Just bought a 66, first bug ever, now I'm stumped.

[turnjare]

Hi everyone,

I'm the proud new owner of a 1966 bug. The ID plate was missing but the chassis number under the seat is 116535737. Here goes the long list of questions!

1. I wanted to ID the engine but i'm having some trouble. There are no stamped numbers where they should be. (See pic below) how else can I identify this engine?

2. The back of the bug has definitly been lowered, and one of the shocks is missing. I want to raise it up just a bit to be more level with the front. I should probably replace the existing shock as well, right? If so, is it OK to use stock shocks if it is lowered, or do I need to get a shorter shock for it to ride correctly?

3. Where can i get a replacement signal lever? the one I have is broken in half and dangling by the wires.

4. The ignition key doesn't unlock the doors. Is it supposed to? If not where can I get a key that will work?

5. There is a lever inside the glove box that isn't attached to anything. (see pic below) Any idea what this is for?

Thanks for any help.

-Jared

[turnjare]

I tried to add some pictures but I'm having trouble. I added them as an attachment but they aren't displaying. What am i doing wrong?

[Digger89L]

You have to follow the photo posting instructions in the "add an attachment" section at the bottom of the Post a Reply screen ....they're a little cumbersome, admittedly, but they do work. You have to re-size your pics in order for them to be accepted as uploads.

Lever in the glove box?? Sounds like some kind of previous owner add-on ...definitely not original to a 66 bug. Turn signal levers and/or complete mechanisms can be bought from a variety of suppliers, or you could look for a used one. Wolfsburg West has them (http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... 141953517F) but they are pricey.

[turnjare]

Ok, Lets try the pics again. . .

Thanks for the info on the turn signal. Any ideas on identifying this engine? Also, the lever in the glove box used to be connected to some kind of cable.

[turnjare]

Here is a pic of the engine

[Itskyle]

That lever, I recognize that from my 74 superbeetle's glove box, that was the hood release for that model.

On my 66, the hood release is a black knob on the driver's side under the dash. Do you have this one?

As far as the engine goes, my conjecture is that is NOT the original engine, but a new one built by some aftermarket people, hence no VW markings or numbers where they usually would be.

That doesn't mean the numbers wouldn't be there, you just aren't looking in the right place

Love the color of the car, and those wheels look pretty rad, too.

[Digger89L]

That almost looks like the engine number was actually ground off .....unless, as the previous poster said, it's from a different year/model and the number is stamped elsewhere. I'd leave the orphan lever in the glovebox ....anybody asks, tell them its for the ejector seat!

[Itskyle]

That almost looks like the engine number was actually ground off .....unless, as the previous poster said, it's from a different year/model and the number is stamped elsewhere. I'd leave the orphan lever in the glovebox ....anybody asks, tell them its for the ejector seat!

I remember when I was first in the VW scene, you could get aftermarket rocker panels and toggle switches labelled like "Missile launcher," "Machine Gun," and other stuff. I know, they were a novelty item, but I can't help but wonder if a bit more of these switches would go a long way to alleviating road rage. What do you guys think?

Me, I always wanted to get those switches, and wire it to a sound box, so it would actually "sound" like it was doing what was advertised on the switch.

Kyle

[turnjare]

So what about these numbers from underneath? can I identify the engine with them instead?

If not, whwere else can I look for engine ID numbers?

Thanks

[turnjare]

Thanks for all the help so far. What about my keys and shocks?

The Key works in the ignition but won't unlock the doors. Is that normal? If so, how do I go about getting a key for the doors?

I'm also wondering if I need to buy shorter shocks for any reason. (I need new ones anyway because one was missing) My plan is to leave it lowered by 1 or 2 outer splines.

thanks again!

-Jared

[h~moto]

Do you have an ignition steering lock? If your ignition switch also locks the steering than your door key will be different. If your ignition is on the dash than it should also open the doors. This is assuming everything is original stock.
The only place for the engine number is on the block right below where the generator pedestal bolts up. The numbers you show in the pics are VW part numbers.
My guess is maybe your original glove box was lost or damaged and replaced with a glove box from a newer beetle that had the trunk release inside the glovebox.

[Blue Baron]

Sorry if some of my answers are redundant to what has already been posted.

1. I wanted to ID the engine but i'm having some trouble. There are no stamped numbers where they should be. (See pic below) how else can I identify this engine?

You can't ID the engine. It's a replacement case.

2. The back of the bug has definitly been lowered, and one of the shocks is missing. I want to raise it up just a bit to be more level with the front. I should probably replace the existing shock as well, right? If so, is it OK to use stock shocks if it is lowered, or do I need to get a shorter shock for it to ride correctly?

It looks like someone lowered it at least one notch in the rear. Set the rear spring plates up one notch and see how it sits.

3. Where can i get a replacement signal lever? the one I have is broken in half and dangling by the wires.

Swap meet, '66 or '67 only.

4. The ignition key doesn't unlock the doors. Is it supposed to? If not where can I get a key that will work?

It's easier to find used handles with the keys than it is to find keys to fit your handles. (You can always use the tumbler trick, and take the locks apart and grind down the tumblers, then any key will fit. Most thieves won't take the time to try and unlock the doors with a key.)

5. There is a lever inside the glove box that isn't attached to anything. (see pic below) Any idea what this is for?

Glovebox has been replaced with one from a later model -- the handle goes to nothing.

[h~moto]

A replacement signal lever is also available new at www.bughaus.com. They have a reproduction one that sells for $49.95 or a German SWF brand that sells for $229.95. If your planning on keeping your car a long time I would recommend the German one.
If $229.95 sounds expensive, call your car dealer and ask how much a turn signal lever costs for whatever new, modern car you might own. After you get your price, $229.95 will sound like a bargain.

[Itskyle]

Sorry if some of my answers are redundant to what has already been posted.

1. I wanted to ID the engine but i'm having some trouble. There are no stamped numbers where they should be. (See pic below) how else can I identify this engine?

You can't ID the engine. It's a replacement case.

I believed it would be more likely that it would be a replacement engine block than the numbers would have been filed off.

It's not that filing off of numbers doesn't happen in the automotive world, when it does, it usually involves theft of some sort.

2. The back of the bug has definitly been lowered, and one of the shocks is missing. I want to raise it up just a bit to be more level with the front. I should probably replace the existing shock as well, right? If so, is it OK to use stock shocks if it is lowered, or do I need to get a shorter shock for it to ride correctly?

It looks like someone lowered it at least one notch in the rear. Set the rear spring plates up one notch and see how it sits.

3. Where can i get a replacement signal lever? the one I have is broken in half and dangling by the wires.

Swap meet, '66 or '67 only.

4. The ignition key doesn't unlock the doors. Is it supposed to? If not where can I get a key that will work?

It's easier to find used handles with the keys than it is to find keys to fit your handles. (You can always use the tumbler trick, and take the locks apart and grind down the tumblers, then any key will fit. Most thieves won't take the time to try and unlock the doors with a key.)

Not sure if you have converted your bug over to 12 volt or not, but I know in the hot rod scene, they invented "keyless entry" with solenoids hooked up to the door locks. J.C. Whitney used to sell universal kits for that kind of thing. Not sure how big of a PITA it would be to get that installed, though.

5. There is a lever inside the glove box that isn't attached to anything. (see pic below) Any idea what this is for?

Glovebox has been replaced with one from a later model -- the handle goes to nothing.

If anything, I'd find something for that to go to-perhaps wire in an itty bitty light for the glove box itself. You probably don't do much night-time driving, though.