Finding Top Dead Centre

When I disassembled the engine on the Bug, I forgot to label the wires connecting to the distributor cap and spark plugs. It's important that you get the wires on the right spark plugs so the spark fires at the right time. Because of this, we had to discover where the thing under the distributor cap (rotor) was when the #1 cylinder was at top dead centre, and mark that spot as such. Our first course of action was to use the compression from the spark plug hole to find out when the #1 cylinder was at TDC. This did not work, as the intake valve for that cylinder was stuck open. I will have to find out what is wrong with that and fix it. Anyway, we found where TDC was by putting a stick in the spark plug hole and watching the exhaust valve. We then marked it on the distributor cap.

L8NG-BUG

My family recently surprised me by beginning to paint my Bug. First, using stencils, they painted lightning bolts on the hood. They then fix up an old licence plate to say, "L8NG-BUG". Wasn't that nice of them?

Second Engine

I recently acquired a "new" engine for my Bug. It came with two old clutches I can use to try it out in the car. The whole package cost $40. I did not get this new engine because the one I had didn't work, only because while the engine that came with the car came from California and has the heat ducts closed off. The engine I just got, however, is from my area (which is a bit north of California), and has heat ducts already in place, although they need replacing. I am planning to try and start this engine out of the car, as the shrouds on the other one are off for cleaning.

Torque Wrench

I recently acquired a torque wrench (shown right). It was given to me on freecycle. I would like to thank the previous owner for giving it to me. Torque wrenches are used to measure how tight you are making a nut when putting it on.

Painting cylinder shrouds

I have finally made some progress in the area of yellowfying my bug! On A beautiful Memorial Day afternoon, I got out my paint and primer and let them sit, so as to get the paint and metal the same temperature (a friend of mine says that helps). My friend Doug then helped me put on a few thin coats of primer 10 minutes apart before putting on the yellow. It came out beautiful, but we are leaving it out for a while so the paint can cure.

Spray guns

I recently made a very useful acquisition: two spray guns. These will b very useful, as I plan to completely repaint the exterior of my Bug, as well as the engine shrouds, which I have already begun. The spray guns are high pressure and low pressure. The high pressure one has a metal paint resivoir, as plastic wouldn't hold. With these, I won't have to by my paint in spray cans.