The 2020 Murbella Projects encompasses all of the work planned on my 79.
Now some items are more critical than others, some are system restoration-focused, and others are just general maintenance that should have been done years earlier by previous owners.
Projected Budget: $1800 (Well…. as of 6/1/20, we are more at $3500 or so)
Related blog posts: 2020 Murbella Project
Rear Suspension
Her rear suspension will be disassembled, with critical parts restored or replaced, all new bushings installed, etc.
Current general plan includes:
- Trailing
- Disassemble and full restoration of metal.
- New urethane or stock rubber bushings
- New bolts and washers.
- Spring Plates / Torsion Bars
- Disassemble and full restoration of metal.
- New urethane or stock rubber bushings.
- New bolts and washers.
- Reset rear to stock or slightly raised (due to severe angle of our driveway and bottoming out that currently happens on exhaust).
- Shocks
- Full or partial restoration of metal.
- New bolts and washers.
Drive Train
Her drive train will be completely disassembled and removed for restoration or maintenance.
Current general plan includes:
- Axles
- Disassemble and full restoration of metal.
- New inner and outer CV Joints.
- New CV boots.
- New bolts and washers.
- Wheel Housing
- Disassemble and full or partial restoration of metal housing and stub axle.
- New wheel bearings
- New spacers
- New bolts and washers.
- Transaxle
- Removal and cleaning.
- Full servicing and replacement of all gaskets, seals, and and synchros.
- New mounts and bushings.
Rear Brakes
While not essential to a Beetle with front disc brakes, I’ve decided to install rear disc brakes as well to complete all the major rear work.
Current general plan includes:
- Disc Brake Upgrade
- Disassemble all drum components.
- Install basic rear disc brake kit with e-brakes.
- Replace all rubber brake lines with stainless steel lines/hoses.
Engine
Her original AJ engine will be the most difficult and time consuming of the maintenance and restoration work.
Original plan was to just go down to the short block, but various evidence of leaks and such once the engine was out required a major change of plan and the complete disassembly of the engine.
- Carefully photo documenting the setup from every angle and for every part/connection
- Full disassembly of engine.
- Clean and repaint all tins, including the fan shroud and thermostat flaps
- Clean, inspect, and repair (if needed) the FI wiring harness
- Upgrade the alternator to a 90am unit to provide more consistent power due to the way I use the car during driving
- Fuel Injectors to be professionally inspected and cleaned (replace if needed) – COMPLETED
- Replace incorrect 205T distributor with restored correct 205H distributor – COMPLETED
- Clean, inspect, and repair (if needed) the air filtration and mass air sensor system.
- Replace the following parts with new:
- Fuel Injector O-Rings
- All fuel lines on the FI array
- Air hoses
- Vacuum lines
- Main Crank Seal and Flywheel O-Ring
- Push Rod Tubes and Seals
- Intake Manifold Boots
- Spark Plugs
- Wires
- Belt
- Remove the heater boxes and exhaust manifold pipes and muffler. Have bead blasted and ceramic powder coated. – COMPLETED
- Complete rebuild of FI heads with new valves
- New pistons and cylinders
- Remove, clean, and inspect flywheel.
- Replace clutch, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing.
- Replace gland nut bearing.
Body
With the engine out, and before putting it back in, the following will be done:
- Replace entire firewall tar board
- Replace engine to body seals
- Replace decklid seal
Miscellaneous
Other stuff:
- Tackle the mess of wiring done to install the radio, amp, and subwoofer
- If feasible, find a more modern aux-input/bluetooth-ready unit, preferably without broadcast radio
Starting Spring 2020. Completion goal September 2020.
Last updated: 6/1/2020