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76 aussie built 5door

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I posted a photo in the newbies section but thought I'd kick off a thread in this.

It was bought for my son to learn to drive in a few months ago. Just a short hop down to Sydney from Brisbane to pick it up (About a 2000km round trip)



Its a 76 5 door. Although repainted, its the original Martini Olive colour - an Aussie only colour that's very 70's. It looks yellow in bright light but is actually an olive green
Obviously well loved by its original owner. There's a ton of paperwork from the 70's including the original bill of sale. So we know it was sold on 12th November 1976 and still has its original engine. It cost $5824.03 which sounds expensive to me. Mr D Buchanan the Original owner traded in a Renault 16TS and from some scribbles on a brouchure, I know he also had to borrow $500 from John (Good old john),


 

GolfArteonsig.jpg

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We picked up a new addition to the family a few weeks ago. The difference in width amazes me!!






GolfArteonsig.jpg

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Over the last few weeks we've been slowly working through the mk1. It had been stripped and repainted (not the best job) but everything is either covered in overspray or just grimy. We've had to work through all the electrics, cleaning contacts, removing dodgy wiring and refitting correctly. Almost there now.

The engine wouldn't run properly when we got it. The PO said he had to tighten up the cable to keep it above 2500revs! I stripped and cleaned the carb and found the idle jet missing………yep missing! Lucky I had a spare so fitted that up and she idles great now.

However the coolant was boiling over. Looks like the PO hadn't bled it so after spending a bit of time doing that its better now but still not right. I've bought a new water pump, thermostat and fan switch so will change those when I have a spare few hours.

Then it will be about ready for its roadworthy. My son turned 16 at the weekend and got his learners licence. So although the car isn't yet on the road we did give him the plates what will be on it once it is…….he was pretty happy with them!


GolfArteonsig.jpg

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After owning aircooled VW's for over 25years, still getting my head around watercooled. The wiring definitely more complicated than my 58 beetle!

Although a 76, it has a lot of the swallowtail traits. I think Australia kept the swallowtail for longer than europe and this is effectively a crossover model. It has the same bonnet and front wings as a swallowtail and a number of smaller things that you'd have to be a real nerd to spot…….good job I am lol!

BTW, it no longer has the back bumper or trailer socket. It had a homemade towbar which I've taken off and am now on the look out for a straight rear bumper

GolfArteonsig.jpg

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Glad to see you're cracking on with it.

Cars have got wider but parking spaces are the same size, no wonder we have problems nowadays  O_o

Ian

Cornish Host.
1980 VW Derby
Clive the Cabby
Ujum the Invisible
Mynx the  Tintop

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Looks lovely! Get some more pics up! Let me know how you get on with the cooling. I'm struggling to keep my 74 golf cool despite replacing everything!

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So we replaced the water pump, thermostat and fan switch. It still had what looks like the original water pump which has no play in the shaft and the blades look in great condition so it may go back on at some point.

After bleeding it, all seemed fine. The fan kicked in when the temp gauge was about 3/4 and it held it there. Then we took the car for a spin around the block and again all looked good but when back on the drive and the car idling it threw a hissy fit with coolant spraying from around the pump. Looks like it came from one of the hoses and I was able to get a couple of turns on the jubilee clip. But now we are back to square one with the gauge hitting the red and boiling over before the fan kicks in. Any thoughts? Could this still just be airlocks in the system or could there be something more sinister?

Aircooled is much easier……..I've never had to deal with a coolant leak!!  :lol:  ;)

GolfArteonsig.jpg

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Not a huge amount of progress mainly due to not having any time to get stuck into it. Got the boy working which was a huge achievement I guess!!  ;)

He's refitting the sump here after I'd knocked out a dent which was stopping the drain plug from sealing properly

See the two decals under the bonnet on the photo above - they are originals which I might get remade. One is still in good condition but the other is cactus




GolfArteonsig.jpg

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Regarding the cooling issue, could be a dodgy thermostat for the fan (even though it is new). Could try wiring the fan up to a separate switch and turning it on whilst driving and then leaving it to idle. If it doesn't overheat with the fan running and on idle then it would point to the fan switch as being at fault. Radiator could be a bit sludged up so it's not working efficiently. Have you done a full cooling system flush - there's stuff you can buy to do that.
Good luck!

My rebuild thread I will try and keep up to date: here

K-Jet fuel pressure test guage How-To

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Thanks Paceman, I forgot to update that bit. I've already flushed the whole system and bled it properly and now no more overheating issues. Just a 'running like a bag of spanners' issue instead 😱
There's more info in the Help section but short story is that the fuel lines are gunked up so will be dropping the tank to clean it out properly

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