Re: [T3] Returning Member - 70 Square

[Jim Adney <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 3 May 2007 at 23:46, Dual Reference wrote:

>  I joined this list back when it first started way back in 1996-7 or so. 
> Shortly thereafter I acquired a 1970 Squareback Automatic from California.

Welcome back to the fold!

> Here are the issues I have with this Type 3:
> 
> Engine: hole in casing near cylinder 3. Engine still has fuel injection 
> system that worked fine. I would like to acquire a new or reliably 
> rebuilt 1600 dual port and transfer the fuel injection system to the new 
> engine. My goal is to keep this car as stock as possible. Any ideas as 
> to who I should look to for an engine? I remember about 10 years ago 
> people really cringed at the thought of a GEX engine. Am I looking at a 
> longblock? If I am going to keep it FI'ed, what do you order?

It's REALLY hard to make engine builder recommendations. Almost none of the 
commercial rebuilders will do as good a job as you wish they would. If you're 
handy, have some basic tools, and are willing to take it slow and ask questions 
when you're stumped, you can probably do a better job yourself. Given what 
you've told us, however, it will probably cost you at least $1500 in parts and 
outside labor. 

Since you're retired, you should have the time to do this, and I assume you 
don't need this fixed in any particular time frame in order to drive somewhere 
in it.  

> Body: Mostly rust free with totally rust free pans.  Car is currently 
> that baby blue, I would like to change it inside and out to Elm Green.  
> Would it be better to do the mechanical work first (engine, etc) or the 
> disassembly of the body for painting first?

I love the Elm Green, but doing a good repaint from a light color to a dark one 
requires a whole lot of assembly. Besides, the Marina Blue is one of the 
classic Type 3 colors, and will work out in sunny Texas a whole lot better than 
the dark green.

You can do it any way you like, but I'd probably start with the engine. If you 
found a body shop that was willing to deal with a "roller," you could rebuild 
the engine while the body shop took their time with the paint.

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI USA

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