6 volt world

misszora · Post by **misszora** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:04 pm

Found this on craigslist and kinda dig it...
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1239619609.html

Looks nice in the four small pictures.

What challenges are there to a 6 volt system?

And what do you think of that year?

Thanks!
paige

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:24 pm

Hiya Paige,

There is nothing at all wrong with a six volt system as long as it well maintained. Lots of folks do elect to move to a 12 volt system with older Bugs citing improved highway lighting. But I continue to hear from other that good six volt lighting is simply a matter of keeping contacts clean.

That 64 will have a 1200 40hp engine. The 40 horse engine is widely regarded as being rock solid. Hard to know about specific conditions though. 90,000 miles is a whole buncha miles for an a/c engine - may need a rebuild. But this does seem to have the potential for being a very good deal.

I'm seeing another VW in the pictures. I'd be interested in knowing why this one is for sale and not the other.

misszora · Post by **misszora** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:11 pm

Thanks, Mike! Good info & I will ask the guy about the other bug because I thought the exact same thing!

Bleyseng · Post by **Bleyseng** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:42 pm

a 64 is pretty basic car and do run nice "IF" its all there and working..usually too many DAPO that wreck a car like that...

Back in the day, at 100k we would install new heads as they were worn out...

tristessa · Post by **tristessa** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:51 pm

Biggest challenge of a 6V system... is resisting the urges and recommendations about converting to 12V. Second-biggest challenge is making sure every single connection is shiny-metal *clean*, *tight* and *in* *good* *condition*, followed-and-related to the lack of separate ground wires in the electrical system.

'64 should have the "fresh air" heating system, which is a good thing. Handling characteristics for a swing-axle car like that are .. unique. Unsettling if you (or your passengers) aren't used to it. King-and-linkpin steering gas some different maintenance requirements than the '66-later balljoint system, but nothing that requires a hydraulic press for overhaul .. unlike the balljoint cars.

One thing to be aware of -- if the engine does need a rebuild, the original 40HP cases didn't have separate cam bearings, the camshaft rode directly in the case material. They can be machined to accept 13/15/1600CC cam bearing inserts, and back in "the day" VW offered 40HP replacement cases that used inserts, but ..

Nice looking Bug, makes me miss my '65 .. damn you for posting this!!!

Bleyseng · Post by **Bleyseng** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:36 am

I don't miss my 60 bug with that awful 36hp foul smelling heating system.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:25 am

I would never never drive another 6volt VW. Never. They were probably OK 40 years ago but after all that time the wiring gets high resistance. Headlights like candles, sometimes not enuff juice to start. You can do a 12v conversion though pretty easily.

misszora · Post by **misszora** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:00 am

I may go out tomorrow to check it out. I've got Barry on board and possibly Hal to check her out.

Mike, maybe you'd like to go? On our way back I will treat everyone to a nice juicy burger at the Helvetia Tavern for lunch.

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:53 am

Hiya Paige,

Sounds like fun.

I have a couple of semi-committments on tap for tomorrow. I might be able to move them around a bit. What time were you thinking of venturing forth?

And, by the way, I notice that the original posting for the Bug has expired. Just an expiration I assume. Not sold?

misszora · Post by **misszora** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:56 am

Hiya Mike,

Just emailed the guy to confirm a time. I was thinking before noon and lunch is on me. I'll have to pick up a 6-volt battery...he said his is dead but everything else is good. Can I get one at Les Schwab? I can always return it.

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:58 am

Hiya Bob,

hambone wrote:I would never never drive another 6volt VW. Never. They were probably OK 40 years ago but after all that time the wiring gets high resistance. Headlights like candles, sometimes not enuff juice to start. You can do a 12v conversion though pretty easily.

And all this time I thought you were a guy who liked things the old fashioned way. Now you're an advocate for new technology and all these new fangled devices? Bob, Bob! Tell me you haven't sold out to these 12 volt yahoos who can't appreciate the reliability of a simpler and kinder era. Tell me it ain't so, Bob.

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:02 am

Hiya Paige,

I would think that Les could cough up a six volter.

Mid-day sounds pretty workable to me. Before I committ myself body and soul, let me do a little checking. But I'm thinking that sounds like a plan.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:51 am

A few more volts never hurt anybody. I suffered thru a '66 Beetle, got really good at popping the clutch solo, running along side and jumping in.

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:05 am

hambone wrote:.......A few more volts never hurt anybody.

Ohmigawd! What's next?

More plastic? More fast food? More Dancing With The Stars? More beer? Skip that last one - that's a given.

Bob, have you sold out your back to basics soul for the shallow glitter of 12 volt lights?

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:12 am

Well, it's a car so it needs to start reliably. It also needs to provide sufficient illumination. These are not merely esoteric considerations.
Perhaps time has been kinder to this particular 6v system, and the copper still shines as bright as the noonday sun. Perhaps delighted electrons course thru these plasticwrapped rivers, to be born and radiated through shimmering filaments and escape as heat and light.
But in my experience the VW 6v electrical system sucks.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

6 volt world

6 volt world

Re: 6 volt world