Aircooled VW South Africa

Finally got time off work and decided to get Lady through road worthy so that I can get the useless disk, and drive freely without fear of fine.

She made it on her own steam 100% legal.

Right after they put her through though, the dude doing the testing took her off the inspection pit stopped and yanked the handbrake so hard that he snapped the right hand side cable.

I just smiled at him, nodded silently and left with the papers in my hand already

Of course that meant I had to cancel all other plans for the day, drive out to Good Hope spares to get a hand break cable, and spent the next two hours installing it.

Yes, I'm living proof that installing a Beetle's hand break cable, can be a one man job. It takes time, patience and lots of mechanic speak (the kind involving 4 letter words), but it can and has been done.

Hand brake cable is ok, it's the clutch one that makes me sound like a lady of the night.

spent time compiling an (ever growing) list of snags on the bug ... then spent time trying to understand how they made these things ... trying to get into perspective that although there is rust .. she is still quite repairable and will one day look great

started trouble shooting the hot air ventilation system ... damn those Germans were ingenious ..

this is gonna be a long road here ..

Added some bling to the 58, new rear brake lines fitted, ruberised the under-belly, spot light fitted. Started polishing all the SS & chrome. Wiped off months of dust, amazing what a simple wipe of 7 months of dust can do.
Rear wheels back on, started making a new harnes for the elec. ignition. Fitted the freshly powder coated oil bath filters (for that Okrasa look), new bumper overiders fitted in the front, passanger door pannel on. Alll the new trim is on.
Fixed oil leak at sender unit (hopefully haven'r run it yet, no ign. ATM)

To do before Saturday morning:
Fit Retrosound Radio, and hopefully some speakers.
Cigarette lighter (I don't smoke, to charge cell etc.)
Fit wheels & hup caps
Polish front & rear bumpers
Connect spot light
Glue front trunk carpet
Fit Hazet tool kit (I can drive with it now as the bonnet locks )
Fit passenger seat
Fit 2 door handles om inside of passenger door
Get the hooter to work
Connect pope nose light
Fit new bulb for interior light
Fit new bonnet seal
Touch up paint at above seal
Good wash & polish
Vac. the carpets
Polish tyres
Fit wiper covers and adjust wipers
Fit rear seat
Polish all the glass trim
Fit a newish tyre to the spare, the cross-ply that is ther ATM is all cracked up
Replace front winshield rubber & trim
Replace sill plates

Go for a long drive Friday afternoon, maybe even drive it into work, no brake downs allowed on Saturday.

The list is long but I should get there.

Collected tubes from Rui on weekend, thanks , took them to tire shop and they all shot. Quoting me R185 for a 165/15 tube...anybody work or own a tire store...??

Other than looking at the beetle I need to deal with the leaking fuel line so I can at least drive it and then start noting down faults and bits that I need.

I have been looking for parts for my early Passat and one of the things on the list was a clock as the original isnt working any more. I was attending a seminar in Potch today and finished fairly early. drove past a scrapyard and decided to have a look for a used cluster. I found a NOS in the box correct year clock on the shelf for R150.
Armand

IMPI wrote:I have been looking for parts for my early Passat and one of the things on the list was a clock as the original isnt working any more. I was attending a seminar in Potch today and finished fairly early. drove past a scrapyard and decided to have a look for a used cluster. I found a NOS in the box correct year clock on the shelf for R150.
Armand

What else did this scrapyard have?Anything for a 62 beetle?

saw very little beetle stuff I was totally blown over by the Gauge as I dint expect anything
A

Only got to bed passed midnight. Door handles done, lighter in but not connected.
Tried to connect the semas, to my surprise no wiring on the one, that will be sorted later.
Radio is in after having to make up ally brackets to make it fit, so much for the add stating that it will fit no problem, not connected but looks so right
Found brake lights were not working, sorted out the switch, now need to check why the 1 indicator has decided to not work, it was fine last week.
Fitted a bulb to the interior light, but still not working, will have to wait
Tried to trace the wiring to the hooter, it's a dog's breakfast, will have to wait.
Dug out & cleaned up an original Jack.
Gave 2 tyres a nice shine

THE LIST IS GETING SHORTER It will be at Fig's even if I tow it there

Looked at it as I left for work, looking sad without one headlamp, my kid poured sand in the headlight section so water is clogging up, I need to clean out the sand this weekend and sort this headlight out...

calooker wrote:Found brake lights were not working, sorted out the switch, now need to check why the 1 indicator has decided to not work, it was fine last week.

i am coming to the conclusion that these old ladies have their own mind when it comes to electrics ... got a park light that works as and when it wants to ... ditto number plate lite ...

DID NOTHING :

Put the grab handles, back seat brackets and metal strip on the top of the back seat on my bus. O ja and put back the front reflectors.

Eventually got to the bowl of spagetti.


Made a cable tray and, to a degree sorted the wires.

I know it needs a new loom but at least now I can trace all the wires.

Fcuked up the ignition key return spring on the Ghia.

Ran out of petrol on a 2 degree incline to the garage and started the car in first gear letting the starter motor drive the car to the pump.