Tenchi's '71 Bug

[Thanney]

In the same spirit as Peter’s Catbox Files and Duane’s New ’66 Project, I decided to keep a blog about my ’71 Bug.

The story thus far….
Bought my Bug back in March 2008 from someone near the Jones Farm Intel campus.  The car ran great for short distances and would not turn over if I drove over 10 miles.  Turns out that the PO thought that the alternator had a built in voltage regulator, that was not the case.  Put in a solid state voltage regulator, bug was happy for a while.

Some time in April, had major problems with the Bug, it would run for about 5 minutes but as soon as the engine warmed up, the Bug would not drive faster than 10 mph.  Took it to the shop after pulling my hair out for a couple of weeks, turns out the coil was heating up and not doing it thing.  They had to change some other things as well not sure if that was necessary but I was happy m bug was running.

Decided that the front looked weird due to it being higher than the rear.  So I got an adjustable 1 or 2 inch front beam.  Jeff helped me put that one in.  It was an interesting experience since none of us have done it before.

My sunroof broke OHH NOES, that is still not working but at least it is closed and not leaking.  Need to make new guides out of sheet metal, I don’t like the plastic ones VW uses.

Got dual carbs HURRAY, Tenchi happy go zoom sound very good with new exhaust, which by the way makes everything shake in the house EPIC.  (Thank you all at the shop day that helped me install the carbs and exhaust, off the top of my head I can remember Peter, Glen, and my memory is bad)

Hmmm Bug go zoom, but no stopie to well, “Shelly may I has disk brakes”.  Putting in disk brakes, Jeff helped with the fronts managed to do the rear by myself.  With the adjustable front beam stuck at its lowest point and 2.5” drop spindles, I am forced to cruise without my front fenders.
The Bug stopped well a little too well.  The calipers kept closing more and more as I used the brakes without letting go.  After asking Mark, Peter, and Duane for info it was suggested that the master cylinder could not be working well.  Replaced it Saturday before Father’s day.  The return spring in the old master cylinder was very weak compared to the new one.  Brakes work now, but would have to drive a couple of days with it to be sure.

Attempted to meet the club at Helvatia Tavern but got down the street and the Bug was back fire-ing any time I got past 20 mph.  I am thinking it could me my laziness of not changing the oil and the plugs since last year April.

All the frustration this Bug brought me so far is well forgotten, the times it runs bring me great joy and I look forward to driving it some more.

Also trying to decide if I should go for a beach themed or a volksrod, tough choice...

Stay tuned for more of my antics  8)

[CatBox]

what about a beach themed volksrod? :D

buck up little camper as i remember the day vivdly that i was determined to push my car out into the drive way and light it on fire.  duane saved the day.

your car will soon treat you to a healthy driving experiance.

[Thanney]

After endlessly searching the intertubes for affordable hot rod like headlights I got tired and decided to put an angle grinder in my hand and make my own.
Here is a picture with the temporary headlights I had, they were regular fog lights you can get anywhere.


Housing still in fender.


Housing out of fender


Bug with homemade “vintage” headlights


Next on the to do list is to make mini fenders to drive when it is wet outside

[CatBox]

are you gonna keep it like that? 

if so you need to chop that front apron off.

it will clean up the front of the car.

ohh and go to Volksrods.com and search "cycle fenders"  while there sign up and become a member. you'll like it.

[Thanney]

I am thinking of trimming that front apron to match the frunk lines.  I have an idea for a front bumper that I need to make somehow.
I troll the volksrod forums,  I guess I should become a member since I spend so much time on there.

[CatBox]

oh and i forgot to say the lights look good.

definatly post those over there in you intro. you are sure to get some good reviews.

post an into as your first or they will gang up on you.  they are great people but they dont like it when you dont follow that simple rule.

[Thanney]

Something I might use are trailer fenders, or just cut up the front fenders I have  ;D we'll see

[CatBox]

use the search luke....



there are some good tips to be had.  like using a model A spare tire cover cut in half and radiused to your liking that floats over the tire as it is attached to the spindle somehow.

im sure you will find the coolest way that you can concieve and it will turn out just fine.

 ;D

[Thanney]

I think after changing the master cylinder, the brakes are still slowly closing the calipers without letting go.
Please any input as to what could be causing this is greatly appreciated since I have no idea of what it could be  :(.

[CatBox]

have you changed out the soft brake hoses yet?

i know these can swell and hold pressure if the y are way old.

[Kev]

Bingo!  I had the same problem once...

[BusDriver]

It's almost without a doubt the lines, there is an off chance that you could have them adjusted to tight, but that is a very VERY off chance. I would say the lines as well.

[UGoBug]

da lines!  da lines!!  had the same problem once...had to fix it the night before CFTC...

[Thanney]

That is one thing I have not changed yet, thanks for the suggestion.  Might as well go find some nice steel braided brake lines if they are not pricey. ;D

[corradojeff]

lmk and ill come help bleed them....again..lol :D