New Owner of a 1981 4door VW Rabbit Diesel**47.5MPG**Baseline

[Christ]

Your clutch should have about 3/4-1" of free play, then pressure where the release bearing contacts the pushrod that actuates the inverted pressure plate in the clutch assembly. It should be fully released by about 2/3 of the pedal travel. If it is not, adjust the cable end nut on the trans axle clutch release arm.

Ditch the KN. It is not helpful in the least, and can cause runaway at worst. Use the CCV system as well. As long as the engine is in good condition, you won't have any issues with the oil residue. If you're worried about it, install a catch can. The vacuum pump vents into the block, if the CCV isn't working properly the block will become pressurized, causing oil seals to leak and other problems.

[Cobb]

Sounds like you have the cold start engaged. Look for something like this on the injector pump. You want the lever pushed all the way away from the cable meaning this would be in the of or normal position.

If you are into exhaust work, yes it will sound sweet with a glass pack on it. No it should not have a cat, only the newer diesels have that.

[bigchelis]

Here are some pictures from today:





Now the engine details :

[bigchelis]

The Chocke in detail:

[Cobb]

Wow, what a beauty. Wished I had photos of our old rabbits, foxs, golfs, etc.

We only had 2 main problems. The ones with the motorola alternator went out frequently and the clutch release push rod had a habit of welding itself to the pressure plate or the tip mushrooming.

[bigchelis]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Wow, what a beauty. Wished I had photos of our old rabbits, foxs, golfs, etc.

We only had 2 main problems. The ones with the motorola alternator went out frequently and the clutch release push rod had a habit of welding itself to the pressure plate or the tip mushrooming.

Thanks, yeah somehow the weird yellow color is really growing on me. I get stared at or smiled at frequently in this car



The Alternator or Starter when in fact they do go out I plan on having them rebuilt to factory specs at a local machine shop that specializes in that. It is by far superior work/craftmanship IMHO than purchasing new or rebuilt ones.

[bigchelis]

I love simplicity in most things in life.

How can I make this gutted down car even more simple?

---remove the water squirt system which works great, but I have ZERO use for it.

---I like those plain jane dashboards that some race cars have. Just speedo, gas guage, temp gauge, and the less the better. Like If you guys seen those Icon Guard Dog Jeep. While expensive artwork 4x4's they are utterly simple.

--I have put almost 1,000 miles on this car in my short ownership and yet to encounter a time when I need the E-brake. In fact, I may just leave it out. its new in the trunk ready for install and I may just leave it there.

---I have 2 small tweaters and a radio with just Aux input. Very simple.

---The next big thing I am thinking about which likely will be done soon is the exaust.

I need a lighter and maybe convert the whole systems to a 2.5in tubing.

[Christ]

Don't use a glass pack muffler. The soot will clog it in a few days and you'll have a straight pipe lol

If you don't need power brakes, you can delete the booster vac pump. You either open the lid and remove the vanes (they slide out) or remove the diaphragm, depending on which type you have. Its not typically the starter itself that wear out, but the little brass bush that resides at its nose, pressed into the transmission housing. They're a couple dollars. Best to pick up a spare now so you have it. You remove it with a thread tap and press the new one back in very gently with a threaded rod and a nut by tapping with a small hammer.

[Christ]

If you Google "Vince Waldon glow plug" you'll see a powerful mod for them that makes them function much better and gives you manual control over them should you choose to have it. It involves using a solenoid and 4 pieces of larger gauge wire with a direct battery feed.

[bigchelis]

Originally Posted by Christ

If you Google "Vince Waldon glow plug" you'll see a powerful mod for them that makes them function much better and gives you manual control over them should you choose to have it. It involves using a solenoid and 4 pieces of larger gauge wire with a direct battery feed.

Thank you, I will check into these.