Greetings & Torque converter question

[slowbug]

Greetings folks, although I am not new to aircooled stuff, I have my first Auto stick up and running; a 1970 Beetle. This was no small feat considering it had been sitting since 1988 and the diaphram was dead.

How long do the torque converters typically go? I have collected several spare key components to keep her running for some time, but have not seen torque converters advertised anywhere. Has anyone had theirs rebuilt? Does anyone have a working spare?

Many thanks,
Matt

[volkenstein]

Slowbug,
            G'day from a land far away and you're in good company with Bookwus (Mike) as he owns a '70 Autostick as well.
Torque Converters? Well, the bushing might get sloppy but you can get those and mine has been going since '71 and my spare is a '70. Both OK although I suspect it would be a race between the bushing and the starter ring gear for most wear. TC's do pop up for sale on TheSamba.


Regards
Volkenstein aka Sean

[Bookwus]

Hiya slow,

Welcome to VW version of the alternative lifestyle.

I had my tranny rebuilt by German Transaxle back in 2004.  They installed a rebuilt torque converter from an outfit in Creswell, Oregon.  The reason I mention this.............the rebuilt TC was bad.  It failed the stall test and symptom-wise I had REALLY slow starts off the line.  Anyway, the folks at German Transaxle were great about the whole affair and bought another rebuilt TC for me.  So, I removed the misfunctioning TC and sent it to the rebuilders for the new one.  In that exchange, in discussing the situation with the rebuilders, I found that there is not a lot that can go wrong with these TCs.  I guess I got "lucky"!  As it was explained to me, my particular problem was that the vanes on the TC had not been properly lined up.

As a result of that experience, I would be inclined to pay a visit to a VW boneyard and find a good looking unit for a spare.

Where are you located?

And I have a question for which has nothing to do with torque converters..................

Do you have the emissions canister installed under the rear passenger fender?  If not, is there any sign there (like an empty canister clamp) that your car did originally come with the emissions canister?

[slowbug]

Hello back! Yes, my 70 has the emissions canister and hoses intact, do you need to know something more about that? Thanks for the replies gentlemen, nice to know I'm not alone in this venture.

[Bookwus]

Hiya slow,

About the emissions canister...............My 70 Bug does not have the M-26 emissions system.  And that's very strange because starting with the beginning of the 1970 production year ALL VW vehicles imported into the North American market had to have the M-26 system installed.  My car is not just a case of a PO tearing the system out, it never had the system installed.  That has led me to ask anybody with a 70 Bug (but I'm especially interested in 1970 AS Bugs) whether or not their car shows any sign of not having the M-26 system installed.

So far, I've found an 1970 AS in California without the M-26 and a manual 1970 in Virginia without the M-26.

Logically, one might assume that these cars were built for another market.  Strangely though, all three meet all other specs for a North American car.  Padded dashes, large front turn signal/parking lights, and rear window defrosters.  So?  Why no emissions system?  Dunno right now, so I'm still trying to find more information.  Hoping to shed a little more light on the subject.  Right now I'm playing with the idea that these cars might have been made for tourist delivery.  We'll see.

Thanks for your response!

Are you OK on the torque converter question?

[slowbug]

I've been told by several internet sources that the torque converters are generally bullet proof, but will not last forever, so I'm going to buy a clean looking used unit for $100 and just hang on to it. That way I have two each of the converters, vacumme pulloff servo and vacumme switch. I think I'll buy a clutch disc too since they are still available. This 1970 was bought new by my cousin in a dealership in central California, so I assume the canister had to be there to meet then current smog regulations. My Aunt bought one the same day at the same place, and it is an autostick with AC, very rare, but of course those AC units never worked worth beans.

[Bookwus]

Hiya slow,

Indeed, if you are planning on driving an AutoStick for any serious amount it's a good idea to start building a reserve of parts.  Do know that clutch assembly parts are the hardest to find.  Almost anything which fits in that category is, at the very least, desireable.

And, did you see elsewhere in this forum that Volkenstein is thinking that he may have (not sure yet) found an alternative to the standard AutoStick clutch disc?  How are you coming on that Sean?

[volkenstein]

Mike,
      I posted up on the clutch plate in the tech section. My camera fried but I'll say a 6V 1300 plate needs serious machining and even then it'll be a huge gamble. I've also put the call out on AVD for pics of a genuine 12V 1300 TP rigid disc. I had all three out last night and I'm a little suspicious that someone used an A-S plate in the 1300 engine I bought since they also take a 180mm plate.

When the camera is good to go I'll post the comparison shots, and if I get some answers on AVD we'll be able to put the question to rest once and for all. Mind you, if the answer is positive, finding a NOS 1300 TP plate will take some deep digging.

PS, have you seen my latest PM?  Just can't figure out why I thought the sticker was cut roughly .


Regards
Sean

[68autobug]

I forgot Your Birthday Sean...

Many happy returns... 
I wasn't sure exactly what day it was and then I forgot...

I have always thought that it would be easier to get the original disc
re-lined...  rather than trying to find a new one...

it seems you have a collection of Twin port 1300 engines Sean...
I don't think I've ever seen one...

I did happen to see two late model Mexican engines in the past week...
One was seized with a lot of oil under it...
and the other one had dropped a valve...

I think I'll stick with My original engine... 

cheers

Lee

http://community.we4bshots.com/user/vw68autobug

I now have spares of most things... although not new....

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