Upkeep of a 1966 Bug

[buzzfan]

I am thinking about purchasing a 1966 VW and I wondered how much upkeep is required approximately considering their age. Could someone please tell me about how much work is needed? Thanks!

[Newbiea1]

I think it would also be helpful for us to know what spare parts and tools we should keep in our Bugs in case we have a break down. Thanks!

[fatalifeaten]

Really, you're talking 30-60 minutes worth of work every 3000 miles give or take. You're changing your oil on pretty much all cars at that interval anyway, so in the long run they're not any more needy than anything else you're going to be driving. My personal opinion is that with no computers and no finicky little fiddly bits, or overly complex systems, they're actually a lot easier to work on than many contemporary vehicles. I thought there was a maintenance schedule posted somewhere around here but I can't find it now.

Here's a good start from one of the other forums I make a nuisance of myself on. Keep in mind that some of these things may not apply to your particular model year, and do not account for any type of winterizing you might need to do in your area. We're in the desert, our winters are 10 days long and we rarely get a hard freeze.

Every 250 miles or weekly, whichever comes first.

Check the engine oil level
Check the windshield washer fluid level.
Check the brake fluid level
Check the tires and tire pressures

Every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first

Check the automatic stick shift fluid level.
Lubricate the chassis
Change the engine oil.
Check and adjust the engine drivebelt(s), if necessary
Check and service the battery
Check and adjust Valves

Every 6000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first

Inspect the windshield wiper blades and replace them if needed.
Check the clutch pedal for proper freeplay and adjust if needed.
Look over all underhood hoses and replace if needed.
Rotate all tires.
Inspect the brake system.
Check the driveaxle boots and CV joints.
On an automatic stick shift only, check the starter safety switch check.

Every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Service the air filter.
Look over the fuel system
Service the fuel filter
Check the compression
Replace your spark plugs
Look over the spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, and replace if needed.
Replace the spark plugs
Replace the ignition points and condenser.
Check the engine idle speed and adjust if needed.
Check the ignition timing and adjust if needed.
Check the valve clearance and adjust if needed.
Check the transaxle lubricant level.
Look over the suspension and steering components.
Look over the emission control system (if equipped)
Inspect the exhaust system
Service the automatic stick shift
Rotate the tires.

Every 30,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first.

Check and repack the wheel bearings
Change the transaxle lubricant*
Replace the catalytic converter
Service the EGR system

Now, for spares and an emergency kit, The John Muir idiot book and (I think) the bentley Manual both have very good lists of "daily" tools and spares and more extensive lists for longer trips. this is what I carry...


Daily Driving:

* 1/2" metric ratchet set, 8mm to 21mm
* A crescent wrench with jaws wide enough to work the nut on your lower crank pulley
* Slotted and Phillips head screwdrivers, 6"-ish length
* A reliable Jack. I prefer Bottle jacks, but a good scissor lift jack works well too
* Lug wrench suitable for your lugs (which may vary depending on your wheels and lugs)
* Pliers / Vise Grips
* Wire Cutters
* Jumper cables
* Utility Knife
* Feeler gauge set
* Allen wrenches (I've replaced a lot of my normal bolts with allen head bolts)
* Flare
* rags
* rags
* and rags

Road Trips:
* A set of metric combination wrenches ranging from 8mm to 19mm (8/10/11/12/13/14/15/17/19)
* Needle nose pliers, straight and 45 degree angled
* Circlip pliers
* Thread locker
* 1/2" Drive torque Wrench
* Timing Light

Plan on packing a tool box. You can get creative with it though. One of my buddies picked up a really nice vintage 60's suitcase and built some storage compartments into it for his tools. He just straps it onto his roof rack and it's both stylish and completely functional. I just keep my tool box on the luggage tray in back and call it good.

Spare parts: (DD)

* 2 Belts
* Throttle Cable
* Clutch Cable
* spare carb jets
* Points
* Rotor
* Condensor
* Cap
* wires
* Fuses
* 14GA wire
* 2GA wire
* Bailing Wire
* Duct tape
* 10' of fuel line
* Spare fuel filter
* Oil change kit and sump screen
* Assorted nuts, bolts, washers, shims, hose clamps
* Properly inflated Spare tire
* 2 qts oil
* Small bottle brake fluid

Extra spares I take on long trips. When my Club Does long trips everyone brings differnt stuff so we're covered as well as we can be in the event of an emergency
* A complete spare distributor
* 2 Spare spring loaded pushrod tubes and spare pushrods
* Spare Fuel pump, phenolic block (the bakelite/plastic thing the fuel pump sits on), and pump pushrod
* Steering coupler (the rubber donut between the steering box and column)
* Extra Lugs
* 2 Axle Seal kits
* 12V Voltage Regulator (generator cars)
* solex 34 pict-3 carb rebuild kit
* 2x 40mm Kadron carb kits

All of the spares will easily fit into a container the size of a shoe box. I use a plastic container the fits nicely under the rear seat on the driver side.

[buzzfan]

Thanks so much!

[Newbiea1]

What is "2GA wire?"

[fatalifeaten]

2 gauge wire. in case I have to redo battery or ground in the side of the road.

[Roadbug]

I hope't the questioner wasn't scared off by all the supplies to carry.
Like most old cars, the more you drive your car the more you learn what it might need. I carry some tools, a belt, a set of oil change gaskets and my VW Manual and a ground cloth to lay on. Most everything else is available in local parts stores.
Preparation is the key to problem free driving.

[buzzfan]

thank you all for the assistance... and no i wasnt scared off

[Blue Baron]

I have one small tool box crammed with most everything I need for a roadside emergency. I cultivated it over many years, and include items such as a rotor and rocker arm clip, because I've had both items fail me on road trips over the years.