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Author Topic: The engine access window  (Read 29870 times)
banditina
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« on: March 30, 2009, 01:48:58 am »
hi...
i have a 1963 vw bug and i have many doubts if the engine access windows are necessary or not.
i have a 1776cc with ida48, the window is necessary?
for me the windows are not nice to see...
please help me for the right decision... photoes with engine up, please...
very tnx...
 Roll Eyes
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Sarge
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« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2009, 02:26:30 am »
It all boils down to the fan shroud and manifolds you plan to use.... tall manifolds and a 36hp or early round 40hp shroud; no windows.  Short manifolds, big shroud; I'd do the windows for sure.
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banditina
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« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2009, 02:48:52 am »
tnx SARGE... .... no windows...Huh Huh Huh Huh
i use this manifolds and this fan shroud



« Last Edit: March 30, 2009, 03:02:28 am by banditina » Logged
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2009, 02:59:01 am »
Pretty parts. Grin
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banditina
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« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2009, 12:32:24 pm »
 Huh Roll Eyes.. tnx .... up.... Huh
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« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2009, 12:53:40 pm »
I would say you don't need the windows..
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louisb
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« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2009, 14:11:00 pm »
I am looking at a set of these now. Trying to decide if I should fab up a set of my own or just order these.

--louis
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Sarge
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« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2009, 14:21:15 pm »
Quote from: JHU on March 30, 2009, 12:53:40 pm

I would say you don't need the windows..


Agreed!
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Sam K
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« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2009, 14:52:26 pm »
For my '678 street car, I sort of wish it had windows sometimes, but I don't want to cut up the car so I can get by without them. On my '63 that wil be a race car though, I will probably put windows in it because I expect to spend a bit of time taking plugs readings and doing a lot more tuning in general.
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2009, 19:29:04 pm »
Quote from: banditina on March 30, 2009, 12:32:24 pm
Huh Roll Eyes.. tnx .... up.... Huh

Hi, sorry, I was just saying your parts look good.  Smiley

On the windows, I don't think you need them. I don't use them in my car, though I am sure some of the maintenance on my car would be less frustrating with them. I run the 1600d/p 1971- style VW shroud, tall manifolds and IDAs. Yes it is tight getting to carbs, manifold nuts, etc. I have a system I use to do the work, such as changing plugs. It isn't too bad, actually. I have a 12" long 1/4-drive wobble-end Snap On extension I use with a short 10mm(or 3/8") socket for manifold nuts (Berg flanged 8mm x 10mm are the only way to go), very easy to get down from above air stacks and get nuts off. I do remove the carbs to change plugs.... this gives me a chance to check gaskets between heads and manifolds (and replace if need be) and clean and lube accelerator pump cams and rollers on carbs.
If you were running Weber IDFs I woudl say most definitely cut access windows. But IDAs all the jets are accessible from above... they're a piece of cake.
Have fun,
Jim
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Donny B.
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« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2009, 19:38:30 pm »
I have the windows on my car, but I have a German doghouse and DCNFs so everything is pretty tight.  I believe that most people make the windows too big.  You just need enough room to get your hand in there and at the spark plug, manifold nut and the back side of the carb.  I think mine are just over 4 inches wide and about 5 inches high.  Just enough to get in there.  The door is held in place with one butterfly dzus fastener.
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louisb
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« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2009, 19:42:57 pm »
Quote from: Donny B. on March 30, 2009, 19:38:30 pm
I have the windows on my car, but I have a German doghouse and DCNFs so everything is pretty tight.  I believe that most people make the windows too big.  You just need enough room to get your hand in there and at the spark plug, manifold nut and the back side of the carb.  I think mine are just over 4 inches wide and about 5 inches high.  Just enough to get in there.  The door is held in place with one butterfly dzus fastener.

Don posted some pics of his on the CLF and I like the way they look.

--louis
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2009, 20:15:10 pm »
A guy that used to come into BH had a cool idea many years ago: He was going to cut a door in the firewall, seperating the rear cabin and the engine compartment, and use an access panel like Type 3 or Vanagon to cover the window. How nice would that be for getting carbs off, sending throttle cable thru shroud, replacing alternator (loosening fan and hub), changing #1 & #3 plugs, getting to plug wires, etc. Not sure if he ever went through with it.

If you think IDA's can be a pain, access wise, try Super Flow heads with original style valve covers in an uncut Type 1. Talk about throwing tools....   Angry
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Harry/FDK
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« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2009, 20:20:13 pm »
Go for it, it makes life so much easier. Now is the time to make everything neat.
Just imagine that a sparkplug thread gets a little damaged, with the inspection-windows you will have
no problem re-tapping. Even changing plugs, with the windows it gets so much easier.
My 1 cent.
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Sarge
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« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm »
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #15 on: March 30, 2009, 20:52:19 pm »
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

yeah I can imagine. Looking at where the jets install on those carbs....  Roll Eyes...another reason I said "no way" on Sheep's motor.
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louisb
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« Reply #16 on: March 30, 2009, 20:53:34 pm »
Hopefully Donny doesnt mind me posting these but here is what he did. Simple and clean. I might do something like this but reinforce the window a with some 1/8 steel like the ones form Hookey's.

--louis
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Donny B.
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« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2009, 21:09:22 pm »
Thanks Louis!
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Don Bulitta
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bugnut68
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« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2011, 18:16:15 pm »
Quote from: louisb on March 30, 2009, 20:53:34 pm
Hopefully Donny doesnt mind me posting these but here is what he did. Simple and clean. I might do something like this but reinforce the window a with some 1/8 steel like the ones form Hookey's.

--louis

That's what I've got in mind for my '70...45 DRLAs...
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Zach Gomulka
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« Reply #19 on: April 13, 2011, 18:51:57 pm »
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

Shit... I didn't think of that. I'll be sporting 40p11's on short EMPI manifolds soon and there is no way I'm going to cut my car... Hmmm...
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TexasTom
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« Reply #20 on: April 13, 2011, 19:06:07 pm »
Quote from: Zach Gomulka on April 13, 2011, 18:51:57 pm
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

Shit... I didn't think of that. I'll be sporting 40p11's on short EMPI manifolds soon and there is no way I'm going to cut my car... Hmmm...

No pain, no gain ...  Wink
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Zach Gomulka
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« Reply #21 on: April 13, 2011, 19:52:16 pm »
Quote from: TexasTom on April 13, 2011, 19:06:07 pm
Quote from: Zach Gomulka on April 13, 2011, 18:51:57 pm
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

Shit... I didn't think of that. I'll be sporting 40p11's on short EMPI manifolds soon and there is no way I'm going to cut my car... Hmmm...

No pain, no gain ...  Wink

I *might* drill holes just large enough to get a screwdriver in to remove the jets, but THATS IT! Windows will NOT happen.
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Rick Meredith
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« Reply #22 on: April 13, 2011, 20:25:57 pm »
Quote from: Zach Gomulka on April 13, 2011, 18:51:57 pm
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

Shit... I didn't think of that. I'll be sporting 40p11's on short EMPI manifolds soon and there is no way I'm going to cut my car... Hmmm...

I used to think that until I saw Danny's Weber windows.
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TexasTom
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« Reply #23 on: April 13, 2011, 21:05:59 pm »
I had 'em on my '69 ... but I welded new panels in when we repainted.

I have seen some very nice versions of these done. But the way I see it, I didn't want to have to jack the car up and pull the wheels to access the carbs/plugs ... not on that car.
I guess I do it the hard way and tell myself I enjoy it. Roll Eyes Grin
TxT
« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 22:06:48 pm by TexasTom » Logged
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DKK
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« Reply #24 on: April 13, 2011, 21:56:46 pm »
Quote from: DKK Rick on April 13, 2011, 20:25:57 pm
Quote from: Zach Gomulka on April 13, 2011, 18:51:57 pm
Quote from: Sarge on March 30, 2009, 20:45:19 pm
Thinking back on it, the main reason I had access windows on my '63 was to make room for the accerator pump rods on the Solex 40P11-4's and to get to the main jet holders (a huge pain in the ass without windows).... plus, having to deal with short manifolds.

Shit... I didn't think of that. I'll be sporting 40p11's on short EMPI manifolds soon and there is no way I'm going to cut my car... Hmmm...

I used to think that until I saw Danny's Weber windows.

Ditto on Danny's windows, got a set for my car as well.
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marc1951
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« Reply #25 on: April 14, 2011, 06:04:04 am »
I said I would never do this on this car but having a fused wrist (can't bend) makes it impossible to install manifolds or change plugs without the windows.

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Reverend Bob did an excellent job creating them

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you can see how much access I have now....of course, I have to remove the wheel to get to it.

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and the cover on. There are no fasteners showing in the engine compartment

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Sorry but I don't have a close up picture handy but you would really have to look hard to see the panel from the engine side. It is almost invisible.
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danny gabbard
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« Reply #26 on: April 14, 2011, 06:04:04 am »
Me to !! So simple its ez !!!
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Jon
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« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2011, 11:08:07 am »
With the right combination of parts there will never be a reason to cut holes. As long as you go with IDA's.
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danny gabbard
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« Reply #28 on: April 14, 2011, 15:00:47 pm »
Sure makes it nice to change plugs and tighten manifolds down!!!
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Solexine
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« Reply #29 on: April 14, 2011, 15:34:02 pm »
 I made this whit Dzus  Grin







 
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