Chevy powered VW Squareback

[V8VW]

I am new to this site and I know that there are not a whole lot of VW folks out there, but let me tell you about mine. It is a 1969 Volkswagen Squareback station wagon. The only thing VW is the body. Chassis: 2" x 3" tube with Mustang II front suspension Engine: Small block Chevy 350/330 horse Transmission: 700R4 Rear end: Narrowed 9" Ford, 4:11, triangulated 4-bar.

Ought to run fairly strong on the street in a 2500 pound vehicle.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture0032-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture0063-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK092-1.jpg

[1971CHEVELLE]

Wow nice Welcome..

[V8VW]

Wow nice Welcome..

Thanks. I know a lot of people frown on foreign cars, but I can actually say that mine is 75% % US

[LSx_88_Ciera]

VW in this case must stand for Very Wicked. I have always said be careful when you mess with a VW you never know what you might be getting yourself into.

[bosses son]

this is cool! cant wait to see more

[coolwelder62]

This looks like it will be a cool project.I dont post much here. But I like this idea.

[pimtina]

Yep, I like it!! More pics are required of course!

[rednecknate]

More pics My buddy had a square back in High school i alway's wanted to do this... I love the square backs....NIce ride..MORE PICS>>>>>:yum:

[V8VW]

Thanks for the replies. Here are some more pics. Look at the interior shots before and after cutting.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK001-1.jpg
Before cutting out the rear engine area.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK0101-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK077-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK078-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK079-1.jpg

...after

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK080-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK082-1.jpg


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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK088-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK089-1.jpg

[John Wright]

I learned to drive in my Mom's 72' squareback....back then I had big dreams of stuffing a big ole motor over in one of those.....

[V8VW]

VW in this case must stand for Very Wicked. I have always said be careful when you mess with a VW you never know what you might be getting yourself into.

Yeah, I think it should be a good little "grocery getter" for my wife. Here is a shot of the '69 Bug my son and I built while he was a senior in high school. It is Porsche powered. Kind of moves right along. He is now 37, lives in Chicago with his wife and 3 sons and I still have the car. Go figure.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/pan-1.jpg

The chassis after we rebuilt it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/show-1.jpg


Car show with finished product at Union Station it St. Louis, MO.

[Scott Parkhurst]

Cool car! Will it ever see a track? I'd love to see you push it to its limits at one of the PT events!

[Paul_J]

I've been following your build on another site and I have to say that this is one well thought out and well executed home build.

[V8VW]

Cool car! Will it ever see a track? I'd love to see you push it to its limits at one of the PT events!

I doubt very much if I will ever take it to Gateway....but you never know. Currently, my wife is on to me to really get cranking and get this project done. I work a little slow, as I will be 65 this December and have nothing but time. really though, I need to get rolling on it again. Just got back from a 3 week trip to thye west Coast, via Dallas(where our youngest son, his wife and our granddaughter)live.
Next, we went to Carlsbad,NM, Benson AZ and finally Alpine(San Diego) CA. After camping in our Hi-Lo trailer, we moved onto Williams,AZ (Grand Canyon) where we got snowed in. After seeing historic Williams, it really put me back in the build mode as the goal is to drive the complete Mother road (Route 66) from start to finish, next year, in the Squareback. Wish I could find out what the towing capacity of the car would be. Would like to be able to tow the Hi-Lo with it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACH002-1.jpg
Camaro radator and fan


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK0011-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACH0421-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK044-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture075-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK087-1.jpg
Glass front end I will be using

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK098-1.jpg
Sitting on saw horses so I can roll chassis out and work on it

[V8VW]

I've been following your build on another site and I have to say that this is one well thought out and well executed home build.

Thanks. What site did you see it on?

[John Wright]

Lo-Hi?....pop-up camper with hard sides? If so....probably weighs less than 2K, doesn't it?

[jackfrost]

very cool. you should either start a thread in the "Project Updates" section, or have an admin move this one. I'd love to see the progress.

[V8VW]

Lo-Hi?....pop-up camper with hard sides? If so....probably weighs less than 2K, doesn't it?

It weighs 3700 pounds. Tows fine with my '01 tacoma with a 3.4 V6 Just don't know how to figure the rating for the VW or even if it could pull it due to the weight of the car.



https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture193-1.jpg

[liquidh8]

very cool project. please keep us posted with your progress.

[Fast68back]

Sweet project! Like your wife, I can't wait to see it finished...

[V8VW]

Thanks for all of the replies and comments on my project. I do need some help though. Is there anyone out there that may have a diagram of a complete cooling system for the small block Chevy 350?ly know where the radiator hoses go but need help for heater hose connections to the engine. I know it sounds stupid, but I have to ask.

[Larry Callahan]

Love it! My dad had one of those and I always thought it could use a nice small block.

I still want to do a 60's bus with one.

[V8VW]

Love it! My dad had one of those and I always thought it could use a nice small block.

I still want to do a 60's bus with one.

I did a 63 panel Bus with a mid-engine 302 many many years ago. Was very squirrely

[454bug]

Hey Tom,

Welcome aboard! I've been following your project on the "v8bugs.com" site.

Keep up the GREAT work!

Unique projects are REALLY cool in my book!! :1st:

[V8VW]

Hey Tom,

Welcome aboard! I've been following your project on the "v8bugs.com" site.

Keep up the GREAT work!

Unique projects are REALLY cool in my book!! :1st:

Thanks Ray,

Just not enough action on V8bugs

[454bug]

Thanks Ray,

Just not enough action on V8bugs

We are a small group...

That's why I'm over here!! :)

[Paul_J]

Thanks Ray,

Just not enough action on V8bugs

That's where I had been following the build as well.

The heater hose set up is real simple on a small block. You have one hose that connects at the water pump. The other side connect to the intake manifold off to the side of the thermostat housing. It's been a while but the outlet at the water pump should be the 'Suction' side on a standard type water pump.

Here's a picture of the connection on the intake. Yours should be similar.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/45759/photo_09.html

[V8VW]

That's where I had been following the build as well.

The heater hose set up is real simple on a small block. You have one hose that connects at the water pump. The other side connect to the intake manifold off to the side of the thermostat housing. It's been a while but the outlet at the water pump should be the 'Supply' side on a standard type water pump.
Thanks for the info. Maybe I will post some pics of my engine and you can advise on some connections for me.:idea:

[Paul_J]

I made a correction. The pump connection is the suction side of the system. It is right on top of a small block water pump. There may be a threaded plug where it goes.

[V8VW]

I made a correction. The pump connection is the suction side of the system. It is right on top of a small block water pump. There may be a threaded plug where it goes.

Paul. Just took some pictures. Can you help me on these?


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK101-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK102-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK103-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/PROJECTTYPEIIISQUAREBACK104-1.jpg

[John Wright]

IIRC, the top heater hose is 3/4" and goes to the water pump and the bottom hose is 5/8" and goes to the intake.

[Paul_J]

Bottom Picture: threaded hole to the right of the thermostat housing is the supply line to the heater core. The other hole on the left can be used for the temp sensor. The threaded plug in the water pump in the same picture is the suction side or return side coming from the heater core. Remove that plug and connect heater hose there. I added some links to the fittings that typically connect your hoses or you can use the AN style fittings similar to your carb set up.


Hole at rear of manifold is for manifold vacuum. (where your finger is pointing) Plug it if you don't need it.


http://www.jegs.com/i/Mr.+Gasket/720/9743/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/511110/10002/-1

[V8VW]

Everyone out there is a great help,thanks.

[CruizinKev]

welcome aboard! very cool project! keep up good work :twothumbs

[V8VW]

Well, after some health issues, I am back. Put a/c in my garage and it is nice and cool when working. Have been working on fabricating body mounts. have two made, with four to go. Also, have my new engine installed in the chassis with a new transmission cross member. I do have a question that I hope one or some of you can answer. I am planning on installing my a/c condenser, remotely, with a cooling fan. Viewpoints, opinions?

Good to be back.

[Scott Parkhurst]

It only has to be efficient enough to work. If there's sufficient airflow, it'll be fine.

[birdsandbowties]

man, that is so cool ! i had one of those when i was 16 , i bought it to drive while i was building the 455 4 speed for my 68 gto, that was back in 1986, mine had the roll back sunroof in it , sure was fun to cruise to chuck-a-burger in ,,,,,, yes i am from st louis originally , went to mcluer sr high

[V8VW]

Thanks for the quick info. Good 'ol Chuck-A-Burger. That are is really somewhat a war zone now. On my condenser, I recall when I was a VW mechanic, many,many years ago, we used to install a/c in all of the VW line. Many of the condensers were mounted flat, under the chassis frame horns with dual electric fans. Only problem there was the intake, actually a louvered piece of metal over the condensers, would pick up any kind od road debris.

Attached, are a couple of pics of my project. Just for fitment purposes, I made a wooden framework for where my seat (s) will be in front. This is going to be a two seater and I plan on making a sedan delivery out of it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/DSC01161-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/DSC01161.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/DSC01162-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/DSC01162.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/DSC01168-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/DSC01168.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/DSC01171-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/DSC01171.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/Picture0042-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/Picture004-2.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/Picture006-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/Picture006.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/Picture0052-1.jpg (http://s315.photobucket.com/user/murphytj/media/Picture005-2.jpg.html)

[Todd in Vancouver]

Very cool build and how the heck would they ever catch you to ask what the VW tow capacity is anyway. My engine builder has a BBC in a bug running on alcohol that is an 8.6 second quarter mile car and is still street legal. Where there is a will there's a way, and Killer VW's at a PT event would definitely turn some heads, including mine.

[V8VW]

Thanks. Being I am old, by number only ( I'll be 68 in December), I have slowed down just a bit, but really have been hitting it pretty steady the past few weeks. The a/c I put in my garage really makes the difference.

[Munssey]

Okay, it's been way too long w\o an update. Great start... but how far along are you now??