Interesting. I forgot Type 1s didn't get disk brakes until way late, even after Type 2s IIRC.
The USA never got disc brakes on Beetles, only the Karmann Ghia did ~ it is a very simple thing to swap the ball joint front suspension complete from a 'Ghia to any post 1966 (ball joint) Beetle ~ you don't even need to change the brake master cylinder nor add a proportioning valve .
I drove as if I was invisible (ex. driving with the headlights on when the sun is low) and still my wonderful W123 wagen was totaled. Because of my medical conditions and that I can't walk the distance to the bus stop, I can schedule the local transporter bus/van to take me anywhere in the county for $4 cash each way, just has to be 24 hours in advance. However, it picks up other people and can take several hours, though I been blessed and not had this happen. Or, I can get a special fare on a taxi, first eight miles is a flat rate (I forget now, haven't been out in ages). So, there been really no reason for me to drive, however, I now would like to have local freedom. Therefore, once the MVD is back to doing inspections and Ruby is ready, will get the title transferred and get her Arizona registration. Then, she will be for local trips and use the bus/van service for the long trips, saving her the risk.
Mobility is important to your mental as well as physical health . plus, just being out and about is interesting ~ when I'm on vacations I sometimes take the local bus just to see what's what if I don't have my own transport .
Just because one can means they should.
What Dad would say is that there are about now 250,000 miles and almost new compression.
O.K., the three things necessary to keeping it running are : hot oil changes and removing and cleaning the screen in the sump, this is critical and surely will not be done unless you're hovering around the shop .
VW's have no oil filter, just a metal wire mesh screen that collects ash, sludge and some wear particles ~ over time it packs up and hinders the flow of oil causing hot running ( = DEATH) and eventually starved bearings that will then fail .
The second thing is : valves checked and adjusted every 3,000 miles or six months - if they're not noisy they're way too tight and ready to fail . I think you told me this particular 40 horse still has the original long stud cylinder heads, that's very hard to believe as most failed, pulling the studs out before 80,000 miles ~ if the rockers are held on by bolts Vs. 13 MM ATF nuts on studs, they've been repaired/upgraded . rockers held on by ( 14 MM ATF IIRC) bolts require larger valve lash gaps, I no longer remember what as the last one I ever saw was in 1973 . most 40 horse engines require .006" clearance, better a little bit loose than snug .
Remember " a noisy valve is a happy valve " .
The third thing is the ignition timing, again, this is critical on several levels . setting it depends on the number of notches in your crank pulley .
Never to exceed 29 degrees BTDC @ 3,000 RPM with the vacuum line connected .
So the 1300cc plus engines can't be run flat out? Mind me asking what changed?
When the 'big block' engines were introduced they made scores of little detail changes, all raised the amount of horsepower and torque far beyond the original design parameters ~ air cooled engines are delicate so originally VW used a single carby and very narrow intake manifold and valve diameters to essentially choke the engine's ability to breathe and create power . simply adding dual carbies to any stock VW engine no matter how old almost doubles the amount of available power and drastically reduces engine life although they're fun to drive and get better fuel economy .
How does one know if they are over revving the engine?
I don't know how to explain this, if you up shift anywhere near the little red roman numeral maximum shift points on the speedometer, you're over revving it .
I don't mind answering questions, if I don't know I won't dissemble .
What is keeping this from happening?[/QUOTE]
Keeping what from happening ?
Bill makes some good points .
I strongly disagree with this “...just a little more than my fir share.” rather, Americans have the ability to work hard and gather things, some collect art, others old motor vehicles and there's not a thing wrong with it .
America is a consumer driven society and so discards a lot of things that are perfectly good, I see no harm in holding on to useful things or in re purposing them .
Of course, I was a farm boy so I was accustomed to have no money and making do , not unlike the children of the great depression .