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So it finally stopped raining and I’m back in town so I took her out yesterday to see how the steering was after my adjustments.
On the positive side, there is almost no play!! Perfect.
On the downside, I tightened the worm screw too much and overall the steering is too tight and does not return to center.
One more adjustment and I should be good.
When I get back in town…again…I’ll make the adjustment and all should be good.
Next will be rejetting the weber carb.
Well, I got the carpet done in the Benz and finally was able to do the steering box access job for the MG.
After removing the steering arm bolt, the bolts to the steering column, and the steering box clamp the steering box easily rotated forward and came out.
As I suspected the adjustment screw was rubbing through the fiberglass from underneath. So I taped the top to minimize splintering and drilled the pilot hole from underneath.
Since the plastic cap I was going to use was 3/4″ I sharpened up my 3/4″ paddle bit and SLOWLY drilled the hole from the top. PERFECT!! Right in the center!
And the cap fit perfectly.
Getting it all back together was a little more challenging. Once I had the box back in place and the clamps back on I had to crow bar the arm back onto the steering box. It took me several tries to realign the grooves but I finally got it inched back on.
So then, of course, I went to adjust my steering. As you can see (one end of the blue tape to the other) I have almost 2 full inches of play. That’s actually less than I thought but still feel dangerous over 45 mph.
I made the adjustments to the screw and could only remove about 1/4″. So I worked on the worm gear adjustment.
I took the hint of someone on Samba and used a 24mm nut and a pair of vise grips as my adjustment tool.
But I still couldn’t get any more play out of it.
So then, with the tires off the ground I grabbed the tire and started moving it back and forth while looking to see where the play was.
It turns out that I had not tightened the steering arm bolt firmly. Once I grunted it down I was down to 1/2″ of play (just below the silver mark). That I can live with.
A little more frustration and time than I expected but overall it went well and I got my desired results.Now if it will just stop raining I’ll get her on the road for a test.
edsnova2014-01-02 21:11:12
Sam, It was great to meet you and chat over a drink. And yes you spelled my wife’s name correctly…thanks.
Always good to hook up with another cult member. And thanks for the kind words. Still some work to do but at least I’m on the road.
We went to grab a burger after you left and came back to a couple of young girls who had taken their picture by my car and wanted to know if it was ok. They said while they were taking pictures 3 others stopped to do the same. Maybe I should rent it out as a model and make a few bucks.
Hope to see you and others next year at Carlisle
Well, I think it’s time to call the build season to a formal close.
I started the project on September 2, 2011 and officially ended it when I registered it and got plates on March 22, 2013. 568 days…or…1 year 6 months 20 days.
I remember telling my wife that I should be done in about 6 months. How naive. She was so patient and even acted interested when I would describe my progressive successes and frustrating failures. What a gal.
I know I still have more to do like the convertible top, get all the gauges working properly, clean up some wiring issues, replace the muffler and speedometer cable. But I’m on the road now so technically the build is over.
It was a wonderful experience. One that I’ll probably never do again but will brag about for years to come.
Thanks to all my forum friends. I really could not have done it without you.
I’m still scheduled to be in LA during Carlisle but I’ve got next years event on my calendar and should have plenty of confidence miles on her by then to make the trek.
Look for coming updates in the general or VW section. But it’s time to say goodbye to the “My Project” updates.
rockyx2013-03-31 16:07:21
Had a great time at the unveiling! The Tavern blocked their small little parking lot and I parked in front. It was right off main street and folks strolled by oooing and aaawwing all night. I even had a Lincoln dealer stop by who went on about how great it looked.
That little car sure gets lots of attention.
Now more confidence miles.
rockyx2013-03-31 13:20:43
Sorry guys..I’m referring to the rocker arm. I guess I spent a little too much time in the garage and typed my note before getting enough carbs in me.
Roy, I think what you described is exactly the problem. I will set some time to do the repair.
Otherwise it’s running great..or at least I think it is. Since I’ve never had a VW before I don’t really know. I plan on taking it to the local expert in the next week and paying him to dial it all in and let me know if there is anything I need to address.
Until then I’m driving a little checking everything…driving a little and checking everything and so on.
Valve adjustment done…retouched the timing…running with pep.
However, I now hear a “pecking” sound in the engine. I had one lifter that was loose and very slightly slide back and forth so I’m assuming that’s what it is. Should I be concerned?
I think I’ve gotten everything as tuned in as I can so I’m putting some confidence miles on her and will eventually have an expert dial it all in.
Thanks for all the help everyone.
Reset the points and advanced the timing slightly and BAM…the car now has punch.
I still need to do the valve adjustment and tune in the carb and that, along with the new muffler, should put me in the fast lane….literally.
Zipped around my small town back roads and I’m loving this car! Cannot wait for my first road trip.
Roy, thanks for catching my error. You are correct and that’s what I meant to say…it is running too rich.
I checked the distributor and the points last night. Made a slight adjustment on the points and the distributor was fine.
I will check/set the timing tonight and do the valve adjustment before/by the weekend. Then I will see if I still have the problem.
If I do I will make some adjustments to the carb. If that doesn’t bring it to life I will take it to my local expert.
Thanks
rockyx2013-03-27 10:21:29
Kent, I have heard the same thing about the weber carbs. I think I have a guy in town who can help me properly dial it in and I’m going to give him a call today.
But to Ed’s point I will focus on the timing and spark first. I’ve confirmed spark at the plug but and getting black carbon deposits on all 4. Indicative of the mix being too lean. But again, before I make any more adjustments to the carb I’ll get the timing set right.
I went ahead and ordered a new muffler since it only cost about $100 and pay day is Friday. I figured I would just eliminate that as a potential up front so as not to wonder about it any more.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Very helpful.
Allen, great input. I’m running a 32/36 weber with a centrifugal distributor.
Any experience or suggestions with that set up?
So I’m in the “ready for road trip” tuning phase and am having some trouble.
I confess I have not yet progressively moved through all the steps but I thought before I start wrenching stuff and adjusting screws I would get some input from those more experienced with the VW engine.
It starts great, idles great (a little lean), and kicks off in first gear just fine (remember I have an automatic). However, when it kicks into 2nd gear there is no more power to punch it. It will eventually pick up speed but not what you would typically expect from an automatic.
Tonight I will look at timing, points, and carb but it seems like it’s something else.
I used the GT muffle that came with the car but I’m wondering if it is anywhere near as bad a shape inside as the car was when I got it if that’s not my real problem.
Thoughts?
mrlmd, my plan was to use baby moons.
I painted them with a basic silver/chrome wheel paint that I bought at Walmart. My long term plan is to buy nice new steel rims but I kinda over shot my budget on the build process so some of my bling will have to wait.
So for now, painted rims will just have to do.
Sam, in order to stage the instrument panel and rewire everything (at that phase of the build) I built a temporary dash out of MDF board. When I couldn’t decide exactly what I wanted for the finished dash I simply did some detailed sanding and cutting on the template and made it my temporary solution until I could pick a direction and build what I really wanted.
The MDF was good to work with but if you go that direction be sure and put a sealer on both sides and along all edges to water proof it as much as you can.
It is actually covered with a cheap vinyl from JoAnn’s Fabrics that I simply glued with upholstery glue. So far it’s been pretty durable but we’ll see.
And yes I live outside Tampa in Dunedin over in Pinellas county. Let me know next time you’re in town and if my schedule allows we’ll hook up.
Thanks
AAAAAAnnnndd…there it is.
Legal and road ready.
Now some prove-in time, some more buffing, a little more bling (fix the carpet) and road trip here I come.
I’m doing all my final checks and decided 4 inches of play in my steering wheel was a little too much to risk. So, after trying to tighten it up and having no success, I ordered a new box and put it in last night. Much better.
I had the generator pulley woodriff key sheer off and decided to order a new pulley, new woodriff key (OEM) and all new shims. That arrived last night so it’s going on tonight. I used a non-OEM woodriff and now I regret it.
Finally, got my insurance paperwork in hand and have an appointment at the DMV tomorrow morning. So if all goes well, I will legally be on the road Friday afternoon!
I plan on taking short trips around the neighborhood at first and then double/triple checking everything before I risk getting on some main drag.
I’ll have a video to post soon.
I cannot thank everyone on this forum enough for all the help and support you have given over the past year and a half. I truly could not have done it without you. Thank you!!
Roy, I would love to be at Carlisle and was planning to to go but work says I need to be in LA that same weekend.
So sadly, I will not be there. But that gives me a year to prove in the new ride so next year I can make the drive.
She’s back!!
After lots of time and money they finally figured
out what was wrong with the transmission. Apparently some one put part
of a Type 2 automatic transmission together with a type 3 transmission.
Even though they look like they are interchangeable, for some reason,
it will not shift past 1st gear in this configuration.So the mechanic happened to have a type 2 automatic transmission which he rebuilt and now everything is fine.
So as soon as I could I jumped back in and started installing the upholstery. Here are some pics of my progress.
Now I need to adjust the steering (too much play), rewire the tail lights, paint the wheels, and do lots and lots of buffing.
Now I can get insurance, register it and get it on the road! Woooohooo!!
