VW Parts needed...

[Redtrouble]

Hello All, Tricia aka Redtrouble.

My husband has inherited a VW Trike that was built from the ground up by his late father. So now we have a project that neither of us have much knowledge on and can use a ton of help.

In my research attempts to learn as much as I possibly can I found this wonderful site. Then ended up on the phone with @Papa Zook looking for information and parts. It was very nice to speak with you today and to find out that you were the founder of this site.

We are both looking forward to making this build as amazing as possible and honoring my husbands late father.

So far we have found out that we have a 1971-72 1600cc DP Super Beetle. The trike has sat for at least a year so now the work begins on replacing/upgrading parts. While we are obviously always going to find the best deals possible I also want to ensure that this rebuild is done to the highest standards as it will never leave the family and will be passed down.

All that being said, first things first, we are starting with the carburetor, distributor, fuel pump, and battery. Now comes the fun part, what carburetor do we need and why. Oh the research....

The carb that is currently on the trike is a Solex 34 PICT-4 which is of course full of old fuel and gunk. No worries we can replace that right, well so far I have found 1 used and 1 rebuilt 34 PICT-4. The rebuilt is overseas, has a 6 week lead time and is $472. There and tons of 34 PICT-3...anyone care to take this lost redhead under their wings and explain the difference of the 3 verses the 4?

What I have read:So far I have found that the 34 PICT-4 has a bigger temperature controlled accelerator pump, it comes equipped with a dash pot which controls how a vehicle's throttle lever opens and closes. The purpose of which is to slow down the return of the throttle assembly when you let go of the throttle which leads to better burn off of excess fuel...then I read some have removed this feature like ours has been, but this was for a car, how does that equate to a trike. Basically, I am asking dashpot or no dashpot and why?

I also read that it will not work with a 009 distributor, but as I have yet to research distributors I honestly have no clue what that means.. Any information or advice would be appreiciated. Same goes for fuel filters as that along with the distributor are my next research items.

As the 34 PICT-4 seems to be so rare I believe we have decided to purchase a PICT-3 and try to rebuild the PICT-4 that we have. Thoughts on that? Best rebuild kits?

I am sure I sound completley lost and uneducated so any help is greatly appreaciated. Have a great day and I am sure I will be back soon.

Regards,

Redtrouble

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[Jack Klarich]

Good to see you move your thread here

There are several here that have very good info on VW Trikes

Good Luck

[Papa Zook]

I copied this new member's post from the New Member Intro forum. Can you V-Dubbers please see if you can help this lady in possibly locating the parts she needs to get her trike going, or offer some alternatives?

Thanks, Papa

[Redtrouble]

Sooo new to this forum, thank you for moving my post. I was trying to follow the rules of ensuring to make a new member post so I dont get booted...see this is why some rules are made to be broken. J/K

I did however want to add that since the 34 PICT-4 seems to be a rare carb we are also looking at rebuilding it. That being said while you are being so kind to share information with me please include any suggestions or advice on the rebuild.

Are there any rebuild kits/brands we should avoid? Same question for carbs as Sidecarbill replied to my new member post with "But you have named the three things. That are the hardest to obtain. Chinese replacements are all junk. If the carb, distributor, and fuel pump aren't matched it'll never run right. If the parts are original to that vehicle then I would rebuild what you have."

Thank you again for any and all help.

Regards,

Redtrouble

[irondad01]

Welcome to the site.

As far as Solex carbs. I've had real good service from VolkzBitz.com. He rebuilds original German Solex to like new condition. You tell him what engine, distrib., trans. etc. you have and he sends you the right carb. If you have an old German Solex to send in he will give you credit or buy it outright.

I have no affiliation, just a happy customer. Hope this helps.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

I am not the "stock" guy here.

It has been at least 40 years since I have had a stock carb set up.

But

John at aircooled.net has some stock parts.....and he is helpful with tech and questions about parts.

The china aftermarket carbs can work. I have seen many many of them be just fine. But there seems to be no quality control at the factory. I personally have owned "not stock type" carbs with poorly machined manufacturing. I have had one stock type carb in my hand that someone was asking me why it won't idle......it did not have the idle ports machined in the body at all.

So with the china parts it can be hit and miss and most folks that use them understand this and also possess the ability to fix any problem involved with it.

If the carb you have now is known to have been good.....I would rebuild it first.

Distributers can be tricky. Vw matched the distributor advance curve to the carburetor.

The uhh ohh nine is a mechanical advance only. It works perfectly fine for an engine that runs wide open all the time.....such as racing or an industrial engine.

If you drive it on the street the stock distributor that goes with the stock carburetor is much better. The dynamics of part throttle cruising and fuel economy is a function of that vacuum can on the side.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Tips about rebuilding a carb.

General tips....

Look it over very close make sure every little hole is cleared out.

I like to use mercury quicksilver power tune to clean parts and ports. It is so strong it feels like straight bleach on your fingers.......slimey because it dissolves a layer of skin.

Put everything back where it started from....like the accel pump lever adjustment....ect.

I will look and see if I can find a tech article about stock carbs

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Some info.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives...arburetors.php

[DeathBySnuSnu]

I just realized you are in TX.

You might want to make sure you can register and drive it in TX. The state of TX basically outlawed assembled vehicles some years back. There are some work around and lot of it has to do with wording and if or how it was previously registered.

I still see a lot of Trikes, dune buggies, kit cars ect still leaving (being sold out of) TX because it can no longer be registered.

[woody]

pictures before you start and during disassembly take lots of pictures for yourself to reassemble by. I can tell from the garage that you are not rookies but if this is new to you pictures will be helpful and you like to share or include a picture when asking a question. looks like a fun project my Dad would love to help out if yawl were closer, he use to be big into VW.