.

In any event. that's a sharp looking rag-top. Youll have a lot fun getting it to your liking.

yay! a ragtop owner. iv'e got a 62 that needs tons of work. when it's done it'll be the tourquis green color that it originally had (still has original paint all over it, with tons of grey primer) it needs plenty of body work, it needs a new top, new interior, me and my dad are building a 1776 with dual delortors (35's i think) it has empi 5spokes, but the front tires are to skinny for my taste. the interior is going to be like the original, but that fuzzy kinda stuff that new cars have for the headliner, same with the seats. nothin real special, i just want it to look nice. i got it when i turned 13 haha. i'm 16 now btw, 17 next month. right now it has a 1200 in it. runs pretty good actually. it has 4 year old oil, and 4 year old gas, but fires right up. i hate north carolina, it's eating my poor car. i have to replace the panel under the left and right rear side windows cause water got into the body from the inside and rusted through. it doesn't seem too bad, but i still think it needs to be replaced. we have to replace part of the decklid (where the hinges are) because mine are a bit messed up, and it doesn't sit right at all anymore