Restoration of a split window VW Beetle

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-01 01:09:20 +0500 #481

1st and 2nd

the manual says '3rd and 4th are silent'

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-02 15:38:58 +0500 #482

Some update without pics as my phone camera is OOO. Went to the workshop in teh morning and then again in the evening. Muntazir was working on the bonnet and should finish it by Monday. Doors are left and we are targeting Friday next to complete the denting on the body. Body then comes home and will be put on stands. Painters will start their work while Muntazir completes the chassis.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-04-02 23:52:49 +0500 #483

then that explains that there was that sort of beetle in Karachi, Pakistan.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-04-02 23:58:46 +0500 #484

mohsinikram;2706020:

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.

do get the mechanic to clean out the heatriser pipe that is part of the inlet manifold - it ensures that your engine does not stall when on the overrun after some long driving.

I would also blast the cylinder and heads fins clean and paint them black to maximise heat transfer

the heatriser was blocked on my 1302S which resulted in a bogging/stalling engine when I decelerated (let go of the pedal) from 65 or 70 mph.

The inlet manifold condenses fuel back to liquid drops if used for long drafts - the heatriser makes sure it remains hot and the air/fuel remains a mist

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-03 02:26:45 +0500 #485

Thanks - will make it a point to see that this is done. Dont have blasting facility at the moment and are doint things the hard way. Had already got them cleaned of rust....what you see little bit in the pics was also taken out but I havent painted them yet thinking that paint might intererfer with heat transfer process....whats your take on that. Some pics...3rd one shows a close up of one cyllinder which is pitted and work on engine is halted till I find a solution to it. If anyone can help me source a good condition or NOS cyllinder and pistons for a 36 hp (1958) engine I would appreciate it. I am also looking around including online sites and thesamba.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-04-03 14:13:41 +0500 #486

go to the glass market - they will blast whatever you have, just be sure to seal up everything with tape first

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-03 17:41:44 +0500 #487

glass market in bohra pir?

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2011-04-03 19:17:21 +0500 #488

WOW! Who says that parts for Beetle's are cheap, they certainly aren't.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-05 14:56:03 +0500 #489

need a cylinder with piston in good condition for a pre 1960 36 hp engine....a set of NOS cyllinders will be better or a set of pistons 0.20 over size used or new.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-04-05 20:20:35 +0500 #490

yes - Ive done it on many things, sometimes I got them to bead blast them - OOOOOH - shiny

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-04-05 20:24:37 +0500 #491

a little update on the findings of the white split I saw in Nazimabad - this has come out to be the same car with door-closer type shock absorbers -

The car has been exported from Pakistan according to my lead and working. The person sold it for a very good amount is the word.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-08 00:54:36 +0500 #492

Muntazir is at it again...is flooded with other work and splitty is ignored yet again. However, I have put a painter on it to thoroughly clean the car from inside cabin, engine compartment and front luggage compartment.

Once clean I 'll primer it and put a coat of original shade pastel green L 11

by the time this is done, Muntazir should be done hopefully on a Prado he is working before the end of next week and then back on splitty. Only doors need denting and finishing, rest of the body is almost done. Some panels still needs some more finishing including the roof.

shahzebulhaq (shahzebulhaq) 2011-04-08 03:25:08 +0500 #493

Please ask Muntazir to focus... I don't say much about Ali Akhtar 'young denter working on our 61' but he actually said “WAIT till I’m done with the beetle” to Javaid uncle where as he could have easily got his palms engaged with some advance by poking his nose into Javaid SB’s car project that he saw for estimate & all. He said please give me few days as soon as I’m done with the 61 beetle, I will park your car inside the shop where beetle is and do justice to the project! WE want to adore the split on road also!

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-08 04:33:59 +0500 #494

thats how it should be.....Muntazir's downside is that he is very money minded. Really upset with him. He has taken two projects in one go besides my splitty....a MB 280 S and a Prado.

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-04-08 11:06:16 +0500 #495

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reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-04-08 11:20:35 +0500 #496

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-08 18:08:00 +0500 #497

reezvaan;2717068:

@mohsinikram

Even though that the hang overs in the body job on Splity are un-called for but still if I would be @mohsinikram, I would want to wait on availability of Muntazir instead of compelling him to get his hands onto Splity half heartedly. After all a 1952 Split Window Beetle doesn't get this kind of Restoration/Body Job every other day.

My suggestion to you would be to let Muntazir be and let him earn his easy bucks out of Prados etc. And please make sure he doesn't get back onto Splity unless he is 100% available, both mentally as well as physically, to proceed with the full-hearted finishing on the Splity because its not just another bug which is getting done now and would get another go in say another decade. Its a 1952 Split Window Beetle guys, so be patient with it!

Just my two cents worth.

I agree with you and this is precisely what I am doing....being extra patient, artifical smiles, the works. Meanwhile have put two painters to paint prep the insides

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-08 18:10:38 +0500 #498

one piece of good news.....over sized pistons have been sourced from Cheap Autos via Dr. Asad. The cyllinders will now be bored out to take the o/s pistons.

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-04-08 19:28:40 +0500 #499

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-04-09 02:40:39 +0500 #500

@Reezvan
this post was on the same page......and if you see the pictures on previous pages.....the beetle has been stripped to the barest ... not one bolt or fitting on the car.....chassis was stripped open and restored (VW veterens suggested that I change the chassis or atleast the frame head....) I am happy that I did not take that advice and spent fifteen days restoring the original...which should now be good for another 40 years inshallah. I am all ears for advice from VW veterens specially Nasir, Asad, Romano to name a few.....but I do have experience to take my own decisions as well.....VW is different but basic principles are the same. Rest assured, no crevice would be left bare.