The Baja - Progress Thread

Hawk Tuah · 11 Oct 2008 at 08:06

130 4 stud.

However, my wheels work. So there are more important things to look at before that.

Once the engine is all working, and I've done the brakes I need to replace the front beam.

dale1uk · 11 Oct 2008 at 08:24

Bug One said:
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.

Yep, that looks considerably easier than the task I had helping my brother remove and refit his engine into his 67' beetle last week after he rebuilt it!!

Hawk Tuah · 19 Jul 2009 at 10:01

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.

Hawk Tuah · 19 Jul 2009 at 16:40

Phate · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:07

Very cool. Forgive my ignorance but is this car slow? fast? torkey? etc etc.

Hawk Tuah · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:20

Phate said:
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.

Sone · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:26

it so wrong to have union flags on it though

Hawk Tuah · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:42

When I got it, it had Iron Crosses on it.

Not really me to be honest.

Perywinkle · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:43

Me wants one! The missus would string me up though if I buy another car

I've got half completed projects scattered all over the place

Hawk Tuah · 23 Jul 2009 at 21:04

I took the Baja out for a bit of a rough ride over the sand dunes to test out the recent mods. Everything held up quite well.

Baja%20on%20the%20dunes%20020%20Medium.jpg

Baja%20on%20the%20dunes%20019%20Medium.jpg

Baja%20on%20the%20dunes%20009%20Medium.jpg

Baja%20on%20the%20dunes%20002%20Medium.jpg

AtlanticP · 23 Jul 2009 at 23:03

Fair-play mate, that looks ace. Good to see it being used for its intended purpose too. Top Marks

Phate · 23 Jul 2009 at 23:25

Thats well cool

Hawk Tuah · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:13

SC04 · 28 Jul 2009 at 18:29

I think the car looks cool and know they are fun. But noisy ones sound spoilt, especially if it sounds like a harley.

Sin_Chase · 28 Jul 2009 at 18:31

Started going through this when you updated it from the start and awesome thread. Love these project things and watching them evolve.

Get matching fronts already!

Looks great though

Hxc · 28 Jul 2009 at 18:34

That looks dead fun mate. I love that car.

Hawk Tuah · 29 Jul 2009 at 13:01

Sin_Chase said:
Get matching fronts already!

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.

They're on my list, but the engine comes first.

Hawk Tuah · 2 Aug 2009 at 18:03

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.

mjt · 2 Aug 2009 at 18:49

nice and shiny

certainly looks a lot better than when you picked it up!

Hawk Tuah · 4 Aug 2009 at 20:57

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: