Little Trains Restoration Thread

[Ritter]

Those last two are great pics!

[BumbleBus]

And it's never cheap.

You tell her to lower her rates so I can afford her! I need her tiny hands to get the electrical replacement part of my ignition switch up in there... looks impossible with my ham hands. Need to find the tiny screw replacement first... of course the OG is gone.

Great pics LTJ!

[whc03grady]

]I wonder if whc03grady lives near you in MT.

Not sure.

I'm in Missoula.
It's good to finally have some Big Sky company on the IAC.

[LittleTrainJames]

I pulled the engine due to a faulty Generator. Then I started thinking that I might as well strip the whole thing and really get nasty with it. Pretty fun.

I'll post some pictures.

[LittleTrainJames]

Here is the engine in my garden shed which is now my VW engine workshop:



Here is the engine after I removed everything. I have a new generator, intake manifold, engine tin, valve covers etc... on the way.



So now I need to:

1. Clean the engine and make it sparkle.
2. Get and install all the new parts.
3. Get rid of my Heat Exchangers and use J-Pipes instead (any advice?)
4. Gut and clean the engine bay (sand, weld, paint)
5. Pull fuel tank and line with Por15 stuff
6. Replace all fuel lines in hopes of getting rid of exhaust fumes
7. Replace all the "hack" spliced electrical in the engine bay
8. Get new engine seals and engine bay seals
9. Install engine, turn it on, hope for the best.

Anything else I should do while I have it out?

[hambone]

Don't forget to check crankshaft endplay. Incorrect setting can ruin an engine.

[LittleTrainJames]

crankshaft endplay

Where can I learn how to go about this? Muir? Bentley? Search?

Thanks for the suggestion.

[hambone]

Get the red Wilson book "rebuilding an air cooled engine" it goes thru that, and MORE! Not difficult but part of the process. Don't want to have to pull that engine out again due to an oversight.

[tristessa]

Clean & repaint the original engine tin, send the new stuff back -- aftermarket tin never fits worth a sh*t. Same goes for the valve covers, unless you scored OE VW ones .. which are available.

[MConverse]

Looks like wing-window frame is rusted Call interstate, busted bus or busco to source a good OG replacement. (try to get them to sell you one with good rubber, or add 80 bucks for new rubber, and new rubber does not fit as well.)

http://www.interstateusedparts.com

http://www.thebusco.com

http://www.bustedbus.com


When you pull it, you will hopefully only have surface rust on the metal below it, sand primer, paint. =D>

Cheers!
Mike

[Runamuck Bus]

Send those j-tubes back too, stick with the heat exchangers. Get a bunch of zip lock bags, various sizes and some permanent markers - you will never remember where all those little parts went. Digital camera ready? Be suspect of the fuel filler neck for possible source of fuel vapors. I assume there is a black 'pie plate' on the passenger side engine wall (mine is a '72). Pop that sucker off to see rubber filler tube, many are cracked. Charcoal canister?

[hambone]

I replaced the vent with a big one piece window. Very nice view. No more leaks.

[LittleTrainJames]

That's funny you mention that Hambone, I just read that from someone else.

What does that process consist of? Is it as easy as installing new windows?

I think that's a good idea, especially since there's a sun roof which would let in plenty of air.

[hambone]

It's easy if you have help.

[LittleTrainJames]

Ahhhhhh help.

I have Bumblebus down the street. He'll help.

Sounds like a plan Hambone.

It's now on the list.