The little bronze Rabbit.

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Fatmobile
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Location: north central Iowa

The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Richard, a somewhat local guy, called and was getting rid of some MK1 VWs.
He had collected them over about 15 years of working on them, mostly diesels but was overrun with house projects and wanted his shed space back.
My buddy in Ames got a solid '80 Rabbit parts car that could be brought back to life.
A local friend got 4 pickups and a Jetta.
I got a nice little bronze 2 door '81 rabbit:
imageshack sucks
Image
Image

You can see the left fender and door were changed and repainted. Probably got sideswiped.
Anyone parting a bronze Rabbit with a good fender and door? LE1Z paint code I think.
The rest of the body is very solid.
I'll get pics of the underside and pinch welds that aren't crunched at all.

About 5 years ago I picked up a '85 Jetta TD and I needed to do something with it.
imageshack sucks
While the body was tragic, the engine runs good with about 177,000 miles on it.
It was parked for years before and after I got it.
Last fall when I got it started the pump leaked. I ended up installing new mainshaft bushings and reaming them along with the reseal and a mild governor mod.
It sat for months through the winter and I test started it this spring at about 15F.
With the weak battery, MK2 starter, and lame battery cables and connections; the starter turned slow.
All the cylinders sounded even while it was cranking
and when I was begining to think it was going to need a jump it rumbled to life, idled and revved smoothly.

It was a good time for Richard to call because I had been shopping for a solid body to put the TD in.
The brown Rabbit was a gasser so that engine was pulled and the TD engine installed.
It was very mousey inside so the dash got pulled and the heater box and vents were cleaned.
About 8 mud dauber wasp nests were removed.
The fuel tank was full when stored half full when I got it so there was a huge coating of varnished gas solids.
Sooo I dropped the rear, the exhaust and the old tank.
cleaned up rust spots and sprayed them with SP-400 brown wax.
I found a rusty spot on the area near where the rear beam mounts. Usually rust in that area freaks me out but after picking away at it with a hammer and screwdriver it proved to be very solid. I'll post pics of the repair later.

There I got this project thread started.
I'll post more pics later.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
bscutt
Turbo Charger
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Location: Springfield, VA

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by bscutt »

Very nice. I have a friend who will be in this situation in a few years (cleaning out) - he has 8 Rabbits on his property most just sitting. Pretty sure the mice have had their way with them but most have good bodies. All are 1980 vintage with 1.5s in them so I haven't pestered him about them yet but I have a 1.6 to put together and would make a nice swap for one of them. All I need is more free time.
Bob

'06 Jetta TDI
'82 Rabbit 1.6NA
Honda, 99 GMC Suburban, '41 Chevy Coupe
Fatmobile
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Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

I've been getting back to this project.
Winter is a good time to see how strong the engine is and how well it is tuned.
I got it to start at 5F but there was alot of cranking. I put a MK2 starter in it and it might be cranking too slow.
It seemed like pushing the cold start lever in helped it start so I retarded the timing a little. Not sure it helped but it started pretty easily today at 15F.
Vacuum is too high so there is a fuel line restriction and some air in the fuel that could be messing with cold weather startup.
New filter so it could be the intank screen. The gasser tank was so filled with crud that I had to put a fresh tank in and clean the lines.
I'll be putting a MK1 starter in it soon.
Block heater was something I should have checked with the engine out. They put it in with a washer that sticks out, covers the place the cord plugs into.
I'll hit that with a grinder when I put it up on ramps to adjust the shifter pinch bolt.
Almost ready for the trip into town for a tire alignment.
Cluster is stuck on 85999 9 so that has to come back out. I put a spare light in the cluster for a true glow plug light, would have fixed the odometer then too If I'd have known about it. :)

I have to mention that the VNT Rabbit is starting like it's summer,.. even when it's 0F, with 10 seconds on the glow plugs. Starts scary fast since I swapped in a good starter.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
surfcam
Turbo Charger
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Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:43 pm
Location: Canada Southern Alberta
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Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by surfcam »

I was wonder if you were using 15/40 oil when your car started at 5F. I find that to be my cut off for starting using that oil. Lighter oil seen to leak at a faster rate so I don't use it in these engines.
99 TDI Jetta (Z1 engine code)
94 Grand Caravan
89 Dodge Gold Stream B class
http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.ca/
Fatmobile
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Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Yes, 15/40 is the most common oil I use, I'm pretty sure that's what's in there.

MK3 battery cables make it easier to connect power wires for headlight relays and improved rad fan relay.
imageshack sucks
Image
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

I took her into town for a tire alignment today.
First real miles.
Tragedy insues,.. OK maybe not tragedy but it didn't go smooooth. :D
On the way into town the vacuum gauge begins to climb up to 20 and climbing.

I drive back home.
The tank is pretty full but I am able to pull the intank screen, clean it, vacuum the area and get back on the road.
I left the back seat out for the second ride into town, left my tools out and brought the "fuel tank vacuum".

Pulling the screen and cleaning it, then just putting it back in,,. isn't enough.
While the screen is out I vacuum the area using a fuel pump with a filter before it.
It pulls crap out of the fuel pickup area around the screen, filters the solids out then pumps it back into the tank.
A solid tube works best, with a bit of a bend toward the end so I can guide it into the channels and corners.

I got into town, stopping twice to clean the screen and vacuum when the vacuum got near 25inhg.
I got to the tire alignment place early and used the time to glue the rear view mirror holder to the windshield.
I made sure the tie rod nuts weren't siezed. I'm sure they dread an old car coming in, knowing all the fasteners are going to be rusted tight. I hate to do that to them.
Also got the door handle on the driver's side so he could shut the door easily.

After all that they tell me they can't do an alignment because the ties aren't the factory size 155/80/13.
I put the 14s on it.
Made a new appointment and went back home.
Had to clean the screen and vacuum once on the way home.

Things to do:
Tires to change.
Intank screen and pickup area to clean.
Tire alignment
Passenger side seat belt bolted to the floor point. Upgrade from passive restraint. Using MK2 4-door belts and recievers because they are longer and they matched.

Doors need:
Stuff cleaned out from inside the doors, then rust proofed with brown wax.
Solid vents installed
Window crank tracks lubed, and a piece of foam on the end to keep it from rattling inside the door.
P-side remote operated rear view mirror installed
Plastic vapor barrier and door cards attached
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
surfcam
Turbo Charger
Posts: 1482
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:43 pm
Location: Canada Southern Alberta
Contact:

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by surfcam »

I had the same sort of thing happen to me Costco. They wouldn't put 14's my 86 Golf. I guess they just look in the book and that what it calls for. We are talking about the same diameter tire just a bit wider. My 91 Jetta has them which is the same car as far as size goes. It's a good thing that most tire shop aren't like this. Some of them can actually think.
99 TDI Jetta (Z1 engine code)
94 Grand Caravan
89 Dodge Gold Stream B class
http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.ca/
Fatmobile
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Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

They said they would align it with the 14s on it but it would be wrong.
The more I think about it I should have just asked them to align it anyway.
All the tires are the same size, actually matching tires.

There's a place at the Lake that aligned my GTI TD with 15s on it and didn't say a thing.

So often it's just overkill from people try to cover their own ass.

Edit:
Oh yeah I took it into town for the alignment, after spending a day cleaning the tank. I made it all the way to the place before I needed to pull the screen and clean it,.. dropped the screen in the tank doh, but had a spare screen, ha!
I'll get it out when the tank isn't so full.
I got home with good vacuum.
Sooo it is getting cleaned out.

I got the center console wired in. The volts are at 14 with no load, so the MK2 alternator setup is working great.
And the oil pressure gets down to just over 1 bar at hot idle, sits around 5 bar at startup. I'm real happy with that.

Still having trouble starting at 0. I think the starter is cranking too slow so I have a few tricks to try. Only connection getting warm after a long crank is the top starter solenoid bolt, but it doesn't get real warm, wondering if that's because it's so cold out.
I'll try my "turn the inner contact" trick and see if that helps.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
CHEGUEVERA
Glow Plug
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:35 pm

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by CHEGUEVERA »

My 82 rabbit ls has the same color but has 4 doors. looking at how other people have bought their rabbits I think I got a steal for 1200 just had to do some important fixes IP,GASKETS ND RADIATOR,runs great just need to replace glow plugs..luckily this site nudged me in the right direction
Fatmobile
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Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Some new pics:
Interior shot.
Image
I got another seat cover but no pic of it yet.
Still need the peanut butter under dash knee cover.

Rear brakes:
Image

Edit: Too much gas crud in the old tank so I ended up changing the tank to an early diesel tank without the rubber hose. Good chance to fix this little rust spot.
There is very little rust. This is a spot I usually worry about:
Image

But it was just the skin. The metal underneath was still very strong:
Image
I drilled 2 holes in the strong metal behind the skin so I could spray carmalene wax in between from behind after it's welded and painted.

I cut a piece of stainless to replace what was cut out:
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Welded up.
Image
I can't find a picture of it painted.

Windshield edge wasn't rusty:
Image
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I got some good tires on it, painted the rims. I'll try to get some more pics.

It wouldn't start the other day when it was cold. Glow plug fuse went. This car doesn't have the ford starter relay but it does have separate glow plug wires.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Still driving and working on this one.
Here's are some body pics:
Had some rust inside the driver's fender:
Image

If you look at the B-pillar yuo can see it is bent. This car got sideswiped at some point in it's life and that's the worst of the damage. The door, fender and hood were replaced but not with good pieces. They fit good but there is some rust on them.

Removed the bad stuff and cleaned it up:
Image

Made a stainless patch to cover it:
Image

Did some welding on the inside too. Then covered it with LPS 3 brown wax:
Image

Pulled off the charcoal canister (used to be a gasser) was a hole behind it:
Image

Made a patch for that and waxed everthing that was rusty:
Image
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Here's a pic looking in the passenger door:
Image

But as we all know a car can look great but it's how rusty is is underneath that counts.
Pinchweld and floorpan pics:
Look at that straight as hell pinch weld on the pside:
Image
dside very straight too:
Image
Even near the rear:
Image
No Honda owner ever stuck a jack under the pinch weld and crushed this one, ha.
Notice how solid the floor pans are too, just some surface rust where it counts. Other than the couple patches I had to do it is a very solid Rabbit.
The battery tray also needed a patch. I stuck a stud on it so it's easier to install the battery hold down:
Image
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
radtones
Glow Plug
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:34 am

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by radtones »

Any update on this project?
Fatmobile
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Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by Fatmobile »

Yes there are updates,.. sniff, sniff,... tears streaming.
I sold it.
sniff,.. I'm still suffering some separation anxiety but I have a local support group that let's me cry on their shoulder and tells me, "it's all going to be OK, you can't keep them all"... and we're working on putting me in a MK4 Jetta TDI project for awhile.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
bscutt
Turbo Charger
Posts: 1720
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 4:49 pm
Location: Springfield, VA

Re: The little bronze Rabbit.

Post by bscutt »

I know that feeling. I still miss the very nice 82 pickup I sold. But parking spaces are limited in residential areas and the neighbors are probably glad I only have three on the street these days.
Bob

'06 Jetta TDI
'82 Rabbit 1.6NA
Honda, 99 GMC Suburban, '41 Chevy Coupe
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