Hi, not really the correct forum but i do run a van. I need advice (mainly engine) on a beetle i'm interested in, it's for sale at a classic cars sales place . It's a 1641 with Empi 40 HPMX carbs, oo9 dizzy. No 50mm air hoses from shroud so i'm presuming no heat exchangers so would it have any heating?, probably a daft question but i've only experience of a stock 1600 tp, not tuned stuff. It's advertised as fitted with the 'correct electric chokes'. Should the cooling flaps , thermostat etc still be installed / necessary on a tuned motor?. Are 009 dizzys function-able on tuned engines?, there was one on my van when i first got it and i had the usual horrible dead spot because no vacuum advance. It's a 1962 left hooker , see photo's. Any constructive advice would be very much appreciated. [ATTACH=f
It won't have any heating and 009s are Marmite but if you like it buy it fit a propex or just drive it in the summer, enjoy it
It should have the thermostat and cooling flaps fitted, they are a necessary part of the cooling system as are the underside pieces of tinware.
Wouldn't expect those carbs to have electric tric chokes, dont think the empi ones have that but could be wrong.... Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
The 009 is fine on a Beetle, it can be ok an a Bus too, don't listen to them on here Don't know much about those carbs, sorry. It's not uncommon to have had the heat exchangers removed, the fan shroud looks after market too. If the cam is a bit wild you might not get enough vac for a vac advance dizzy. The wheels are unlikely to be genuine Speedwell, worth a fortune, if they are. The engine isn't original but you knew that anyways. Possibly a little pricey, but hard to tell from the photos, it looks straight enough. If you're into Cal Look, try the ads on The Lounge for price comparisons, cars often come up there and may well have even bigger engines in them
just check usual stuff, oil pressure when warm, leaks, crankshaft play, smoke, engine sound at tick over and high revs, get under it, body and engine and have agood look around with a torch. It looks good, but dont they all.
Its a lot of money. Forget the bling and give the underneath a thorough inspection, at that price I would expect a full body off restoration, Ask for evidence of the restoration and bills etc. The other engine stuff can be sorted quite cheaply and with help off here. I know the seller claims about work done, but make sure its true.
That looks lovely but will not have heating and as stated check for the lower tin ware is there Sent from my JSN-L21 using Tapatalk
Carbs may be a bit too big for engine capacity, unless the venturi size is specially reduced. No bottom end rebuild, they slapped on flowed heads and biggest drop-in sized pistons and cylinders.. .theres a reason why people use 32 and 34 mm carburettors with smaller engines.. So idling and low rpm driving may be tricky. Why only a 1641.. because the money was spent on the bodywork.
Great response guys !, thank you. haven't viewed it yet, it's also 75 miles from me. I'd be trading in my Alfa GTV 3.0 so a lot depends whether the dealer makes me a realistic offer on it, it's sorn'd at the mo to which makes things awkward. From what your saying i think the underneath condition and possible lack of cooling flaps and tinwear are the main issues and is there room for a diesel heater in a beetle?. It was supposed to have a glass out, body off restoration 7 years ago. If anyone wants to google up more details it's at Belvoir Classics. For a dealer is the price realistic?. I'll inc a pic of the GTV out of interest.
Good point Mike, if negotiations progress i'll be asking for more detailed information on engine build etc. To be perfectly honest i'm not 100% happy about parting with the GTV. Always wanted a bug though and probably a better investment in the long run although i don't look at cars as investments really.
That's my opinion too, i bet there not fitted but you never know. Could be a negotiating point or a deal breaker!.
Never quite sure what the 'Cal' look is exactly, just looks like a bug to me I thought the shroud looked aftermarket too, would it even have holes in etc for flaps?. Where's 'The Lounge' ?
Take a good look at the front body work, the gap on the hood looks like it gets larger going forward.
No UK registration plates on the car, any reason? Without registration, cannot check its UK mot history. Dealer description says imported from Sweden some years ago, so has it ever been on UK roads?
No engine lid seal and no pipe connecting the spare to the washer bottle so washers may not work unless electric but does look lovely very jealous Sent from my JSN-L21 using Tapatalk
Of course the engine capacity may be being mis-stated by the "classic car dealer"= we sell British rust boxes and somebody handed us a German one...which we cant like or be bothered to check... May be more than just heads and 1641 pistons fitted if the owner really spent money on it. But thats hard to tell unless you take somebody who knows Beetles with you, or discover it pulling wheelies... The 009 should be OK for a Beetle especially with a better engine under those carburettors...
