A video of the Baja Bug running for you punks

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
02/20/2014 at 21:42 • Filed to: Baja Bug

The Bug was running kinda funny on my way back from class yesterday and I was nervous that I slipped another pushrod, but luckily I was just a few miles from my house when it happened. Limped home and checked my valves - they were just a hair too tight on cylinder three and that's what the problem was. Just got them all readjusted and thought I would get a video of the startup and a few revs for you guys.

A couple of weeks ago I had to pull the head on cylinders three and four because of something going catastrophically wrong inside the engine. Here are a few pictures of the engine tear down and the discovery of the problem. Pardon the kinda blurry pictures. I was testing out a new lens for my camera and didn't realize how terrible they were until the engine was back in the car.

The engine fresh outta the car. Rag over the carb to keep random shit from falling down into it.

The S.O.B shroud I couldn't take off without pulling the whole damn engine. Got the plugs, intake manifold, rocker arms and pushrods all stripped out.

God the head itself removed from the rest of the engine. Yes, I know it is dirty and yes I did clean it up!

Now, if you look closely, you can see the second valve on the left FROZEN IN COMPRESSION.

You see that liiiiiitle bit of metal sticking out of the valve? THAT'S THE CULPRIT. That's why my valve wouldn't come up. Bad news. I don't yet possess an overhead valve compressor, so I had to take the head to a shop that specializes in air and water cooled Porsches and they popped the thing out for me.

Turns out it was some dumb little bolt or something...not entirely sure how it got into my engine. Picture of the little bastard next to a quarter for perspective.

I was extremely fortunate that it didn't damage my valves or jump into my cylinder. That would have created so many more problems that I don't have the money to fix. Thanks for reading!

DISCUSSION (42)

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 21:48

Big Bubba Ray > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
02/20/2014 at 21:50

Haha this is perfect! The car kinda sounds like a fucking diesel in the video because it's in my garage. Outdoors it sounds like a gang of Harleys.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 21:53

Stinger exhaaaust...does it have one on it right now i can't see

For Sweden > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 22:03

Congratulations on having the only exhaust a Baja Bug should have.

Big Bubba Ray > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
02/20/2014 at 22:04

Unfortunately I don't have a stinger yet! I'm not sure exactly what the exhaust is called, maybe "pea shooter." Basically, there are two cylinders per exhaust. So cylinders one and two share a pipe, as do three and four.

I want a stinger but I think it would get rid of the obnoxiously loud exhaust note I've got now, which I kind of like haha. The exhaust pipes are starting to get a small bit of surface rust so after I get my next paycheck I plan on pipe-wrapping them which I'm hoping will look pretty damn cool!

Big Bubba Ray > For Sweden
02/20/2014 at 22:05

Haha thank you! I've been thinking of getting a stinger but I don't think it would be as loud as what I've got on there now. My current pipes are starting to develop a bit of surface rust so after I get my next paycheck I plan to get pipe wrap and get them looking good.

Big Bubba Ray > For Sweden
02/20/2014 at 22:16

I forgot to ask, how's your Baja coming along?

For Sweden > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 22:36

It's in a shed far away waiting for when I'll have time and space to put in its Subaru engine.

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > For Sweden
02/20/2014 at 22:42

That's a good looking Beetle. I love the red. Weren't you looking for a Subaru transaxle recently for it?

For Sweden > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 22:42

No, I'm going to use the VW transaxle.

Big Bubba Ray > For Sweden
02/20/2014 at 22:47

Gotcha. Well good luck to you! You've gotta post pictures of what you get done to it. I'm excited to see some other Bajas besides Raph's and mine.

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 23:26

oh hai i hear you guys are having a baja thread

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 23:27

"I want a stinger but I think it would get rid of the obnoxiously loud exhaust note I've got now, which I kind of like haha."

that is absolutely how I feel. People tell me I need a collector for more power, but the dual pipes just sound soooo goood.

I've also got surface rust on 'em, but I hadn't thought of wrapping them!

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/20/2014 at 23:28

That's a nice looking engine, at least now it's cleaned. I am way below the technical level for a full engine teardown, so I fear anything as bad as a bolt winding up inside the motor

Big Bubba Ray > Raphael Orlove
02/20/2014 at 23:42

It's honestly not a bad engine to pull and tear down. I knew nothing about this car before I bought it in December and it has been easy to maintain since. You just need basic tools and you will be able to do pretty much everything with the engine. The car itself is a great learning tool.

Big Bubba Ray > Raphael Orlove
02/20/2014 at 23:46

Do the stingers make a bit more power? If so I might have to look further into them!

I can't wait to wrap my pipes. My younger brother is coming home next weekend and he's gonna help me with the pipe wrap. If I get it all done I'll post some pics so you can check them out.

Joseph Shaul > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 00:20

So, when are we going to see an EJ20 swap?

Big Bubba Ray > Joseph Shaul
02/21/2014 at 00:30

If I had the cash, I would do it in a heartbeat! The Bug right now is an investment and a beater until I can find myself a 240/60/80Z. I have plans to do some cosmetic and interior work to get more money out of it in future, starting with the floor pans and some rust repair. I hope whoever I pass it onto next goes buck wild with it and throws a turbo Subie engine in it!

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 00:32

well, that's the hope and that's why I bough the car. Gonna try and rebuild the shift linkage once the weather gets warm. I'm a little apprehensive about rebuilding my old Solex, but hopefully I can get a buddy to help me out.

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 00:36

word on the street is that a good single exhaust gives more power, but I'm not sure if the stinger in specific gives it more

Big Bubba Ray > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 00:36

I'd suggest buying a new carb. Mines got an aftermarket carb, not sure what it is because it's not labeled anywhere, but compared to the original solex I think it's a new or rebuilt one.

I need to fix the shift linkage in mine as well. It doesn't seem as bad as yours with a few inches of play, but it could definitely be tidied up a bit for more precise shifts. I'm sick of shifting from first into fourth on accident haha

Raphael Orlove > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 00:40

I gotta say, adjusting the tension on the clutch cable made shifting a whole lot better. And it taught me a valuable lesson in buying goggles for working under a rusty car. My eyes... my eyes.

And yeah, I suppose carbs aren't too pricey.

Big Bubba Ray > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 00:59

I didn't even think of checking the clutch cable. I'll have to do that tomorrow. But glasses are a must working under the Bug. I got a bit of brake cleaner in my eyes when changing the oil and cleaning the engine and I looked stoned for three days because my eyes were so damn red.

Joseph Shaul > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 01:12

Beetles are stupid expensive right now. Just don't Orlove it!

Big Bubba Ray > Joseph Shaul
02/21/2014 at 01:14

I'm doing my best not to Orlove it!! Can't make any promises though......haha

CPT Speedbump > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 05:11

Where do you live? I've been spotting a orange baja on my way home from work in the morning for a couple of days now, driving my beetle today in case I see him again

Big Bubba Ray > CPT Speedbump
02/21/2014 at 08:41

I live in St. Louis. Where are you?

CalzoneGolem > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 10:03

Yeah ... looked.

CPT Speedbump > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 10:24

Different orange baja then, lol, Loveland Colorado, I saw it closer up today and new it wasn't yours anyway, he has a chrome fan shroud and a stinger on his.

Poundingsand > For Sweden
02/21/2014 at 14:32

I beg to differ... :)

Kinja'd!!!

For Sweden > Poundingsand
02/21/2014 at 14:34

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

For Sweden > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 14:34

Posts in Baja Thread

Doesn't post his Baja

Poundingsand > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 14:35

Did someone say baja thread?

Kinja'd!!!

Poundingsand > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 14:37

I'm curious as to why you needed to pull the engine. You should have been able to pull the head with the motor still in the car, no?

Or did you think you might need to go deeper?

Poundingsand > For Sweden
02/21/2014 at 14:39

(where's the "thumbs down" button?) LOL

Raphael Orlove > Poundingsand
02/21/2014 at 14:42

well hello there! what is this fine machine?

Raphael Orlove > For Sweden
02/21/2014 at 14:44

well howdy doody. Fine, I've got some recent pics of the thing

Kinja'd!!!

here it is when I got it up to the floor in ice and spent 15 minutes maneuvering around in the snow

Kinja'd!!!

And this is when I got it stuck in a few inches of snow doing donuts over an unplowed construction site. Got it out after some rolling, though!

Kinja'd!!!

But otherwise she's running pretty good these days. Looking forward to an alignment.

offroadkarter > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 15:08

Did you ever call GNB to get a price quote or something?

If you were in Jersey I'd send you to the shop I go to that'd throw it on the rack for 70 bucks, but I'm an hour and a half away from where you are roughly, thats kind of far for an alignment lol.

Poundingsand > Raphael Orlove
02/21/2014 at 15:15

That is my baja bug! 1776 motor, fully caged bumper to bumper, Bilstein shocks on all corners (reservoir in the rear) with stock reinforced trailing arms, cycling between 9-10 inches of travel all around. Stainless skid plates, one piece fiberglass front end, suspension seats, and driver/pass intercom wired to CB radio. Spent about two years improving on a very stock baja style bug, and have arrived at this - so far.

I love me some baja bugs!

Big Bubba Ray > Poundingsand
02/21/2014 at 18:37

Motor did have to come out. With my car, you can't wiggle the shroud free without removing the entire engine. Without removing the shroud, you can't pull the head.

7mary4 > Big Bubba Ray
02/21/2014 at 22:19

Kinja'd!!!

Here's a good air pumper for your baja

Big Bubba Ray > 7mary4
02/21/2014 at 22:26

Holy Santa Claus shit that is awesome!!