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Hello, my name is Titus. I would like to introduce myself and also ask a few questions if you guys permit. I bought this TD replica on a 74 vw beetle pan a few months ago and I’ve slowly been trying to get it running right and cleaning it up. I stumbled upon this site a little while ago but havn’t had a chance to post.
here are some pictures of it.
Now onto the questions.
1. How do I hold the front bonnet up without using a stick?LOL2. The car came with a fuel tank which has the filler on the right side which inturn is very difficult to fill the gas tank, i’ve seen a fuel tank online for a beetle that has the filler on the left side. Which side do you guys run?
3. The dash needs complete replacement, I’ve already purchased a solid oak piece and have cutout a new dash. Im looking into cutting out the gauges next. I would like to replace all the gauges. What kind of gauges do you guys run? I know this car is air cooled so what happens to the water temp gauge? Is there a electronic sending unit somewere on the engine? Is there a better diagram somewere then the one on the manuals on the left hand side of the screen?
4. Fuel Gauge. I notice that the parts store sells a few different kind of different vehicles. Which one is everybody running? Ford, GM, Chrysler, etc..
Thats about it for now, like I said in slowly working on it and hope to get it running soon so I can at least drive it a few weeks before I put it in store for the winter with the other MGs I’ve been working on. Thanks
titustd 39715.4926388889 Hey Titus,
Welcome!
Some of the answers will vary based on your kit’s manaufacturer…but here goes…
1. On my Classic roadsters Duchess, there is a u-channel support bar, under the hood, parellel to the chrome strip that is on the outside. I used the seat belt shoulder strap seat from my donor Beetle, riveted one end to the “firewall” and screwed the other end to the center of the support bar. The strap is long enough to allow the hood to open past vertical, so the weight of the hood holds thstrap tight, but short enough that the hood does not hit the headlight.
2. Can’t help you here. Classic Roadsters provided a custom tank that fits down on the front floor pan, so I don’t use the Beetle tank. I just did quick search and did not find any “reverse filler neck” tanks. Hopefully someone else on the forum will have some advice. You could always have a stock tank modiofied. But the welder better make damn sure the tank is fully cleaned out! Or buy a new tank and modify ti first.
3. I have all VDO gauges in my Duchess (Speedo, Tach, Ammeter, gas, Oil pressure. Many owners also have an oil temp gauge or a “head temp” gauge. The Oil temp and Head temp gauges will come with sendign units. Search the VW parts sites. You’ll find gauges and sending units. Here’s just one gauge vendor… http://www.egauges.com/
4. I used the stock VW sending unit on my gas tank. The VDO gague is calibrated to that sending unit. It doesn’t matter what you use, so long as it fits the tank and is calibrated (same OHMs) to the gauge.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Thank you for your reply.
The car currently has all VDO gauges, but none of them work and they look old and warn, thats why I was thinking about replacing all of them.Im going to go to the local VW junk yard and see if I can find a tank with the filler on the opposite side to see if it would work.
Here is a picture of what I am refering to, as you can see this owner has his filler on the passanger side, I have mine on the drivers.
I forgot another questions I had.
What kind of swtiches do you guys have and were would I be able to purchase them? I need a switch for headlights as well as signals. I would like some kind of old fashioned switches instead of the modern styles.
Here is a picture of what kind of switches I have, but some are missing knobs and I would like to purchase new ones.
Is the turn signal switch suppose to be one for both sides or each side have its own? And is it a intermediate switch?
Hello Titus,
Paul M. has helped me alot with all my request so I am glas to see he is helping you as well. I have a Classic instruments for gauges. if you would like I just re-did my dash and can send you photos for ideas? you can give me your emila address through here or thru the private way as well.
Paul W
Hi Titus, I looked at the pic you posted of the gas tank with the red marks showing where your filler is. Is it possible that your tank is installed in the opposite direction ? You should be able to tell by the slope of the top of the tank if it is. Larry
My e-mail address is titus2669@gmail.com Any pictures and information on what diagram you used to hook up the gauges and any other electrical connections would be greatly appreciated.
I removed my tank and tried to install it the other way and it doesn’t fit. From what research I came up with I think I would be able to find a vw tank with the filler on the passanger side.
my main concern is the electrical work that the dash requires. Again, I appreciate all the information you guys are giving me.
Here’s the single on-off in the style I think you want:
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/7826837
And here is a three stage for the running lights, headlights
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD &ProdID=630
Same switch style. But I could not find both switches on one seller web site.
I assuem your dash has a switch for the turn signals? You turn one way for left, other way for right? I’m not sure where to find that sort of switch. My turn signals are wired to the VW steering column lever.
Of couse you can go freakin’ nuts and buy teh $150 Moss Motors reproduciotn turn signal switch at
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexI D=32980#top
And you still have to buy the handle for another $13!!!
I bet you can go into any large auto supply store, like Pep-Boys or Auto Zone and find the switches you are lookign for.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Re the turn signal, I’ve seen these on a number of old cars that did not come quipped with turn signals. You attach it to the steering column. Although you might not have enough room.
http://www.carparts.com/Switches/GP_2005014_N__10618.car
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Here’s a toggle style turn signal switch from some company in Canada. Expensive, but not “MossMotors expensive”.
http://www.specialtycarpartscanada.com/electrical.htm
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Another one for $70, but the picture will not load. It’s from a Cobra parts supplier. Scroll down to the dash mount turn signal switch
http://www.canam-motorsports.com/ShoppingPage.htm
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Welcome Titus,
Lots of questions and lots of answers, all benficial.
What year was VW donor? This is important. For VW related data, get a “Red Book” for 1968 and up VW from Robert Bentley. For 1967 and older, get the “Blue Book”. It’s on Amazon.com, search Robert Bentley books.
My first kit was a CMC/FiberFab like yours. All OEM VW Beetle gas tanks had the filler on the same side, passenger side. The problem is the hood is HINGED ON THE WRONG SIDE. The lame CMC assembly manual directed this. Swap the hinges and latches to the opposite sides. I used a slide/thumb screw locking hinged rod that I got at West Marine to hold up my hood. It’s for a hatch cover. It’s stainless steel and never rusts. I was mounted on the “firewall” and a wooden block glued with some killer marine glue on the bottom side of the hood. it allowed the hood to be opened and fixed in inumerable positions.
Here’s my thoughts on switches and hardware. Go to a marine supply like West Marine, etc. The quality of the electrical stuff is better able to withstand the weather as most are water proof, the hardware is stainless steel and the latches, hinges, etc. are all a higher quality of plating. Our badge bars are really deck rail. This stuff is pricey, but there are online marine suppliers that are cheaper than the brick and mortar stores.
I used a dash mounted 3 position switch for blinkers. Left was left, center was off and right was right. A universal, weather proof headlight switch (West Marine) worked great too.
Gas gauges are really just ohm meters. If you buy gauges, be sure to buy one that matches the ohms of your sender. A VW supply house can help on that one. There are plethora of online VW suppliers. They may even be able to tell you waht ohms the VW sender is. GM, Ford and MOPAR gauges work at different ohm values.
I bought Autometer Ultra-Lite gauges for my Chevette based TD. I’m not concerned with authenticity, just function.
As you know, there is no coolant temp gauge on an air cooled engine…there’s no coolant. There are other type gauges (pyrometer) that measure head temp, etc., but they’re really not required on a VW unless you’re racing it. They are very expensive too. Be concerned with your volts and oil pressure.
Hope this helps. We’ve all suggested ways to “Git R Done”, you can pick the methods you like the best.
Pink MG39716.4637268518
I appreciate all you guys help. Im going to keep working on it and take all the advice which you guys have given me. I’ve started figuring stuff out on the wiring harness and hope to have it all complete by next weekend. I’ll keep you guys updated.
Were would I be able to purchase the little badge on the front of the grill and also the emblem or whatever is suppose to go onto of the grill?
Moss Motors has the MG medallion for the Grill. It’s $29.95
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexI D=32854
The medallion is item 5 in the exploded diagram.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
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