My MK1 Jetta first project

Hi Everybody, I've posted on the newbies threads when I joined but didn't want to post in projects until I had something to show.

This is my 1.3 mk1 1982 mars red jetta - known as Jetty Jetta hahah. As I've said in the newbies I've wanted a car like this for a long long time, and a car that I can get stuck into, restore and learn from. My first car was my Westfield which I did some small mods to - new wheels, fitted areo screen and bucket seats, but I was keen to do more. I had my eye on a bmw E30 (am I allowed to say those words on here??) But then a trip to ultimate dubs in 2011 I was Oli's immaculate mk1 jetta in while with chrome - I couldnt take my eyes off it. The search had began, then Jetty arrived!! Solid body with a few wee bits needed welding and a wild looking original engine - perfect! I had homed to pop a nice big gritty engine in at the start but I am also renovating my first flat so my funds are being pulled in various directions and as much as i'd love a power house i'd also love my flat to have heating.

First of all I began stripping the car, I removed all the lights, bumpers, grill, handles, seats, carpet, inner plastics…..
Having made the decision to keep the 1.3 engine I took the carb to bits and cleaned it up and replaced gaskets. Looking at the engine bay, I replaced the petrol hoses and fuel filter.

Popped a few gallons into the tank and got the fuel pumping through which was good as nice and clean - but then discovered the leak from the petrol pipes under the car.

Car turns over great but not getting much spark from the leads or coil so going to get new leads, distributor cap and coil before I can get it running.


Engine as it was


Nice clean carb on




This was abit odd, no lights were on but the rear number plate and interior boot light were - need to investigate the wiring i think


I never knew sand-blasting was quite so horrible - but please with the results so far

Going to order the other parts over the weekend so hopefully next week it will be running!!

i love jetta's adnd wish i'd not sold mine

where did you get it from and sorry to be rude but what did it cost you as I know they are shooting up in price

Looking good Looking forward to the updates and progress and hopefully seeing it at a meet or 2 Chris

veedubmaster said

i love jetta's adnd wish i'd not sold mine

where did you get it from and sorry to be rude but what did it cost you as I know they are shooting up in price

Aww no, why did you have to sell it?

Mine was actually a present, as i'd been hunting for one for months and had no luck, i know it came from a guy in Ayeshire I think before it went yp for public sale.

Your best bet is probably to pop and ad up, they do come up on ebay sometimes but not so much as projects.

CHeers Chris!

Also does anyone know about the window seals, mine have gaps in the rubber - is that meant to be like that, the wrong seals or have the shrunk??
There are other gaps at the top edge too.

Wecome aboard fellow Jetta owner. I think the seals tend to shrink over time.

Yay another Jetta owner, thanks! They seam to be few in numbers.

That makes sense, is easy to find replacment ones? are they the same as 5 door golf seals?

JettyJ said

Yay another Jetta owner, thanks! They seam to be few in numbers.

That makes sense, is easy to find replacment ones? are they the same as 5 door golf seals?

Yes, same as Golf seals.
I searched for a jetta for ages but eventually gave up and went to Germany for one, getting a two door whilst I was at it  

You went to Germany for it!! What a road trip that must have been!! Where abouts did you get it from?
Have you any pics?

I plan to take my jetta on the Worthersea 2014 trip!

Looks like a decent project there mate. Plenty here to help you along the way. Good luck with it  

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=290842264138&globalID=EBAY-GB

mk1 Jetta for sale

JettyJ said

You went to Germany for it!! What a road trip that must have been!! Where abouts did you get it from?
Have you any pics?

I plan to take my jetta on the Worthersea 2014 trip!

I got a lift to Newcastle airport, flew to Heathrow then onwards to Hamburg, caught the train the Emden and my pal who I'd made during my search picked me up in the car. He'd collected it for me from a couple of hundred miles south of where he lived. He even paid for it and I settled up with him on arrival. And to think my dad said… "don't trust the Germans!"
After a few days stay I then drove through to Amsterdam and caught the ferry back to Hull. It was a great road/sea and air trip
Will get some pics up

Massbad69 said

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=290842264138&globalID=EBAY-GB

mk1 Jetta for sale

Aw I saw that the other day, would love it as a second car lol

A very successful past week. Wasn't getting much of a spark so ordered new coil, leads and dizzy cap. Got the new coil on sat and replaced it. Also had to do a wee repair to the fuel line under the car. 
Had the car turning over but one of the wires on the cool was only part connected and took a while to pump the petrol through, then…. It burst into life! Sounded fantastic, I've out up a video on the scottish fbook page but haven't got the link yet.

Next stage is bringing it from my grans garage (she's gona miss it) to my garage and I'll get started on the body work. Lots of sanding and filling to do, dent in the passenger door to knock out. Also the welding needs to be done and get the fuel lines replaced and new exhaust.

DubPartz said

I got a lift to Newcastle airport, flew to Heathrow then onwards to Hamburg, caught the train the Emden and my pal who I'd made during my search picked me up in the car. He'd collected it for me from a couple of hundred miles south of where he lived. He even paid for it and I settled up with him on arrival. And to think my dad said… "don't trust the Germans!"
After a few days stay I then drove through to Amsterdam and caught the ferry back to Hull. It was a great road/sea and air trip
Will get some pics up

 
That's brilliant, how did you persuade the guy to help you so much! Was he a fellow dubber? Still waiting on these pics!! :p

Looking good - looking forward to seeing your progess and seeing it at some Scottish meets this year.

I've got a 1.3 golf, looks like the exact same engine. Other than a weber carb it is completely standard so if there are any bits on yours that appear to be missing or you're not sure about I can post a pic to help.

James

runnin-idle said

Looking good - looking forward to seeing your progess and seeing it at some Scottish meets this year.

I've got a 1.3 golf, looks like the exact same engine. Other than a weber carb it is completely standard so if there are any bits on yours that appear to be missing or you're not sure about I can post a pic to help.

James

That could be really useful thanks James. One thing i have been having trouble sourcing is an exhaust system. All the ones i can find are for 1.6 or 1.8 - any ideas?

JettyJ said

DubPartz said

I got a lift to Newcastle airport, flew to Heathrow then onwards to Hamburg, caught the train the Emden and my pal who I'd made during my search picked me up in the car. He'd collected it for me from a couple of hundred miles south of where he lived. He even paid for it and I settled up with him on arrival. And to think my dad said… "don't trust the Germans!"
After a few days stay I then drove through to Amsterdam and caught the ferry back to Hull. It was a great road/sea and air trip Will get some pics up

That's brilliant, how did you persuade the guy to help you so much! Was he a fellow dubber? Still waiting on these pics!! :p

Pics from 1st leg in Germany, collected by Thomas






It's all mine now!

Waiting to board the ferry, slightly weighed down at the back with a set of ATS Cups & tyres!


I know I'm nearly home when I see this well known view


More recent pics…




Thomas is a mad, keen Mk1 Jetta enthusiast who was more than happy to help me out. We forged a great friendship and he remains a very good friend some 5+ years later. You may have seen one of his long term projects elsewhere

JettyJ said

runnin-idle said

Looking good - looking forward to seeing your progess and seeing it at some Scottish meets this year.

I've got a 1.3 golf, looks like the exact same engine. Other than a weber carb it is completely standard so if there are any bits on yours that appear to be missing or you're not sure about I can post a pic to help.

James

That could be really useful thanks James. One thing i have been having trouble sourcing is an exhaust system. All the ones i can find are for 1.6 or 1.8 - any ideas?

Hmm, suppose it depends on if you are looking for just standard or stainless steel. I have just always had standard and when needed just had parts of the exhaust system replace by a garage - with not too much trouble. I think the garages get them from VW dealers, however, at a cost or use universal parts. Had a quick look online and VW Heritage appear to do all the parts needed - I suppose most of the parts (other than the manifold) could be replaced with universal parts if you know what I mean as long as the diameter of the pipe is correct and the mountings. If you want to get a stainless steel system there a number online that claim that they can fit (Venom Motorsport for example have some I believe), although I think you may have trouble getting a manifold for a 1.3 off the shelf. Probably best, if you haven't already, post on the 1.3 thread here on the forum to ask if there is anywhere that people can suggest you could get a system from. Sorry not being much help.

DubPartz - thats a lovely Jetta you got there - can see why you went all the way over to Germany to get it!