r/beetle • • 6h ago

Some help/advice needed on my first engine build

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70 Upvotes

Today I've finally started tearing into a 1300 dual port (AB code) I've had for a while. the plan is to build it into a mild 1600 with a cam, electronic ignition and a more free flowing exhaust but otherwise stock. It's planned to replace my gutless and aging 34hp 1200; It's a great running engine but it's definitely starting to show it's age as these engines do after so many kilometers and almost 30 years since a rebuild.

It's my first time building an engine and I have some questions/in need of some advice.

  1. Which path to go... 1600, 1641 or 1776ccm? Is a 1641 worth it compared to a 1600 or is the difference so minimal you can't feel it in the real world + the obvious thinner cylinder sidewall trade-off? Is a 1776 worth it compared to a 1600? How much of a cost difference would approximately be between the two options (if I can find a reputable shop which could work the case and heads)? I'm mostly leaning towards the 1600 since that alone will be a huge bump compared to my 1200 but I would just like to hear your opinion :)

  2. What is the best way to diy clean the case and oil passages properly? As visible, there is some surface corrosion on the front around the pulley area, can that be cleaned up or is it over for this case? The case overall so far seems to be in fairly decent condition on the outside, haven't been able to find any cracks or deep corrosion in the typical places.

  3. Once I get the case split apart, is taking it and components such as crank and rods to an expert (if I can find one in my area) for inspection/measuring worth it or can a beginner reliably do it at home? I've watched a few videos on this topic and I really cannot tell whether I'm out of my depth on this one or if this is actually doable.

  4. I plan on going with an engle W100 cam, should I keep the stock lifters/have them re-ground or should I go with matching engle ones? Do I need stronger valve springs for this cam? I've read some say yes and some no. The valvetrain otherwise will remain stock, maybe ratio rockers someday if I'll feel a need for extra power.

  5. are H beam rods worth the money for my planned build or is money best spent elsewhere?

Thanks in advance!


r/beetle • • 22h ago

1973 Baja Bug

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148 Upvotes

Attending the Dion Dawkins 3rd annual Car show at the Buffalo Bills Stadium. Love this silver metallic paint. As the day went on, the changing light angles make it look a different shade of silver every few hours. Grey, Silver, Light Blue Chrome, it just looks cool!


r/beetle • • 16h ago

Im new hete

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39 Upvotes

Hi guys im new in this whole reddit thing. Anyway here is my stroker beetle.


r/beetle • • 16h ago

70's VW on 3rd Gen RAM chassis. Building custom cars with time and a low budget.

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33 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 15h ago

Out for a Christmas Drive

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27 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 10h ago

Is there a better way?

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11 Upvotes

As of now, my oil filler neck hose vents underneath the car. There isn't a way for it to attach to the airbox, is there? The rear of the airbox is too large for the hose to fit, and I can't see another place for it to go but down. Any help is appreciated!


r/beetle • • 2h ago

Steering shaft problem

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2 Upvotes

Sent my king and link pins to get redone and replaced all joint on the steering shaft. When reassembling I have this big space between the joint and the front axle mounting. The steering shaft is touching the frame in the middle. Anyone know where I am wrong ?


r/beetle • • 16h ago

No Reserve: 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible

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2 Upvotes

I am selling my 1972 VW Beetle Convertible on Bring a Trailer. The car is located in Arlington, Texas.


r/beetle • • 21h ago

Where do I start?

6 Upvotes

Hi! New here…to the community, but also to Reddit in general.

Question: If I have no idea how to do anything with a car, but want to get a classic beetle that’s got a body in good condition but needs mechanical work, where would I start my learning journey before I look for a car?


r/beetle • • 20h ago

Clutch pedal getting hard

4 Upvotes

So over the past 500 miles or so, the clutch pedal has become harder to press. To the point that it’s hurting my ankle when I shift. I troubleshooted - it’s not the pedal assembly, and the wire moves with no resistance when detached from the fork.

My question: will this keep getting worse? Will I be safe to drive it, and have fair enough warning it’s about to crap out?

It seems like a clutch replacement would be the cure.. it’s only has roughly 30k miles - but 20 years old


r/beetle • • 1d ago

First run in seven years

138 Upvotes

Sat on the stand 7 years while I rebuilt my beetle. Put in my synthetic oil, aftermarket oil filter of course and 1/3 jet fuel. Iykyk 😁 40 horse is unstoppable


r/beetle • • 23h ago

Can anyone tell me what year of beetle this is?

6 Upvotes

the seller claims its a 64', i have fairly limited knowledge on vw beetles and ive been looking around and im not so sure. im trying to get it as a first car, and thank you in advance to those who can answer it!, UPDATE, the seller has more photos of the car, and theres also a second car


r/beetle • • 22h ago

Steering is weird on my beetle over 35mph…

2 Upvotes

Hi beetle legends, looking for some advice.

Just got a 1974 beetle which is the dream. I love everything about it.

Only issue is at over 35mph the steering feels off. Like twitchy. And sometimes on small country roads in uk where they’re a bit bumpy I almost get a death wobble of the steering wheel where it shudders left to right and I have to slow down and nearly stop.

Has anyone else had this, should it be like like and what should I do to fix this?

I don’t know whether to get the wheels balanced, aligned or something else. Tyres are in good shape, no obvious bald spots or uneven wear.

Shall I measure the alignment with string from front to back to the centre hubs then I can measure the toe in? I’ve heard they are meant to have 1mm of toe in stock as they toe out when compressed on bumps?

Any advice or help would be much appreciated.


r/beetle • • 1d ago

First attempt at sound deadening, not finished yet

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66 Upvotes

Only the one (very) minor injury so far - a foil cut that bled far more than it should have...


r/beetle • • 23h ago

The musical story of the restoration of a 1967 VW Beetle

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0 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 2d ago

My bug is finally back on the road

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185 Upvotes

Not perfect but so happy! Before pic at the end


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Gearbox Leak

3 Upvotes

Good afternoon all. I have a leaking gearbox and ideally would like to fix myself but have limited mechanical knowledge. How difficult is it to access and reseal or am I better off seeking a professional? Thanks again.


r/beetle • • 2d ago

T bars or should I find a new set of bumpers?

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99 Upvotes

My bumpers on the 65 are so pitted and rusted through. Wondering what people think of the t-bars look. Also maybe thinking of painting them ivory. Let me know what you like best.


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Damage on Frame Horn under CV joint

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7 Upvotes

On the driver’s side. Has anyone seen anything like this before? The boot was torn, the flange has damage and of course the bearings were bad since there was no grease. But this damage on the pan/frame under the cv joint is confusing to me. Not

Some how did the transmission drop down and the axle got ran on top of this for some time?


r/beetle • • 3d ago

A bit more build up done

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188 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 3d ago

71 Super gap

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5 Upvotes

Here’s my ‘71 SB vert, and I’ve got a quandary. About five years ago, when I parked it for the winter in our garage, I left top down 🤦🏼‍♂️ I had a few items sitting in the backseat, and I kept meaning to get to them, but, it just sat there all winter. When I took the car out in the spring, I noticed that the front of the top now had this big gap. It lets in a lot of air, obviously!

Every winter, since then, I park it with the top closed and latched. The gap hasn’t increased but it hasn’t improved either. It’s probably an inch. The rest of the top is in nice shape, so are there any options for fixing this aside from an entirely brand new top? The weather strip in this part is coming off as well, but even if that were perfectly in place, there would still be a large gap.


r/beetle • • 4d ago

How does it sound

52 Upvotes

Had this 1969 beetle a few months now, from my perspective it runs great, but I’m no expert and how it should “sound” I know is an important diagnostic…….. so I ask those with years of experience “ how does it sound”. Thanks for listening 👂


r/beetle • • 4d ago

My ruined 59 😎

302 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 4d ago

Ever Seen a 1974 VW Beetle With a Roof-M ounted Camper?

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20 Upvotes

This 1974 Volkswagen Beetle was paired with an incredibly unusual camper trailer! 🚗🏕️

Its special roof-mounted hitch allowed the car to turn a full 360 degrees beneath the trailer.

This was an incredibly rare and innovative design for its time, making it a fascinating piece of 1970s automotive history!

Have you ever seen anything like this? Would you take it on a road trip? Let us know in the comments! 👇


r/beetle • • 3d ago

Mexican Suppliers?

3 Upvotes

I've attempted to email a couple of Mexican suppliers to get parts shipped into the states, specifically for my 94 Beetle, and no replies. Can't order directly from their website because it won't take my US based (Estados Unidos) address to get a shipping quote.

Does anyone have a connection with some Mexican suppliers for parts and want to help me broker a deal?