When I had my first beetle I was a big fan of How to Keep you VW Alive - Step by step for the complete idiot. Mostly because I was an idiot mechanically back then.
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-Step/dp/1566913101
I second this. They are straight forward and would be great to learn on.
That said - you do know on todays highways they are death traps. The drum brakes don't stop for $%^&, it handles like a tractor, has tiny skinny tires with no grip, and the only crumple zone is your skull. Really, if a texting soccer mom in a Tahoe T bones you its probably over
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-Step/dp/1566913101
Following the guide in the book, buy some tools and a box to keep them in that will fit in the rear window well. Then do the basic tuneup. Learn how to set your valves, and why the number 3 cylinder's valves should always be set looser than the other cylinders. Figure out how to advance and retard the distributor. Figure out the proper method for changing your generator belt.
Then you'll want to learn how to do all of that by feel with your eyes closed, so that, some dark night, you'll be able to do it all on the side of the road. Bugs are not unreliable, but they pick the damnedest times to do janky stuff.
Basics like when/how to add which fluids, changing a tire, at what point to see a mechanic are things my kids learned before they were allowed to drive. When I was their age I toasted my VW and had to learn about engines to rebuild it because I had no money. "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot saved me an incredible amount of money and was the original "Idiot" book.
My info is coming mainly from this book and I can't recommend it more. The author also does YouTube videos on the subject. However, I'm not an expert by any means (still building mine) so correct me, PLEASE, if I have it wrong.
On paper, the panels you have can provide 11,520Wh of power on an average sunny day, and your batteries can store 7200Wh. It seems like you could reduce your panels, or buy more batteries to account for the loss - it seems like this setup is wasting potential power, but if you live somewhere with lots of clouds or trees, I could understand the excess solar set up.
If you’re smart and handy, you can do it. And like u/Wetbiscut said: You need to know your rig.
Buy this:
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Jbugs, CB Performance, and SoCal Imports are where I personally get all my parts. Jbugs has a few items of questionable quality, but for the most part everything has been good. They're also usually a bit cheaper than other places.
Also if you're going to do the majority of work on it, I'd look into getting a service manual. There's the Bentley manual, but apparently there isn't one that covers 1960. There are actual shop service manuals, and those might work. I have this book and I like it. It's got a lot of info about pretty much anything you'll need to work on, and it covers every year Bug.
On another note, keep spare parts in the car in case of a breakdown. I used to have a spare belt, spark plugs, light bulbs, carb rebuild kit, and a tool kit with sockets, wrenches, etc. I ditched the carb kit when I upgraded to dual carbs a while back. A spare throttle cable and clutch cable would probably be good as well. I haven't had it happen, but they do break occasionally and it sucks to be stranded with something that simple.
Buy John Muirs idiot manual it’s a great read and the art is hilarious also pick up a Bentley service manual for your year, don’t bother with the Hayes one. If you can turn the pulley by hand great! Drain all the old gas if it’s been sitting for more then a month and change the fuel filter if the is one. Drop the oil and clean the screen if some of the studs pull out don’t fret, while you are under there clean any leaves or grass out of the nooks and crannies put the pan back on and fill with the correct amount of new oil. Take the air filter off and see how many spiders are living in there. Lift up the back seat and prop it up good because if you turn it over and the starter won’t stop with the key you wanna be able to pull the battery cable off. get a compression tester pull all the wires and plugs and label them to each cyl with tape. check all the cylinders compression they should all be within 10% of one another if it’s ok ie 100+psi. You can check for spark at this point too by putting on plug in the wire and laying on the tin where you can see it and getting someone to crank over the engine a few times don’t put the plugs back in until all are checked for comp and spark. If everything is still good. Put new plugs back in her. change the cap and rotor and clean up the points with some emery cloth if they are corroded , change new wires one wire at a time to the cap and then do the wires one at a time so you don’t mix them up. change the fuel filter if it has one and inspect any rubber fuel lines and change any that are questionable, don’t forget the one under the tank in the front(I would change them all anyways) Clean any leaves and stuff from the engine bay don’t forget in behind the fan shroud.. put gas in it and check for leaks EVERYWHERE If it starts great! If it doesn’t start you need 3 things for a gas engine to run. fuel, compression and spark. Good luck!
A car that can be completely disassembled, and reassembled, in your driveway, with nothing more than an old set of Craftsman sockets and wrenches. Which you’ll need to do frequently, to keep it running.
Amazon sells the required instruction manual: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot
The C5 Corvette. It was designed on the sly in violation of orders from GM management. They diverted funding from other projects to get it done. This was when General Motors was taking government money to stay in business. The Corvette guys were told to stop work on the car but they continued anyway. The plan was to discontinue the Corvette. They hit a home run despite the obstacles.
With regards to COMPUTERS:
Although, keep in mind that Microsoft is trying to work to a system where you eternally lease your operating system, and associated programs. Just as it used to be with IBM and the mainframe computers.
I don't know about most other users, but there is no damn way I am going to ever lease Microsoft's Shit operating systems. Time to learn Linux! It pisses me off that you essentially have to purchase MS office anymore. Consider, it is not like MS is going to come up with some giant leaps with regards to Word processors, Spreadsheets, databases, Powerpoint, and Crist, they have not updated Publisher in literally years! Yet we willingly pay $65 or so a year for that crap that most people use, but is essentially static programming. Intercourse that!
With regards to CARS:
It is equally disgusting that in the year 2022, we are still playing endless games with automotive dealers to purchase a damn car. The endless games with trade in's, finance, and the endless, "let me run this by my sales manager" horseshit. Incidentally, IF you are buying a car, there is a great book by a fellow named Remar Sutton called, "Don't get taken every time."
Here: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Get-Taken-Every-Time/dp/0143038885
Well worth the investment if you are going to play their game. Sutton highlights all the stupid tricks Dealers want to play, and how you can put a stop to it.
Order Will's book, it's only $5 right now in paperback format (it's a large paperback). I paid $15 for it last year, and it's $15 well spent. A total steal at $5.xx
It's got diagrams, and all kinds of great info. I watch his YT channel also, but it's great to have a hard copy of info that I need to reference.
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There is a great book called How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive I had one that was hole punched and put into a binder, perfect for working in the workshop.
This. Anyone can say they out in a ‘new’ engine. That could mean a new to the car beater engine from the junkyard to a fully rebuilt from scratch with all new I rentals and seals, etc.
This appears to be the former. You should have the engine tested at a competent VW shop in your area. Have them check the timing, the rockers under the valve covers and do a compression test.
Then start buying books to lean how to work on the car yourself. Buy this book first:
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-Step/dp/1566913101
The book All Corvettes Are Red by James Schefter has some incredible stories about testing Corvettes in blizzard conditions. It's a great book that I regret giving to the new owner of my C5 as I wrack my brain for details of the relevant stories. Those were some brave test drivers indeed.
Highly recommend this book for beginners, easy to follow step-by-step instructions for most repairs and maintenance procedures:
How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot https://www.amazon.com/dp/1566913101/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_BNH3M5CZM7WPDDC0DQ5T
The book also has lists of recommended tools to get you started with.
Your project doesn't look bad at all, a great starting point. Don't sweat the cosmetics right now. Focus on starting, running and stopping. Floors are good to have as well.
Cip1.com is a good source for parts.
TheSamba.com is an invaluable resource, check it out.
Also get this book
I would also recommend getting this book. It has tons of great information on fixing your car, and lots of cool drawings to help figure stuff out. There is a chapter on front ends.
How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot[sic]
This is a great resource, as well as this book.
As others have said, the carb will most likely need to be pulled and cleaned/rebuilt. Find out what carb/distributor setup you have, and do some research on The Samba to see if they work well together. These engines really do run the best when they are in their original configuration (stock form that is). Over the years, lots of people install loads of mix and match crap quality parts that will make the performance suffer.
Other than that, check the plugs/wires/distributor and make sure everything is in good order. Also try to drain the junk out of the fuel tank, or at the least grab a bunch of fuel filters and keep swapping them when they fill up with debris. Most of all have fun! These old veedubs will make a mechanic out of anyone.
There are other books, but this one helped me tremendously. And if it's on your shelf, people will know you're a serious VW guy. Haha.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1566913101/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_GR35A5DRQ61VDJN46XDF
very CLEAN Super
now pick up this book it's a good read and will help keep it on the road
Buy this:
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Awesome! Even back in the sixtires, I never had one that nicely kept. If you don't have one already, get a VW Idiot book. Even if you don't work on it yourself, you'll understand what they are doing to your baby.
Will wrote a small book on solar systems too. It's very informative and he lays things out very well in the book. It's inexpensive on Amazon as well. I highly suggest picking up a copy.
Mobile Solar Power Made Easy!: Mobile 12 volt off grid solar system design and installation. RV's, Vans, Cars and boats! Do-it-yourself step by step instructions. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546567119/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0WEDEY4EZ1NDZXBFD822
Since nobody is mentioning it, and if you haven't already, buy a copy of How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot, which is the bible for your car. Every air-cooled VW owner should have a copy.
Then follow the very detailed instructions for doing a basic tuneup.
Buy this. Everything you need to know in an easy to understand book. 10/10
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Buy "The Idiot Book".
Seriously.
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-Step/dp/1566913101
It's been around since 1969, and is absolutely *THE BEST* source for inexperienced mechanics who wind up owning aircooled VW Beetles.
You can find a copy at any reasonable used book store, or at Amazon. But get it. It's the best for where you're starting -- and not bad if you were more experienced. Keep it in the car. You'll thank me for that later.
If you want to try yourself here’s an excellent book to start with. This guided me and saved me for many of years. Air cooled VWs are easy and fun nice you get the hang of it.
How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1566913101/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FMD9F6ME4KRTYY5XP3BD
My first car was a red 1963 VW bug which my parents bought for me in 1972. You could literally see the street through the rust in the floorboards.
But that puppy served me for more two years when I was first starting out, and I was gifted with the classic VW bug owner's guide, How to Keep Your Volkswagon Alive.
And then my older brother (yes, he gave me the book!) made me take off and replace all four tires on it with the new ones my parents bought. Then he talked me through replacing the rusted out tail pipe with a converter thingie of some sort (just had a different shape, I have no clue anymore what it was--it was long ago!).
I have to say, the day I actually got a flat tire that experience came in handy, and I demonstrated to my equally dressed-up roommate that yes, one actually can crack a tire nut wearing high heels. Then a nice man stopped and finished putting the spare wheel on for me.