My own Christmas present - The Streaker is back on the street!

On Tuesday I finally received all paperwork, so I got up early Wednesday morning and got the Streaker registered!

... and today I used a can of plasti-dip to "rubberize" the rims from gold to black! It looks much meaner now!

So since 2 days I am allowed to use and abuse the Streaker on a daily basis, yeah!

Oh, and merry Christmas to all of you!

waiting time...

It is like a kid waiting for Christmas eve... I am waiting eagerly to receive the paperwork from the TÜV to finally register the Volksstreaker and use it on (and off) the roads!
Today was my last day of work for this year, I will try to spend a good amount of time in the garage!

You will find out on this blog if anything happens... 

Mission TÜV -almost- accomplished!

Today was the second and final inspection to finally get the H-registration for the Streaker.
All modifications and updates were well appreciated and I will receive all paperwork soon.
One of the things to do today was the weight check:

front axle:

rear axle:

+ the fuel weight = 850 kg

Other modifications which were required:  Add an additional baffle insert

perforated steel pipe with glasspack ("db-eater", made for Harley aftermarket exhausts)

(note modified diameter on the left side for a snug fit into the EMPI exhaust) 

inserted into the exhaust

 fully seated:

This did the trick, I passed the decibel- emission test this time!

The engine number was not visible - as it is a Type 3 block, so I had to add the engine number in the "Type 1 location", below the generator stand  as well:

Luckily I had this old pic from the engine assembly:

The new seats were o.k., too.
Funilly enough I met the same guy as last time again - He had to install a MSS central filter set-up instead of the K&N filters to quiteten down his Weber carbs - he also passed today!
So, happy end for the both of us!

New project, new Blog!

As I want to keep the projects separated, I started another Blog for the 944:
The Alpin Weiss-ach
I'd be happy if you also visit this one from time to time!

Epic fail: A visit to the TÜV

Yesterday I tried to get a TÜV approval for the Streaker, including the H- registration for historic vehicles...

This is the "before" picture, waiting for the engineer in almost 20°C in the beginning of November!

 I wasn't the only ACVW driver, a fellow bug owner also had some technical modifications to aprove:

I don't know the final result of his test, but - well, the result for the Streaker was as expected
Some things need to be fixed:
The seats are non-conform for a h-registration - they are too young...
The Empi exhaust is too loud, about 3-4 dB...
The fixation of the seat belts needs to be done differently
The engine case needs the number stamped in a visible place ( as a type 3 "T"-case is marked where the doghouse sits with a Type 1 figuration
+ some minor stuff not to mention.

I directly started searching "ebay Kleinanzeigen" and found a nice set of Opel Kadett seats which are not too dissimilar in design compared to the current seats and picked them up today - Not too bad, especially paying only 50 Euro for the pair!

 They should be period perfect. A good cleaning job and in they go!

The other issues will be fixed asap and then I hope the final result will be o.k.

Adjustment of the gear lever

If you try to adjust your gear lever, this is a link for the perfect way to adjust it (German language):
http://rallegolle.blogspot.de/search?q=schalthebel
found on Ralf's Blog!

Preparation for the TÜV-check - the next attempt...

On Monday I will try to get the TÜV approval. There are some niggles to sort out, which I found during some test drives:

I adjusted the carburetor and now the engines runs good, the spark plugs show a good fuel/air mixture.
The Bilstein shocks are too stiff, they will replaced, The steering box and shift linkage need some adjustment, the lights are adjusted already and some other stuff...
Today the package with the new shocks arrived:

The weekend will see some garage action and Monday I will start my first attempt - Wish me luck!

Problem found - and almost solved

As the TÜV check wasn't possible on Friday - I was really p!ssed off by the fact that I couldn't make it - I spent my Friday with the family, not thinking a single moment about the Streaker.
Today, I thought about the possible failures and it was obvious the motor was running way to rich. On idle it died after a few seconds and only in higher rev's (from about 2.500) it ran, but sputtered.
So, there wasn't enough air in the air /fuel mixture and the carburator had to be adjusted. A Solex PICT3 has 2 screws to adjust the idle: The air bypass regulating screw and the idle air mixture regulating screw. After some tweaking it is now at least running - maybe it won't pass a smog test, but it runs! Unfortunately I don't have a set of number plates to street-test it, but maybe in the next week I may be lucky and somebody can borrow his plates...

I think it might be a good idea to let a pro check and adjust the carb. Then another TÜV attempt will be scheduled...

When the sh!t hits the fan...

I spent all day to tidy everyting up for the TÜV - which was planned for tomorrow, but the engine doesn't run good, it sputters and has no idle...
I had to drive like this to the wheel alignment service, but this is definately not good!
I exchanged everything from carburator, ignition coil, distributor, fuel pump, checked the filters and everything else, but no luck!

The spark plugs were matte black, a clear sign for to rich fuel mixture, but I don't think this is the only cause.

So, I have to step back think about what could be cause, fix it and try again...

Not only for sunshine!

Unlike my Fastback, the Streaker should be useable all year round, so a working heater and blower system is required. Today I had to learn that all vents for the dahboard are different between the "naked" steel dashboard and the padded dash, so another trip to Hoffmann Speedster in Viersen was necessary:

another + 100 Euro for some chicken shit!

In order to install the vents correct, I had to remove the windshield:

(which I had to do anyway...) + the windshield wiper mechanism + the blower ...

... but it was worth the work, now all of the smaller cardboard pipework is installed and the water drain for the blower motor as well!

Tomorrow the windscreen will go back onto the Streaker...

Oh, I also installed a control light for the accessory lights:

 It is missing the symbol, but this will be done tomorrow as well!

It is in the details...

The interior has been cleaned and equipped with new carpet, but one area really bugged me:

The dirty air vents in the freshly cleaned, spotless headliner!

Luckily these parts are available, so now it looks like this:

Even though they are repops, the look and fitment are excellent! This doesn't happen too often, reproduced parts which I like...

Almost done!

After way too long time, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I spent the last evenings in the garage prepping and painting the body parts :

 The first time "on the road" in final paint scheme!

 the semi gloss black hood fits to the black bumpers, the rear view mirrors and the accessory lights

after a quick clean. The front hood is now equipped with 2 locks, so nobody can open it without the key.

I am sure I need to modify the exhaust tip for a TÜV approval!

The body color is still not my favorite, but I have some ideas for the future...

I can't wait to get this thing back on the streets, hopefully it won't take too long...

decklid latches installed

Step by step the list of things to be done gets shorter! Yesterday I managed to install the hood latches:

Here is a rear view of the Streaker, fenders and engine cover with license plate light are painted. The exhaust is crooked - I know... Rear lights installed and working as well...

This is how I installed the hood latches

and a detail shot, the latches are fixed with M3 stainless steel screws

Let there be light!

Every real Baja Bug needs at least 1 set of accessory lights. So today I started to install them, but how and where?

The front bumper has no brackets to install lights...

 So, I used some 60mm x 60mm square tubing with 3mm wall thickness and cut some nice brackets:

.. and welded them onto the bumper, the weld penetration looks pretty good. 

Then I mounted the lights:

from another angle:

Then the electrical installation was done - and we have a result:
dipped beam and position lights:

dipped beam + full H3 candela power:

 That looks bad ass to me!

final mock up

Before I finally paint the front of the streaker I assembled everything and even connected all electrics to make sure everythings will work:

... and the final parts for connecting the accessory lights:

a long overdue update

Oh, boy, I didn't update this one way too long - sorry!
In the mean time I did a few things to the Streaker, here is just some minor stuff:
The previous owner installed a lot of HiFi stuff in the beetle, so it was like swiss cheese in some areas to wire all the stuff together. He removed the door switches and routed some cables through those holes in the A-pillars - in the doors he simple drilled holes:

The problem is: After I re-installed the switches, they didn't work - the pin disappeard in the hole!
So, the dome light was always on - not good for the battery!
I took some highly polished stainless steel bits I found in the trash and used some 3M adhesive tape to fix those plates over the holes:

Another little job done!

I also painted the "tail" of the Streaker already and I am preparing the front bits currently. The front hood was a nightmare, but I think somehow I will manage to make it work...
More updates soon - I promise!

Maikäfertreffen 2015: Streakers aplenty!

After the Streakers and Bajas disappeared and seemed extinct, they are having a come back currently, I've seen a few:

 

More about the MKT 2015 here: http://yeti69.blogspot.de/