Hello from Hampshire, UK

halfpint_fighter · 12 December 2010, 20:26

In the short term i have some autosol metal paste to get rid of the worst of the rust but i think new stainless steel bumpers will be on the wish list.

Engine seems pretty smooth but if improvements can be made i will tinker! I guess the dizzy came with the engine when it was upgraded to 1600 unleaded lump. Is the SVDA dizzy Ok with unleaded?
Surely if the bug is running well the hoses are all in the right place, still it would be nice to double check!

Tucked the bug into the garage today but will get pictures next week after a clean up. 230 miles on damp English winter roads = 1 grubby bug.

68autobug · 13 December 2010, 12:55

Hi
Yes an SVDA Bosch or other branded distributors are OK with unleaded
that's all We have in Australia Now...
and We now have BIO or Ethanol added into the "normal" 91ron gas/fuel..
which isn;t good for old vehicles or motor cycles or mowers, boat engines etc..
so, Now We have to buy premium 95 or 98 ron unleaded fuel...

I thought My beetle went great until I fitted the SVDA distributor...
and its now unreal... starts easier.. drives better faster and smoother...
and doesn't use as much fuel/gas...

I also bought the pertronix electronic ignition system to put inside the SVDA to replace the points.
but I haven't done that as yet... but have fitted new spark plug leads...

really pleased the way My beetle goes....

cheers

LEE in Australia

halfpint_fighter · 17 December 2010, 22:49

Better pic of the engine pipework...

I'm pretty sure everything goes where it should.
My only concern is that i didn't think you could rest your hand on the gear lever as it would engage the clutch. The clutch only engages when you try to move the gearstick.

68autobug · 22 December 2010, 03:07

HI

very nice and clean engine bay....

like it just left the factory...

the switch in the gear shifter is spring loaded so only activated when the gear shifter knob
is moved up and down or sideways...

if the adjustment is very fine then any movement of the knob will cause the clutch
to disengage...

passengers with long legs can knock the gear shifter...
or friendly females... lol

LEE in Australia

68autobug · 22 December 2010, 03:11

after another look at your engine bay...
You have a 009 distributor....
which I used for 4 years.... then converted to a SVDA dissy
which made the world of difference and saved fuel too...

the fuel filter should NOT be in the engine bay...
they have been known to pull the shaft out of the carburetor..
resulting in major fire...
above the LHS rear wheel near the chassis or under the fuel tank...

cheers

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Australia..

LEE

halfpint_fighter · 22 December 2010, 04:05

OK so the gear lever is not too fine, that suits me! I had a look on aircooled.net and where the engine was replaced so was the carb.

We have a solex 30/31 so they recommend the 009 dizzy. If it still had the 34pict then SVDA would be the best.
30/31 is the later generic replacement carb. I will check the jets though. Apparently...
On a 1600cc the main jet should be a size 127.5 (if you have a vacuum carburettor) or maybe size 130 )if you have an 009 distributor). The idle jet should be a size 55, and power jet size 65.

The drive-ability of the SVDA/34 carb has to be experienced!

30 Series carbs can NOT use the SVDA distributor since the vacuum signal is not correct and won't pull the advance in on the small canned SVDA (you notice the early distributors use larger vacuum cans than later distributors because the vacuum signal is different).

I always wonder about fuel filter location, in the engine bay i can see it and make sure it is done up tightly. Under the tank is a pain. Never thought about near the rear wheel!

68autobug · 22 December 2010, 04:48

Many beetle owners are taping the hole on the top of the carburetor so the pipe cannot be pulled out
by the jiggling of the fuel filter...
the fuel pipe comes out of the chassis near above the LHS rear axle...
I have mine under the fuel tank... replace it every few years...
its much larger than the one You are using...

Your carburetor doesn't make enough vacuum for a SVDA...
Look around for a good PICT34 and an SVDA distributor...

I didn't think a change from the 009 would do much...
but it amazes Me every time I drive it...
so smoooth... unreal...

cheers

LEE in Australia

30C degrees today.... usually 39C this time of year and 13c last night... YIPPEE...
I could have used My heater in My beetle last night.... lol

automaticsamba · 22 January 2011, 21:22

Hi yes that was my car i didnt know it has been to cornwall it was a great car but it had one or two oil leaks when i had it. good luck with it keep us posted
cheers phil

halfpint_fighter · 23 January 2011, 02:50

Hi Phil!

Lee that bought it off you moved down there in 2010. We were chatting about you, did your ears burn

In my quest to find any back history before i bought the car i saw your samba pictures. How's the alternate engine working out?

automaticsamba · 23 January 2011, 11:45

Hi halfpint
my ears were on fire, did lee give you the photographs from when it was restored back in the 90's ? it was a scottish guy that restored it for his daughter, it was looking poor again when i got it but i still looks go from your pic

as you can see the engines in and it should be ready for next summer

if you are going to any shows let me know i would love to have a look at the old bug
cheers phil

68autobug · 23 January 2011, 13:38

Hi
what type of engine is that???

looks very neat in there...

Lee in Australia..

automaticsamba · 23 January 2011, 15:15

Hi Lee
it's a 2 lt flat four from the land of the rising sun subaru the vehicle for descovery as the advert says over here, its from a legacy known i think as a liberty in aus with aprox 145-50 bhp so thats not the only mods, brakes suspension and steering are all new. any way i dont want to hi jack this thread
with non auto stick stuff im still trying to get back to finish my bug so im sure i'll be talking to the good people on here about auto stick's soon
cheers phil

halfpint_fighter · 23 January 2011, 20:38

Your still running the samba as an auto though? If so get a thread started about it!

The first show we will be doing will be Volksworld, probably on the Saturday. More than likely take the bug instead of the camper unless we need to move some parts

We have the pictures, I don't think any more paint work has been done but i think it's good. Not show winning but great for an average bug.

automaticsamba · 23 January 2011, 23:01

Hi Halfpint
yes it's still an auto i will have to up date the samba thread some time soon.
I dont think im going to volksworld a bit to soon for me to get the samba ready but let me know if your at any later in the year

I did paint the lower half of the passinger door as some one had re painted it and not matched the colour so it was much lighter, i did a bit of welding too the battery tray i replaced the bonnet seal holding strips and some patches at the rear on the ends of the gutters. Have you got it undersealed yet i striped it off and the under side was like new but i only ever took it out in good weather, we also fitted the empi 8 alloys and the white interior it did have a black interior but the previous owner had a dog and it riped the seats up but i much prefair the white seats any way look after him
cheers phil

halfpint_fighter · 23 January 2011, 23:07

We like the white interior but at some point it will have to be freshened up with some new covers, i hear good things about TMI so probably go down that route.

There is no underseal so i think in the summer we will have to address that. Don't want to trap any moisture by doing it at this time of year! At the moment he is tucked up in the garage. If you have any other pictures i would love to see them.

Do you do any of the Santa Pod shows? Emma isn't a huge fan of drag racing but if the weather is nice i like to try and go for one day.