New to semi auto

[jaymz1975]

Hi, just signed up to the forum, bought my 68 semi auto about 4 weeks ago.  I've owned quite a few beetles but none of them beat the driving experience of a semi auto - i was really surprised.  I'm surprised they don't get more press.

Anyway, I've had the problem of the car jumping when I select a gear, especially reverse, which seems quite common given the number of posts about it.  I've adjusted the screw half a turn and this has improved the forward gear,but not reverse.......any suggestions??

Cheers, james

[original68]

Hi  and welcome,

check your mounts. Check to make sure all your vacuum hoses are hooked up correctly and aren't leaking vacuum. When I bought mine it had original cloth braid hoses that were shot as were the mounts. It would slam into gear so hard It was like being hit from the rear. I've since replaced all my vacuum hoses with Airquip hydrolic hose and it works great. It shifts into gear so smooth and no grinding.

[jaymz1975]

Thanks for replying. I'll check out the things you suggest.
Cheers, James

[original68]

You're welcome. I'm not sure of you have a vacum advance distributor or not. there should be a vacuum port on the drivers side of the carb. That goes to the vacuum can on the dist. then if you are looking straight on at the carb there should be a vacuum port right below the aircleaner. that will go to the control valve. Then on your intake manifold there should be a much larger (12mm) hose that also goes to the control value. I know if you do a search of the site someone has posted pictures of the correct connections and routing.

[68autobug]

Hi, just signed up to the forum, bought my 68 semi auto about 4 weeks ago.  I've owned quite a few beetles but none of them beat the driving experience of a semi auto - i was really surprised.  I'm surprised they don't get more press.

Anyway, I've had the problem of the car jumping when I select a gear, especially reverse, which seems quite common given the number of posts about it.  I've adjusted the screw half a turn and this has improved the forward gear,but not reverse.......any suggestions??

Cheers, james

Hi James
If You crunch the gears selecting Low & reverse
Your clutch servo needs adjusting and they do have an adjuster for that..
its above the LHS rear axle .. You undo the locknut while holding the adjuster with vycegrips
unscrew the nut about 1 turn... [mark the nut with paint or white pen]

then screw the adjuster until it touches the nut...
then start the engine, and check reverse if it doesn't crunch...
if its OK... then tighten the nut...
My Wife NEVER EVER crunched a gear... but I always did with REVERSE...
so I adjusted the servo....

I usually place a dab of paint on the nut and thread to stop it coming loose..
as I did have mine come loose once after about 300klms and it was just about to
fall out of the servo... lol          [I probably didn't tighten it]

I hope that fixes Your crunching....
they can crunch if You have too much movement in the electrical points at the bottom of Your gear shifter too..
Is Your gearshifter spring loaded so the knob is always to the RIGHT HAND SIDE...
and You have to move it to the left TO SELECT LOW & REVERSE

[I did have the incorrect sides there before][spring pulls the bottom of the gearshifter to the RIGHT]

cheers

LEE














..

[jaymz1975]

Thanks Lee. Great advice and photos.  To be honest, i haven't got round to looking at it yet, but will do shortly.  A 4yr old and 6 week old have made sure of that!!
Cheers,
James.