66 Project - decision point

[BuginU2]

Here is the latest update on the project.....

I've got the car in the garage now and steadily removing parts and boxing them up.

All of the glass has been removed and the wiring, lights, electrical stuff has been pulled from the front.  The gas tank is out and the fuel line drained.

I'm trying to make some storage space for the seats and engine at the moment, but it should be a rolling shell by this time next week.

I'll post pictures later...

[BuginU2]

OK.  I haven't made as much progress as I'd hoped.....

The entire interior has been removed
The door windows are out
The body has been unbolted from the pan, but is still sitting in place (although the body to pan seal has been broken loose)
The engine is still installed

This is what I hope to do in the near future:

Lift the body off the pan and place it on a wood frame of the ground (for now)
Remove the engine and put it back on the stand (to fix the oil leaks)
Keep sanding the body down

For those of you that have removed the body from the pan.... any precautions I need to take to keep the body from getting tweaked?

Any other suggestions or tips anyone can offer?

Also, I will not be able to attend the meeting on the 9th.  It is my son's birthday (he is going to be born that morning) so I'll probably be changing diapers instead of changing the oil in my car!  :)

[Jay-B]

I want to know how to take body off pan too for my 75 bug project. I have view the superbeetles.com way to replace pans with the body on, but it looks like thats best if you know there is no rust between the body and the pan. I would prefer taking the body off the pan so I can easily replace both pans. If you decide to have a shop day on removing your pan that would be cool.

[BuginU2]

I've been working on removing the old pan halves from my '66 and spent nearly two months breaking the spot welds on the passenger side of the pan.

In four hours this weekend, I was able to break through ALL of the spot welds on the driver's side, clean up the mounting flange on BOTH sides and finally....

Tack the new passenger side pan half in place enough that it isn't going anywhere (unless the car goes with it!).

Now all I need to do is finish spot welding both sides and clean up my beautiful weld spots and I'm done with the pan... mostly.

[slammed67]

Sounds like I will be seeing it in the parking lot soon:-)

[BuginU2]

I don't think you'll be seeing it in the parking lot "soon".  There is still much left to work on.  I do have a goal of driving the beast to the Bug Run at the end of May.  

I have a list that runs a page or two of items that need attention.  Getting the pan halves in place is a big step toward my goal.

[CatBox]

i smell some shop days ahead of you.  i just re-read the whole post and would like to help you on your goal to drive it to the bug run.

let us know.

[slammed67]

Duane, I do not know how much help I would be but I would be glad to come over and do what I can.  

Randy

[BuginU2]

I'm sure that Peter can relate to the situation I'm in.  Most of my garage time happens when I can sneak away.  I haven't been able to "plan" on a time that I will be working on the car.

I see the following major items being good for shop days... whenever it might be.

1.  Bolting the body back to the pan (I hope it all lines up!)
2.  Dropping the rear a couple notches
3.  Swapping out the front end with the adjustable one I picked up at the Bug In
4.  Prepping and painting
5.  Windows
6.  Engine Installation

[CatBox]

yep.  most of my magic time happens during the kids nap time.  there rooms are at the other end of the house so i can be somewhat noisy while im at it.

when ever you need it just let us know.

[BuginU2]

Shop time at my house can be split up into three categories:

#1 Nap Time - no hammering or loud noises
#2 Wake Time - hammer away
#3 Family Away - rarely happens, but lots of work gets done

Today I got about two hours of #2 and three hours of #1.  I was able to finish welding both pan halves in and remove the fenders (they are in the way).  My welding teacher would have been proud... oh, wait, I've never taken a welding class.  It looks pretty good for a beginner and will look much better once I clean it up some.

The next time I get some #2 time, I will be grinding down my welds and priming the pan halves.

Oh and I've made an updated list of things that need to be done.  Fun times ahead!

[BuginU2]

I have some photos of the pan on my site:

http://68vdub.thestofans.com/?p=80

[BuginU2]

OK boys and girls... repeat after me....

Fiberglass is not an effective rust repair solution, especially if it involves pouring an inch or more thick layer of resin (and a couple fiberglass sheets) over pre-existing rust damage.

Please, either find the correct replacement piece or fabricate one out of sheet metal.  

Thank you.

[CatBox]

that is a priceless tip, thank you.  now i have to go and remove some rust filler.....