Hey volks! My name is Nick and I’m relatively new to the club, although I have long been both from the scenic city and fond of VWs. I have two beetles, Bonnie and Ralphie. Bonnie (’69) is my flagship vehicle, while Ralphie (70) is my project vehicle waiting for me to “get enough time to finish him.” I got Bonnie during the Labor Day weekend in 2006. The PO couldn’t keep her running and decided to do a complete restoration. He pulled the engine and then found out he was having a kid. So I bought her to keep with my in college up in Knoxville. I threw her engine in and soon found out that the gas tank needed cleaned. Soon she was running like a top!

Floor pans, interior, new window rubber, stereo, disc brakes, new tires....she’s gotten a fair bit of attention since I’ve had her. She’s missed every single Bugapaluza since I’ve owned her for various reasons...clutch, generator, could only bring one VW.... And it looks like she’s set up to miss another one. This past fall she started losing a good bit of oil every time I drove her. When I would stop, a large cloud of white smoke surrounded the car and I had to check the oil multiple times on my way around town. Plus, you’d think she had an overactive bladder the way she copiously marked her spot.

Which leads me to the need to tear into her engine. I pulled it a few weeks ago and built a mobile engine stand. I bought a engine stand sometime last year but it didn’t have the part you bolt to the work bench. So I made one that fits in a class III trailer hitch. This will allow me to bring the engine in progress to club cruise ins for advice. I figure it will also make it easier for me to go meet up with someone who might have the tools to help rebuild. I hope everyone finds the project fun over the next few months.

I plan to have the breakdown, machining, and parts finding all wrapped up by BP. I figure I can find all the last minute parts there. The absolute deadline is July 17th because my fiance says that we are riding away in Bonnie after the wedding. So it has to get rebuilt or the groomsmen are gonna have their work cut out for them!

I started the tear down tonight and got it down to the case and the jugs. I think I’m gonna leave the case together until it gets looked over at a volksfolks event. Here’s some pictures of my engine stand and tear down. Hope ya’ll have the knowledge to help me get it back together by July!!!!

Nick

Welcome!
I dig the engine stand!  Your gonna fit right in here!
Maybe we all can get your beetle to BAP.

KC

Well I had the Godfather take a look at the engine case and he suggested I find another case. Since then I acquired a significant number of vw parts (5 trans, 20 heads, 3 cases, body parts, engine parts, tin, bumpers and a whole lot more). Well I took a close look at the cases and I have 2 of them cleaned up pretty well. One is single relief and the other is dual relief. I'm going to bring them to sonic tomorrow for the cruise in if anyone wants to take a look and let me know what they think. See yall tomorrow
Nick

Thanks for the offer;  I'll keep that in mind. I talked to the Godfather and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a case he found. I need to get in touch with him and confirm the deal. I wanna get rolling on the rebuild quickly so I can enjoy Bonnie with the warmer weather!

Good for you !!   Where was the oil drip ?    Kind'a interesting where the dist. ending up.  You lucky dog you had a lift. Must be nice.

Great job Nick! Luv the tin color. Can't wait to see the whole B.B.Bug.

I thought I saw you put all the strainer nuts on.  I still worry about that vac. unit working right.

should a new engine smoke upon start up? I am under the impression that this isn't normal. I thought the first few times were from the oil on all the parts from assembly. I have put 100 miles on her already.

also, if you clean up your heat exchangers and paint them with high temp paint, avoid BBQ grill paint...unless you like the smell of grill when you drive!