Rob's Beetle page number 3

For the next several months we worked on small tasks. We replaced the shifter bushing and shift coupler, transplanted sunvisors from the '71 to '73, cleaned and transplanted driver's window mechanism from the '71 to '73, replaced clutch cable, added dash/wire cover in trunk. One "small task" turned in to a week-long learning experience. The brake master cylinder was leaking fluid into the passenger compartment (as if the tar wasn't enough...) so we decided to replace it. The remove-and-replace operation went fine. The rear brakes bled nicely. The front brakes bubbled along happily for about 6 quarts of brake fluid (and several days time...). Why did we keep at it for 6 quarts? The guy at the local VW parts place told me it sometimes took "several bottles" of brake fluid to bleed out all the air. He was probably thinking about the SMALL bottles... Oh well. Finally gave up and limped the car to Midas. I was tired, my back went out on me (I have a deteriorating disk & arthritis), and I told the Midas guys to "fix it." $400 later I had all new front brake components, including wheel drums. We could have, and should have done it ourselves. The brakes would not bleed because the shoes (which were still in the OK range) and drums had worn enough to allow the wheel cylinders to suck air (but not leak, go figure). That's what Midas told us.

In May we did the rear brakes ourselves and saved almost $300 over Midas' price! We also installed new rear fenders. The front needs to be straightened out a bit so the trunk will close properly before we put on the new front fenders. That will come after the engine gets pulled. We also added a cheapo radio & speakers so my son would have some tunes while driving the car around.

On Friday, June 19 we did "the great engine pull." We had been accumulating parts so we could do alot when we pulled the engine. We planned on adding firwall insulation, replacing/adding engine compartment seals, changing transmission mounts, replacing gaskets in the engine (oil leaks), fixing the fan shroud, tune up, adjust valves, etc etc. Here's Bugly up in the air at the start of the engine pull.

The engine is down, but definitly not out! Looks like the advice I'd read on the rear bumper needing to be knee high was wrong! The fan shroud sticks up too high...

...so we lifted the Bug up a little higher! Two hours after we started the engine is free from the car and away from it. Don't think the Bug-In engine pull competitors have anything to fear from us!

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