Monthly Archives: April 2012

Inaugural Drive Around The Block – 1966 VW Beetle Project

Today was the day!  I took “Karl”, the name of my Beetle, on his first drive.  I worked out a couple of kinks in the process too.  When I’d turn left, the horn would beep.  LOL!  Also, 3rd and 4th gears were not reachable.  Both issues were quickly fixed once I got back.  Here are some pictures, and a video from today:

 

 

 

 


 

 

Fuel Tank Fuel Filter – 1966 VW Beetle Project

Ok, so I bought 3 stock copper mesh fuel filters from 2 different places… A local import auto parts store and Wolfsburg West.  For the life of me, I could not get either one to install properly into the tank.  Of all things, you wouldn’t think a stock fuel filter would give you so much trouble.  The copper mesh would crush each time I’d try to insert it because the hole in the tank was just too small.  Here’s a picture of the copper mesh partially inserted into the hole:

I tried strengthening the copper mesh by rigging some fuel hose inside the mesh.  You can see the plastic clear piece below, which was inside of the copper mesh when I purchased it.  It fits around the fuel hose perfectly actually.  This actually worked pretty decently, but I felt the copper mesh wasn’t being used to it’s full potential like this.  I destroyed a fuel filter for illustration purposes (see pictures below):

I also tried gently tapping the copper mesh filter into the hole with a screwdriver, pressing on the plastic piece inside the fuel filter.  Well, it required too much pressure and the plastic piece would slide toward the end of the filter and peeled the end seams apart.  Here are some pictures:

During all of this, I came across a different style fuel tank filter from a different online vintage VW retailer.  It has a plastic frame around the mesh, and it actually fits nicely into the hole.  Here are some pictures of the final installation:

Works great!  Nice and snug, and doesn’t leak!  =)

Rear Breast Plate Engine Tin – 1966 VW Beetle Project

I acquired a “correct” 1966 1300cc rear engine breast plate from a local guy. Willy wasn’t able to find a “correct” part when building the engine, as it is a one year only part and very hard to find. I was shocked I actually found one locally. They’re even hard to find online. The person I purchased it from also has a ’66 Beetle. Lucky me! (Thanks Jonce!)

I degreased and cleaned the rear breast plate engine tin today, and sent it off to Awesome Powercoat in Ohio.  I had them powder coat it in OEM VW Factory Finish Satin Black.  They did a great job and turned it around really fast.  Their email communication was very prompt as well.  Here are the “before” pictures of the engine tin (after degreasing/cleaning):

I forgot to take a picture of it prior to installing it in the car.  They worked on the metal prior to powdercoating it and took out all the dents as well.  Here are some “after” pictures of it installed in the car: