Will do.

Did all 4 of mine in an hour with the trailing arms off, a 3 pound sledge, and a drift from harbor freight. There’s a trick to it that my friend who does loads of ball joint replacements wrote down for me. I’ll have to find the instructions and post it. And installing them is easier with a LITTLE BIT of lube after refridgeration.

I’ve built engines like mine (pictured above) from some rusty motors that wouldn’t even turn. I’ll pay $300 for a good core to work with.

There was a substantial ball joint replacement thread on the Speedster site a few months back. Couple things, from memory:1. Pickle fork bj separation on the VW is not advised–harms the BJ as often as not. Same thing with the steering knuckles. I say this as one who used forks on both and ended up replacing all tie rod ends and the BJ dust seals,…[Read more]

I wouldn’t buy a “built” VW engine from an unknown source even if I could hear it run. Close tolerances and lots of potential mistakes amateur builders make that could kill an engine inside of 5000 miles. Just a very different sort of animal than, say, a small block Chevy.I would consider a $50 or $100 running 1600 DP though, just to have a core…[Read more]

Thanks for the tip, Tom. I’m aware of the Houston VW Club, but hadn’t heard about the Air Coolers. Will have to check that out. The San Jacinto Battleground event sounds interesting. Shoot me a PM if and when you get ready to go there.
Enjoy your cruise — and don’t forget to take pictures.

Be wary of Craig’slist.  Two days ago, I bought what was advertised as a well running 1835 engine only to find out after bringing it home and opening it up, that there was a broken valve spring, pitted pistons, and it was not any bigger than my 1600.  Got my money back though, so we’re just going to build out my existing engine.

In this case without a press and the proper tools I think you’d be money and time ahead to have them pressed out and the new ones pressed in. 15 minute job if you know what you are doing and have the proper equip.

Will do Sarge. Going over Friday. Should get to Gulfport around noon. Staying at the Best Western on Hwy 49 just off the interstate next to Hooters. My cell is 225-202-2612. I’ll give you a call when we get in. Be nice to cruise with another TD.
Tom

The doohicky is a small press for removing a joint from its tapper socket.However the way the ball joints are positioned on the vw front end there is no room for the tool.I have used a 2 hammers for stubborn joints,use a heavy hammer on one side as a backer/dolly and give a couple wacks with the  2nd hammer and the joint should pop.Most of the…[Read more]

I may have spoken too soon. I used it to push out tie rod end ball joints, not suspension ball joints. I’m not sure that it is big enough for the latter. Think of it as an L shaped bracket that fits between the ball joint and the tierod. A bolt pushes against the bolt in the ball joint and enables you to push it out. It was on the rack at Autozone.   

BDriver,I’ve already broken the bj loose from the knuckle (pickle fork).But what “doohicky” are you referring to?  I think I know what your talking about but I’d love to see it.  I’ve investigated all the various tools available but I’m just not sure I want to waste my time building up my anger and not getting anything accomplished.Have you used t…[Read more]

Two part answer.
1. A pickle fork. It looks like a tuning fork except that the ends taper and there is a fat end for beating on. It’s used for removing balljoints. Either the balljoint breaks free or you bend the suspension arm.
2. This doohicky hooks around the back of the suspension arm and uses a bolt on the front end to push the balljoint…[Read more]

Gunfighter, give me call when you get down here, will do a little crusin together on the coast. 228 396 9403 I’m writting this from a friends computer having trouble logging it at home.
Sarge

Always good advice. My take on the story was that the boilerplate language was as ancient as the automobile models it proscribed.

Many insurance companies can classify a car that is 10 or more years old as a classic, and if 25 years old, an antique.  The TD replica might get classified as one of those, so I’d double check the insurance contract and the credit card contract.

It’s nothing I could ever hope to attempt or achieve, but I can certainly sit here and applaud in awe.
Excellent work, Rocky!

Hey, guys. My night job may be copy editing, but when it comes to Craigslist I just pass ’em along, I don’t clean ’em up!

I agree $6,500 is high.
But I also hope he gets his asking price!
I love the care that people take when they are advertising a product.
Italian Red? Yeah sure, more likely generic gel coat red. But ok, call it waht you want.
But a Tonneau Lover? Indeed. Maybe all those Italian reds are tonneau lovers!

That seems to be high for an unfinished project, and a bit high for a VW, unless it is one of the bigger engines.