ACT VW Forum

Ok, so you have all met Manuel in the Members Rides section - Now down to work.

Some before and after shots taken over the last 3 days.

Floor pan - some surface rust - and this photo does make it look worse than it is. There is a minor repair that has been placed in the battery area ( surprise surprise ) but the condition not too bad , and quite solid.. so some preventative medicine is being applied.


a quick attack with wire brush and rust converter/treatment,
then Kill-Rust


same treatment


I gave the underside a treatment as well, and it will be coated with the same Septone Rust Converter then some Septone Rust Shield Under Vehicle Rust Proofing.. Dang thats a messy job! More paint on me than on the car I think!

More to come soon I hope.. 16 hours between coats lets me attend to other issues - like mowing the grass!!

Been attacking the brakes and other bits....God Bless Bug Me DVDs (Vol-4) and thankyou Beetle Exchange - who had in stock new German made brake hoses.

The existing brake hoses looked in good condition = looks can deceive :

but no brake fluid would get through;
Also got Basil's original front bumper - and gave it some work= Thanks Bugluv




Fuel tank is out - and out with the old master cylinder

looks ok after a bit of a wash- but figure if the original brake hoses are still there that not much has been done to the brakes in 40 years - so - new German unit on its way.
Oh - I also fitted some NOS OEM front discs that I scored off Ebay very cheaply.New pads ( calipers are fairly new -which is surprising given the condition of the brake hoses).

Long way to go - but its good fun.

Hit a bit of a snag today I needed to replace a seal on the fuel tank and flush out the scale within... I should have seen it coming with so much rubbish in it...so, to coin a phrase from a popular ditty of the past....."There's a hole in the gas tank - dear Henry dear Henry .. A hole in the gas tank, Dear Henry - a hole!!!"....Yep rusted through - right on the bottom beside the outlet...a pinhole leak... so - I am in the market for a new fuel tank -and I'm hoping to avoid massive shipping costs from the USA...
I have sent some enquiries to a few places in Sydney, ,and while on the subject, - has anyone been able to contact George at Classic VeeDub lately
Bugger !!

Been there and done that too! My fuel tank looked in great condition until we pulled it out. Washer bottle had leaked water and this sat under fuel tank = rust hole. I still have the tank and hope to get it welded at some point because the tank looks newish (within 10years or so...) Washer bottle has been ditched into spare parts shed.

Fuel economy increased hugely with new second hand tank

I am also thinking about using a fuel tank repair kit POR15
http://www.ppc.au.com/coating_motorcycle.htm
It is expensive - but cheaper than a new tank...and its not just for motorcycles btw!!

Anyone had experience with this? Or know of anyone local who does it?

TIA
Bill

I have spoken to George at Classics a couple of times this week. Yes he is there but you have to keep trying. Can't beat the service or the prices.
Nice to see a 'project' as it has been quite for a while.

PS. Got me some pop out windows.

This car is shaping up well, how did you go with a tank? I looked into getting the holes in my tank fixed but there weren't a lot of places interested and the cost was high, put in a 2nd hand one instead. Manuel is looking great!

Hi Bruce,

I picked up a repair kit yesterday.. so between cursing a certain person in Sydney for never keeping his word on how soon Basil will be finished, I hope to get Manuel's tank treated this weekend, and back in the car next weekend ( once treated the tank needs 4 days to cure and the coating to thoroughly harden) which is roughly the time I need to cool down

Quick update as at 10pm- today I got the fuel tank treated - hard work -and you have to follow very detailed instructions - no cutting corners... and I think it turned out well - proof of the pudding comes on Thursday when I put some fuel in to see if the leak sealed up as advertised!! I also managed to replace the decklid and bonnet seals today..(while the tank was drying out.)...

What's in the treatment kit and was it very expensive?

Congratulations. You are on the path of learning how to restore a VW. There is a lot of trial and error when using unfarmiliar products.
Well done for jumping in.

Hi Mandy, check out the link in my earlier post- it has all you need to know - including where to buy it here in Canberra. Price is as listed - exy - but not as expensive as a new tank - or the unknown of buying a 'used' one. I have to wait another 3 days before putting it to the test - meantime I have cleaned and treated the external surface and painted it with some black Kill-Rust...

I still have to replace door and window scrapers.... still researching that one!

Fuel tank is in, AND so far so good - no leaks! -Got 'Manuel' started last night - so maybe not too far off rego - though I might need some help ( heads up Chelli) with checking right rear axle seal...!!

I bought what were described as NOS VW T1 disc rotors off ebay - this was in late December just after I got 'Manuel'. I have only just got around to fitting them - and hit another snag- I could not get them to fit. Thinking I must be doing something wrong I put the old discs back on ( with new bearings calipers and pads) and drove down to CHELLI and put out the Help Flag..
Michael assured me that I had not done anything wrong and that the "new" rotors were either from a bad batch or just plain wrong. Good news - the guy who sold them to me is only too happy to take them back and refund - no fuss no bother. He said he may have given me some from a Type 3.. I dont know.. I put them side by side and blowed if I can tell or see any physical difference - it can only be a mm or so - but enough to rule them out..

So - anyone got a spare set of front disc rotors for a T1?

Thanks to Chelli for helping out again.

I would think that Chelli could supply and fit all the bits necessary....

At least then you are sure the job is done correctly and professionally, and back up is available.

Brakes are seriously a "no-no" DIY, unless you are trained and certified.

It is literally a matter of "Life or Death", if they don't do the required job.....

Manuel passed his Rego inspection today..No issues.