1984 Rebuild

[84Vert]

Since it is taking so long ot get the Rabbit on the road I thought I would start a rebuild thread and track the progress. Here is what it looked like when we brought it home.

Rabbir 10 5-31-2010[1].jpg (59.89 KiB) Viewed 49464 times

It had been my mother-in-laws and had been sitting for 8 years. The top was shot, including the frame, was full of rain water and as you can imagine the seats were shot.

[84Vert]

And the pictures I had taken are on the other computer that died and they are gone Back to the story. The gas tank was full of 8 year old gas and rust so that is where I started. I replaced the tank and fuel pump. While the axel thing was out I cleaned it all up and replaced all of the bushings, brakes, bearings and wheel cylinders. Then painted it all black. Put the tank back in and undercoated everything. I will post some pictures but it is too cold to go out and take them right now. Put it all back together and it eventually started

Next is motor work, replace all belts and hoses, and a lot of wires.

[84Vert]

Here is how it sits today

Just put in new water pump and housing. I will wait to put in the thermostat until after I can give the radiator a good flushing. But like with everything else I painted and cleaned everything that I took off. Oh, a note about a previous post, the gas guage float in non operable so I will be looking for one of those in the future.

Here are some before and after pictures of the water pump and engine clean up process. Notice the amount of corrosion on the old pump and housing, the reason a good flushing is coming up

New and old water pump

[84Vert]

More pictures of the cleaning and painting process. It is amazing how much you can clean, polish and paint while waiting for the money to buy some more parts

[84Vert]

More

[84Vert]

One more nand that will be all for today. Next on the list is to clean and paint the brake master cylinder and booster. Definition of bored, get out your grinder with a wire brush and polish and clear coat the bolts you have taken off.

[84Vert]

Before and after pictures of the brake booster. The brake fluid resivor was full of crap and grunge. Some brake parts cleaner and simple green finally cleaned it up, pictures after it dries and is back installed.

[kamzcab86]

Poor thing... cars like it are usually just hauled off to the junkyard. Glad to see it was saved and is getting restored!

And, you're not the only one who polishes bolts...

[Briano1234]

Poor thing... cars like it are usually just hauled off to the junkyard. Glad to see it was saved and is getting restored!

And, you're not the only one who polishes bolts...

Yes, I wouldn't know of anyone that is that Anally Compulsive ........ Not I in the least.

A good cheap cleaner is "Totally Awesome" from Family Dollar stores. 3 bucks per 1/2 gallon, nothing cheaper or better.
Nice work......... A little bit at a time will get it all done....

[84Vert]

Thanks Brian, I will have to pick some of that up

[84Vert]

Small update, weather and other duties have kept me from working on the Rabbit. But I did take the alternator in to Advance Auto and had it checked. Yep, it is bad, so that will be ordered.

[Calimus]

At least they put the Alt in an easy spot to deal with. Audi likes to shove them at the bottom of the engine bay and the PS pump is at the top. Go figure.

[84Vert]

Yeah, mine just had the a/c compressor on top of it

[84Vert]

Small update. Parts are on the way. New timing belt and pulley should be here today or Monday. My son was at a junk yard yesterday and he got me the alternator, distributor, coil, wiring harness, all the relays and some other items from an 88 for under $100. So that will upgrade my alternator from a 65 amp to the correct 90 amp. Don't know why it had the 65 in it in the first place, everything shows it should have been the 90 amp.

Will get to work on it soon especially with time changing this weekend

[Briano1234]

Baby Daughter's new intended was driving her cabby, and said there was a rattle on the drivers side....
Damnit to all hell.. I drove it and started to chuckle.
It was the center caps on the wheels. So I guess I will be silly-conning them in the future.