By CT Hansen
This web site is a discussion forum about California Look VWs and VW drag racing. It's probably the centre of the California Look scene. The scene has a great retro feel about it, as the cars are kept true to the 70's style with no turbos or fuel injection. The main topic of conversation is engine building. Engine combinations are endlessly debated as are the quality of various products from the many parts companies in the US.
It's great, you can get a range of different opinions on gear ratios, carb jetting and suspension settings..
It works like this. You post a story, idea or a problem like this one- WHAT IS WRONG WHEN YOUR CAR IDLES RUFF AND THEN YOU PULL #4 WIRE 1/4" FROM THE DIST.CAP AND SHE IDLES FINE PUT IT BACK IN THE CAP AND IDLES RUFF AGAIN?????
Sign your name- 56ER
And people reply (you may then ad to the replies to help clarify)-
Spark plug is probably fouling out. (george brown) do a compression test, then adjust the valves, then do another compression test. And get your $150 back from the guys who don't have a clue. (John Connolly)
WHAT WILL A COMPRESSION TEST INDICATE IN THIS SITUATION? (56ER)
A cyl that measure low will have problems idling and produce low power. Check your plugs again. If fouled the try some Bosch platinums. They DO NOT foul. May help diagnose your problem. If compression is good and plugs are fouling, then you have a too rich condition somehow or another....Keep us posted on progress....(Ohio Tom)
I would disagree and recommend not using a platinum plug. Platinums work well in modern fuel injected engines, I have found them to work poorly and foul easily in a VW with points and carbs. Use Bosch supers...w8ac. (John Pagnanelli)
I agree with John Pagnanelli and Gene Berg here. I have also solved this problem by installing a new Bosch Dist Cap. I fought that one for a month them figured out it was right in front of me. Check to make sure your wires are not crossed as well. Hell, we've all done it! (Elf)
THANKS BROS.I WILL PURCHASE A COMPRESSION TESTER AND POST THE RESULTS.ABOUT THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE, ANYONE USE NGK SPARK PLUGS? (n/t) (56ER)
I won't use anything but NGK anymore. (John Connolly)
Re: IF YOU HAVE 4 GUYS IN A BOAT & 1 GUY IS ROWIN THE WRONG WAY!!! THE OTHER 3 WILL HAVE TO WORK HARDER!!!(D.BERG)
While I have never used an NGK plug in an air-cooled engine, I install them all the time in various water-cooled imports. The NGK plug is by far the best plug (nice threads, excellent function) that I have ever used. Is there an application for short reach 040 head? I probably have a book at work to check, but anyone know the number? (John Pagnanelli)
Re: I RUN BOSCH ACCEPT ON ALKY!!! NGK THEN!!! DON'T KNOW WHY!!! I JUST GO W/ WHAT WORKS FOR EACH ENGINE AS AN INDIVIDUAL!!! IT'S NEVER JUST ONEWAY!!! COMP. RATIO/TO FUEL!!! PLUG TEMP. TO AMOUNT OF IDLE'N!!!(D.BERG)
Here are some of the regulars.
Keith Seume, 46 going on 21, 2160 chop-top, 914/6 etc, Cornwall, England. Keith is famous in the VW scene he is the man behind the site he wrote "The VW Beetle Custom Handbook" and "The California Look" book. He also has a performance parts shop in England somewhere.
John Connolly, Salt Lake City, UT, 35, too many projects to list (none finished yet). John Connolly runs aircooled.com. He gives good technical advice and his shop is getting a good reputation.
Doug Berg, the son of the late Gene Berg. He gives great advice which tends to run in the family. But you've got to get used to his style of writing (see above).
Frenchy Dehoux, age 49 years young, Tempe AZ club, Wolfsburg Registry/DVB /Vintage VW club of America/Der Autobahn Scraper.
Bill Berckman, age 39, Cincinnati Ohio...Cincinnati Volkswagen Club runs the internet air-cooled yellow pages.
Mike Gagen, 61 ragtop, (my VW not me) San Diego, DKPIII. (n/t) (aka "The Flying Tomato") Magoo AKA
Dan Ruble, 53 San HO ZAY MAN! '65 s/r '66 bracket car '70 Worlds Slowest @ liter and a '72 experiment
Steve Arndt, 20 y.o. Boise, Idaho - 76 4bug Baja/ Oval on IRS, 2599 5 spd/too many ideas and not enough $.
John Pagnanelli, 27, Salt Lake City Utah, 1965 beetle, Member Salt City Air Coolers , Berg cruiser 1999@2000...so far. Work as an import car technician. John is a really helpful bloke whose given me lots of advice on the Street Car Forum.
It's a great site, check it out.
CYA, CT