68 Ghia Convertible

[Steve C]

nice

[rioprelude]

Build Update: The car had a nice GM style wiring harness from American Autowire (Sold by Watson Street works), but it was heavily spliced in places, and didn't have anything protecting the wires/bundles, so I could literally see individual wires running under the fenders to the headlights!

I happened to have the same harness from my other car, so I installed it, using Tech flex loom, and cloth harness tape for the interior runs. Added nice quick connectors to anything that might change, like the harness in the engine compartment, etc..

I need to get pics after, it's so much cleaner...



I also moved the fuel pump from the back of the car, to under the gas tank, and removed the AN fittings since it was still using the stock vw fuel line.

When I cranked the car up for the 3-4th time, with the new electrical system, the starter was apparently (always) missing it's top "D" bolt that also holds the engine to the transmission. So it moved, and ground a few teeth off of the flywheel!

I pulled the engine, and saw that the car is running solid transmission mounts for some reason, with a strap on the rear mount:



It's hard to see the missing teeth here, but it was 2-3 teeth:


So, I ordered a new flywheel, and will fix it next week. Also need to replace the cheap fuel pressure regulator, as the dellorto 48s are very sensitive to fuel pressure, and were leaking over 2psi.

[rioprelude]

I have been collecting parts for the Type 4 engine, and received the exhaust from Tiger @ A-1, although I'm worried 1 5/8" might be too small for a 2.7L. I will order a larger size later if needed.

Since the Type 1 engine was out, waiting on a new flywheel. I ordered a new self supporting starter, and new rubber front/rear trans mounts. Got those installed this week:



Tried to test fit the Type 4, but it was getting stuck in the engine compartment, so I read a few threads about making the rear valence removable, and decided to give it a try:



I ended up cutting between a double bracket on each side, so that the body and the middle section each have a bracket, that should make joining them with bolts, much easier.



I was then able to roll the Type 4 engine into the engine bay, at a normal height (not 6ft in the air!):



Quick test fit of the removable valence, and everything clears:



Final shot with the Exhaust and carbs installed:


The car already has a full flow oil filter and Setrab single electric oil cooler/fan, which I'm hoping will be enough. For now, I have the stock oil filter blocked off, and I'm using a CSP adapter on the stock Oil Cooler for the full flow fittings. Hoping to be able to get it fired up late next week (waiting on parts, etc). I have a wideband gauge to help tune to DRLA 48's.



The only weird thing that happened, was all 3 studs that hold the top pulley on the horizontal 911 fan broke, and when I looked at it, they had allen heads on them to help thread, but they all broke right where the stud, and the allen tip meet, as it seems to be the weakest part on a small stud anyway:

[Wally]

Can't see the pics mate?