Restoration of a split window VW Beetle

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-03-30 13:08:55 +0500 #461

get back to page one Splitty !!

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-03-30 18:00:16 +0500 #462

shouldn't it be a 25 hp engine for this lady?

Please have the transmission looked at by a good air cooled VW mechanic. The car has been parked far too long so it is likely that it may have jammed up. A beetle transmission like its few other siblings cannot be removed without taking the engine off first. I suggest this done prior to paint and engine installation

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-03-30 22:57:22 +0500 #463

It should be but it has a 1958 36 hp 1192cc unit that came with the car.

The engine is being overhauled and gearbox is also with the mechanic who will be checking and cleaning the internals thoroughly. He is an ex Modern Motors mechanic and learnt his skills on Volkswagens. As luck would have it, his neighbouring workshop mechanic, an old man is a VW specialist also ex MM.

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-03-30 23:07:26 +0500 #464

excellent! Do let me know if you want any parts for the engine rebuild. The non syncro crash box tranny would be fun to drive.

I did send the inner mirror and sunshade mount to islamabad and it has reached Romano. I have to caution you against getting your hopes too high as it would probably need rechroming or phosphating / powder coating to be presentable. Inshallah I'll be in Pakistan this summer and can remove the mirror from my Oval which is in much better nick. I have bought one for the Oval which has a sunshade but the chrome is nothing special. Unfortunately the plastic sunshade cracked even before I could send it. I am going to see what I can do about that. Brand new sunshades are available but presently out of stock.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-03-30 23:30:49 +0500 #465

thanks...will do. I might be going to Isb soon so will pick the rear view and sunvisor. Condition is immaterial as long as I have it. I will be ordering parts in a day or two and will run down the list / prices before I order them just in case if you know of a better source.

My engine work is stalled at the moment as one cyllinder head has a scratch in it and we are looking for a replacement. Havent found one yet. My suggestion to my mechanic was that we bore the cyllinders out and install .20 set of new pistons. I 'll be calling Muqeem to see if he has them available.

The other parts which I would be needing now are the weatherstripping set, body to frame seal, engine deck lid seal, etc.

I have found a few split window parts sources and will share the links with you in a while.

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-03-30 23:54:50 +0500 #466

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 36hp longblock 329XXXX motor

this is a 36 hp engine available for $85 only. We can buy the whole engine and I can strip it for any parts you need right away. Can see how to send the rest in slow time.
TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - VW 36 hp pistons cylinder piston set 111 101 311
this is just for the pistons and cylinders. only $80!
You can search for 36 Hp on the samba and you get tons of parts.
Lemme know if I can help.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-03-31 01:12:32 +0500 #467

just did a little recci on 36 hp engines. Its a good thing that 36 hp engines upto 1959 are the same engines as the 25 hp of split. 1960 on it was a newer tech 36 hp. here is a link who seem good (so far) with split parts:

VW Parts Wagen Werks - Bug, Bus, Ghia, Type 3

an engine gaskit kit is $21, weatherstripping kit is $69 etc. I have yet to find NOS pistons.

Amin sb. has sourced NOS cyllinder heads for a 1200 cc engine 36 hp and I was wondering why are they not fitting on my engine...now I know that they must be from 1960 onwards engine. Let me check with my mechanic and some other local sources vis a vis the engine parts....will buy in $$$ as a last resort considering the orex and the hassle for you to dismantle and all. Thanks for offering help and I will defintely be bothering you one of these days.

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-03-31 09:00:55 +0500 #468

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reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-03-31 14:14:06 +0500 #469

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-03-31 16:12:39 +0500 #470

@Reezvan

a more technical person will give you a better explanation...but let me try. A non synchro gear is tricky to use as you have to bring the selecter gear and required gear speeds to same level before shifting otherwise you will hear an ugly grinding noise. You have to get the hang of it and then it doesnt bother u. My Fiat 500 has a non synchro or carsh box and I have to let the engine speed come to almost idle before shifting a higher gear. A synchromesh gear has a cone clutch system which engages first and brings the selector gear and other gear at the same speed which ensures smooth shifting.

You can always drive my splitty when its ready and get this tharak of driving a car with non syncro over and done with

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-03-31 16:19:23 +0500 #471

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AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-03-31 16:20:23 +0500 #472

I like that :D!!!

Id also have a "few" tharaks to take out on the splitty (A)

On a serious note, you explained the concept well. In fact, Ive heard its possible to shift cars without using the clutch if you are trained to match the engine RPM to the gearbox cogs/wheels speed. I dared not to try, nor do I have any plans to.......

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-03-31 16:22:40 +0500 #473

:o I did not know that!

 Time for me to pay a visit to this workshop and get my eyes and ears enriched.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-03-31 16:43:32 +0500 #474

driving a crash-box is akin to shifting gears on a regular full synchro box without the clutch, its possible but you have to get a feel of matching engine rpm to the transmission rpm before shifting the lever.

I believe your splitty would have a non synchro first only. The full crash box was in pre 1950 type 1

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-03-31 16:51:52 +0500 #475

Good to hear from you Zulfiqar,

I tried to send you a mail via PWs but apparently your inbox was full.

You had inquired about lever type VW shocks. I did a bit of research and found that indeed pre 50 beetles had those at the rear. What a bit of info that was! All thanks to your asking the question. Appreciate your input in any and everything. You always have something nice to add to any discussion.

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-03-31 18:32:05 +0500 #476

@Xulfiqar. well explained. It is a bit of a challenge to get used to but fun nevertheless.

I drove a Bedford truck once and that was with a non syncro transmission. Took me a while to get used to it. the fact that it was my first time behind the wheel of a Bedford did not help either. Luckily the driver was an old employee of my father so he was quite patient.

@Reezwaan. I'd jump at the offer to test drive the splitty if Mohsin ever extended me one. hint hint nudge nudge..

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-03-31 18:43:13 +0500 #477

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nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-03-31 18:43:41 +0500 #478

mohsinikram;2704273:

just did a little recci on 36 hp engines. Its a good thing that 36 hp engines upto 1959 are the same engines as the 25 hp of split. 1960 on it was a newer tech 36 hp. here is a link who seem good (so far) with split parts:

VW Parts Wagen Werks - Bug, Bus, Ghia, Type 3

an engine gaskit kit is $21, weatherstripping kit is $69 etc. I have yet to find NOS pistons.

Amin sb. has sourced NOS cyllinder heads for a 1200 cc engine 36 hp and I was wondering why are they not fitting on my engine...now I know that they must be from 1960 onwards engine. Let me check with my mechanic and some other local sources vis a vis the engine parts....will buy in $$$ as a last resort considering the orex and the hassle for you to dismantle and all. Thanks for offering help and I will defintely be bothering you one of these days.

@Mohsin. In my humble opinion I'd wait till I have all the parts for the engine if NOS is the route I wished to take and not mix the NOS parts with others. It might double the work but you may want to put together a working engine first just to get the splitty going till you have everything including the tin. You may want to really doll up the unit you put together with NOS parts and THEN install it. Until then the temp engine would do the job and you can always sell the complete running engine once you have your NOS unit ready.

Like I said, I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-01 00:55:48 +0500 #479

@Asad, Reezvaan and nmsheikh

you guys are thoroughbred VW enthusiasts and I know you will be kind to splitty.....by all means you can have a go once its ready....the only thing impossible for me is to lend any of my cars to anyone.....dont mind if someone drives it as long as I am there or we are in an event and are together.....but out of sight, in somebody else's hand is unthinkable. I am sure this goes for anyone.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-01 01:05:50 +0500 #480

thanks. The engine was overhauled with new engine bearings, valves and all some 7-8 years ago by Jaleel sb. but not even run in. Ehen dismantled it was immaculately clean from inside and virtually new. The only thing not right was one cyllinder bore as water had seeped in from an open spark plug hole. That had siezed the engne. The engine block is now assembled and cyllinders await solution to the pitting in one of them. I havent been able to give my engine time and once I do that perhaps tomorrow, I should be able to get a clear analysis. A lot of VW mechanics insert a sleeve but I dont want to do that as its not advisable on air cooled engines. The simplest solution is to bore out the cyllinders and put .20 oversize pistons. Once this is done the engine would probably last me a lifetime. More on this tomorrow.