Well my 1971 Karmann Ghia Convertible has been measured up for its tow bar, which was cleverly done by bending mild steel rods into the correct shape and lengths. These can then be used as templates to make the proper square tubing parts for the tow bar. So now I can commence further stripping and that starts with the engine.
My experience of removing VW engines is quite good, although the last time I removed one was about 1969, however the bolts are still in the same places although some things have changed. The main one being the position of the oil cooler, which is now on the back of the fan housing and stops you reaching the top left bolt. I discovered that to combat this VW introduced a hank bush in that position and the bolt now has to be removed from over the top of the gearbox and that's pretty awkward.
Anyway with the front tray removed, all wiring, the throttle cable, heater cables and heater pipes removed, I could now undo all four fixings on the bell housing and remove the engine. Easier said than done. It was stuck and required a fair bit of levering and pulling and adjusting of the jack under the engine, before it finally pulled backwards and could be dropped out from underneath the car. Although this engine runs, it is my intention to completely strip and overhaul it, but not yet. My main priority at this point is the bodywork.
My friend, who has offered to do the welding for me (He's much better at it than I am) has said that he wants to transport the car up to his workshop to do it, so I am limited what I can do before he collects it. So I thought I would look at the areas that need replacement panels first and the Near Side Rear needs it the most.I have received quite a few of the replacement panels, so I offered them up to the car and drew around them with a black felt tip pen. My next task was to find solid metal where the black lines are to have something to weld to. Well the more I sanded with my DS orbital sander, the more filler I found. In fact it was so thick that it measured 10mm thick in some places, and my sander was just eating sanding discs. So I decided to use the angle grinder fitted with a heavy duty sanding disc. This cut through the filler and I did find good metal but filled the workshop with clouds of dust. So I have now ordered a dust extractor to fit my angle grinder before I do any more.
So that left me with the question "what else can I get on with?" So I decided to turn my attention to the soft top. More bad news. Now I already knew that the car would need a new hood and headlining, but now I discover that the front wooden bow is completely rotten and needs replacing and the price quoted for that is very high. One of the metal cones that passes through this wood and located the hood onto the top of the windscreen frame snapped off.
So I turned my attention to the rubber seals that are connected to the hood and fit around the windows. These are perished and need replacing. So far the quote I have for these seals is over £100. I can't believe the cost for 4 bits of rubber.
So now I decided to take a look at the hood frame itself. This will need to be shot blasted and powder coated before the new hood is fitted. But first there are two nylon bushes that need replacing and no one seems to have any or have any idea where I can get them from. If you know where I can get them please get in touch with me. This is not just a straight bush as the inside hole is concave to house a round pivot ball.
Finally I need a new rear window catch, as the old one has a broken lever on it. Again, if you know where I can get one, please let me know. If not, I think that I can make this part and possible fix the old one.
I also managed to buy a complete second hand interior for the car, seats, carpets and door cards all in the right colours, although they will need some attention before they will be ready to fit. But at least that may have saved me some money.
Well that's it for now, I have no idea what the next stage will be so keep a look out for the next blog.
You can contact me on hopcroftscoot@gmail.com
Copyright 07.06.17 all rights reserved.
My Other Blogs:
1961 BSA A10 Super Rocket Motorcycle:
http://60sclassicmotorbikes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/before.html
1961 Ariel Arrow Super Sport Motorcycle :
http://60sclassicmotorbikes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/1961-aerial-golden-arrow-restoration.html
Miniature Land Rover Defender:
http://miniaturelandrover.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/1-miniature-land-rover-defender-idea.html?view=timeslide
Motorcycle Trailers / Caravans:
http://motorcycletrailersandcaravans.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/1-motorcycle-trailers-problem.html
