First post Info on Restoration

[BrianF]

Hi Gang
Im finally on the forum. Looking forward to chatting and learning from all you guys. I have a turquoise blue 62 #100078 car that was restored 20 years ago back to its original condition. I have owned if for the last fifteen and have really enjoyed it. I have done all kinds of maintenance and repairs on AMPHI and it runs well.
My door bottoms have the tin worm and it is time for some body work. So I have questions for the group.

For those that don't know me I'm a retired shop teacher and I love to work on things. And although I'm not a mechanic I did teach auto shop and I have the skills to work on most of the systems on cars and boats. However I am not comfortable working on wiring, body work, and heavy-duty engine stuff. I am knowledgeable enough to know what to work on myself and what to farm out.

So, This winter I'm putting the car in the body shop for the door bottoms and some surface rust spots inside the car i.e. battery tray and under the brake fluid reservoir. How do you guys feel about the door skins from gordens?

I plan on doing the split master cylinder myself, would like a parts list and a supplier from you guys.

Im also looking for a little more power. How do guys feel about bigger motor or rubbing some cash on the 1147. Im told a petronix, cam, shaved head for compression, duel carb, and a good tune up will bring the horsepower from 43 up to like 65 on the 1147. I spoke to a triumph guy named Tim at Penn Ridge Motors in Norway Maine, I keep my car in Bridgton Maine so its close by, and he gave me that info. He also said the larger motors have more torque and top end but have more problems and are expensive.

Your thoughts
Thanks
Brian

 

[strandweiss62]

Welcome Brian,
Don't ruin your transmission with too much power and torque.

Peter

 

[bwana]

Value is in originality.
Redoing the body is okay but
dont butcher the car with performance items.

Bwana

 

[SNOWBIRD]

Chuck Chuck, Had his motor Uped... Ran like SH*&^%$... I Put it back to stock for him. a well tuned 1147 runs good as is.

( car in the body shop for the door bottoms and some surface rust spots inside the car i.e. battery tray and under the brake fluid reservoir. How do you guys feel about the door skins from Gordens?)

Door bottoms(I made a spare) and skins must be fitted to the car ON THE BODY.
I make complete skins but mainly for my own restorations, again as they must be fitted to the CAR.
Battery tray I stock but that's a BIG job!

 

[BrianF]

Hi Gord
Brian from Quincy MA here. Thanks for the info on the motor. I would like to make some improvements, maybe not power but petronix, carb and heat shield and insulate fuel line to solve vapor lock.

also my car really smells, it stinks up the whole garage. smells more like gear oil but with a hint of gas. ahh a man smell. So will be needing a carb fix and will have to chase down the gear oil leak.

Do you have duel master cylinders? and do you have door bottoms?

Probably best if we chat over the phone, what is the best number to reach you.
Thanks
brian

 

[jfriese]

Hi Gord
Brian from Quincy MA here. Thanks for the info on the motor. I would like to make some improvements, maybe not power but petronix, carb and heat shield and insulate fuel line to solve vapor lock.

also my car really smells, it stinks up the whole garage. smells more like gear oil but with a hint of gas. ahh a man smell. So will be needing a carb fix and will have to chase down the gear oil leak.

Do you have duel master cylinders? and do you have door bottoms?

Probably best if we chat over the phone, what is the best number to reach you.
Thanks
brian

I have two Amphicars and live in California where running 70 MPH on the freeways makes you a rolling road block. I switched one to a 1296 engine and was amazed at the performance improvement that a relatively small. displacement increase made. An Amphicar with a 1296 engine will do 87 MPH and run just fine. I quickly found I didn't like driving the car with the smaller engine and also switched it up to a 1296 and got the same driving improvement. I kept the original engines in case someone ever wanted to switch my cars back to original but I'm certainly never going to do it. Such an upgrade is relatively easy but not cheap. Going up to a 1493 engine is more dangerous if you want to go fast but those engines are easier to find and generally are a similar swap out.

John Friese
67 White
67 Red

 

[BrianF]

Hi gang
Small community here and maybe you have noticed and responded to some of my posts. I would like to update you all with my progress.

Brakes - Did not get to the duel master cylinder. Did install one new rear cylinder, Rebuilt the other, and one new front cylinder. Cleaned, painted everything and bled. Ordered all six new cylinders and seals for next time. I like having parts on hand.

Engine - I was considering power upgrades, but had a little surprise. As I was cleaning and checking the air filter I noticed the carburetor was very loose, the reason for lost power. Tightened it up and instant power. Nice surprise and cheap. Also had my mechanic come to my shop and install a petronix, did I mention I am afraid of wiring. Motor is back to normal and running strong so no upgrade needed.

Floor - Installed a 3 piece wood floor. I made it so I can remove the front or back section with out taking out the seat.

Doors- Had the car in the body shop for rusted door bottoms. Nice job on paint but had to take it all apart when I got it home. Weatherstripping on backwards, no grommets under handle, needed adjustment, etc. All good now.

Elbow grease stuff - Sanded little spots on trays, and bottom and painted. Power washed bilge and wiped down. Complete oil and grease service.

Little things - New headlight chrome rings, lightbulbs, door spring to hold door open, tank/horn vent, Painted steering wheel and props. Fuel line insulation.

So I got lots done and it is back in Maine for the season. Going to kick of the season starting tomorrow.

Work in progress - I chickened out of Tranny seals and will be looking for help with that next winter. Duel master is on the list too.

Thanks everyone
Hope to see some of you in Maine this summer
Brian

 

[Ken Chambers]

Brian,

Thanks for your update. Nice to read some activity on this list. I think some of old timers have settled back a bit and are not so chatty anymore, me included.

When you say a door spring to hold the door open, do you mean the factory leaf on one of the hinges that rubs and applies friction to the door swing? Or something else?

What paint did you use on the steering wheel? Correct ivory color? Any clear coat?

How about the props? How did you get anything to stick to nylon? It's my understanding, at least, that they're nylon. Someone correct me if they know if the props are made of something else.

---Ken

 

[BrianF]

Hi Ken
Yes door spring is what I call it, or door strap. Old one was worn so I had body guy install new one while he painted doors. New one did not work. I was disappointed when they said "gee it is just like the old one and will not hold the door open". I had to pull a zip tie while using a screwdriver between new spring and hinge. Pulling the zip tie wedged the new spring open just the right amount and will now hold the door open. Cut off the excess zip tie and done.

The paint for wheel and props is Krylon. Its for plastic and an off white color, not sure of the name. Every few years I sand, clean, mask off with a big sheet and give a very light coat of paint, no clear. Looks brand new for a few years and I do it again. Steering wheel gets scratched up, and the paint does rub off the props. So the spray paint is part of my maintenance schedule.

Now you wouldn't mind that I have a new set of props on the shelf that would look great on the car. Noooo I'm saving them for "someday when I need them, right". And I have thought about a new wheel but touching up the old one works well and the price and sense of accomplishment is a plus. I was wondering if a new/old stock VW wheel would fit our cars. Always something.

Headed up to Maine in a few hours to enjoy the start of swimming season. Has been a long few months staying in and social distancing in the city so looking forward to getting out in the lake and countryside.

Enjoy
Brian
Blue 63