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1979 Convertible Beetle ‘Syd’

Finishing up
22 Mar 2018

Finishing up

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Interior, Paint/prep | 0

Been a while since my last Syd update. Actually, a lot has happened. Almost all functionality has returned, with the noticeable exception of the gas gauge, which has been vexing in its intransigence. Moreover, the convertible top has been installed and … Continued

‘There’s too much infinity.’
2 Jan 2018

‘There’s too much infinity.’

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Body/Chassis, Electrical/wiring, Interior | 0

2018 has shown up with a vengeance. The thermometer straddles 0 degrees F. However the KdF lab is comfortable and toasty due to the nifty HVAC system that I had installed when I purchased the building (more on that in … Continued

Lazarus Motor
10 Dec 2017

Lazarus Motor

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Engine | 0

Getting a forty-year old VW engine to turn over (for the first time in the car) on a snowy afternoon. This is the engine that had the engine fire meltdown. My first engine rebuild. Had been tested on chassis. However … Continued

Matching shirt and tie
1 Dec 2017

Matching shirt and tie

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Body/Chassis, Electrical/wiring, Paint/prep | 0

Syd is moving along. Most body parts have been rattle-can primed and test fitted. A new wiring harness was ordered and installed. This was a bit tricky due to the fact that the 1979 model year had a fuel injected … Continued

The Return of Function
25 Nov 2017

The Return of Function

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Body/Chassis | 0

  Joined the upper (body shell) and lower (chassis) halves of Syd together. Now at least I can roll her around.     Back luggage shelf/ engine firewall. All of this had to be rebuilt. The silver stuff is ‘Peel … Continued

Prom Night
22 Oct 2017

Prom Night

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Engine | 0

I ‘bench tested’ Syd’s 1600 dual port engine today. This was the engine that had almost been entirely consumed in an engine fire. This was kind of a do or die moment, as this engine was the first one that … Continued

Drumroll, please.
9 Oct 2017

Drumroll, please.

by Peter D'Adamo | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Brakes | 0

  Now that the CV joints are done (yuck) it’s time to tackle the brakes. Each wheel  on a stock beetle has a traditional drum break, with shoes and a cylinder that connects to the hydraulic lines. When the brake … Continued

The dirtiest job of all
3 Oct 2017

The dirtiest job of all

by admin | posted in: 1979 Convertible Beetle 'Syd', Drive train/transmission | 1

      Replaced Syd’s CV joints (these take the power from the engine and drive the rear wheels; interestingly they allow the axle to move in any direction while wheels spin). The rubber boots almost always roach after 30-40 … Continued

CV joint

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About This Site

This site is not affiliated in any way with Volkswagen. It is a place where I hope to collect my experiences working on these amazing mechanical devices. Do not take any of my observations as professional advice; all my VW knowledge is self-taught. In the real world I'm a physician and university professor.

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