Wrenching Question

[bigmontana]

Hey aircoolers,
question, I plan on starting to work on my bug and I was wondering if you guys could answer some questions for me.

First: What manuals do you guys use? Are you using a Bentley and where can I get one? I would think Barnes and Noble could get me one.

Second: The car has been parked since 97 with gas in it. I was going to try to start it and see if it runs, or should I just put a new tank in it?

Third: The motor is weak and needs to be rebuilt. But I want a 1600 or 1700 in it so I can travel at highway speeds.

Fourth: Is it cheaper for me to buy a crate motr all built or build one myself.
what sights do you guys recommend for me to buy one. I know people used to use West coast Metric and Rocky Mountain Imports (I don't remember the new company name).

Fifth: The car has the original transmision. but with the bigger motor should I get a new tranny or is this one going to work fine. It worked fine in 97 when it was parked.

Last Question for now: I want to convert it to a 12 volt system where can I get one of those.

Is there a company where I can get all aircooled parts to rebuild my bug.

Thank you for your help.

I think this is the start of a lot of questions.

Looking forward to your answers.

[bigmontana]

Here are pics.
I'm open to any thoughts or ideas.

























It has been a storage shed for my parents.

[Checkers]

Whenever you want to get it going man just let me know and me and Amanda will make a trip over and help you get it going. The gas might still be good or it might not be. If not you just drain the tank in a few minutes. Mid America Motorworks is the best site for beetle parts.
(Good excuse for an Olive Garden run )

[James]

Mid America is good, but I have always found what I needed cheaper at California Import Parts.

http://www.cip1.com/

Have fun.
James

[JayRyan]

That's hot.

[bigmontana]

Yeah my dad bought it from a VW dealer in 1964 so we are second owners and have been for 44 years. I drove it in high school and now ythat it is mine i'm so ecited to get it going. Those placks on the dash are from VW runs in the 60s and 70s, they are really cool. As soon as I get to Billings I'm going to clean out that part of the garage so I have some work space. My parents are huge pack rats they keep every thing so I have quite the cleaning project.

Then I'm going to drain the tank, there must be a drain plug on the bottom right? Hopefully some new gas and a new battery will get it started.

i'd appreciate the help Stoney, you are welcome to come down and take a look at it and anyone else is welcome too. I think I'm going to buy a crate motor, the cost is about the same. I'll look at those two sights. Better start saving my pennies.

hopefully I can just get it going the way it is now and just have it as a city cruiser.

[kompressorgolf]

damn! very sick beetle and in awesome shape, wish mine was in that good of shape. those wheels are tits! give it a good buffin, well i see that there is some "coloration" on the front pass side but, first thing is first, get all that shit off of it!!!!!! it deserves better i seen an all original beetle in town this weekend, looked identical to "Max" as seen on the new vw commercials, to the T. it was even european, KMH guage, imported by a navy man. i the dont lower the windows sticker, that is 2 times the speed a stock beetle wants to go good luck and get that thing rolling!

[Checkers]

I'll bring my buffer!

[bigmontana]

Yeah it is great. I love that car so much. I wrecked it in 1996 when I was a senior so my dad went toi his body shop and they fixed the front end but never painted it, then he pulled it into the garage and it has been there ever since. As soon as I unbury it and empty it out i'll wash it.
The nice thing about it being garaged for 12 years is that there is very little rust if any. I'm keeping it original except for the engine. It would be cool if I could get a new engine in it to take it to the 09 YNP cruise. I won't have the new interior in by then but as long as I can get it to Bozo I don't care. I'm so excited to get it going. Yeah that do not lower the windows thing is some sort of plaque that has been on their for years. It is staying right there. The other plaques are staying there too. It gives it some more character.

Once I get moved in I'm going to clean the garage so I have some sort of a work space.

Thanks for bringing the buffer too. We'll have to have a little Billings GTG at the same time.

It will be wierd living with my parents again after all of these years. And they don't have cable either I'm used to my satelite. Oh well I guess I can make myself busy in the garage.