VW Split Screen Final High Build Primer

We finally managed to get the last coat of high build primer on the main body before we start the endless task of rubbing down all over again.

Unfortunatley we ran out of paint for the doors, tailgate etc so having to order some more in but it will be in soon.

Not long till we decide on a colour.

VW Split Screen Bumper Preparation

The front bumper is the original, the rear unfortunately was beyond repair and as originals in good condition are hard to source at realistic prices. I went for the better quality after market replacement from Alan Schofields they are nowhere near the same quality as original but will have to do.

The rear bumper just needed the black nasty paint removing before i covered it all in etch and then sprayed the internal in stone chip to give it some added protection.


The front bumper took a good day to rub down there was so much paint on it that I was going through pads like nobodies business but finally got to bare metal, treated the rust spots and gave it a good dose of etch primer before again spraying the internals with stone chip.

VW Split Screen Fuel Tank Preparation

This is the original fuel tank off my1964 VW Split Screen Fire Truck. After emptying the last dregs of fuel, I took the sender out and checked inside the tank. Surprisingly it had very little dirt, but more importantly no rust so is not going to need too much work





 
The external surface was another matter although much of the original grey paint was still on it, there was parts of it which were flaking away with small amounts of surface rust  presenting itself, so all the paint was removed down to bare metal.

Any rust spots were treated, it was cleaned up and given a few good coats of etch primer prior to it being prepared for paint.

For Sale 2165cc Aircooled Type 1 Engine

NOW SOLD - 2165cc Aircooled Type 1 Engine built by Roy @ Mofoco, done less than 500 miles but now surpluse to requirements.

• New Aluminum Engine Case
• New 78mm 4340 Chromoly Counterweighted Crankshaft
• New 94mm Pistons & Barrells
• New Chromoly I-Beam Rods
• New Lifters
• New Engle W120 Performance Cam
• New Mofoco 050 cylinder heads D - Shaped intake port; made purely in USA!
• 12LB Forged Lightened Flywheel - 8 Dowelled
• New Solid Rocker Shafts
• New Filter Pump with spin on oil filter
 

(I replaced the spin on oilf filter with a bugpack oil return adapter, oil pump & full flow cover)

1988 MK1 Golf GTI Cabriolet

This MK1 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet, was bought for my girlfriend as a daily driver. It had 160000 miles on the clock and was generally in not bad nick for a 20 year old car. On buying it and driving it back I noticed it wasnt really warming up properly and the temperature gauge wasn’t reading correctly.

So work was started and initially the thermostat was replaced along with the water temperature sender and this did the trick in sorting the temperature issues. The rocker and sump gaskets had slight leaks so were replaced and were treated to some new paint. The usual rotor, cap, leads, plugs etc. were all replaced, but we still noticed a slight hesitation on the throttle after much investigation all the vacuum hoses were changed and it now drives really sweet. A known problem on MK1's are rusty fuel filler necks, ours had already been replaced but one of the fuel pumps did appear to be making a bit of noise so we replaced both the pickup and push pumps along with the fuel filter to make sure there were no rust particles floating about in the system always a good idea.

Unfortunetley during the bout of heavy snow that winter I slid into a kerb damaging the nearside front wishbone and driveshaft along with buckling the wheel. It wasnt a particular bad shunt and probably did us a favour in honestly as it exposed some corrosion on the wishbone. After replacing both the wishbones, bushes, driveshaft and top mounts, along with all new front bushes, decided to put on a set of coil overs while we were at it and picked up a set of original 15" VW sportline BBS alloys with new 175/50 cooper tyres. This made a dramatic change not over giving it a much nicer lower stance but it tightened up the steering and made it an absolute joy to drive. The MOT was coming up so fitted new rear drums, shoes and hand brake cables to the rear and the next step was the interior but then my girlfriend (now wife) decided she wanted to sell because we had a little girl on the way.

The car has since sold it had lots of interest and the new buyer said it did miss a beat on his trek home down in deepest darkest Kent, I hope he enjoys it as much as we did.

VW Split Screen Fire Truck Overhaul

This is my 1964 Panel Van (ex German Fire Truck) in its former glory, lowered sitting on empi 5 spokes and running its original 1500 engine which had only carried out 16000km. I beefed it up a little with twin 34 dellorto carburettors and a ceramic extractor exhaust system. It was lowered front by Wagonworks and ther rear using a Bus Boys straight axle kit with a 1600GT beetle gearbox and type3 drums. I pulled all the fire pump, racking etc. out and panelled it out fitting a simple rock n roll bed. It has served me well across camping trips and shows, but the UK climate has taken it's toll and it needed some tlc.

So the  van was stripped down and the paint taken down to bare metal where any repairs needed were carried out. The nearside front inner and outer arch needed replacing which were sourced from Musclebus along with a couple of jacking points and sections sourced from Alan Schofields. The wholes in the floor where as a result of the fire pump fittings that had rusted from the inside out.

The etch primer goes on the bare metal panels.

Finally the first coat of high build primer goes on and the rubbing down and making good begins.