Restoration Project: '68 VW Beetle (o\ _!_ /o)

[fedd]

I want to perform a DIY on the fuel tank and the oil bath air cleaner tomorrow, will be following the same procedure @fedd used to de-rust and re-paint the fuel tank for his Beetle.

Any pre-cautions, tips or things I should take care of before starting off the process?

In my case the Fuel Tank was quite clean. I just did what I could with the equipment and materials I already had and repainted it, didn't have to go out and buy stuff. But I tell you, Reezvaan has rightly said, IT IS tedious unless you have the right tools with you.

The Vinegar technique is good as far as you use it for metal only, if the metal you're treating has some Brass or Aluminium components with it, don't forget to remove them. Because Vinegar eats up Zinc present in Brass and some Aluminium, making them weak.

There is another way of derusting a Fuel Tanks which is very similar to this Vinegar technique, usually called Molasses Bath. You use Molasses (Sugar-cane Syrup) and Water with the ratio of 1:5, meaning you make a mixture by adding 1 Litre of Molasses in 5 Litres of water. Soak the rusted part in it or in this case fill the Fuel Tank with it and leave it for around 6 to 7 days, both for the Vinegar or Molasses Bath technique. Rinse it with plain water afterwords and most of the rust will be gone, the good thing is you don't do much effort, the bad thing is, it takes some time. Nonetheless, it's among my favourite methods to treat rust.

[Xulfiqar]

molasses bath and two electrodes to speed it up..

[reezvaan]

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[zeeqedwai]

i like what i see. good going murtaza_murti i have pm you my number may be i wanna come visit you sometime just wanted to have a look at the car seems like you are doing a great job

[AsadIshaque]

Great to see the progress!!

Is the engine in the car yet??? Ive not visited the garage for some time, would call them and find out whats going on.

EDIT:

 Just spoke to Harry uncle.....he says the engine should be in the car day after tomorrow. The ground is complete for the paint to go on. Once the engine and all mechanicals are checked and the car test driven, the final paint can go on. 

 I'm hoping if the upholstery is done simultaneously, the car would be complete to hand over very soon, InshAllah. What about the wiring and electrics?? Is that pending??

[murtaza_murti]

In my case the Fuel Tank was quite clean. I just did what I could with the equipment and materials I already had and repainted it, didn't have to go out and buy stuff. But I tell you, Reezvaan has rightly said, IT IS tedious unless you have the right tools with you.

The Vinegar technique is good as far as you use it for metal only, if the metal you're treating has some Brass or Aluminium components with it, don't forget to remove them. Because Vinegar eats up Zinc present in Brass and some Aluminium, making them weak.

There is another way of derusting a Fuel Tanks which is very similar to this Vinegar technique, usually called Molasses Bath. You use Molasses (Sugar-cane Syrup) and Water with the ratio of 1:5, meaning you make a mixture by adding 1 Litre of Molasses in 5 Litres of water. Soak the rusted part in it or in this case fill the Fuel Tank with it and leave it for around 6 to 7 days, both for the Vinegar or Molasses Bath technique. Rinse it with plain water afterwords and most of the rust will be gone, the good thing is you don't do much effort, the bad thing is, it takes some time. Nonetheless, it's among my favourite methods to treat rust.

Sinking it in a water/molasses solution would be the best idea. I'll have to source out something I can dunk the tank in. Any suggestions?

Will, hopefully try to source something out and dunk the entire fuel tank in it. Will take pictures of the process as well.

My best guess, it would fit but you'll have to use an adapter to mount it on the stock steering column.

Having said that, if I were you, I would rather like to keep the stock steering wheel on.

Hmm an adapter, you're right.

I really like this wheel, but the OEM wheel with the D-ring is pure awesomeness. I'll keep the steering wheel till I get Blue on the road, these things can be done afterwards

i like what i see. good going murtaza_murti i have pm you my number may be i wanna come visit you sometime just wanted to have a look at the car seems like you are doing a great job

Thanks, honestly my project is nothing as compared to the other projects that have been done or which are in progress.

Sure, I have replied back to your PM.

[QUOTE=AsadIshaque;3246233]Great to see the progress!!

Is the engine in the car yet??? Ive not visited the garage for some time, would call them and find out whats going on.[/QUOTE]

Thank you Doc! Uncle Harry has sourced out an original engine bay rubber seal (used). A part of the channel was missing, when I called uncle Harry he said that issue has been resolved as well. Will hopefully go to the workshop after class tomorrow and update the thread accordingly.

Let me know when you get the time to go there.

[AsadIshaque]

Murtaza,

Ive been wanting to go to the garage for the past many days but so far have not managed. I can go tomorrow morning but it would be too early and the garage wont be open even.

What time approx you'd go tomorrow?? Maybe I can join you provided Im not asleep.

[murtaza_murti]

[QUOTE=AsadIshaque;3246303]Murtaza,

Ive been wanting to go to the garage for the past many days but so far have not managed. I can go tomorrow morning but it would be too early and the garage wont be open even.

What time approx you'd go tomorrow?? Maybe I can join you provided Im not asleep.[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the late reply, I went to the workshop at around 3 o'clock today as I had an extra class. Man was the weather hot today! Phew!

Good news, the channel has been made and the rubber seal has been fitted :). The engine should go on by Friday as per what uncle Fredrick has said.

[murtaza_murti]

Hi guys, finally the engine bay rubber seal has been fitted. The small section of the channel which was missing also has been fixed.

The front seats have been made, forgot to take pictures of them. Will take pictures of them and the engine bay tomorrow.

The muffler has been completely welded but I don't think the welds are sturdy enough. The engine should go on by next week, as there isn't any hold up.

What do you guys say about these welds?

Current state of Blue

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

Why in the world the welds to the stripped heater boxes and why did you not try to source the heater boxes? I am sure one can find some replacement heater boxes if looked at the right places. Give Waseem (Pappu)/RWP a call at 0300 525 1598 and ask for the pair.

I couldn't find them anywhere at that time. Will give him a call tomorrow.

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

He did have some motors lying around when I visited him last (February 13th 2012). He is a kind of guy who would sell his skin for the right kind of money. But be wary he could be real greedy at times.

I see, well if he does have them transportation would be the problem.

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

He'll ship the same for Rs. 400-600 to you if he gets the price he is willing to sell so I dont see the problem there.

If that's what you say then I'll call him up tomorrow for sure.

[lazeez]

Why get it shipped all the way from RWP? How can there not be any heater boxes in KHI? So many engines lie around all over the city and most of them have heater boxes.

[Xulfiqar]

If those are welds then I dont want to know what are known as bad welds.

[murtaza_murti]

Why get it shipped all the way from RWP? How can there not be any heater boxes in KHI? So many engines lie around all over the city and most of them have heater boxes.

I totally forgot, I'll call up Shabo tomorrow and ask if he has a pair in stock. He must have a pair! But don't the heat exchangers have to be cut off in order to fit over the heater boxes?

@reezvaan, I called the guy in Rawalpindi his phone was switched off.

@Xulfiqar, what can I do? When I correct the guy, he says no it's suppose to be like that. He does everything his own way. This gets me pretty damn aggravated.

[murtaza_murti]

The engine bay seal has been installed but I don't think the seal is the correct one for my model.

[reezvaan]

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