Changes for my '63 SC

[Kombi Dad]

Not quite a resto but I am installing an IRS and 1600 engine in the '63 SC. The photos show the before after engine is removed and the new 1600 engine getting ready.

[Split 1]

Coming over to the dark side eh

More pics Kombi Dad


Dave

[warb]

nice one, great ute, just god better .. what box you going with?.. also irs type?.

[Cai]

Nice Ute i always admire it when i see it on the way to my mates place! love the new engine should make it much sweeter to drive

[Kombi Dad]

Box is from a 70+ beetle or type 3. IRS is from an early bay. The conversion kit is being made by a mate of Nick's out at Volksparts. I will post more pictures as and when we get further in to it. The challenge is to develop a kit that will allow a roll back to reduction hubs if one would ever do that. Nick's mate owns the milling machine etc. The hold up has been from trying to source a computer board the went belly up before Christmas. The board has been sourced so progress will start again. Damn computers.

Yes - to the dark side.

[Kombi Dad]

Finally a start has been made. The SC is on the hoist. The brackets I referred to last year did not finally get done. Much experimentation etc. but have resorted to welding in bits to do the conversion. The start is brackets tacked in to place. They will be fully welded once the alignment is done.

[Kombi Dad]

It seems like a while since the last post and it was. Finally progress is being made. The wheels aligned, gearbox (70+ beetle) is in, drive shafts (Bay kombi) in and motor ready to go in. The following not very good mobile phone photos show what I have been up to>

Aligning wheels



Gear box in



Drive shafts and stub axles in



From here it is all new brakes (drums slave cylinders and shoes), engine in and then put the rear panels back. The vehicle will be taken to another workshop for final alignment of the rear end before the final welds on the brackets are done. Oh, so close now. Should be back on the road by the end of next week.

[old bugger]

wow, this looks such a pristine example. i would love to see this one day

[Syncro27]

According to my brother (67 splitty bus) - this is well worth the effort - if only for the fact that the constant extremely loud whine from the reduction boxes is gone!

The fuel economy and freeway speed is also a nice touch - especially with the maniac truck drivers not appreciating a slow old bus in their way.

Great effort - enjoy when its finishes.

Cheers,

[Kombi Dad]

Engine is now in.

[WAY2COOL]

Now, this is one sweet lookin' thang!!!

[Kombi Dad]

Originally Posted by warb

nice one, great ute, just god better .. what box you going with?.. also irs type?.

The box is actually from a 72 super beetle.

[Kombi Dad]

We ran the engine for the first time today. It was sweet. Just shockies and brakes to do and it is back on the road. The pics below show the completed rear end.

[splitbus]

Sweet , looking foward to the difference report that you give when you take her for it's first spin

[Kombi Dad]

Brakes and shocks done. Still need to check the final alignment and then drive. Gee that will be the day.

[Kombi Dad]

Took it out on the road today. Very impressed. It was doing an indicated 60mph in 3rd and very much more pick up in 1st. Can't wait for a long trip. Still have to do a final alignment and weld. This should be Monday. After I have driven for a while, I will give my further impressions as well as fuel economy etc. Anyhow here are some more pics.

A shot of the completed rear though a little painting is still to be done:



And what it looks like off the hoist. It normally has chrome hubcaps which will go back on as soon as the final alignment is complete.

[KahunaKombi]

Nice rear end on the SC - looking forward to further updates on performance

[Syncro27]

Kombi Dad,

Dont forget to throw some paint over those new welds and old cut off sections - dont want a vehicle of this calibre to rust!

Very easily forgotten when you are enjoying the new ride quality so much.

Cheers,

[Kombi Dad]

Don't worry. I have already painted the silver bits you saw with Kilrust primer. Will get a bit of the Turquoise and paint it properly in the not too distant future.

[Grantus]

Awesome stuff Ian!

You gotta be pleased with that result...