It's Alive!

Finally, we got the engine put back together and in the car.  It even runs.  Now we have to set the timing and adjust the carburetor to get in top shape.  I purchased a new electronic distributor, but every one that knows about VWs is telling me that the one I got is worthless.  Just my luck.  I hate points, so I'll probably just install the electronic parts inside my original distributor.

Now we can move on to the last few restoration areas, like the interior and installing disk brakes in the front end.  That should wrap this puppy up.  Then the fun begins.  Daniel gets his drivers permit in September!  I'm almost scared to let him drive this thing.  It's like brand new!  Oh well, it's just a car ... right?  Later

Engine Rebuild

For the last two months I have been rebuilding the 1600 cc Dual Port VW engine in Daniel's Super Beetle. This has been a labor of love, and I do mean a LABOR!  I've rebuilt about 10 engines in my life from all different makes and models, but this is my first VW engine.  I'm not sure what those Germans were thinking! The engine design is simple, but way different from American motors. The good news is that the basic principles are the same.  Thank God for You-Tube!  I've watched a ton of videos to learn the tricks of the trade in assembly.

I spent a lot of time deciding what colors to paint the engine.  When I was a teenager, I leaned towards yellow and black color schemes.  If was different then, but I thought it looked nice.  Now that this bug is yellow, I toyed with the idea of a yellow and black motor, but I finally landed on a silver and black scheme. I think it looks clean this way.  I also installed a newly released galvanized exhaust system.  I wanted to stay stock, but these pipes were better made and they were less expensive.  Ya just can't beat that deal.

Here are a few pictures of the assemble process.  I hope you enjoy the pics.