The Baja - Progress Thread
- Thread starter Hawk Tuah
- Start date
Add that to 25mpg. Awsome. It really was very different back then!40BHP from a 1.6! ClassicYou're right though, it does look ridiculous fun
I was going to take it all apart again today and put it down a spline, however I changed my mind. Its settled down now with a lot less of a camber, and it is much more stable to drive.
You'd be wrong.
What you're looking at thinking is the engine is actually a carb, fan housing and alternator. The engine itself is mostly hidden behind the numberplate and goes transversely between the exhaust cannons. Plus I've painted a number of engine parts matt black, so they dont show up.
From a distance it would be quite difficult to tell how big one of these engines is. The most powerful engines are all custom built.
For example, this 2.3 litre engine is almost exactly the same size as my engine from the outside.
http://volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=487004
This one shows quite well the actual engine (minus cooling, carbs, alternator, manifold, coil etc)
http://volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=481734
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So, the engine needs some work. No time like the present, so, evening 1 of project - 'strip, fix, replace and rebuild'.
Or better known as 'what the hell am I doing, will it ever work again'.
Will it ever look the same again.
Still some rusty tinware screws that will need cutting out. Something for another day.
All holes plugged and covered up for the night.
Or better known as 'what the hell am I doing, will it ever work again'.
Will it ever look the same again.
Still some rusty tinware screws that will need cutting out. Something for another day.
All holes plugged and covered up for the night.
At least. I intend to buy all new screws and bolts. No point using the old rusty crap that I've been struggling to get off again.You just know your going to end up with one screw left over when you put it back together...
Fortunately the germans were sensible even back then. They're all nice easy metric sizes.
Ha ha. Thanks for the offer, but I might try sourcing wheels in the UK. Postage from auz might be a bit on the pricey side. Those wheels are very big and very heavy.
I've now finished putting the engine back together. I accidently blew the electronic ignition by putting a cable in the wrong way round. (Since when was a black cable supposed to be positive.
). Luckily I kept the old stuff, so I'll just have to use points and condenser again.
The new piston rings are on, I fitted new push rod tubes and seals which were leaking a bit. I also checked the valves which are all fine and cleaned all the burned crap off the insides of the heads and pistons. Now I've just got to re do all the ignition timing and check the valve clearances and it should all be running again!
Then it'll be onto servicing the rear brakes and transaxle oil seals. Then the front beam. Then the track rods. The the gearbox. Then perhaps I'll get round to fitting IRS.
I've now finished putting the engine back together. I accidently blew the electronic ignition by putting a cable in the wrong way round. (Since when was a black cable supposed to be positive.
). Luckily I kept the old stuff, so I'll just have to use points and condenser again.The new piston rings are on, I fitted new push rod tubes and seals which were leaking a bit. I also checked the valves which are all fine and cleaned all the burned crap off the insides of the heads and pistons. Now I've just got to re do all the ignition timing and check the valve clearances and it should all be running again!
Then it'll be onto servicing the rear brakes and transaxle oil seals. Then the front beam. Then the track rods. The the gearbox. Then perhaps I'll get round to fitting IRS.
Well. I managed to fit new piston rings without having to remove the engine, if that says anything.
I've got a beetle book that has a guide on engine removal. Basically, steps 1-10 of the instructions and 14-20 are all irrelevant.
Undo 4 bolts, remove throttle cable, alternator cable and fuel pipe. Done. Bodywork clearance isn't an issue.
I've got a beetle book that has a guide on engine removal. Basically, steps 1-10 of the instructions and 14-20 are all irrelevant.
Undo 4 bolts, remove throttle cable, alternator cable and fuel pipe. Done. Bodywork clearance isn't an issue.
Well, I havent done any update for a while. I've recently been working at getting the car all running nicely again.
I've fitted new seats to it and ripped out all the rear seats.
Plus, I've just finished installing a new set of twin carbs and a new dizzy.
I've also had a new front beam installed, a heater channel replaced, and the brakes overhauled.
I have a new electronic ignition to go in this afternoon, and a load of other bits an pieces here and there.
I've fitted new seats to it and ripped out all the rear seats.
Plus, I've just finished installing a new set of twin carbs and a new dizzy.
I've also had a new front beam installed, a heater channel replaced, and the brakes overhauled.
I have a new electronic ignition to go in this afternoon, and a load of other bits an pieces here and there.
Very cool. Forgive my ignorance but is this car slow? fast? torkey? etc etc.
Unstable with terrible brakes and doesn't like going straight.
Power wise its not bad. Its a fairly torquey engine and works well at low revs. I still need to do the timing properly though which should improve power at higher revs.
Everything I'm doing is intended at making as fast as possible around the grass track at VW action 2009. So it wont be out of 1st and 2nd gear, and has to be able to take big bumps at speed.
I was going to pick some up from a local V dub guy last weekend, however knocking it over the dunes has made my push rod tubes leak - so I've had to spend the money on a set of high performance replacements instead.Get matching fronts already!
They're on my list, but the engine comes first.
Got the push rod tubes sorted this weekend, plus got a chance to tune the carbs better. Having cannons actually made it really easy. If I put my ear to one cannon I could hear perfectly how each side of the engine was running and adjust the carb accordingly.
Anyhow, how about these for cheap crap. Only 7 months old and they are the most rusty bits on the whole car.
New tubes in. Quite a fiddly job, but still much easier than removing the heads.
And they match the highlight colour on the rest of the engine.
Anyhow, how about these for cheap crap. Only 7 months old and they are the most rusty bits on the whole car.
New tubes in. Quite a fiddly job, but still much easier than removing the heads.
And they match the highlight colour on the rest of the engine.
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Fitted the new oil breather tonight. Had to buy a 16mm drill bit to be able to tap the rocker covers, and I'm going to replace the awful cheap piping that came with it with some decent rubber. All the metal bits were good quality though.
Not bad for a fiver though. :lol:
Not bad for a fiver though. :lol: