'57 Resto

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:56 pm

This is a followup to my previous post. I hope to keep this one up to date with the progress.
As you can see from the photos a little bit has happened over the last week, finding more and more rust the further I explore.
Will be on the hunt for some of the replacement panels I need as I'm hoping to keep mostly original steel on the bus, also hoping to keep the dollars down as well.

Anyway I hope you enjoy. Please comment both positive and negative as this is my first attempt at restoration.

Kolo

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 5:06 pm

Some more photos for your viewing pleasure.

Ian 68 · Post by **Ian 68** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:51 pm

keep at it, as Klaus says.." it's only metal "

It may take a huge effort, lots of $$ lots of time in the shed, you may miss out on a few things as you save to get it done BUT..when you fire up the engine for the 1st time and take it for a drive..you will forget all of that and you'll smile every single time you drive it..

Best

Ian

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 7:19 pm

thanks for the encouragement Ian. Starting the engine seems a looooonnng way off.

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 7:22 pm

Getting stuck in ! Good on you

tar76 · Post by **tar76** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 9:11 pm

Keep it up mate, it's a long process but your past the first and hardest hurdle....you've got a split!

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:52 am

A little work has been going on over the last couple of weeks.

The roof has always been my biggest concern, so I had a go at trying to remove some of the dents. After hours and hours of heating and cooling I have made some progress. I have noticed that if I jack the front roof brace up slighlty I can remove all the roof dents, but as soon as the pressure is released the dents pop back in. I need to work out a way of keeping the roof brace up. The bottom of it a stuffed so new braces may be the answer.

Also discovered that the floor is in pretty good condition overall. So going to remove that and tidy it up.

I'm all over the place at the moment with jobs on the kombi, I'm trying to determine what direction to take.

Ian 68 · Post by **Ian 68** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:04 pm

That roof is killer ! Open a tin of Penatrol, brush it on and she's done !

Keep at it mate, your doing well.

Best

Ian

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Thu May 09, 2013 11:04 am

Could I use a 1600 TP engine with the original RGB gearbox that I have? I think it would be a small nut

paul willans · Post by **paul willans** » Thu May 09, 2013 2:58 pm

you can but youll have to grind a bit out of the bellhousing where the flywheel hits the edges also change the starter end bush to 12 volt in the bellhousing by punching the old one out and you good to go

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Thu May 09, 2013 8:02 pm

Thanks paul.
Eventually I would like to go IRS. What tranny should I look for?
I'm picking up a 1600TP engine with universal case. Will need to chase up some tinware to fit the bus.

Kolo · Post by **Kolo** » Sat May 11, 2013 1:09 pm

This is a 1600 gearbox from a lowlight, would it be IRS?

Ian 68 · Post by **Ian 68** » Sat May 11, 2013 2:35 pm

I think the best standard box you can get is from a beetle. You'll see them on here on other sites being referred to as Single side plate box or SSP etc.

The code on the box is AT so you may find them being called that as well. I'm no expert at all here, only going by what advise I took when doing an IRS conversion on the Yoot a while ago.

I guess it depends on the use that your going to give the bus or the factors for conversion, like most things when your doing a conversion you need to decide all that 1st....then cost and availability of spares is another big factor

This link here will hopefully help you along the way, at least it gives you the years, ratio's and cars to look out for..

http://www.shining-wit.net/rick/buggy/d ... &%20Ratios

There are a lot of really knowledgable people on here, people that have forgotten more than I know BUT in my experience if you ask the questions, no matter how daft you think it is, someone will help and you'll will get a few differing views, all you have to do then is work out which way to go. Hope this helps a little.

Best
Ian