Manx Club

Winter weather has finally settled in here in the Midwest and East, so it is building season. What are you going to do to your buggy over the winter months (Ok for you lucky SoCal buggistas to reply as well)? I am going to replace the crappy 3 year old ball joints (one bad but going to replace them all just in case). Also moving to dual 40IDFs. What are everyone else's plans?

[FONT=Verdana]Well Don,[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Hopefully I will get the CondorR chassis Dave Barrett built for me last summer together before summer shows up. My biggest hurdle will be to get the fiberglass body repaired. No major damage just a lot of unnecessary holes. Most of what I?m doing now is clean and paint but with temps in the 40?s during the days I can?t get much of that done. However, I did buy me one of those jet engine style heaters that burn diesel fuel to get those temps up. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]By the way I?m selling my Classis Manx #5 if you know of anyone interested.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Bob[/FONT]

Bob, what kind of chassis is the CondorR? Is it the full tube frame version or the pan replacement? If I would have known about David's chassis before I built my Siggy I would have given them a HARD look before using a VW pan. Best regards,

complete rebuild useing a new 66 chassie with the help of Tom From TJKustoms. Ill post when we get into full speed. I also should be selling my custom chassie when I am finished unless my son gets some ideas. Ron

I started my winter project early (pre-thanksgiving). The project was to replace a rusted and leaking (around the sending unit) gas tank. I had been dreading the thoughts of taking the hood off. Once I got the hood off and the tank replaced, I decided to clean up the PO's wiring, that led into putting in a music device (amp, speakers, MP3 player), that led into adding a cigarette lighter, that led into adding 4x flashers, that led into replacing the old VW ceramic fuse box with blade fuses, that led into adding a ground bus, and so on. Since no one will ever see all the work that's been done (with the hood on) I might never put the hood back on Here's are my progress pictures (I know the wiring doesn't look any better, but everything is labeled and I know what each wire runs to): http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/album621 Bottom line, allow yourself more time than you expect. You'll end up doing more than originally planned. Bud

I had originally planned on taking steps to correct my buggy's inaccurate fuel gauge this winter by adjusting the sending unit float. Now that the buggy has been pressed into service on a near daily basis it has become difficult to stop and tear down the car. In addition to that I still need to finish building a six point roll cage and possibly get a hard top.

Bud, if you haven't put anything in the gas tank or replaced the hood yet, consider using a coating on the inside of the gas tank. As I remember, I got mine from Eastwood, but I believe there are other sources. Pour it in, slosh it around, and when it dries the inside of the tank feels like it is plastic coated. I did this to the previous Manx I built in the early 80s and I know it is still going strong. I did this to the brand new gas tank I put in the Siggy as well. FWIW, [QUOTE=madmanx;13252]I started my winter project early (pre-thanksgiving). The project was to replace a rusted and leaking (around the sending unit) gas tank. I had been dreading the thoughts of taking the hood off. Once I got the hood off and the tank replaced, I decided to clean up the PO's wiring, that led into putting in a music device (amp, speakers, MP3 player), that led into adding a cigarette lighter, that led into adding 4x flashers, that led into replacing the old VW ceramic fuse box with blade fuses, that led into adding a ground bus, and so on. Since no one will ever see all the work that's been done (with the hood on) I might never put the hood back on Here's are my progress pictures (I know the wiring doesn't look any better, but everything is labeled and I know what each wire runs to): http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/album621 Bottom line, allow yourself more time than you expect. You'll end up doing more than originally planned. Bud[/QUOTE]

I did the same thing to my tank. I used Kreem. Got it from a motorcycle shop. End result is nice.

Don, I haven't put the tank back in yet. What is Eastwood a product or a place? Thanks for the heads-up. Bud [quote=Don Giovanoni;13254]Bud, if you haven't put anything in the gas tank or replaced the hood yet, consider using a coating on the inside of the gas tank. As I remember, I got mine from Eastwood, but I believe there are other sources. Pour it in, slosh it around, and when it dries the inside of the tank feels like it is plastic coated. I did this to the previous Manx I built in the early 80s and I know it is still going strong. I did this to the brand new gas tank I put in the Siggy as well. FWIW,[/quote]

I've since found Eastwood Co. and their seal kit. My question is, since I have a brand new tank do I need to do the clean (metal wash) and rust remover (proabably not) first? I'd love to just do the sealing step. My guess is that Kreem has the same process, correct? Thanks, Bud [quote=madmanx;13256]Don, I haven't put the tank back in yet. What is Eastwood a product or a place? Thanks for the heads-up. Bud[/quote]

After reviewing the Eastwood web site I am not sure that is where I sourced it from. I started out with a new tank but just used the coating without any prep. You plug the outlet (take out the screen and pick up, use tape or something), shake the can, pour it in, cover the inlet, slosh it around, turn the tank upside down, getting coverage everywhere in the tank. You then pour out the remainder and let it dry. Search "tank coating" on the internet to find other sources than Eastwood. Their price seems high to me but I have bought other things from them. They have the only high temp header paint that ever worked for me. BTW, once I sealed the tank I shortened the pick up tube a little to be able to get more gas out of the tank. I figured that it was tall to avoid sucking rust and stuff into the line, but once sealed I thought it didn't need to be so tall. I haven't had any problems in 3 years. Good luck,

Don, Thanks for the info. In search I go [quote=Don Giovanoni;13259]After reviewing the Eastwood web site I am not sure that is where I sourced it from. I started out with a new tank but just used the coating without any prep. You plug the outlet (take out the screen and pick up, use tape or something), shake the can, pour it in, cover the inlet, slosh it around, turn the tank upside down, getting coverage everywhere in the tank. You then pour out the remainder and let it dry. Search "tank coating" on the internet to find other sources than Eastwood. Their price seems high to me but I have bought other things from them. They have the only high temp header paint that ever worked for me. BTW, once I sealed the tank I shortened the pick up tube a little to be able to get more gas out of the tank. I figured that it was tall to avoid sucking rust and stuff into the line, but once sealed I thought it didn't need to be so tall. I haven't had any problems in 3 years. Good luck,[/quote]

Looks like I"m going with Red-Kote. Ordered a quart today.

Here in SC, near record highs in upper 70's; making it difficult to move forward with my plans - - - hope cooler weather comes soon so I don't feel like I'm missing out... Christmas break plan is to replace my '63 transaxle w/a '67 I've been working to rebuild over the past few months. Then, if time permits, install "kicker" speaker panels. Last, and probably won't happen due to time constraint, is to paint my surfboard in Clemson orange w/white Tiger paws (only the locals will likely appreciate!). Merry Christmas to All! Bill

[quote="63Fiberbuggy;13295"] Then, if time permits, install "kicker" speaker panels. Last, and probably won't happen due to time constraint, is to paint my surfboard in Clemson orange w/white Tiger paws (only the locals will likely appreciate!). Merry Christmas to All! Bill[/quote] Bill, a much better choice for your surf board would be a theme based on this Bud