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.   

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]

Rockyx,
Now I understand. You’re building the automotive equivalent of Abraham Lincoln’s original axe.
That’s the one with 2 new heads and 3 new handles.
Will there be anything left of the original when you are finished?
Are you going to put the body on hinges so that you can show off this masterpiece?
BDriver
 

This was a topic back in the day when VWs and their competitors were first comng ashore. Someone rented a stock car track in Connecticut, put imports in the infield and squashed them with Cadillacs to prove the point that big cars will crush small ones in an accident. He left the Caddies on the field to punctuate the point.
The wrecker who was h…[Read more]

Was that for the car or the pretty lady in the right seat?
 

Keep in mind that your ignition fires before TDC. Use the mechanical notch on the pulley. The latest edition of “VW for the Compleat Idiot” contains a 2 page section showing the reader which notches to use on which pulley by year.
You can reverse engineer the notch. Set the pulley where you think TDC for #1 is. Then wiggle the rocker arms. You sh…[Read more]

 
Thanks for the memories.
Did you see an MGA coupe?

Speaking of tarnish . . . the antique finish on those brake lines is impressive. While you are in there you might consider replacing them too. The car usually stops when a gas line springs a leak. It doesn’t stop when a brake line springs a leak.  
Now that you’ve had a look at it, are you really sure about that frame? It’s not too late to s…[Read more]

Stripping and repainting any car costs a fortune. Fiberglass has its own problems that can increase the price. Fiberglass is not steel. Cracks start in the gelcoat and can propogate into the fiberglass. You can’t paint over the old paint. You have to grind the cracks down to clear fiberglass to keep them from coming back. A surface paint job wi…[Read more]

 
I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.
That’s a pretty engine. 
 

 
The windshield doesn’t have the rake for the bikini on wet glass maneuver anyway.  

It has a unique look. In spite of the gold wheels the black on black theme is very understated. I’d leave it as it is.

Tom,
Read the below file on truing wire wheel before you even think about taking those beauties apart.
You might want to settle for a mini powerball and chrome polishing compound.
http://www.fbccsc.org/tech/spokewheels.pdf
The SOL (Scions of Lucas) web site lists this article about respoking wire wheels.
Respoking Wire Wheels, Special Interest…[Read more]

 
You forgot the wicker picnic basket on the luggage rack, the plaid blanket and wine cooler behind the seats and the pretty girl wearing a kerchief and sun glasses in the passenger seat.
TDs accesorize very nicely.

Keep us posted on what the problem was. We offer advice based on our experience with a similar problem. There could be half a dozen reasons why your TD won’t idle when it warms up. We’d like to know which one it was.
Here’s an easy one. What does your air filter look like? Clean it or replace it before you start adjusting the carb. Restricted air…[Read more]

It is unlikely that your copper line is causing the problem. You should replace it with hard fuel line anyway. Eastwood sells it by the roll along with bending and flaring tools. Harbor Freight sells the tools for less, a lot less. Don’t use brake hose.  
Does the engine run normally at speed and under acceleration? If so the problem is in the idl…[Read more]

True. New cars are shipped on open carriers. But Avantis are shipped in closed trailers because the flexible paint on fiberglass can’t stand up to as much abuse as today’s magic potions on steel. I’d think twice about exposing the old gelcoat on a TD replica to road rash on an open carrier.
Then again, if a top is available for your TD you co…[Read more]

 
The top isn’t the issue. Damage to the paint, gelcoat, interior and windshield from sand, gravel and the assorted chunks of pavement kicked up by traffic is, not to mention rain, hail and bird poo.  
Wrapping the car in a full cover sounds like a good idea until you consider how much abrasion will be caused by a flapping cover over how many miles?

 
Have you tested the automatic transmission yet? Are rebuild parts available? It would defeat the purpose if it didn’t run after you reconnected the good parts.
This is going to be like a reality TV show only better. It’s real.  

Where did you buy that pretty tank, just in case other forum members have to replace their original tanks.