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

[murtaza_murti]

Congratulations. You probably know now how the Wright brothers felt like when their plane became airborne for the first time. Did the mechanic offer any explanation re. the wheel jamming? When does blue go for the final paint?

Thanks! Yes, I was really really excited.

No, he didn't. He just told me that the wheel was jammed because it was parked for so long.

I haven't been able to go the workshop after the 15th because the situation on that side of the city is quite tense and the workshop is closed due to the tense situation.

The paint-job will initiate once the little remaining mechanical work is all done.

[murtaza_murti]

By the look of it, the cylinder heads are also custom.

Yup, they are. How about these?

[murtaza_murti]

After all BLUE on road...
M glad now!!!
Hope the paint job and rest of the finish work wont be irritatingly slow.

Haha, yes finally.

I hope so too.

[nmshaikh]

Thanks! Yes, I was really really excited.

No, he didn't. He just told me that the wheel was jammed because it was parked for so long.

I haven't been able to go the workshop after the 15th because the situation on that side of the city is quite tense and the workshop is closed due to the tense situation.

The paint-job will initiate once the little remaining mechanical work is all done.

I guess it is important to get it mechanically in top shape before moving on to the paint stage. Have you spoken to the veterans about another mechanic somehow in the safe part of the city?

[Xulfiqar]

Instead of mechanic hunting, I would suggest "reezvan" this car - in easy terms get a set of ramps, grease the hell out of the front axle and anything that has a grease nipple, lube every moving part that needs attention, sort out the linkages, cooling system ductwork. wiring and brakes properly. It will take a good part of your day or even weeks but you will get it done. Once you are free of such work - hand it over for finishing.

Karachi mechanics are a PITA specially when our local people have awarded them with "specialist of some brandname" - said specialist has no special tools to speed up his work yet his is a specialist in some odd dimension.

[lazeez]

Yup, they are. How about these?

If you're thinking of going for some custom exhaust, let me know. I'm getting kinda bored of the 'fweem' myself. Not that i don't cherish the signature noise, i want something new. One easy way is to just replace the pea shooters. That way one can always switch back to the original setup. Any ideas people? I don't wish to spend too much on something that will probably be temporary.

[murtaza_murti]

I guess it is important to get it mechanically in top shape before moving on to the paint stage. Have you spoken to the veterans about another mechanic somehow in the safe part of the city?

Indeed it is, here is the list of mechanical stuff that is needed to be done.

• Fuel filler pipe fitting
• Fuel ventilation pipe fitting
• Oil bath air cleaner fitting
• Fan shroud air pipes fitting
• Lower bottom shield fitting
• Raising the rear-end (even both side out correctly)
• Fixing the shifting issue
• Fixing the accelerator pedal so that it doesn't fall back

Honestly Nasir bahi, I don't want to switch workshops now. The nearest workshop near the current workshop is at least a 30 minute drive away and the distance from my place to the current workshop is almost 30 minutes as well.

I will have to travel for an hour to reach if I switch workshops now. Their isn't much mechanical stuff left to do. I just want to get it done as soon as possible and hand it over for the paint-job.

Instead of mechanic hunting, I would suggest "reezvan" this car - in easy terms get a set of ramps, grease the hell out of the front axle and anything that has a grease nipple, lube every moving part that needs attention, sort out the linkages, cooling system ductwork. wiring and brakes properly. It will take a good part of your day or even weeks but you will get it done. Once you are free of such work - hand it over for finishing.

Karachi mechanics are a PITA specially when our local people have awarded them with "specialist of some brandname" - said specialist has no special tools to speed up his work yet his is a specialist in some odd dimension.

The thing is their isn't much work left. I have papers coming up as well so I won't be able to give much time to Blue. However, once the car is all done I will do the regular maintenance myself.

That is very true, you know for sure because you have dealt with these people in the past.

If you're thinking of going for some custom exhaust, let me know. I'm getting kinda bored of the 'fweem' myself. Not that i don't cherish the signature noise, i want something new. One easy way is to just replace the pea shooters. That way one can always switch back to the original setup. Any ideas people? I don't wish to spend too much on something that will probably be temporary.

I most certainly am. But not right after the restoration, later onwards.

Custom exhaust, custom headers and maybe in the near future dual carburetors.

[murtaza_murti]

@lazeez

An easy and cheap way would be to make a custom exhaust.

Such as these;

[Xulfiqar]

fabricating these exhausts will not be cheap, the exhaust runners need to be exactly the same distance or have some sort of "suction aid" to assist a following cylinder exhaust to be drawn out, The original VW exhaust box is built like that inside, the runners go all the way to the other side to assist in sucking exhaust from the following cylinder which is on the other side of the engine.

There is only 1 person in Karachi that can carry out this fabrication for you but he will charge a lot of money. The upside is that he will make a very beautiful part that works perfectly. BUT it would be very pricey. I have used his service a lot - had him make me regular exhaust mufflers with a distinct sound, I used to ask him to make a Honda Accord exhaust sound like a MB exhaust and he made 2 mufflers with chambered design and glasswool, installed them and for sure the exhaust was quiet but had a soft purring growl under acceleration.

[lazeez]

I was thinking of just replacing the tail pipes. If i remember correctly there's these flared tip tail pipes available which gives a nice low note. In any case, i'd like to know the person you mentioned.

[Xulfiqar]

The guy is across the Mitsubishi Workshop in DHA, his name is Gohar, his shop is below his house - very old panjabi speaking person. I think his business is named Gohar silencer fabrication something.

anyway the famous Imtiyaz (engine mod guy) is actually an exhaust repair person originally, I have had him make some too, like a full run twin pipe system for a toyota 4AGE 20V, made the car sound like a lovechild of VW and subaru.

[bravo122]

The guy is across the Mitsubishi Workshop in DHA, his name is Gohar, his shop is below his house - very old panjabi speaking person. I think his business is named Gohar silencer fabrication something.

anyway the famous Imtiyaz (engine mod guy) is actually an exhaust repair person originally, I have had him make some too, like a full run twin pipe system for a toyota 4AGE 20V, made the car sound like a subaru.

any idea how much will he cost for a decent exhaust

[rustam54]

Xulfiqar bhai please clear some space in your inbox.

[Xulfiqar]

done - fire off.

[murtaza_murti]

The work is on hold for the past 10 days because of near-by demolition and re-construct of the building on which the old workshop was based upon.

The current workshop is right next to the demolished building. The painter cannot paint because of all of the debris being moved and all.

They just keep on coming up with excuses, and they said I was delaying everything.

[Xulfiqar]

rent a shamyana that you can fit your car in, now plastic seal the entire shamyana that nothing can get in (cover the fabric from inside too for good sake of returning the shamyana like you rented it, You would need some sort of squirrel cage blower (shershah) to vent the thing (there you go - portable painting booth)

It will be far better than waiting for the debris to settle, this booth will ensure NO DEBRIS can stick to the car.

btw - yours truly has made and used such a booth.

people from outside Karachi - shamyana = tumboo

[murtaza_murti]

rent a shamyana that you can fit your car in, now plastic seal the entire shamyana that nothing can get in (cover the fabric from inside too for good sake of returning the shamyana like you rented it, You would need some sort of squirrel cage blower (shershah) to vent the thing (there you go - portable painting booth)

It will be far better than waiting for the debris to settle, this booth will ensure NO DEBRIS can stick to the car.

btw - yours truly has made and used such a booth.

people from outside Karachi - shamyana = tumboo

Great idea!

But you know what? I am seriously thinking of getting Blue in my hands now, since it's in running condition now. I'll just have to get the wiring and parts fitting done. It can be a first-hand experience for me.

Fitting which I can do myself and with help from a handful of friends, I can get the wiring done from an electrician who can do it all within an afternoon's time.

The stuff that would be left would be the carpeting and remaining upholstery done from the same guy who has made the seats for Blue.

What do you say?

[murtaza_murti]

@nmshaikh, any thoughts on the post above?

[nmshaikh]

@nmshaikh, any thoughts on the post above?

Just start driving the car in whatever condition it is in....ask the electrician to come with his bag of tools and wires, clips and insulation tape to your house and do the wiring there. Don't worry about upholstery ..use an old T-shirt on the back of your seat or a new towel if you are picky...just drive it!

I see the worse happening in things and I fear that by the time the car is painted (if left there) God forbid, you'll find someone has stolen your starter or carb..heck even the complete engine is not entirely impossible. Good luck affixing blame on one person if that happens. Just get the car out of there and start driving. Keep fine tuning things as and when you find time. In a few weeks you'll be 100% sure there is no rattle in the car that cannot be tackled with a nut tightened here or there, a rubber packing placed under something or lubrication in another area. You may need to get something welded or hammered into shape and it is best done BEFORE the painter has a go at the car. The car would look super in grey primer! Try it.

[Xulfiqar]

Just start driving the car in whatever condition it is in....ask the electrician to come with his bag of tools and wires, clips and insulation tape to your house and do the wiring there. Don't worry about upholstery ..use an old T-shirt on the back of your seat or a new towel if you are picky...just drive it!

I see the worse happening in things and I fear that by the time the car is painted (if left there) God forbid, you'll find someone has stolen your starter or carb..heck even the complete engine is not entirely impossible. Good luck affixing blame on one person if that happens. Just get the car out of there and start driving. Keep fine tuning things as and when you find time. In a few weeks you'll be 100% sure there is no rattle in the car that cannot be tackled with a nut tightened here or there, a rubber packing placed under something or lubrication in another area. You may need to get something welded or hammered into shape and it is best done BEFORE the painter has a go at the car. The car would look super in grey primer! Try it.

This is the best suggestion you will ever get Murtaza, get the thing rolling, buy a grease gun and oil spout (two items every VW owner should have), lube the thing.

Print out a large copy of the wiring diagram, plastic coat it - get the electrician to fix the wiring correctly and use the diagram as needed.

Owning a VW bug involves getting a little greasy every now and then. Your car likes a driver like that otherwise it shows "nakhray"