1974 Westfalia "Penelope"

[Bignick]

I picked up 74 westfalia about a month ago from a guy on the site. Many of you all are probably familiar with this one, as it was listed for sale in the classifieds. I was the lucky SOB that snagged it and now that I have the title in my name (despite the county saying it was worth $14,550...and I not wanting to pay sales tax on that... another story) I am ready to start investing my loose change in her.

I started with the gas tank and pulled it, cleaned with acetone, then uses hydrochloric acid to remove the rust, then bought a quart of eastwood's gas tank sealer.

I threw the tank in last night and ran the plumbing this morning and she fired right up! Seems promising.

I'm having trouble with the carb linkage binding up- has anyone ever dealt with any of these and had them rub the linkage on the carb, thus leaving them wide open?

She'll need some body work, but I figure I can slowly patch up the holes and remove rust. I just want to get her mechanically stable.

[Bignick]

Oh, and just so you can fully understand the build, check out the picture of the passenger side door. I don't want a smelly one. Just a Tidy one.

[travisyoung]

Get the p.o. to sign a low price selling affadavit,  the can be found on the tax and title website or the same place you register the vehicle with the reason that the price was below blue book

[Bignick]

I already did that! The name on the title was a guy down near macon, ga and googled him, found him on the samba's business listings. I emailed him and he responded with a phone number saying he'd help me out. I sent him the paperwork and he sent it back. Dropped the sales tax from about $1300 to $23.

VW's taught me that interesting trick a few years ago when they said my 1970 that I paid $500 for was worth $3,500. They didn't accept the offer to show them the vehicle. Instead I had to get the dead lady who signed the title to sign the affadavit... It worked then to.

I got the title for the bus, so I'm happy with it for now.

Has anybody heard about the dual carb linkage binding up?

Nick

[Interstellar Overdrive]

Hey Nick, I told you she'd be a snap to get chugging! Had it timed for you and everything! 

Try using some fine grit sandpaper on the linkage ends, and after that put some lithium or axle grease in there, should work swell. I'm happy to see that you got the title sorted out, and eager to see her rolling around!

[certdubtech]

Hey Nick.... If you are running the stock dual carb set-up, i have some parts donors for the carbs and breather pipes... I am cleaning out, if i come across them, i'll pull them out for you. 

[Interstellar Overdrive]

It's the stock dual Solex.

[certdubtech]

It's the stock dual Solex.

Yep, that's what i gots.  the carbs are no good, butterflies are seized up, but there's lots of parts you could possibly use.

[Bignick]

sweet! That'd be awesome!

[Interstellar Overdrive]

How'd you get to be a club officer so fast Nick? And what about what you said about not being a good mechanic? You seem good enough to me. 

[Ret.Bugtech]

It's the stock dual Solex.

Yep, that's what i gots.  the carbs are no good, butterflies are seized up, but there's lots of parts you could possibly use.

I just loved those factory carbs. Get this, You adjusted the 2 carbs with the left carb only. There isn't any adjustment that you could get to easy on the right carb just vac. lines and balance tubes. What a P.O.S. !!

[Bignick]

How'd you get to be a club officer so fast Nick?

I'm wondering the same thing... I kinda volunteered for something I didn't know what I was volunteering for!

oh well... It should be fun.

as for the mechanical abilities, I'm learning while trying to do as little damage as possible...Im just glad it doesn't have a giant gland nut!!! I figure worse case scenario, I'll throw a type I motor in it....

[Interstellar Overdrive]

Well, have you run the accelerator cable and taken her for a spin yet?

[Bignick]

I chugged her up and down the driveway a time or two. I did get the accelerator cable run but I will have to address the binding carb linkage. I want to do the brakes before I do too much else because I want to be able to stop her. Plus the rear right tire seems to be dragging some. Probably a froze up e-brake

I'm getting married soon and we are driving away in my beetle so Bonnie is getting all my immediate attention. Plus i'm hoping for the 1-13/16" socket I threw on the registry so I can do rear brake work!

[certdubtech]

46mm.... Embrace the metric system, my boy....