Could be.  I haven’t driven it lately enough to get it up to temperature.  I’ll watch it closely and if I think it’s acting funky I’ll pull it out and do the old pot on the stove with a meat thermometer trick.  My wife will love that.

Bill,Thanks for the advice.  I pulled off the hose today without actually unbolting the housing but I was still able to poke around the thermostat.  There’s definitely one in there and it’s definitely not stuck open.  It may just be that the thing takes a long time to warm up.  I’m going to keep a close eye on the temperature gauge as I drive it…[Read more]

That’s the one that’s been on Craigslist for a few months asking $5750.  It’s in Lancaster County. 

Thanks for the kind words, even the reference to the knobs.

The column is out of a Chevette.  A previous owner had shortened the signal stalk and bent it away from the steering wheel, so every time you signaled a left turn the stalk twisted counterclockwise and and on went the wipers.  The engine is a Ford 2.3, so this car was apparently the original hybrid.

I’ve only had it long enough to check the fuel mileage once, but I do have a reference point.  And by the way, have any of you replaced a thermostat on a Ford 2.3?  The lower bolt appears to be buried behind the timing belt cover.  And I think I’ll probably pull the housing off before I get a replacement thermostat so I can be sure to get the ri…[Read more]

I only noticed it down around 130F once, but that was running down the interstate at around 60-65 mph on a cool morning.  As far as whether the gauge is accurate, it does get up close to normal range at idle.  My assumption is that it should rise to a certain temperature and pretty much stay there as the thermostat does its job.The seller c…[Read more]

Centre County actually, but I have friends and family down along Rt. 78 and any excuse for a drive in the country . . .

Many thanks for providing the detailed pictures.  One question–what did you use to build the small “shelf” that secures the top of the fuel filler to the body? -Dave

Bill,I lived in the N.T. from 1984 to 1987, then from ’96 to ’99.  My first son was born there in ’96.  I miss it.-Dave

Bill,I lived in Australia for six years and I have to confess that that’s the first time I’ve heard the expression.  -Dave

Bill,Thanks for the throwback to the analog world.  I have to confess one of the selling points on my car was the VDO “Cockpit Royale” gauges.  Even the fuel gauge reads “petrol” and I don’t think that’s available any more.  I liked the classic look so much I added a volt meter almost immediately after I got the car.  It’s a perfect match with the…[Read more]

I’m seriously considering that option; just wanted to see what solutions others have found before I try to “reinvent the wheel.”

Thank you both for the ideas.  Wizard, mine is a Duchess too so I’m especially interested in your configuration.  I would be grateful if you could send a photo showing detail of the hinge at the bottom.  Also, did you have to cut fiberglass and is there some sort of gap next to the gas cap?Thanks again,Dave

One more thought, and then I’m turning in for the night.  If you have a good ground on the negative meter probe (I recommend using alligator clips) and there’s voltage at the positive connector on the bulb socket when somebody steps on the pedal, and you know the bulb is good, you have either a grounding problem or a poor connection between the…[Read more]

Multiple lights out suggest a problem on the hot side, but the scenario you’ve given me still leads me to believe you might have a bad ground.  If you’re sure the pedal switch is correctly installed, have somebody step on the pedal while you manipulate the bulb in the socket and any wires between the socket and the ground.  If that doesn’t do t…[Read more]

Are the brake lights and the fog lights on the same circuit?  If they are, that could help narrow down the fault.

That’s a nice looking vehicle.  I’m sorry I can’t give you advice about the oil leak, but there are still a lot of guys out there who understand the air-cooled VW engine and who will be happy to provide advice, if nothing else.  And adding a bit of oil now and then is a small price to pay for the fun of driving it. 

Good afternoon!I’m just west of Annapolis.-Dave

Didn’t mean to stir up a controversy here, but if the name is French, as it appears to be, Vicenç is correct.  More importantly, however, it’s a beautiful car no matter how you pronounce it.