V8 1973 VW Beetle Project by V8 Super Beetle

11 minute(s) of a 270 minute read

I almost traded my vw pan and motor for a 4x4 S10 blazer chassis, tranny, and diff. The deal feel through though cause the guys father got really sick.

Not much going on in the garage the past couple weeks. It's been 95+ which makes it a pain to get out and do somebody work. After about 15 mins of sanding or shaping I'm soaking wet. I'll get back at it though, soon.

I will be going to my old man's to pick up the motor and stand this week or weekend to start putting the motor together. So I'll have some pics of the build soon. I'm sure I'll have some questions too cause I've never put one together. I'll mainly have questions about torque specs and setting up the rocker arms, but I'm sure I can probably find the answers searching or I could buy a book.

7-26-2008

It was a hundred today and man was it hot! Still managed to get some work done. Ordered some push rods and some Dupli-color paint. 500º flat black for the valve covers and oil pan. 500º Glossy black for the block. 1200º color aluminum ceramic paint for the headers.

Painted the used valve covers I bought.

Painted the bare oil pan I ordered.

Friday at work I spent an hour on each header sand blasting the paint off. Today I painted them. Did 3 coats with one can and there's still about 1/4 a can. I put down some paint too. Now I got to figure what oven I'm going to use to bake the paint. ??? Does the paint release harmful vapors? Maybe I'll do it here at home.

OK, so I've been talking about this freebie 283 from my old man for almost a year now without pics. Well, here's some finally. Today me and my bro went and picked the motor and stand up, got her in the garage and cleaned the engine up as much as we can. Still got some more cleaning to do before I paint it and start putting it together. The internals look good and clean. There's a little carbon build up but not a whole lot. I did find out there's no lifters in the block so I've got to get some

Here's some pics of the pop up pistons. . Also I found the number on the bottom of the pistons. 334-99. I searched the net and found someone who has the same pistons and his are for a 283 bored over .060. Would that be the same for mine? If so I've got me a 292 on my hands!  

Well, that's all I've got for now. More to come. Anyone with suggestions about cleaning this thing up without taking it apart is much appreciated. And advice on sealing it up good (using silicon or sealer, what brands, etc) will be much appreciated being this my first time doing this.

7-28-2008

I inspected the block some more. Cleaned the top of one piston and fourd "7027P .060", so it's bored over .060 which amounts to a 292. Which is cool. There's a decent a mount of carbon build up on top of the pistons and on about 3/8" of the top of the piston bore. There's also a couple bugs nests in a couple holes up front which I was told is for oil? Last but not least, there seems to be some carbon that's around the top / sides of the pistons and one of the bores has a slight scratch you can feel with your fingernail.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do. ??? Looks like I'll be putting more money into the motor, but it'll be worth it in the long run. I'd like to just go ahead and bore it over .125 so I'll have a 302 or AKA "301" back in the old school days, from what I read. I'm just wondering how much it'll cost to machine the block (decking, hot tanking, boring, honing, etc.) and not to mention the cost of some new bearings, pistons, and piston rings. Good thing is, if the block is good for boring .125, I can select from a bunch of 4" (350) pistons. That and I could get some pistons that'll bring my compression to 10:1 which is what I'm looking for so I'll have a better chance running pump gas.

Do you guys think I could be looking at spending another $1000 easily? Suggestions? I want to stick with this 283 cause everyone and their grandmother has a 350 and the 283 (bored to a 302) would make for a great high revving motor.

8-1-2008

Finally got the number.

From what I've read this is a good block to have? Casted between 58-67. I don't really know how to tell what it came out of.

8-4-2008

I got the block 98% broke down this weekend. After I hone the cylinders and clean the deck it'll be off to the machine shop to get hot tanked, new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed. I plan to install the main and rod bearings my self so I'll have the crank check out too.

I also found out that the current cam that was in the block is a Comp Cams 270H which is too much of lift for my stock vortec heads. Either a new cam or valve springs are in order.

8-12-2008

Sounds like you got a hell of a deal! You're always finding great deals on that list of craigs.

I haven't done too much with the body within the past couple weeks cause me and the fiancé have been checking out places to have our wedding reception. We found one so I now I'll have more free time on the weekend to put some work into the body. That and it's been pretty darn hot. I'm putting me a fan in the garage to help, but only helps so much.

Here's what she looks like at the moment. I've got the hood and the front fenders on. I'm working on shaving both fenders and the trunk / hood latch.

Also, I've decided to just go ahead and build F-Bird'88's 400 hp 350 motor. The parts are easier to get a hold for the 350, it'll make for a fast car and I pretty much have most of what I need for the build. Pistons and rings are a month back order for the 283 bored over .060. I've found someone willing to trade blocks plus rotating assemblies. I'm just waiting to hear back when the motor is torn down so I can go pick it up.

8-18-2008

Made the swap this weekend. Traded the 283 for a 350 bored over 30. The engine is a pretty recent rebuild but has collected a little dirt from sitting. I'm debating whether or not to just tear it down, hot tank it and rebuild it or to just clean it up as it and go.

Non Echo en Mexico.

9-1-2008

Update...

I actually got to put in some hours. Still working away at the body trying to smooth here out. I pretty much got the hood, front clip and passenger fender finished. There's a couple small low spots and high spots but for the most part they're 95% done. Well, as far a body work goes.

I hope you guys don't mind pictures... ;D


I tack welded a 22 gauge metal strip under the turn signal holes and began filing and shaping.

I got a little help today from my buddy Jesse.

The blue paint spots you see is some sort of drafters / engineer marking paint that has worked well for marking spots that need fixing. It's really used to make measurement markings and notes.  

I ran out of primer before I could finish the hood. ;D

Just a little more to do to the front end and then I can move on to the rear fenders. I'm thinking of shaving the front handle along with the trim holes on the hood. I might shave all the trim holes but I'm debating whether to shave everything or to go with the slightly more modern look by painting the trim flat black. ??? That and I'm undecided about keeping either bumpers or t-bars or to just shave the bumper holes.

9-2-2008

I agree and I know I'll be happier in the long run with the 350. I'm basically building my 350 (355) based on F-Bird 88's inexpensive build. Should make for about 400 hp, if not more.

355 ci
10:1 CR
060 Vortec heads
upgrading springs with Z28 type
Summit Stage I intake (idle-6000 rpm)
750 cfm Edelbrock carb
headman s10 conversion shorty headers - 1 5/8" to 2.5" collector.
COMP Cams 12-522-5 (Advertised Duration 293/300, Lift .450/.453, 106º LSA, 2,500-6000 rpm)

Everything else will be pretty much new stock parts. I opted for a cam with a little longer duration on the intake side, and little higher lift / longer exhaustduration for the extra sexy idle.

This combo should make it scoot.