1973 VW Super Beetle

[kaostrife]

Hello all. My name is Aaron, and I'm the proud owner of the above mentioned vehicle. (does that sound proper enough?)

1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle!

I'm in the beginning stages of restoring it. It's my first car that I've ever worked on, so I'm learning as work progresses. So, as you can imagine, I'm going to have a junk load of questions to throw at you all. All of your help would be appreciated, very much. My friend had to explain to me exactly how pistons, cylinders, cams, flywheels, and all that stuff, worked. I'm getting there, little by little. ;)

Regular info:
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Occupation: United States Marine
Stationed: Camp Lejeune, NC (Courthouse Bay)
Hobbies: Working on the bug, playing EQ, drawing, working on electronics.

If any of that information helps you find me some hookups, let me know. ;)

[veyron 16/4]

goodluck and welcome

[kaostrife]

Thank you for the warm welcome. Going to need that luck too. ;)

[89F150]

Hi i am aaron too. I am doing up a 1968 VW beetle for my sister for when she gets her license. Hopefully we can put heads together and get these things going!!

[01RedneckS10]

mybuddy justin, (ridge_runner) on here, is working on a 73 super beetle, he might be able to help you guys out.

[kaostrife]

That's kind of funny... Depending on how well this beetle turns out, decides if I'm going to rebuild a second one for MY little sister, for when she gets HER license! lol

That's great. =) Sounds awesome though. You have any messengers or anything? Would make talking all this over, a whole lot easier.

[ridge_runner]

actually its a 74 super, yea look at the bug pack parts, me and my dad just built our motor, 1835cc, turned out good, are you planning on rebuilding it?? you can get engine kits (crankshaft, jugs, pistons rings and bearings) for around 500 i wanna say

[89F150]

Heres a picture of whats been done so far. Only thing i havn't touched yet is the engine. I'm slowly inching my way thorugh it.

[01RedneckS10]

nice.

[kaostrife]

Well... wish I was at the point where you both are. I've got her running... but she's having trouble staying running. Likes to die while idling, or coming to a stop. Brakes are locked up. Leaking oil.

Either she's got to be done by September to get me home... or I have to sell her. Don't want to lose my dream car. =\

I'll get a beetle one of these days though... I promise that.

(soon to be continued on ebay...)

[89F150]

Mines leaking oil as well. Havn't really had a look though. I'm hoping to find it and fix it this weekend or next week sometime.
Explain to me what happens before it dies. Can you use the throttle to keep the beetle running? Or does it die anyway. It could be the idle speed which is not adjusted right. Hopefully you'll get to keep your beetle.

[kaostrife]

It'll stay running if I give it some gas, even just a little bit. I've played with the carburetor adjustments some. I've tried to set it at where the book says to set it, but it's still dying on me. I'm hoping that the engine rebuild will put an end to this. I'm thinking that engine rebuild, and brakes, will have this baby up and running like I need it, to reach Pittsburgh. Now if I could just get the money to do all that... worried about master cylinder, drums, and all that. Brakes could end up being expensive. =\

Some of my buddies are experience with car repair, and they're helping me out alot. They're mechanics here in the Marine Corps. They're telling me what to try, what might be the problem, etc... etc...

God, I hope I don't have to sell it...

[spasticone]

Just some tips for the oil leaks... Check the oil filter screen gaskets, the push rod tubes(VERY leak prone), and the case/jug gaskets. 3 of the most common for my bug. also.. check JC whitney for cheap bug stuff. Brake, body, and engine parts are all there. Also... your stalling is probably timing/vacuum advance or the carb... A reman carb is like 90 bucks and can be VERY worthwhile to those who don't want to tackle a carb rebuild or are on time constraints. Use only Bosch plugs!!

GOOD luck!

[tjhess]

I had my 1973 superbeetle worked on by a supposed "Pro".
I got it back with messed up wiring. "Mechanic" removed all 16amp fuses and repl with 8amp. He pulled the brake wire and a couple of others and basically said we didn't get a chance to cover the wiring.
I am on my own. I have both Bentley's and Muir's. The advice is label before removal. Great. Now I am blowing fuses left and right. I need a photo of the fusebox. Bently's says fusebox illustration is only a guide. No kidding. Why could they not have just included the fuse rating on the page 5 of the electrical section? Or added the fuse location and rating in the schematic. Also state the fuse array is found the manual provided with the car. Very forward thinking. The owner's manual I got is for a 68 or some other earlier year and no help.