My 54 european deluxe from start to finish

54bugn · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

So I managed to score a private stock of NOS distributor rotors and yellow wire capacitors. I have installed one of each on my distributor. I will keep the new ones just in case for backup. See really bad photo below:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I also bought 2 repro brown distributor caps from Glenn, thanks Glenn, mounted one on the engine, really adds to the look.

I started work on the cleaning up the steering box, but massive rain storm cut that short, maybe tomorrow I can carry on with it, more pics to come.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Russ · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

looking really good
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55 hardtop finally finished
65 beetle done:)

54bugn · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 4:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Russ and thanks for the input, cokers should arrive by next week. Pics to come, Cool

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject:

Back to work on the bug in the past couple of days. I received one of Wayne Johnson's hybrid 12 volt / 6 volt starters and installed it on the transmission, I now have a way to start the car. I have changed the car to 12 volts but am making it hard to tell to the naked eye.

Hardware is just to hold the upper bolt in place until I get the engine installed in the next week or so. New bushing installed as supplied by Wayne.

I also spent 8+ hours cleaning up the original steering box, I guess 56 years of leaking will make that much of a mess. Surprising there was actually still some fluid in it and it looked fairly clean. I installed a mix of chassis grease and 90 wt oil in it to slow the leaks hopefully.

Detail of the upper case with VW logo and numbers. I took along time to get it set right in the proper spot 260 mm from center and 25 degrees tilt, hopefully I got it right. I forgot to order a new rubber steering coupler so I have to wait for my buddy to see if he has one in stock.

I was waiting to install the engine until I got the coker wide whitewall tires installed on the rims and car, but found out today they are delayed for another 2 weeks or more. So I guess the engine goes in first, maybe this weekend. Pics will be posted after that. Cool

Thanks for watching,
CHeers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Joey · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject:

Mike, nice job on the steering box.
_________________
Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

Zwitterkafer · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 2:49 pm Post subject:

I second that; nice work indeed.

May I ask where you got that grounding strap; the one that bridges the coupling disk?

H.
_________________
"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC

54bugn · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:03 pm Post subject:

Hey guys thanks for the props. I should have taken a picture of the steering box before I cleaned it it was about twice the size and as heavy as well with a mix of oil and dirt and grease all over! Shocked

Zwitterkafer, as far as the grounding strap that is the original one from the car, I took my dremel wire wheel to it and it came out nice and shiney and I checked the resistance and it is still good so its going back on. The only one I could find online was at WW but it didn't look nearly as nice as the original one. I just wish my rubber coupler was in a s good a shape, trying to find one now.

Cheers, Cool

Keep watching.....
Miike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

maesdieter · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:14 am Post subject:

Very nice, i kwew that lovely feeling when i did my oval !
Dieter
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twinwindows · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:19 am Post subject:

54bugn · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tips and props. Twinwindows, I will get on turning them down tomorrow, thanks for that. Cool

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Zwitterkafer · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:03 am Post subject:

Ah, it's original......that explains why the coupler ground strap looks so perfect!!

Cheers,
H.
_________________
"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC

54bugn · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject:

Ok folks, I actually had to work for a few days so a little lax on my updates. I decided after much reading of the forums that I would install 2 point lap belts on the front seats of the 54 bug. I first want to thank Johnshenry for his excellent, informative and inspirational site without which I wouldn't have been able to come up with my version of how to install seat belt mounts. In particular when I drilled holes through the tunnel and just missed the fuel line, it was as much luck, but I am taking credit for some research.

Newly installed lap seat belt mounts on the 54 pan. I used the CIP mounts for the outer edges, but modified the pan to allow the plates to mount under the side ridges. The pan to body bolt will pass through and clamp up on the bracket. I then drilled a hole through the tunnel missing the shift rod, fuel line, heater controls and all the engine controls. A tube threaded in both ends is press fitted and bonded into the tunnel and then 7/16 threaded rod is threaded through the entire tube sticking out enough on each side for the belt mount and a steel lock nut. It should be strong enough.

Drivers side seat belt attach point install.

Passenger side seat belt mount install.

View of tunnel from above with two ends of steel tube and threaded rod sticking out and nuts on either end.

Closeup of drivers side outer belt mount.

Closeup of drivers side steel threaded tube and threaded rod sticking out of tunnel with nut on it.

So thats what I have been up to. Next the engine goes back on, pics to come.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject:

So I got to work on the bug the other day again and other than the electrical wiring, the original 36 hp engine is fully installed on the pan now. Adjusted the clutch, hooked up the heater box controls, hooked up the clutch and throttle and fuel line. Now to figure out the electrical hook up to run it?

Bad news was my coker whitewalls are still backordered so I am delayed getting it back on its own rubber. Evil or Very Mad

I will spend the time waiting to get it wired up, figure out a fuel tank and get the oil changed on the engine in readiness for starting it. Cool

thanks for watching.
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

dave231 · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:09 am Post subject:

Engine and trans look sweet! Great job .

David
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Those that can...do, and those that can't sit around and tell you what can't be done and how you should have done it. hehehe

paulsvwbug · Samba Member Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 449

just hook up a jumper wire from the positive side of battery to term. 15 of coil then use a jumper at the starter to start it

54bugn · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, I almost have all the wiring to start the engine on the pan I wanted to get the wiring that will stay permanent on the pan done as I have a second 12 volt regulator under the rear seat. I finally couldn't wait any longer to get my pan back on rubber, (Cokers still back ordered dammit) so I pulled out my old mix of 5 bolt rims and got it on its feet so to speak.

Can't wipe that smile off my face.

Left turn.

I will take more pics when I get my new tires, and mount them on the recently painted rims.

Thanks for watching, stay tuned for more to come.

Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

paulsvwbug · Samba Member Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 449

man I know what you mean, just this weekend I got my engine on the pan and started it, tuned it then drove around our townhome complex, I had a huge smile, my wife and 4 1/2 year old daughter laughed at me, looks kinda funny. Be gentle with the clutch, I broke my backrest on my seat when I let the clutch go too fast, fixed it though, have fun, thats what it's all about.

Joey · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject:

Looking good mike. I like the color of the front left wheel. Wink

_________________
Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

54bugn · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:56 am Post subject:

Yes Paul I am very close to driving the bug around the block as well and can't wait. My clutch feels very stiff as well, must be all the new stuff. Thanks for the story, I can;t wait.

Joey thanks for the wheel and tire loan, its the only one on there that looks good...lol. Can't wait to get my Cokers though.
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry I haven't been around lately, am in the middle of moving and also picked up a 66 beetle to use as a DD, but it needed a bit of attention to get her on the road, still working on that. But soon. I will be back on with more 54 rebuild soon.

Say hi to "chuck" if you want in the Beetle forum as per below. Cool

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4796862#4796862

Otherwise I will get back at it soon.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940


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My 54 european deluxe from start to finish
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