Bugat5speedUS project "Volki"

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Well finally got things undercontrol, and have started the tremendous job of rebuilding from the ground up my 73 SB.

Finally got the tent and work area set up, body off, and now working the pan. Only issue is that my Front Pan Head has some cancer and from the looks of it will have to be completely replaced. I don't think its worth salvaging any part of the pan head or Napolean thingy, so I will go with new stuff. So time to break out the lincoln and have fun.

Here are some pics of what has been going on.

Body off


My new home away from home


Some pics of the cancer: As you can see the ends where the two bolts go thru is completely eaten away, and some rust holes on the tunnel where the pan head meets the chassis.








Hole in the tunnel and a piece of patching material from the other end



Some pics of my dummy box to get things fitted properly at the business end of the chassis





As I get working and have time to upload pics I will be sure to post.
I will post specs.. but as you can see 5 speed, 2.7 lt type 4 with DTM, some GWD stuff, some 944 stuff.. and a lot of nothing on the inside..

[dirk.Gysbrechts]

this is looking great!!!!

[Turbo Haraune2]

Oh no.... cant you just get another pan? that thing is beyond economical repair. there has to be rust free pans in US? california maybe?

But if you fix it... Good luck, you wil need it.!

The trans stuff looks good. cant wait to pick up mine..

[Bug@5speed(US)]

I was about to toy with the idea of finding another chassis.. its a viable option that I may consider.. thanks

Also I have the floor pans, so I just need the pan head, which is about 2-250 and the napolean thing abou 50-75.. I have the pans so that is 0.

But its funny that you can find a whole pan for that prices, the only difficulty is that I would need a trailor so that I can pull it with my truck.. But worst case its a learning experience.

So I ask anyone near NJ got an extra pan? SB with IRS
Alex

[Bugat5speed]

Hi Alex,

nice that you started your project now. Wish you good success on it. Think the other guys are right with another floorpan. The one you have is really bad. Cancer is the right word (as you wrote). Try to get hold of another one. The pans will find their new owner I think.

Always nice to see projects with my own parts (-:

Thanks for using them.

Please keep us posted with more pictures. Hope it won´t get too cold there the next weeks.
Couldn´t do it here, as we already have snow and low temps over here.

Good Luck!

Martin

[Wally]

Yeah, that tranny carrier looks much nicer than the one I made myself. probably lighter too

I would not be mistaken about using another pan, as scraping that one clean is usually no small task either. Plus the paperwork of other chassisnumbers and all, only to find out the other pan is not as rust-free as you thought it would be...
Welding in new metal may not be that hard and you know then its all good inside

Good luck on the project. Its nice to see another super being rescued. They deserve more attention and projects like these!
Also nice to read this one gets a proper aircooled engine LOL (sorry Martin ;-))
The torque of a 2,7 might be close to the 901 limits maybe? Probably depending on use (drag or no dragracing)

[bow]

well the only problem i see is that why not get a new front panhead because your gonna spend as much in just fixer pieces of metal

[Xellex]

nice to see a fresh project going on, as I always thought I was a few years late with my passion for Germanlookers.
Good luck with your project, I'm certain it will rock hard!

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Bow and X, thanks for the comments.

One of the main reasons that I am troubled by replacing the whole pan head, is messing up the suspension geometery.. due to misalignment..

I don't know of anyone locally that has a rack to do it right, and the cost of a framer to do the work..

Thought?
A

[wrenchnride247]

All REAL paint and body shops have a frame jig.

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Wrench,

True.. Well at least you all gave me another outlet.. Will try some shops around here, main concern is that they don't know VW's

Thanks
A

[wrenchnride247]

They really shouldn't need to know VW's. All there gonna do is level and square it on jig, and take some reference measurements. Then when putting new head on use the reference measurement's...

[bow]

ya there is also an article floating around here somewhere about how to do a rough sel alignment im not tryin to tell you wat todo with your project just trying to help oh and also sears can do alignments

[Steve C]

Hi


Replacing the complete pan head is a factory procedure. I know 2 people who have fitted beam pan heads to super pans. It not easy but if you find a front section with a good pan head on it, it may be the way to go.

Personally I would go with another pan, the chassis number will not be a problem if you have a grinder and welder handy, wink wink.

You may find this article useful. http://www.clubvw.org.au/pioneering.htm

Steve

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Seems like after much deliberation, I will go ahead and order a pan head..

Tried looking around, but I will either patch this one, or just replace it.. and use a shop once I locate a good one to do the repair, due to the needing a frame rack.

Hopefully tonight I will order the parts.. wish me luch, and I will keep everyone posted.

As far as digging into my project hopefully this weekend.. but between Xmas parties, family parties, and everyone in my house getting sick, no time..

Now if these darn storms would avoid the NE this weekend that will be great, but it looks like we will see two.
VR
Alex