1971 VW Type 3 Fastback

[broady_6]

Well shes all back together,

Slight issues with her jumping out of reverse but its a shifter issue.

Not too exciting to see but heres the assembly



I then put some wheels on to see how she sits. It turns out, way to low!

[Marko]

when I put my spring plates back on I took note that they lined up with the lower mounting holes in the torsion housings

[broady_6]

Ive just turned it one spline and it looks exactly like that so I best put it together

[Marko]

that'll be stock then! when I rebuilt mine I lowered it one down from there and although it looked "cool" it was unpractical and scrapped on the arches so I bumped it back up, I may have got away with it if it had been a swing axle car..

[broady_6]

I don't think it is stock. Mines very low even at that. I'll have to measure it compared to the stock spec.

The reason I had mine so low to start with is I measure the angel according to accordingly Bentley, i got it spot on. But there was no chance I could get the spring plate up high enough to get it to sit on the notch. So I turned it round one spline to make it easier. I have subsequently turned the passenger side back one spline as I worked out how to raise it and drive it in. Just need to do the otherside but its is still very low. So I might have to do some playing with the outter splines

[Marko]

1 spline makes a huge difference! it was a struggle to get the spring plate back on in the position as in my picture above. I had to use longer bolts to slowly draw the plate on bit by bit, it's a job I'd rather not have to do again!!

when you lower a Type3 it's apiece of cake to get the plates or arms back on as they are not under as much tension.

[broady_6]

Yeah, I've Brough it up one inner spline. And its still low. But it was aligned the same as your photos and I had to do the same things are you to get the cover on

[Marko]

in that picture I was able to fit the lower bolt and it was a few mill above it (just for clarification on picture!). I'm really glad I marked the shafts with marker pen and took pics of plates or it could have been a very long drawn out affair to get the ride height right

[broady_6]

Yeah that all sounds exactly as mine is, and its as per the spec of the manual. think its 11 degrees no minutes. But Personally I think its a bit low. Marking wouldn't have helped me as its a new IRS which I bought and unfortunately it was already dismantled. So ive just to work on it till im. happy. But with what I know I think 12degrees 30minutes to 13 degrees will probably be about right

[broady_6]

Been a little while since I've posted any thing too serious but im currently blasting the wheels. Once finsihed, one needs 30mins more and itll be ready for primer. That cheap little sand blaster was certainly worth the money! I would recommend getting one if you have a meaty enough compressor

Before and after shots for you lovely people.







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[purplepeter]

To get the springplates on for future reference, Put a loop of chain or ratchet strap over the top of the shock tower,then put Your trolley jack inside the loop & use that to raise the springplate.

[broady_6]

I don't quite understand, if the trolley jack is inside the ratchet strap surely it would be trying to make the gap bigger?

[purplepeter]

No, the ratchet strap or Chain Confines the forces so the Jack is pushing against the strap

[Editor]

You just lift the car if you put the jack under without a system like that.

[broady_6]

oh yeah im with you now. Yes I was lifting the car but only very slightly which is what makes me think im not quite high enough

[broady_6]

3 light coats and 1 heavy coat of primer later



Ive got quite a nice idea for the final colour now, so the next update will come when they are finished. Which does mean you will have to wait a little while.

[937carrera]

Looking good

[broady_6]

Thanks very much, the first coat of colour has gone on today so ill leave that for a couple of days before the second stage.

[broady_6]

Id like to have given you an update before now but the paint reacted and ive not had the time to rub down and try again yet

[937carrera]

What paint are you using that has reacted..... be nice not to have the same problem one day

[broady_6]

I dont think it was the fault of the paint, I think it was the operator. Might have picked up my white spirit rather than thinners (in the same style bottle) This causes the resaction. I havnt had time to sort the issue yet as I wanted to get the porsche waxoyled and on the road before it was too late. Any way one problem lead to another and I ended up doing some brake rebuilding too.

fasty is going in to storage tomorrow and I shall return to it once Ive moved house some months down the line.

[broady_6]

Little tinker with the paint this evening and its not that bad. Excuse the poor photos, camera phone and strip lighting. Ill take some with a real camera in day light at the weekend. The orange is much deeper and the silver is much less dominant that these photos have you believe



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Id have certainly liked the edges to be sharper but I think ive sorted out the areas where it reacted. Not bad for a first try!

[bigbadbadge]

Looks great, liking the orange tint.

Chris

[broady_6]

cheers! I had forgotten to post up the process

I gave the pair a nice rich gulf orange, 3 coats with flatting of blemishes between coats



I then painted the backs solid silver and flashed the front over with a light dusting.





Then a bloody age masking off

[broady_6]

Well now the house moving is more or less settled I shall return to my projects, those wheels remain as they are, the back pair need sending away for blasting. In the mean time Im going to look at the outer sills. I've got these to sort out, Cant deiced if I should repair or buy a pair of sills.





I've found some one ebay.de and noticed that VWH sell them too. Are they the same product and has anyone bought or used a pair? Whats the quality like, is it decent thick metal?