I stopped at my VW mechanic’s shop for his thoughts on this shifting question. He’s been working on Beetles and Porsches for nearly 40 years, and says that even here in Houston (where we’re heading into our 15th straight day of triple-digit highs) he’s never recommended keeping up the revs to cool the engine. Instead, he suggests adding an oil…[Read more]

I was looking online for new rubber for my MP Lafer and came across this site, which sells VW parts made in Brazil. Apparently they still stock the wheel covers with blank centers @ 4 for $98.82 (plus shipping):

http://www.vwantigo.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=62&p roducts_id=1664
There’s a currency selection button on the left of the site. Be…[Read more]

Tried the rear adjusters. Seems like they were Ok to start with. Drove a bit and didn’t quite get the stickiness I had, but don’t feel like it’s fixed. Try the front adjusters later…

Hi Mark,I built and own a Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess. This is Classic Roadsters’ approach (starts on page 16 of the PDF). It worked for me!This is Fiberfab’s approach.This is CMC’s approach (starts on [page 11 of the PDF).All of the above are links to copies of the manuals stored in tdreplica.com’s “Download Manuals”…[Read more]

you buggin’!

Welcome Mark. Glad to have another TD owner aboard. Which type of VW TD do you have?
Look over on the left and select the Download Manuals tab. In there you’ll find manuals for different TDs that you can download. Suggest you download the one for your car. Extremely helpful even if you’re not building a kit.
To answer your question, yes you will…[Read more]

 
Ed,
Your problem could be as simple as damp linings or rear brakes that were overdue for adjustment. Rear shoes last a loooonnng time. They only contribute 20% of the braking effort. Adjust the brakes and see if the grabbing changes before you start taking things apart. 
Peter
  

Ordered the parts. I will try your method tomorrow, and thanks, Peter. If it works I’ll drive her like that at least until the new springs come in.The rears are probably due. Like I said, I’ve had the car near two years now and have no idea when those rear drums were off last. So we’ll see.

MGLR,Dusty Johnson, a Porsche Speedster owner and member of
Speedsterowners.com is a leather worker. He makes luggage straps to fit
Speedster luggage racks. I’m sure he could help you out.Here is Dusty’s web site:http://www.pvsaddleshop.com/And his email from the link on his web site: dustyjohn@aol.comWhen you contact him, just tell him you got…[Read more]

There goes our professional writer again!

Good job Ed!

 Ed, Where do you buy ”fat” cut pile carpet?

Ed,
Check the adjustment on the rears before you start spinning wrenches. I once saw a Squareback that wouldn’t go forward until you reversed to release the leading shoe on one side. That’s tough to do at a light. People told the owner it was a transmission problem. I adjusted the brakes and the problem was solved.
Rear brakes can stick when t…[Read more]

Black, cut pile, no edge binding.I bought a roll of marine carpet for the purpose and it’s looking pretty decent so fat.

Good questions, all, Peter.And confession: I ain’t done the rears yet. Didn’t have the giant socket. Got it now. Maybe I’ll start there.To your question: I do leave the e-grake on when it’s parked. I think the cables are set nice–since I just did that when I moved the handle. But my theories about how things work are often proved wrong.I’ll let…[Read more]

Mrlmd..just curious if you picked up the infrared thermometer and if so what temp reading did you get as compared to your gage? I also am curious if you checked your thermostat controlled flaps on your shroud to make sure they are opening. Mine does not have the thermostat installed and the flaps are always open.

I noticed that too, it won’t work on my car. I found a aluminum mesh grill at Home Depot that I am going to put over the front of the engine compartment to try and filter out stuff like that, to keep it from getting sucked into the fan. If a bag or a bunch of leaves got stuck on that screen it could possibly block off the whole intake into the…[Read more]

I was about to order one of the shroud intake screens and discovered they only fit non doghouse shrouds. The early shrouds have a lip the screen will attache to. The  doghouse shrouds do not have this lip. You could still fabricate a bracket to use the screen or simply screw or pop rivit some wire mesh over the fan intake opening on the later…[Read more]

 Allen, All the trim/piping is the same color as the seats and panels on both of my cars. I think that some of the newer MGs used piping that was a different color but to my knowledge ,the TDs always matched the piping to the rest of the material.
 Can’t help with the amount of material needed.

Ed,
You felt the front end dive. That’s a characteristic of the rear brakes. The front brakes cause the rear end to rise.  
Your problem might not be in the front brakes.
Was Bridget stored with the parking brake on? That would have left the retraction spring extended for a long period of time. Have you adjusted your rear brakes lately? Is the e…[Read more]

Allen,Classic Roadsters provided pre-sewn side panels and door panels. And, pre-cut and bound carpeting. All the Duchess builder had to do was install them.The door panels were pre-edged with piping in the same color as the interior panels. I added weather stripping to seal the door opening,I’m not able to help you with the dimension info. Sorry!