Bay Window Resto...

Well, here it is. One of my friends bought this 1971 panel van a couple of years back, perhaps not knowing the extent of the rust lurking but anyway, it is a panel van and there aren't many here to choose from now.

With the body condition in mind, most of the money has gone into the mechanical's on this beast. The front suspension is now adjustable and dropped down, and I have dropped the rear end to match the desired front height. Not as low as some out there for sure but it does look okay and should provide a degree of comfort when belting down the road.

While the front and rear suspension's were being reset, I dropped the trans-axle out for a tidy up and replaced the CV's with new ones, new CV boots of course and ran some new wires down the guts of the chassis to enable the electric fuel pump and tach to operate.

Also just had new battery cables made up today.

The engine mount is off being powder coated at the moment after being altered to clear the merged exhaust. I expect I will see that this week. Then I need to make some mounts to hang the engine and it's all good to go.

Yes that's a solid tail gate from a German fire car or similar we think. Apart from the slight dent on the right side, it's a perfect original lid. Nice score.

 

I built this engine about 5 or so years ago now. 1776 cc, with counter weighted crank, Engle 120 cam, 8.5:1 compression, new dual port heads with larger valves (forget the sizes after all this time), Berg wide deep sump, 26 mm Berg pump, Berg relief valve pump cover, alternator, 36hp dog house shroud, dual 40DCNF's on god knows what manifolds (alloy but can't remember if they were Scat perhaps?), merged exhaust, pertronix pick up, MSD coil, new everything else where it matters.

I have only run the engine for about 5 minutes previously on the floor of my garage to get the timing and carbs running close to correct, so it will be good to see the thing on the road and get it running spot on.

I had a similar engine in my own 1977 Bay Window panel van about 15 years ago and it was no problem getting the van side ways. Surprising how easily these old van's can be made to do burn out's!

With a load of filler and some primer, plus the BRM wheels installed, this old van will live to see another day.

And now for the car...

With the engine installed and running okay, it went for it's maiden voyage.

Not a bad looking original paint car hey?

After giving the car the beans around the local streets, I checked the distributor advance and found it was not as consistent as I would like on my own car's so I removed the 010 and put the 009 back in (temporarily). This solved the advance problem for now even though it looks like crap. The 010 rotor isn't as tight on the distributor shaft as I would like so need to get that sorted out and install another day (good thing I have a few 010's on the shelf).

As for the linkage, I have had to revisit that a couple more times. The main problem with this wonderful CSP linkage is that the right side linkage arm hits the underside of the generator slightly and at full throttle, it hits the generator stand as it comes around to the most severe part of the arc. I have gently filed the underside of the generator to clear the rod and also done a bit of work to the generator stand casting to clear it but it's now only got a bee's dick of clearance. I suppose if it clears, it's good to go.

Also, I believe there is a fault in the design of these carbs. The throttle's don't return to the closed position 100%. You get perhaps 97%. Yes this is with the linkage disconnected!

As I don't have any other Wolfsburg West carbs for reference, this might be something not common to all of the carbs, but rest assured this is a pain in the arse. The linkage does indeed have the return spring in the middle, however when the engine is warm, I thinks that due to the slight thermal expansion, we are going to have a slightly elevated idle on 1 x carb and un-synchronised carb's. That's just my thoughts now and I could be wrong, but I am not sure that a push-pull linkage is the way to go. Good in theory but not so good in practice.

With the car now back with the owner, I can get back into my own projects (yippee!).

Some of the fun stuff going on right now in my garage:

• 100% visually correct 1500 'S' engine assembly and parts gathering (bottom end assembly won't be far off now)
• steering wheel alteration- I am looking to reduce the diameter of a standard VW steering wheel slightly but retain it's original look
• MK 2 GTI body work- some f^%k wit reversed into my daily driver GTI recently, so I am now in the middle of repairs to get that car back to original. Not something I wanted to do but since the car is a low mileage beasty, it's worth the effort to keep it on the road
• Chrysler work- I have a 1966 Chrysler Valiant (AP6) Utility (or pick up as the Americans would say) with a nice 318ci V8 and it needs some minor repairs to get back in order. The car was restored about 10-15 years ago and just parked. Some of the works already have involved the fuel system- clogged filters, torn Holley diaphragm, fuel pump, and now the fuel tank resto (so much crud and rust inside). I am now at the point where it's cosmetic work such as relocating the alternator to where I want and that sort of work. A neat old car and I think it's good to have an interest in non VW's to help you keep across what the rest of the car fraternity are up to.

WW Dual Port 36hp up and running

Saturday was busy, I installed the engine into the client's car and after messing about with all sorts of bits and pieces, got the engine fired up. Virtually first crank of the starter too!

I have some final details to do- the generator pulley is still at the paint shop so installed a temporary unit.

The wiring needs a bit more tidy up but is all connected and working- I think some black outer sheathing to protect the regulator wires is in order.

The heater boxes are installed but with out the flaps- the ones on this engine were damaged and missing pieces so for now there is no heat. The owner needs to dig up a new heater cable for the car anyway so that's not a show stopper.

The coil needs a paint job and a new decal to be applied and then that will look the business.

The oil pressure switch was wrong (later type) so I installed my last NOS early screw type which is correct for this engine. Looks all the better for it too. There is nothing worse than a 36hp engine with all the wrong details like later oil pressure switches, 009 distributors and especially 13mm ATF hardware. But anyway....

So what problems have I encountered with the WW kit? The CSP linkage does slightly touch the generator stand which is sort of okay- it's just grazing it. The air cleaners hit the deck lid when it's up- we are only talking about 1 mm but it's enough to rip the paint off slightly. I think the deck lid should be slightly power filed back to clear (that's what I would do if it were my car). Apart from those small things, I think it's a great kit for the money. Even without driving the car (the brakes are suspect), I can tell the engine has more response and wants to rev up.

Who would have thought that here in 2010, we would still be messing about with these old VW engines and new products would be available for them?

Sneak peak. Non Type 3 content warning....

I don't get too involved with T1 engines anymore, but... I was approached to install the new Wolfsburg West dual port engine kit onto an old 36hp engine recently. Why not?

With a thorough cleaning of the old engine, I have now performed the installation of the dual port heads and sundry bits & bobs. Everything worked out okay to an extent. The CSP linkage still has a minor rubbing issue to contend with (hitting the generator stand) and I now have the 'OT' pulley for the engine so that is a step in the right direction (so the Taiwanese cracked pulley used to turn the engine over can get the flick).

The 009 is only there to ensure the engine turns over okay (if you leave the distributor out, you can possibly have the drive lift up slightly and screw the brass gear up- always have a distributor in place when turning over an engine!! I agree that 009's suck especially on 36hp engines!

I have a restored 010 ready to go for this engine now so that is sorted. I had the fuel pump rebuilt too while I was at it as the old diaphragm looked crap. Not good enough to supply fuel to 1 x carb, let alone 2.

Next on the agenda is to get the tinware sent off for some semi gloss bake enamel and then re-assemble all that with some of the original clamps and bits to attempt to retain some originality with the engine. I don't mind slightly worn original items on an engine if it looks period correct.

I must post up some pictures of my 'new' notchback too. Damn I am slack with the camera of late. Sorry about that.

NOS RHD Berg Signature Handles - a bit special

I am stuck at home with a cold so thought I would post up images of some odd parts I have bought over the years.

These are the last numbered RHD Berg signature shifter handles that were made for each year.

I spoke to Gene about the 1995 handle while he was still alive and from memory he wasn't around by the time the 1996 handle was produced so I did some fast talking to secure that one when it was produced.

Not sure what I will ever do with them or if I will ever bolt one onto a shifter, but they are from an interesting time in VW history. The Gene Berg name was everywhere at that time and many parts featured on some of the best VW's produced and featured in magazines.

It is my belief that in time, some of the best early Berg parts will end up commanding original DDS and EMPI prices. It will be interesting to see if that's correct in say 15 to 20 years.

NOS 1500 'N' Single Carb Air Cleaner

Just some simple images of an NOS 1500 'N' air cleaner I have stashed away to show the location of factory applied decals and red paint.

As you can see the red arrow on the top is a bit of a poor job but it is there and lines up well with the lower arrow which is pressed into the housing.

Also note that as this is a later 1500 'N' air cleaner and not an early VW-1500 air cleaner, it does not use the large flat washer below the plated wing nut / bolt.

Notchback air vent trims

Here is a set of front intake trims to suit early Type 3's (recessed air intake grille).

 

Interestingly, they were made in Germany, put into the small cardboard box, then re-packaged in Australia into the larger VW Australia cardboard box.

 

I once sat them on a notchback for a photo but decided I didn't like them as much as I thought so they are now up for sale.

 

Still sort of NOS and un-bent.

This is the set for the rear air vents on a notchback (all years).

These (from what I can gather) are genuine German trims as well (happy to be corrected) and have been re-packaged recently (within the last 10 years) by a chap in Victoria, Australia to look like original packaging.

Also only sat on a notchback for a photo, I don't think they are the right look for either of my notchback's so they are up for sale too.

Mail me if your interested- aaron@vw1500.com

NOS VW 1st Aid Kit

This is a very hard to find item. An NOS 1960's VW (Australia) First Aid Kit.

I managed upon this over 20 years ago while working at a VW Workshop part time.

I believe that VW sold a lot of them back in the day and they were a popular item, however I have only heard of a couple others in all the years since.

This will end up in the 1500 'S' glove box along with the original owners hand books etc.

One of the more practical accessories offered by VW and a prime candidate for reproduction.

NOS Fog / Driving Light's for the VW 1500

Here's a nice option for the early Type 3's.

An NOS set of fog or driving lights for the VW 1500.

These do turn up every now and then and I don't consider them overly rare - What is rare, is to see them mounted to an early car!

I don't have the balls to drill either of my good T3's to install them so these will likely remain in the box as they have done since the mid 1960's.

WOB-A 961

While in Germany, driving through Wolfsburg, I wondered if it would be possible to have some replica plates made in honour of some of the original prototypes.

I found the local registration department and posed the question. 10 minutes later, I walked out with as accurate a pair of replica's as you are likely to get.

Give away - original near perfect all white VW-1500 gear knob!

That's correct - if you want this original all white knob as removed from a 1962 VW-1500 notchback many years ago, you can have it if you give me an early NOS white / grey gearshift knob that I require for my 1964 1500 'S' Notchback.

This could be a very good deal for you?

No the white knob is not for sale.

NOS T3 Full Circle Horn Ring

There are now reproductions of this much sought after T3 accessory. Very good ones at that!

This one is a little bit special as I managed to purchase it from the VW Museum in Wolfsburg back in May 1997 while on holiday. I was told by Paul Medhurst that if you ask the chap within the office to the side of the museum nicely, you would possibly be let loose in the NOS section of the museum. This I did and wow was I impressed. Wall to wall NOS goodies! I don't believe a lot of people knew about this part of the museum back then.

It wasn't long before I found this sitting on the shelf and to say it was a bargain at the time is an understatement.

I intend on installing this onto my restored original 1500 'S' steering wheel at the right time in the future.

MK 2 Golf Panel Van - ring any bells?

Interesting to note that the MK 2 Golf was offered with a Panel Van option, much like our beloved Type 3's back in the 1960's and 1970's.

Also the pressings around the edge of the panels are just about identical in profile to the Type 3 version of 20 years + earlier.

DKP Squareback

A neat 1500 'S' Squareback amongst the DKP cars at the VW Classic 2010.

Not much more needs to be said.

Sold to the highest bidder!

I just sold my last complete set of spare genuine M265 Type 3 Panel Van window panels to another dedicated early Type 3 guru.

These were removed as 2 x pairs from 2 x seperate panel van's over the years that I found and I hope they find their new home soon, spot welded into another early squareback.

I also supplied the new owner with genuine Australian only long and short hinges for the cargo area and some of the luggage protector strips so he is on the right track with an accurate replica now.

You wont see these panels turn up very often it has to be said, and no I don't have any more.

The only spares I have now are 1 x long hinge and 4 x short luggage protector strips. If you need these, send me an email and we will do a deal.

Goodies at Bob's house, June 2010

NOS pair of push button assemblies. Nice work Bob.

It's a good thing that all 3 of my 1500's use the later model push / pull type switches or I would be mighty tempted to make you an offer on one of those.