The 1966 VW Beetle Forum

Are you sure that it is not a fuel problem? If a small shot of starting fluid does not get any results then it indicates an electrical problem. A volt/ohm or current tester is helpful. When it cuts out do you have power to the coil? Is there current to the electo-magnetic pilot jet? Pop the distribu...

Very nice looking Beetle. The 1300 engine was only for the 1966 model in the US but it was available up to 1970 in other countries (not sure about Canada). Are you sure that the second digit in the engine number is not a "0"? I have never heard of a VW engine starting with FS. Engine numbe...

There is some info here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/in ... stype1.php

Welcome and good luck on your `66 convertible.

Have you timed the engine?
Or maybe it's the fuel? I like to keep some starting fluid on hand. If a shot of starting fluid makes a difference, the problem was likely not with your ignition.

Hello and welcome to the forum. This is just a guess but it could possibly be caused by the pre-heat tube on the intake manifold being partially blocked. When it is running poorly, are there any signs of icing on the manifold just below the carburetor?

Welcome to the forum and good luck with you new Beetle.

Your car looks great. The shudder could be ball joints or something else in the front end. Could even be tires out of balance. Time to check for loose components.

Can you provide pics? Are you talking about the bottom area where the spare tire would sit? You might be able to push it back in shape using a scissor or bottle jack and appropriate size wood pieces.

Looks like it hooks to terminal #61.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/in ... bug_66.jpg

Well, I could not find a part number on my interior light switch. Looked all over it. Doesn't seem to be there.

Wow! Very nice Beetle. I am in favor of keeping them original but I would consider adding a 3rd brake light if it is going to get any daily driving. I added one to my car using a Hella bumper mounted reverse light with a reproduction 1957 and older type II brake light lens. It was mounted without dr...

Adjust to .006”
Must be stone cold to adjust.

A hard start relay might fix your problem. Some say a hard start relay is not the way to go and that you need to insure that your starting system is in good order by minimizing any voltage drops along the wiring path.

There was a change mid-year in where the hot air came from. The change occurred on May 4, 1966 for the 1300 engine (chassis # 116852850, engine # F0767046). Before the change, the hot air was taken from the underside of the left cylinder head. After the change, the hot air came from the heat exchang...