Back in Burbank
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:09 pm
This year's visit wanted to be a calm, relaxed tinkering visit instead of the last couple of serious clock fighting marathons. Colin arrived early. Yes he did. My son greeted him with a cheery “hello Robbie!” and Colin then demanded no less than 4 shots of coffee. We started the day with a drive in the Karmann Ghia. I’ve been slowly trying to bring it back up to a smooth, fun and easy car. I needed an insightful diagnostic health check from someone who’d know what’s what. Colin told me that it drove like a Volkswagen. High praise.
From there I pointed out the odd angle of the of Gary’s rear wheel, had a chat about spring plate bushings. I then noted that the rear window seal looked a bit ropey and I had a nice new seal ready to fit. So we pulled the rear window out. And frowned. Water had been getting inside the seal for a while and the lower left corner had lost some pinch weld to rust. We proceeded to remove as much rust as we could and then neutralized with some Mar-Hyde One-Step. https://i.imgur.com/6vbJDgG.jpg We prepped the worst scarring with a light Bondo. Painted with primer and reinstalled the window.
I need to monitor for any water seepage where the pinch weld was nibbled away.
In-between the rear seal prep, prime, and fit, we tuned and took Gary for a road test. We richened the mixture a few cogs back from SMOG test lean and welcomed some creamy smooth driving. This year was a real pleasure, we had time for a some food and a drink before Colin made his way down to Encinitas.
From there I pointed out the odd angle of the of Gary’s rear wheel, had a chat about spring plate bushings. I then noted that the rear window seal looked a bit ropey and I had a nice new seal ready to fit. So we pulled the rear window out. And frowned. Water had been getting inside the seal for a while and the lower left corner had lost some pinch weld to rust. We proceeded to remove as much rust as we could and then neutralized with some Mar-Hyde One-Step. https://i.imgur.com/6vbJDgG.jpg We prepped the worst scarring with a light Bondo. Painted with primer and reinstalled the window.
I need to monitor for any water seepage where the pinch weld was nibbled away.
In-between the rear seal prep, prime, and fit, we tuned and took Gary for a road test. We richened the mixture a few cogs back from SMOG test lean and welcomed some creamy smooth driving. This year was a real pleasure, we had time for a some food and a drink before Colin made his way down to Encinitas.