Progress...

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 7:24 pm

Here's my embarassing story. Finally got myself working on the Thing after months of neglect. The stupid thing I did was when I asembled the engine, I put the distributor in wrong so I got the stupid tool to pull it. This afternoon after work, pulled it out, and tried putting it back in. I forgot and put the shim on the drive gear instead of inside the case and now it is stuck. I got pissed and I'm frustrated again. Well, I do a lot of stupid things but I learn from it.

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 7:31 pm

But as long as I do something I am a little closer to cruising. I am kind of wondering what to do. I was talking to Bob on earlier posts because I have a Type IV from my 73 bus in the garage. I rebuilt the Thing's engine stock just to get it running but I really want some big tires and I know that Type IV engine would scream in the Thing. I bought some adjusters for raising the frontend so once I figure out the engine stuff, I'll do that. Also in the plans is a rewire like we talked about. Not necessary but some time I want to take care of that.

GhiaRacing · Post by **GhiaRacing** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 10:02 pm

When I put the GM Harness in the Ghia (I stupidly sold) it made such a difference. And I understood it just incase I got a problem. It was well WORTH IT!!!
I am buy another for my Ghia! Maybe 2 for my Thing and Ghia. It was worth it the first time. I even found a guy who will install them for $100 while I snap away taking pics. My friends go to him for their import junk set ups. He told me he would give me a deal because he once had a Oval and that was the only car that he enjoyed. He said he may even want to buy my Thing....
I'm not sure about that!

I want to do the TIV Thing also. There are plenty of late 70's buses going for under 1K right now. That's the route I am going to go. I'll just get it rebuilt for a few hundred and enjoy it till I can afford a Jake Raby engine... I give myself 17 years! That's being optimistic...

My embarrasing story for this week: I got mad that the pans where taking so long on the Thing. In anger I slammed the wire brush and it flipped a small container of Por-15 everywhere. Including in my mouth. Next thing you know I'm chucking... shall I continue? It gets worse.

BTW, this post may grow cob-webs I'll be leaving for a week on Monday... Teacher enrichment conference/ vacation.

Take Care, Jeorge

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Sun Sep 15, 2002 10:32 am

Man that is a crappy situation. POR is probably not the easiest thing to clean up. With that wiring harness you used, it was from a place that makes them specifically for VWs right? So it had the GM colors and labeling but with VW connections? That is what I am wondering about is if I should go the streetrod wiring kits or find a place with GM wires and vw connections for tailights etc.

GhiaRacing · Post by **GhiaRacing** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 2:36 pm

Found a 'Computer Cafe'!

When I was doing my research for the wiring I found out that you need to be somewhat of a electrician to deal with a few of those Rod kits. I decided to stick with the 'made for VW kits'. The GM kit with VW connections worked great for my Ghia. Plenty of room for other stuff too. I am not sure how it will work for the Thing though. I will have to investigate that later.
I forgot what the place is called but they have an ad in the VW Mags. There are more around but make sure they include the diagrams and such. J

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 5:28 pm

Was it called Watsons Streetworks maybe? They had a kit that was like $300 dollars but it did not include wiring for some of the lights and the ignition or something. You had to upgrade it to a different kind of ignition that has an accessories option. Lots of features (crap) I dont want like AC, bla, bla. I just need a barebones kit. Lights, ignition, maybe a radio.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 7:22 pm

Seems like So Cal Imports has a thing specific wiring harness. Good luck .Bob

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 8:24 pm

Bob, Have you ever used one of their kits? I was asking advice on another post about possibly using one of their harnesses. My question was whether or not it would be better to use a bug harness. If you look at the Thing harness price it is not cheap and really my Thing is less complicated than a bug. I am no longer using the gas heater so I should be able to use a cheaper bug harness I would think.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Sep 17, 2002 5:28 pm

LB i agree with you on this. You can use a bug harness if you are not a Thing purist . Personally I am not.There is a good book that would be a lot of help in doing this. Its Automotive Electrical Handbook byJim Horner. Its a HP book and easy to find. I got mine through Whitney with some other stuff but You can get it on line easy.
Its good because its directed toward the kit car builder so has lots of VW diagrahms.
Good luck. Bob Ingman

LB181 · Post by **LB181** » Tue Sep 17, 2002 6:57 pm

Thanks Bob. I read that you recommend that book earlier so I tried to pick it up at the bookstore. I am sure I saw it before so I will check back again. I am not a Thing purist at all. If I can make it better cheaper I am definately going to change it.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 7:33 am

LB if you find the book note that chapter 11 is Making a Harness. Its cool. Bob