71 Fast Back Recommissioning

For Type 3 and 4 restoration projects, interesting history, adventure trips etc
Post Reply
JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 13th April 2019 - 8:45am

Hi All!

I've just joined after purchasing my first Type 3 last week. We made the 7 hour round trip to north Cornwall and back to view it last Saturday, a deal was done and she was delivered the following morning!!!

It's been off the road since 83, the guy i bought it from had only owned it around three months after buying it from an estate sale in Yorkshire where it had been hiding in a barn for the past 36 years or so.

It's a bit of a recommissioning project, there is some rot but in all honesty it's really decent overall and is all original, no welding etc!

here's some pics of her below, so far i've rebuilt the carbs, serviced the engine, stripped and paint the floor pans inside. the previous owner had rebuilt/replaced all the brakes and fuel lines and sorted the fuel tank.

Image

Jack

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 13th April 2019 - 10:25am

Sorted you picture link out for you. Welcome to the club, nice to see another late fasty finding its way back on the road. They look like 5.5 GT beetle wheels. Very nice! Rare as hens teeth too. Sounds like a fairly solid starting point. Are you going for a repaint, or just going to clean it and run it?
The sultan of swing


JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 13th April 2019 - 8:08pm

Thanks broady! For now it’s just a case of getting it up and running properly, i don’t have the finances for a repaint haha.

Out of interest, what needs doing on the images to get them working correctly? I have loads to add!

Today i fixed a leaky fuel line, vaccuum leak and we also made a roof rack and loaded it up with tat haha

Jack

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 13th April 2019 - 8:23pm

Not feeling brave enough to paint it yourself? Its do able if you got a suitable place to do it

The link you had posted was the webpage containing your photo. If you right click on the photo and click" open in a new tab" or something similar. It will depend what browse you are using as to what it says. then it will open just the photo on the internet. Copy that link and then do the same as you had done with the img code. At the top of every section of the forum is a photo hosting guide, theyre all fairly similar its mainly about isolating the image its self.

Looking forward to seeing more of your car.
The sultan of swing

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 13th April 2019 - 9:30pm

Right so these are a few snaps i have so far.

Changed oil (twice)
fixed fuel line
new tyres all round
rebuilt carbs
removed rust from floor pans, kurusted and then painted
general maintenance and improvement to the running of the beast

Can anyone tell me how the washer jets work? not the foggiest!

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

User avatar
937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by 937carrera » 13th April 2019 - 9:40pm

Welcome onboard.

I'm a type 4 owner so less knowledgeable on the type 3's, but the washer jets are operated using pressurised air from the spare wheel which should be above 42 psi.

Those pans look decent :thumbsup:

The car may have been in Yorkshire a long time but that's a Cheshire registration
Last edited by 937carrera on 13th April 2019 - 9:46pm, edited 1 time in total.
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 13th April 2019 - 9:44pm

Thanks for the info! How do i connect the spare to the bottle? As the original washer jet bottle is still there. I assume pushing in on the window wiper button should activate it?

Jack

User avatar
937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by 937carrera » 13th April 2019 - 9:55pm

There should be a plastic tube from the spare wheel to the washer bottle. There's a description here and in another thread, but no pictures that I remember

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=14398&p=66764
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

User avatar
sparkywig
Posts: 660
Joined: 28th August 2013 - 12:49pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by sparkywig » 13th April 2019 - 10:41pm

Just use a bicycle pump to pressurise the washer bottle. Then leave it in the "boot" for next time.

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 6:09pm

Well, she’s broken already.

She was running sweet, so i thought i’d drive her to my parents two miles the road.
It started backfiring like mad, sounded like a shotgun. Then loss of all power when you put your foot down. Had to be towed home and she won’t start.

Uh...oh....

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 14th April 2019 - 6:28pm

Sounds like it could be a fuel issue. Have you for a fuel filter in the lines? Old tanks have a nasty habbit of releasing crap after many years stood dry
The sultan of swing

User avatar
sparkywig
Posts: 660
Joined: 28th August 2013 - 12:49pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by sparkywig » 14th April 2019 - 6:40pm

Or the distributor has moved/seized, had this with a bus I was driving home from Portsmouth.

User avatar
937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by 937carrera » 14th April 2019 - 9:35pm

broady_6 wrote:
14th April 2019 - 6:28pm
Sounds like it could be a fuel issue. Have you for a fuel filter in the lines? Old tanks have a nasty habbit of releasing crap after many years stood dry
Sounds the most likely option. The inside of the tank may well be rusty, fresh fuel and agitation taking rust off the sides too. Tanks rust when they don't have fuel in.

70/71 so fuel injected ?
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 10:04pm

Thanks chaps. I fitted an inline filter and the previous owner had the tank cleaned etc

I’m thinking replace the entire ignition system and go from there....
Also, alot of smoke comes from under the tinware. Any common oil leaks to check for?

User avatar
937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by 937carrera » 14th April 2019 - 10:08pm

I would check if it's fuel or spark before spending any money.

The smoke will be a build up over time, most likely from push rod seals. Someone else will have toadvise if you can replace the seals without removing the heads. You can in a type 4, I have a feeling you cannot in a type 3
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 14th April 2019 - 10:21pm

Correct, if its got standard tubes then the heads need to come off. If its been stood for that long it wouldn't be a hand ideal to take the engine out and regasket the whole thing. The elring kits are less than £20. And its comes with the white push rod tube seals. Red and black ones arentt worth fitting. they will be leaking again within the year.

The smoke will be where the rockercovers and push rod tubes have leaked oil into the cladding which is wrapped around the heat exchangers. Its a great way of rust proofing them. But does have the side effect of getting smokey when hot
The sultan of swing

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 10:27pm

One thing we did notice is the fuel filter never fully fills, is that a possibility of starvation?
I’ve looked on vwheritage for fuel pumps but need a bit of help as to what is the right one. It’s a 71 fastback, 1600 with twin solex carbs but heritage lists them dependant on the length of the push rod

User avatar
937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by 937carrera » 14th April 2019 - 10:34pm

So long as fuel covers the inlet and outlet then you're fine.

As it's a carb try pouring an eggcup of fuel down the throat of the carb. If it starts and runs for a few seconds then you know it's a fuel delivery / carb problem.

Someone else will have to advise on the fuel pump
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 14th April 2019 - 10:38pm

Where is the fuel filer? If its in the engine bay, move it to along side the gearbox. the filter don't like the heat in the engine bay and go brittle then split. Have you taken the outlet out of the tank, there is a filter in there too. I know the previous owner says it was cleaned. But I've had to redo a lot of previous owner jobs in the past because they simply weren't done, or done so badly they may as well not have been done.

Are you sure its the fuel pump? it'll be worth doing some investigation before going spending. If you've got the original fuel pump it will be the rebuildable type. These are far better than the sealed type, so get a rebuild kit. And they also have a filter in. Which may also need cleaning.

I know its a bit information overload!
The sultan of swing

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 11:10pm

Thanks guys. Will i need to drain the tank to check the outlet filter?

The fuel pump has been replaced with an aftermarket one, so i’m not sure if its been replaced by the right part or not!

Will be doing further investigation friday, will check timing and fuel flow then work from there. She runs and idles ok, its after warming up and running for a few mins that problems occur

Jack

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 14th April 2019 - 11:18pm

Yeah you'll need to drain it. If they had fitted the wrong fuel pump without out changing the push rod. it would have broken the bottom off the pump when it was first started.

I should have the 108mm rod and pump. (the differences are more for the beetle/camper van engine)

That screams of an engine being starved of fuel. Idle requires hardly any fuel. Add to that when its cold the chokes restrict the air it will run ok. Then it warms up the chokes allow more air in, that leans the mixture out and you have an unhappy engine.
The sultan of swing

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 11:21pm

Ok mate thanks for the info!

I drained the tank the other day and it flooded out qjickly (gravity). The fact the filter isn’t filling (runs quite dry when running) sounds like the punp isn’t up to the task. You reckon its the 108mm push rod setup needed?

User avatar
broady_6
Posts: 2904
Joined: 13th January 2009 - 8:55pm

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by broady_6 » 14th April 2019 - 11:24pm

Where is your filter? The fuel is gravity fed from the tank to the fuel pump. The pump isn't powerful enough to suck from the tank.

108mm was the standard fit on type 3 engines
The sultan of swing

JackReddick
Posts: 109
Joined: 12th April 2019 - 10:21pm
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey UK

Re: 71 Fast Back Recommissioning

Post by JackReddick » 14th April 2019 - 11:26pm

Filter is in the engine bay, i’ll probably move it at the weekend to near the gearbox as suggested.

Is there anything else worth looking at for starvation?

Post Reply