Introduction and a few questions: speedo, exhaust, etc

BrianK · Post by **BrianK** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:36 am

Hello all! I just purchased a Manx clone (that I found through the samba and this forum). After ironing out a few kinks that developed from it's cross-country haul, I finally got to drive the thing over the weekend... What great fun! I officially joined the Manxclub last week & hope to see some of you at a SoCal get together or two. My buggy has a pretty standard 1600 with a double barrel carb and some very loud trumpets. I'm still *very* new to the VW powerplant - I picked up a copy of "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by Muir in hopes to learn a thing or two. I have a few questions: While on my first (extended) drive, the speedometer started making a pretty loud noise - a kind of low-pitched screech - at speeds above about 25 mph. Shortly thereafter, the screeching stopped, but so did the speedo. I liked the fact that it was the original VW speedo - is it salvagable or do I need to replace it? This thing is *loud*. I think it's kinda cool, but I don't really like waking up the neighbors so I'm looking to quiet it down a bit. I'm sure there's lots of discussion on this topic somewhere (probably here - will work with the search function later)... I saw Mvovr's post but am looking for more info - can someone point me in the right direction? Can I get an alignment at any alignment shop or is there soemthing special involved? As it turns out, there's about 1/2" difference in wheelbase from left to right on the buggy (something I never thought about while looking) and it pulls a little to the right. My gas cap is the kind that seals with a ring of cork (or cork-like material). If I fill the tank pretty full, it spits gas all over the hood & windshield while I'm driving. Is there a simple fix for that like a different gas cap? Any good "must reads" for a new VW/buggy owner? Hope that wasn't too many questions in one post.

jr_vw2 · Post by **jr_vw2** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:02 am

Well First I must say welcome aboard. as for your questions.. Your speedo.....Your speedo cable is probably the culprite. it runs to the LF wheel and is stuck through the wheel bearing dust cap. Your exhaust....Look at a few VW sites, just about any exhaust set up that has a muffler will be pretty quiet. I vote for loud and proud:D Alignment....Not too sure about out in Cali... call around first and see how far back the specs in their alignment machine go. I am a nissan technitian and our Hunter set up will do a VW. It will help if you can find someone that knows about VW's. Gas cap....again check out some vw parts sites ans see what they have available. Below are some good links that I like to buy parts from. Hope this helps. http://www.aircooled.net http://www.cbperformance.com/ http://www.chirco.com http://cip1.com/ http://www.thesamba.com (good place for used parts and great deals...its like the ebay of VW's

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:21 am

Welcome to the chaos Brian!!!:hello: you can use the search link at the top of this site and type in any key word you are interested in learning about. like "exhaust" This will show any and all posts that discuss that subject. Speedo cables are around $10.00. I have the same type of gas cap. I used part of an old innertube to replace the gasket. It worked fine. The book you bought is a really good start. I didnt know anything about VW's until I bought my project Manx either. Basic mechanical skills and this forum and you have it licked!!!

tgodber · Post by **tgodber** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:49 am

Gas problem could be solved by proper venting. On my tank (stock tank), there is a small diameter vent tube about 1" long that sticks out just below the cap. Fuel will leak out even with a long vent hose attached. If you have such a vent you need to put 2 large loops in the vent hose and direct it towards the ground to prevent fuel coming out when tank is full. I like to go to http://www.dune-buggy.com and check out the buggytalk there. That site has a very good search feature and lots of good info. Here is a picture of my tank.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:49 am

Welcome, The last parts I bought I bought from Aircooledparts,com Nice guy and good prices.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:51 am

While on my first (extended) drive, the speedometer started making a pretty loud noise - a kind of low-pitched screech - at speeds above about 25 mph. Shortly thereafter, the screeching stopped, but so did the speedo. I liked the fact that it was the original VW speedo - is it salvagable or do I need to replace it? There is a gentleman that advertises on http://www.thesamba.com/vw/ that rebuilds VW speedos and will also make a custom face for the speedo if you desire. Otherwise if the speedo is the culprit, you can find them at swapmeets for prices starting at a buck and going up from there.

This thing is *loud*. I think it's kinda cool, but I don't really like waking up the neighbors so I'm looking to quiet it down a bit. I'm sure there's lots of discussion on this topic somewhere (probably here - will work with the search function later)... I saw Mvovr's post but am looking for more info - can someone point me in the right direction? I personally like the sound of a 4 into 1 merged header along with the fact that they make more HP then the "dual cannon" style exhaust. I also like to be able to drive down the highway at 60/70 mph and hold a conversation. I can do this in my buggy and I am running a Manx Sidewinder exhaust with a Camca Fab muffler fitted with a 4" Super Trapp. I can take the Super Trapp discs off when I want to make some noise.

Can I get an alignment at any alignment shop or is there soemthing special involved? As it turns out, there's about 1/2" difference in wheelbase from left to right on the buggy (something I never thought about while looking) and it pulls a little to the right. I would make sure the buggy suspension is as supple as you would like it to be, before bringing it to a shop that specializes in ACVW alignments. The alignment is not hard to do, but it is a bit different then anything else on the road. Most newer Tech's just don't and won't care about doing a proper job on the alignment. My gas cap is the kind that seals with a ring of cork (or cork-like material). If I fill the tank pretty full, it spits gas all over the hood & windshield while I'm driving. Is there a simple fix for that like a different gas cap? If you have an original VW cap, you can buy replacement gaskets for them from Wolfsburg West http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/ I know a couple people that have actually doubled the gaskets up to get the cap to seal. Any good "must reads" for a new VW/buggy owner? I don't think you can do much better then this website for the diverse group of knowledgable "Buggistas". Welcome to the group!

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:11 am

Another advantage to the supertrap style other than adjustable noise level, is that they are also a spark arrester. Some places frown on their vegetation catching fire. ( US Forest Service, etc) I was quoted about $75 to rebuild the 3" VDO speedo I have that is no longer being produced in that particular style. That included gearing it to my front tire circumfrence so it would be accurate...Cheaper than a ticket.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:29 am

Welcome to the wonderful world of buggies!!!! Beware buggies are like crack, only more addictive----and expensive. THEY ROCK THOUGH!!! :rock: :rock: :rock:

jspbtown · Post by **jspbtown** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:43 pm

While spending some quality reading time at work (you know what I mean...) I came across this site in a Dunebuggies & Hot VWs magazine. www.blackgoldweb.com Their ad states that they will rebuild your speedo, set it to 0 miles, and replace the red & green plastic on lights and give you a 2 year warranty for $49.99. Not a bad deal. Never used them before, and therefore cannot recommend them. Just another option.

shaihulud · Post by **shaihulud** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:05 pm

When a speedo screeches it needs to be lubricated. I had to pull mine apart and I oiled the insides. It works OK but it read fast for a while as I suppose it was too well oiled. It finally settled down. If a speedo screeches, disconnect the cable immediately or you will break tha cable as the speedo grinds to a halt. A little oil will usually fix it.

5150bossman · Post by **5150bossman** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:42 am

So far as the alignment, I had our swing axle buggy done by Big Brand Tires, but I'm sure that any major alignment/tire shop could do it. A 4-wheel alignment ran about $70.00. Seems a bit steep, but after getting it done, the thing runs straight as an arrow on the freeway at 65 mph. Some people like to do their own, but I figure that is something that needs to be pretty accurate (more that I can reasonably do). They did tell me that they would not be able to take the camber out of the rear tires (

They better not! It took me the better part of a day to get the back end raised up to where I wanted it! :laugh1: ) Once they understood that, it took 'em 20 minutes to do the job. Never regreted going to a pro with the right equipment for this. So far as the gas cap, ours leaked because the gasket was shot. I have no vent in the tank, so I put on a VW Van vented cap. Works great, and no more splashing out onto the hood while on a run. :drinking:

BrianK · Post by **BrianK** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:26 pm

Thanks for the info, guys! Lots of good links.