Project Slowly Underway: Berrien 295

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It’s a roller!

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Got the cv joints phased, or clocked as some say, on the half shafts. A lot of people don’t know this, but in the1980’s, VW up-rated the torque spec of the same M8 grade 12.9 CV joint hardware used on the bugs and busses from 25 up to 33 Ft*Lbs. So don’t be afraid to really crank those CV bolts down good and hard. No loctite/thread locker. Just 33Ft*Lbs, two piece Nord-Lock washers between the torque spreaders and bolt heads, and a dab grease/anti-seize on the threads.

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Engine got installed last month and run in. Fired up on the second turn of the key with zero fuss. Holds great oil pressure. Loud as all heck without any exhaust. Sure was fun though!







Been pretty busy between the holidays, house projects, etc. I managed to find a little time for plumbing up the rear brakes. I had to weld on a couple new tabs on the trailing arm brackets because the original ones cracked off. By the end of the week, I should have the front lines done as well.

Some pics now, some more to come in the next week or so.

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Made up a couple brake hose mounts, welded them onto the frame, shot it with some paint, and strung up my front flex lines. These are lines for a ‘68 and newer standard beetle. The lines are about three inches shorter than the ‘50’s - ‘65 brake hoses, which works out well because my mounting points were farther out from center. Still plenty long for full travel. When mounting, run the steering lock to lock, just to make sure there is no kinking, stretching, or rubbing going on at any point.

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Made up the last couple brake hose mounting tabs, welded them down, and shot them with paint. Tabs are easy to make. I just use 1/8” flat stock, and drill a 5/8” hole in it for the hose. Brake hose locking tabs are dirt cheap. A bag of 25 tabs that work great are available at Autozone for less than $3! Hard to go wrong with that.

Anyways, brake lines are done. Tomorrow, bleeding and adjusting the brakes.

Getting closer!

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Working out how I want to situate a “dash,” for lack of better words...

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Been super busy and haven’t had the time to touch the project in almost a month!

Finally got around to it this weekend and got mounts for the dash welded on and painted up. Also drilled the last holes for the dash as well. I decided to use rubber Well Nuts to mount it in order to get some vibration damping for the gauges, etc. Also started mounting up a couple big warning lights and switches. Big lights are good, hard to miss them when they light up.