Bub: the Buggered Up Beetle

I hate missing deadlines but sometimes it's better to sort things properly especially when you're talking about little things like engines. So it's been a month since the last Bubdate and I've not been sitting on my hands .... things wot have been done accessory wiring loom 8 blade fuse box) fitted using 16mm cross section cable to bring a permanent live to the dashboard a couple of accessory sockets wired in Intercom has been fitted and works very well, I can connect my phone, an iPod/iPad/tablet and CB CB antenna fitted Brakes adjusted Tyre pressure experimentation started - 10psi front, 20psi rear. Low pressures in a ttempt to gain front grip and some rear suspension New horn fitted: the original one is earth switched and all the wiring was cacked so I rewired it and converted the steering wheel button to positive switch seat pads made from mechanics crawler mats Roll cage padding to protect heads and legs new battery, terminals and tie downs fitted new...

Opinion are like arseholes, everyone has one and they often stink. It's been a frustrating week with self proclaimed experts offering 'advice' which basically comes down to sucking their teeth and saying 'you've got that all wrong mate'. Oddly they all contradict each other but there are plenty of nuggets of gold in there - these guys have had lots of business and racing success so they know their stuff but they forget that they don't know it all .. anyway, back to Bub. Took a drive to a local specialist about 25 miles away. Ear plugs in and still, damn that is LOUD!!! Bu's running but not very well, stalling but going quite well on an open throttle. Smelling horribly rich but impossible to lean out. As I get to John's place the charging warning light start playing up - very odd. A good hour spent with John as he tells me what I should've done while admiring the oil cooler, showing me the right oil thermostat and giving me a few pointers ...

Well, Bub is a road test ready, but not a complete car. For sure, the suspension is all new, the brakes are in fine fettle (although not been used in a few years some polishing up will happen through use), all lights work so it's time to test. Old cars and MOT's it's the responsibility of every owner/driver to make sure their car is safe no matter the age MOTs are valid for the period of the test itself - drive round the block and you're on your own again Cars over 40 years old no longer require to be MOT'd but it is advised to get them checked by a 'professional' most old cars are owned by enthusiasts who maintain them professionally or to a very high standard themselves there are proportionately very few of them and they do a low mileage many modern mechanics don't know what they're looking at and the tests are not appropriate for old cars Bub doesn't need an MOT but once the engine has been tuned (emissions) he will be checked out ...

oil pipes connected - check fuel pipes connected - check fresh petrol poured all over me - check rest of petrol poured into the fuel tank - check Fuel pump primed and fuel filter showing 'full' - check following starting instructions Set timing as best you can prime the charger by going full throttle 15 times turn on ignition turn over a few times wait then turn over again until it fires runs and stops runs and stops runs, stops and backfires - not good Check HT leads are in the right order ... D'Oh, dizzy turns clockwise .... swap cylinders 2 and 4 on the dizzy. prime 5 times turn on ignition (battery is now low so assisting with my starter/charger) turn over  IT FIRES AND RUNS ...... Oh my very word, it is LOUD. Not loud as in "turn that music down" loud, not even ACDC at Hampden Park loud .... oh no, this is wearing ear defenders and earplugs and don't stand too close especially if you're in an enclosed space loud. It's ...

I'm starting to get excited ... just to refit the engine, check some plumbing and wiring before firing up the rebuilt engine. Here's a wee walk through video Jobs to do before roadtesting fettle the maximum distributor advance check for leaks and obvious problems double check everything is tightened up refit rear wings Jobs to do before running in fit horns properly adjust headlights fit battery retaining bracket fit power outlets for phone charging and running my motorbike heated fleece (remember - no heating Things to do before first Mad Plan (details to follow) Drive around 500 miles without going over 2500rpm or sticking at one speed for too long Full oil and filter change and set the tappets change oil in gearbox change brake fluid and pads/shoes as required Fit CB Fit some kind of sound system make seat cushions

All the best laid plans ..... First job on Saturday morning was to use my new spring compressors to get the mac struts apart and the new springs and inserts fitted. All went well and it came apart really easily and then back together in under an hour per side. Nice! Wheels back on, car off the axle stands and back on its boots and ... BANG!!! The strut top mount bushes collapsed - holy shit, you don't want that going on 2" above your head. The driver's side was sort of okay but the passenger side was nasty. Even though, I saw an increase in ride height of about 3/4". That is NOT right! Can't order anything at the weekend (Bub is a crossover year so always best to check you're ordering the correct parts) so I started on the clutch. With help the engine pops out, down on the ground, new 200mm Kennedy Stage 1 pressure plate and funky clutch parts taken out the box, admired and offered up to the ..... BUGGER .... 180mm flywheel. Buggerty-fuck, Arse. Ok...

Stage 1 Kennedy Clutch pressure plate (good for >150bhp) - check Kush lock HD clutch friction plate (good for street/strip use) - check HD clutch release cross shaft and bushing kit - check new clutch release bearing - check new clutch cable - check steering wheel spacer 20mm - check engine cage single tube - check megaspark ignition - check Front suspension/steering Driver's side front suspension before Passenger side front suspension before the driver's side spring was significantly weaker than the passenger side (although the gap was about the same) new springs, new inserts, new bump stops strut brace ready to fit front brakes are almost new (the discs will need some bedding back in) new steering damper - old one had leaked all over the suspension leg and made the bolts come undone easily; a partial win old v new all steering joints checked and found to be in great condition Ready for the new springs and inserts So it's been...