Winter Project - Father & Son 64 VW

[deadbird]

Wow!! I don't know about all that...just trying to help the kid learn some basics about cars and spend some quality time with him before he grows up and moves out to pursue his dreams. The project has snowballed a little and will end up nicer than any I've ever built for myself. I figure it would be a cool car for any teenager to cruise around during his last two years of high school. Thanks for all the positive responses guys.

I have two more sons but they are nine and sixteen months. Maybe I can squeeze out a project for myself between theirs.

I definitely know what you mean about a bug project ***********. We went from a free, rusty POS to something that's nearly too nice to drive. All my friends tell me I'm nuts if I let a teenage girl drive this after it's done. I keep reminding them that it is just a car and she's a lot more protective of it than I am at this point. I'm headed home to get our pics posted. You guys got me motivated now.

Oh yeah, make sure you get your project squeezed in before the next round of father son projects. I don't need to tell you how fast time gets away from you.

 

[frank2112]

I've got a '63 that drives and a '60 bug that doesn't. I bought the '60 as a donor to the '63 when the motor went but am planning on rebuilding it in the future and giving the '63 to one of my daughters as their first car. I only bought my first one 3 years ago and now I'm 42 and will probaly have at least one bug forever. I love them and they are very addictive. So far it looks likr\e a great way to spend time with your son and it also teaches them some skills that may save them when they get stuck somewhere and the car won't go.

 

[bugdust]

I'm making a list of parts needed for the next phase so I'll get that ordered soon. It looks like I'm going to have to replace both heater channels, front firewall, front clip, both lower a-pillars, both rear wheelwells, both front wheelwells and both rear bumper support areas. I'm looking for a better body but haven't found one that isn't almost as bad as this one without spending a lot. We're going to finish up the chassis and start on the engine next.

Stay tuned.

 

[Westtexass2k]

Cool project I love the old bugs I have had a few and they were alot of fun. I was hoping my son now 9 would want one when is older. It would give me a good excuse to build another bug and it would be fun to do with my son. Good job and hope to see the finished project soon.

 

[Craig Smith]

Looks good so far.

In the Uk that would be considered minor rust, the car I have for my son is slightly worse!

I built this last year-

this tears car will be wild but build cheap - loads of parts left about...

 

[bugdust]

Nice buggy! I'll build another buggy eventually. I've got a volksrod project stuck in my head right now that I want to build next. I have to sell my vert first to have a little play money. I think that's why my projects take so long...I usually don't take "house money" to buy anything. It's a self-supporting hobby. I buy, sell or trade parts quite a bit to get the things I need.

I didn't get to the bug yesterday and we are taking the kids to the park today but this afternoon/evening I should get to do something in the garage.

 

[e-tek]

I know nothing about bugs, but I do know (a little!) about being a son, a Dad, restorations and posting up a build thread - and you are doing all ENVIABLY!!!

After looking at the first two pics - in what looks like an old park, or a backyard with no shop - I was super-surprised to see the quality and depth of the work done. From the pan welding, shop tools, making a rotiss' and the paint-work, one can see you''re a man of quality and your son will learn much about doing things the right way. Few kids get to learn what makes a car from the inside out!

You've obviously got some welding and metalwork skills - how awesome it is for a 15 year old to learn that stuff first-hand. I learned O-A welding in my Dad's shop when I was 12 and it has come in handy for 35 years now. Your son will thank you forever!

Not to get all philosophical on you, but, in the end, 2 (+/-) years spent on a project at this crucial time in your sons life will pay dividends for the rest of your lives and even into you grandchildrens lives. My Dad taught me a lot when I was that age and now I'm teaching my sons. Many of my freinds shared nothing like that with their Dad's and wish they did when they see us working togething. The bug will be fun to do and even more fun to drive, but when it's long gone (hopefully not) the memories and lessons will live on!

To all the Dad's stuggling through a project (of any kind) with their sons - or ones thinking about starting one - it's a time that will anchor your relationship for many years to come. Put in the time, a few bucks, a lot of ups and downs and I gaurantee you - you'll never regret it.

Cheers to a Super Dad!!

 

[Craig Smith]

I also have a Volksrod idea bouncing around in my head!

dangerous isn't it!!

 

[JCQuick]

mmm interesting never thought i'd see VW's here.... guess I need to post some pics.

by the way looks like a great project bugdust. I'm also glad to hear to that you understand about the amount of junk being marketed today for these cars.
I like your plan but I'm not a fan of filterpumps if you take the engine down completely just full flow it.

 

[bugdust]

Well, we didn't get anything done to it today. We planned a family day (I have three boys) so we went to the park for a while, got some lunch and then went shopping for a while, then stopped for ice cream before finally coming home. I had to take a nap (getting old ***** ). No, I've had a cold for a week and it's dragging me down today. The weather is supposed to be nice all week so I'll get some shop time after work tomorrow.

I'll probably just run the stock oil pump cover and take the filter off. I've ran many VWs all stock like that with no problems. I like the idea of extra filtration but the idea of having the filter right by the exhaust doesn't sound good to me. This engine was in a baja before, not a full-bodied bug.

**WOOHOO - 100 posts!!

 

[alkemyst]

just don't get mad if he gets in an accident with his first car.

My dad and I did a 66 Mustang GT when I was 16-17...it got me hooked on cars ever since and taught me a ton of stuff about the ways things go together and how to overcome 'issues'.

I originally was also looking at Karman Ghias (sp?) I like the look, but the only specimens we found at the time were overpriced or rotted.

My wife would love a hot pink VW bus. It would be a practical vehicle for her since we travel with our pets. I have been debating that or her more 'reality' based choice along the lines of a RAV4.

Also while he always has dad's tools, get him started on his own. I got my set started early on and it takes a while to get up and running without having to head back to "dad's" house all the time. Now I buy a tool when I need it if it's reasonably prices, or try to rent it if it's not. If the job is cheaper than the tool then I give in...however; I have been burned by not doing my own work more than once.

I totalled it when I stopped in the crosswalk and an old lady broadsided me. I would have been hit either way, but getting a ticket with an accident gives dad's a whole lifetime of bringing up coulda / shoulda

 

[bugdust]

just don't get mad if he gets in an accident with his first car.

Cars can be replaced. Nice mustang...my brother is restoring a 65 or 66 right now. He owns two currently but has owned more Mustangs than I have VWs.

 

[WH0DAMAN]

I got my start with a 66 Mustang project with my father-in-law at age 16. I've been fixing cars ever since then. Learning to use your hands and brain together to build something like this is a priceless skill. Especially when it's done right.

 

[bugdust]

I haven't had time to do anything to the bug this week. My son sanded down the shocks, taped up the rubber grommets and painted them. There are almost new KYB GR2s but they had some paint drips and scratches and stuff on them.

While we wait on some parts to finish the chassis and start the body we were going to start on the engine since I have most of the stuff for it. But, we're going to thrash a little to try to get my 62 vert road-worthy so I can drive it to a show the 22nd. I've got a lot to do to it before I take it on a two hour drive. It will still look the same but I want to drive it!

 

[bugdust]

Well, nothing done to the 64 but we got a lot done on the vert today.

 

[Rte66Charlie]

Good job Bugdust - too often today parents don't understand how their children spell LOVE - you my friend, have figured it out. Our kids spell love T-I-M-E.

Spend the time, they will know the love.

Good work on the bug, too.

 

[bugdust]

Thanks. We're hoping to get back on it soon as the weather warms up and the funds become available. My son told me yesterday that he wants to do more on it so he will know what to do if he ever needs to fix something (which is kind of the whole point anyway )

 

[Jammer]

Way cool job! My sons still talk about the busted knuckles and laugh til you drop things that went on during our projects. We learned a lot together. Now they still work on old VWs, just for fun. - That's great workmanship & attention to detail on your car. It's gonna be a great car! Post how the front suspension work turns out & what you may consider different for the next one. Thanks

 

[PowerDubs]

Very cool!!

My first car was a '73 Bug that my dad bought me for $300 and surpised me with. He hid it behind our shed in the backyard but I saw it from my bedroom window! I was 15 at the time and we used the time before I got my liscense to fix it up a bit.

It had sat in a garage unused for about 10 years prior so the first time we drive it around the block we blew the brakes (wheel cyl)..that was my first project on a car. I've had countless other VW for the last 20 years and love working on my cars and bikes. As a matter of fact, my dad suprised me with an old little dirtbike when I was younger and that started everything..

I hope you have a good time with the car and enjoy it.

 

[mad57]

Ok heres a pic of my wifes pride and joy a 1999 mexican bug with power slide roof, she loves this thing.

 

[bugdust]

Nice Mexican slider...I'd like to have one of those myself. My volksrod project will have a very similar roof. I already have two original ragtop clips that I'm going to graft together.

Just gotta sell the vert first.

 

[bugdust]

I just ordered parts from CIP1 & Wolfsburg West. One order should be here Wednesday. More updates coming.

I did a little hammer & dolly work on the rear apron earlier.
Before:

After:

I don't have any before shots of the backside but here it is now:

I still need to do a little more to it and weld up two cracks by the exhaust cut-outs.

 

[crashbumper]

Any new updates?

 

[bugdust]

Yes. My son has lost interest in the project. He will end up with either my tan 67 bug with a 1600 in it or a Toyota pickup. I have found a better body for the 64. It is a 61 and it needs heater channels and doors and some other rust repair but it is still less than the 64. I decided to chop the top, suicide the doors and do a "few" other mods. I started back on it today actually but the threw my back out first thing this morning. With the help of a buddy some work did get done but not as much as I had hoped.

Once I get this body welded back together it will get put on the finished chassis. BTW, I "borrowed" the entire brake system off the finished chassis, put it on my 62 vert to make it to a show and then ended up selling the vert. So now I am having to blast backing plates and do the brakes again. I have already bought most of the new parts to get it back as a roller. It will be slow now though with my back acting up again and due to the fact that I am working about half the time due to temporary lay-offs every month.

 

[Curt_pnw]

Nice project. My dad and I work on our squareback together. It wasn't as big a project as your bug, but fun nonetheless.

We put a rebuilt 1776cc in it last summer.

Anyways, hope your son finds some inspiration, the bug looks like it was coming along great with his help.

 

[wolfman]

I had a 1970 Karmann Ghia as my first car. I regret selling it to this day. Bought it with a stock 1600 in it, then upgraded to a 1776 cc that was good for melting the tires on it. Then I had a friend build a high performance 1904 CC motor for it with an 8 lb fltwheel, custom **** heads with relocated spark plugs, 48 IDA Weber carbs and a custom billet transmission and other fun parts. It would do 0-40 in 1st, 40-90 in 2nd (buried the speedometer in 2nd), and then you still had 3rd and 4th. I topped it out a couple of times and the front end would float off the ground at top speed. REALLY scary but amazingly fun. I was a hellion in town and would race dang near anything from VW's to 5.0 mustangs, corvettes whatever had wheels. I loved seeing their faces when I left them....

 

[GN4WHLN]

It's great to see all the love people have for their VW's Growing up, my parents had a 65 Bug and a 70 Bus. We went all over the country in that bus befor my dad replaced it with an 80 Econoline. My dad and I never did any builds - he isn't a car guy. He did make whatever was important to me happen though. I've done my son's suspention, stereo, and other stuff on his truck with him.

Not my first car, but I had a 63 ragtop Bug; 2110, dual 40 Delorortos, 11:1, Superflow heads, Mallory big cap converted to magnetic p/u, NOS, Centerlines. Can't remember what cam I ran... Used to run a stinger, then went to dual QP's. It was pretty quick, but scared me at speed; it wandered, and the drum brakes took forever to stop it. I had sort of a love-hate relationship with it. It required constant tuning and octane booster in every tank. It was so loud inside, the stereo was useless. It had just two seats, a roll bar, and aluminum interior panels.

Later, I had a 68 Ghia convertable. 1776, mild head work, cam 9:1 CR, dual Solexes; very drivable. Loved driving that car down to Newport Beach to go surfing. I had a softrack for the top, but it was so much cooler to go with the top down and the board in the back.

If I can find some pics, I'll scan them and post.

 

[G-force]

Nice build. Aircooled VW's will always have a special place with me

Here's my last, sold in 2003

1964 Notchback

 

[Curt_pnw]

WOW! I love that notch!
And I can't imagine trying to top out my square, it'd probably flip or something. haha. It wanders all over the place at 75-80 in 4th. Slow and low, i'll stick with that.

 

[ngneer]

Wow!! I don't know about all that...just trying to help the kid learn some basics about cars and spend some quality time with him before he grows up and moves out to pursue his dreams. The project has snowballed a little and will end up nicer than any I've ever built for myself. I figure it would be a cool car for any teenager to cruise around during his last two years of high school. Thanks for all the positive responses guys.

I have two more sons but they are nine and sixteen months. Maybe I can squeeze out a project for myself between theirs.

Sir, nsxsoon hit the nail on the head, you are a great man. Your son, is not in front of the Stupid box, watchin some ****. He, sir, is learnin to be a great man from you. These values and morals will be passed on from him. Thank You and may God Bless you and your family.I, too, am a bug guy, 70 beetle, lowered, soon to be 1776, can't wait. am I on The Samba? Every one of the VW's on here are beautiful, Big Raisin Pie, to all.

 

[Curt_pnw]

I'm on the samba too. great forum to learn all things vw, and a lot of knowledgeable people.

 

[bugdust]

I ended up giving the kid my 67 bug. It has a 1776 with dual dell'orto 40s, berg linkage, engle 120 cam, stock heads, Berg shifter, 4" narrowed beam with drop spindles, etc. He has his permit and has driven it a few times. He likes it but now we're leaning towards selling it and getting him a Toyota 4x4. If he keeps the bug it will get a 1600 put in it. I'd rather put him in the Toyota. I've had two Toyota trucks and loved them. I'd still be driving my last one but I sold it to get the F150 crewcab to haul the family in.

The 67

My old Toyota

 

[MalibuLX3]

It looks like you really know what you've been doing, and have been doing it for some time.

But I must say, please, please move the fuel filter away from the engine. Move it under the tank or by the ******, just not where it is in these picture

After all you don't want this to be your VW...

Looking good, keep up the good work!

 

[IDASHO]

Lovin' the Type 3's in here

I used to have both a '68 and a '73 Squareback.

 

[bugdust]

It looks like you really know what you've been doing, and have been doing it for some time.

But I must say, please, please move the fuel filter away from the engine. Move it under the tank or by the ******, just not where it is in these picture

After all you don't want this to be your VW...

Looking good, keep up the good work!

OK, here we go...

Is that bus yours? Did it burn because the fuel filter "exploded" all over the distributor? Do you have any facts to back up that my beloved VWs are going to burn to the ground if I don't run right out and move my fuel filter? Or, is that something you read on the internet? Here's why I ask:

I've owned somewhere between 55 and 60 aircooled VWs over the past 23 years. I drove nothing but a VW bug every day for 10 years straight...I didn't own another vehicle. I have always put my fuel filter in that exact location and never, ever had a single problem. Actually, the culprit in a VW engine fire is usually one of a few things.

The fuel inlet going into the stock carb (or the banjo fitting on aftermarket) usually works itself loose from years of vibration and/or the hose being worked on/off many, many times over the years. The simple fix for this is a couple of taps on top of the carb body to slightly "indent" it or a dab of loctite or JB Weld, if you wish.

The carb may be tuned wrong and/or timing set incorrectly resulting in a backfire through the carb. I had that happen on my old '66 Chrysler Newport while delivering mail at the beach back in 1988. It burned a spot about 8" in diameter on the hood before I got it out with a shirt.

When I get a new (to me) VW I go through all the vital points to check to see what the well-meaning previous owner fouled up. I always replace the fuel lines with new braided German metric fuel line and secure it at every junction with worm-drive hose clamps. I inspect all the hard lines as well. I also inspect everything when I do the routine maintenance.

I don't mean to come across as an *** and I do appreciate your concern. Thanks for trying to help. I will continue to put my fuel filters right where they are. I do keep a charged fire extinguisher in the car and I have actually been trained to use it.

 

[MalibuLX3]

OK, here we go...

Is that bus yours? Did it burn because the fuel filter "exploded" all over the distributor? Do you have any facts to back up that my beloved VWs are going to burn to the ground if I don't run right out and move my fuel filter? Or, is that something you read on the internet? Here's why I ask:

It's just cheap insurance because that one time your fuel filter does leak onto you'll wish you had moved it. Especially if you're running all new fuel line then why not??? It doesn't cost you anything...

BTW, you didn't come across as an ***, and I hope that I didn't either

 

[crashbumper]

I learned from my dad; and many of his friends about VW's. He has built more than his share of magazine cars over the years. I wasn't too into VW's when I was around 16; but now I am back in it again. Daily driver is a '69 with an 1835, Dual 42's on 8 spokes.

IMO I would not put any kid under 21 in a bug with anything but a stock motor. Even a mild 1776 is a big jump in power from a stock 1600. It's real easy to get yourself in a lot of trouble. Even today I have to keep myself in check when I realize I'm in the fast lane doing 80.

Bugdust is definitely right on the fuel line size and barb fitting working out of the carb; my 1600 smog motor started working the barb fitting out. SKETCHY.

Dad:

http://www.frenchysrides.com/

 

[cwstevens92]

Great Work

 

[Lippyp]

My dads 72 Beetle was the first car I drove after I passed my driving test, that thing was nasty to drive especially in the wet but then it was stock as a rock and running on cheap czechkoslovakian crossplys. I nearly rolled it on a number of occasions and the back end just loved to try and overtake thre front. Boy did I get grounded when I borrowed it one evening and thrashed it chasing some friends in their Cortinas. Turned out the clutch was slipping but hell, I had no idea only having been driving for a few months. My dad had to fill it with oil twice the next day it burnt so much, time for an engine rebuild....oops. My mum had type 2's from the early 70's that we were dragged all round europe in on camping holidays, two adults, five kids and a load of camping gear makes for a very scary trip on the autobahns. She still drives VW's, only now she has a diesel Sharan.

I hope to get my twin boys interested in cars and working on a project like this so they have a car to learn to drive in. They like to "help" daddy now at just under three, although help is a relative term!

 

[bugdust]

I forgot about this thread. Here's the final update.

My son decided he would rather have a "normal" vehicle. I traded the redone chassis, raggedy body and chopped body for a 67 kombi project.

which I sold and bought a new puppy. He's 6 moths old now and about 65 lbs or so. (older pics)

The tan 67 bug got traded for a 67 westfalia for me.

that I'm gathering parts to restore it.

I just sold my 65 13-window deluxe in August. I did a lot of work to it but didn't need two buses.

My son ended up with a old Toyota pickup that he loves.