1972 Squareback Restoration

Fastback, Squareback, Notchback, T-3 Karmann Ghia.

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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1972 Squareback Restoration

Post by hambone » Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:54 am

So, I came about this poor old pound pup of a 1972 type3 (how do they find me??????)....
Stored in a semi-open barn for 15 years after the owner's son decided he didn't like the original Texas Yellow. All the windows removed, and sanded down to bare metal. Then left to sit.

Purportedly the car had 87k original miles, though cloaked in rust and filth. Well what the hell I'll clean off the filth and straw and chunks of mud and mold and see what's under there. Yep it's original, with gorgeous cloth-insert seats and headliner pretty much intact. Hmmm. Original FI seems intact too. The car also came with a couple boxes of parts mixed with filthy junk. I will have to do some scrounging for missing bits, such as carpeting and a windshield, and even fender beading. But it looks like the engine has never been removed, and the suspension is original VW.
The body is pretty close to perfect, but has a deep patina like a Montana '55 Chevy truck left to the elements. Sanding removes the top of the rust but leaves those telltale pits.
It does have a sunroof but it seems seized. Didn't want to break anything...
Pans are great except for a hole under the battery.

So what to do? Cost is the ultimate issue here. I have a small Sears sandblaster on loan, but I'm not sure of the power.

Here's the pickle, the Options:
1. get the engine running and sell as-is
2. POR-15 the entire car (1 gallon? a good idea for an entire car? Will it leave a rough texture?)
3. Sand or wire-wheel the car, treat with XO Rust (the blackening stuff)
4. Pay a sandblasting outfit to do it right (costly????)

The car does have great potential but I don't have bottomless pockets. I think with the rust removed and nice shiny paint it would be a valuable vehicle. But all those missing bits and seals add a lot to the total cost. At the very least I'd like to make up towing costs, but I sure don't want to see the car parted out.
Advice greatly appreciated!!!!! :pirate:
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
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hambone
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Location: Portland, Ore.
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:00 am

Apparently Type3 advice is hard to come by around here! :blackeye: Oh well I already got my quota on the type2 section.
Car is now clean. Was able to hand sand a good sized section, removing most of the rust. Looks doable, combined with a disk sander for the big panels. Gonna be a big job though. But the body is really straight! Amazing to slowly remove the years.
After pumping the brake pedal a front caliper is now seized to the rotor, bummer but not a surprise. I also see factory white number stamping on the front end while cleaning spiderwebs.
Hopefully this thing will have some value when I'm done hamboningTM it. (NO it's not that...)
Gonna try for a startup next week.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

steve74baywin
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by steve74baywin » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:03 am

The only thing I could thing of the other day when reading this was, it all depends on what your up to doing.

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hambone
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:56 am

In for a pound...at least so it's stable enough so it won't wind up at a crusher.
Save the Volkswagens! Elbow grease is the commerce of the Working Class!
That fuel injection stuff is a lot to digest. I understand what it's doing, but all the little bits are confusing to remember. "Oh that's your freem valve it regulates grapefruit essence into the manifold"
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Hippie
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by Hippie » Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:56 pm

Type 3's are pretty scarce these days, Mr. Bone.
Do you have a place to keep it out of the way while you pick at it for a few years as cash permits?
Image

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hambone
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:34 pm

I hope to work full time on it and get it put back together, possibly sell it. NICE solid metal under that patina...
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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tristessa
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Location: Uwish Uknew, Oregon
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by tristessa » Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:04 pm

The stuck caliper may actually be a hose that's collapsed internally. Change the front hoses, flush out *all* the cruddy old moisture-filled brake fluid with new stuff, then see what you've got.

Gonna bring that rig to Maupin this weekend? :cyclopsani:
Remember, only YOU can prevent narcissism!

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hambone
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Wed Jun 15, 2011 3:05 pm

Not quite! But if I can get it running it shouldn't take too long to make it complete again. I have most of the glass and new seals. The rust is turning out to be pretty superficial, just lots of elbow grease needed. It would be great to have you on hand at first startup since you're a type3 guy. Maybe next week?
Hey how do you flush old brake fluid out? I figured it would be a good idear. I have one of those power bleeder things. Luckily brake parts are cheap.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Hippie
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by Hippie » Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:27 pm

If in doubt, flush it out.
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Amskeptic
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:22 am

hambone wrote:Not quite! But if I can get it running it shouldn't take too long to make it complete again. I have most of the glass and new seals. The rust is turning out to be pretty superficial, just lots of elbow grease needed. It would be great to have you on hand at first startup since you're a type3 guy. Maybe next week?
Hey how do you flush old brake fluid out? I figured it would be a good idear. I have one of those power bleeder things. Luckily brake parts are cheap.
Sorry I'm late to the thread.
I'd love to help you with the D-Jet and some other details.
I have a Squareback
:flower:
(and some scary bills that mandate that I cram my schedule)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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hambone
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Location: Portland, Ore.
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:16 pm

Replaced all front fuel hoses, new filter. Vacuumed many spiders, still creeps me out. It sat in a barn for 15 years and has it's own (rapidly diminishing) ecosystem.

Exhaust etc. is superficially rusty, too bad it sat so long. I don't see any real issues though. Loose exhaust pipe, we'll see what that means...

Adjust the valves next and then it should be good to go. I spent a LONG time up there with the vacuum, webs and those icky white sacks. "HEY!! GETOUTA HERE DIS AINCHA PLACE NO MO!!!!"
poor guys they're such peaceful tenants too.

Here's a weird one: one of the front shock absorbers had the lower loop end popped off the rubber bushing. What the hell would cause that? After much patient tapping with a hammer and socket I was able to re-seat. Only time will tell if it stays but it sure looks secure and took a long time to get it seated. Made in W. Germany, probably original to the car.

Oh, on the brakes: I pulled the flex line on the seized side but it didn't help. Brake fluid came out nice and clear, no rust. If I really reeef on the sucker I can get the wheel to turn. The surface rust on the disk seems pretty heavy, so maybe it's not really seized, but not coopering with the brake pads. It would most likely be a good idea to pull the calipers, repack the bearings, and have the disks turned. But not until I see how/if the engine runs.

Any of you guys in the NW have any advice on getting (cheap) type3 parts? I need at least a front bumper and many other bits. Craigslist is probably the way to go.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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whc03grady
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by whc03grady » Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:32 pm

hambone wrote:Any of you guys in the NW have any advice on getting (cheap) type3 parts? I need at least a front bumper and many other bits. Craigslist is probably the way to go.
What constitutes "many other bits"? I've got a modest stash of many other Type III bits.
Ludwig--1974 Westfalia, 2.0L (GD035193), Solex 34PDSIT-2/3 carburetors.
Gertie--1971 Squareback, 1600cc with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection from a '72 (E brain).
Read about their adventures:
http://www.ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com

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hambone
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Location: Portland, Ore.
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by hambone » Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:17 pm

Chrome trim, logo, script, stuff like dat. Unless Kirk's friend finds the mystery lost box as he cleans out the barn. Also need door panels. All panels really, the old ones are shot.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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dtrumbo
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Location: Mill Creek, WA
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by dtrumbo » Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:08 am

hambone wrote:Any of you guys in the NW have any advice on getting (cheap) type3 parts?
Have you tried these guys?
http://www.averysaircooled.com/
They're just up the road in Woodland so you can save shipping $$$.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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whc03grady
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Re: Rust and a Squareback

Post by whc03grady » Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:52 am

hambone wrote:Chrome trim, logo, script, stuff like dat.
Alas, my stash of many of those kinds of bits is languishing in Nebraska.
Ludwig--1974 Westfalia, 2.0L (GD035193), Solex 34PDSIT-2/3 carburetors.
Gertie--1971 Squareback, 1600cc with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection from a '72 (E brain).
Read about their adventures:
http://www.ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com

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