I'm working on a 1968 Beetle Convertible for a friend, and it is basically stumbling at anything other than idle. What I have done so far is confirm the fuel tank is OK (no rust, recently replaced, as is the fuel filter), check for vaccum leaks and replaced a couple of questionable lines, and checked timing. The distributor is already changed to electronic, and the engine is a dual port 1600 from a later car (also recently rebuilt). I suspect it is carb related with maybe trash in the jets. I do not have much VW experience, so any advice would be appreciated. I've ordered the kit for the EMPI 34 PICT 3 carb that it currently has. I should point out that she had been driving for a while after the rebuild before this problem started. They did not rebuild the carb at that time, but said it worked OK at that point. Am I on the right track with this logic?
Look down the carb and see that the accelerator pump is squirting a steady stream of fuel ,
Many times the brass squirter is clogged , or even fell out !
Then look that it is squirting down the middle of the Venturi and not hitting the side......
I did not do that, thanks!
Well, its NOT the vacuum advance 
aircooled said:
Well, its NOT the vacuum advance
#009things
Almost guaranteed it’s carb related. Good news is those things are as simple as carbs get, and rebuild kits are cheap. Replacements are cheap. Upgrades are cheap. Man, I miss my vw.
I only own the book not a vw. In case this helps
barefootskater said:
Man, I miss my vw.
Sigh... me too. I don't need another car. I don't need another car. I don't need another car....
barefootskater said:
aircooled said:
Well, its NOT the vacuum advance
#009things
Almost guaranteed it’s carb related. Good news is those things are as simple as carbs get, and rebuild kits are cheap. Replacements are cheap. Upgrades are cheap. Man, I miss my vw.
If I had a buck for every time I've considered dumping all my other projects and just getting another A/C V-dub, I could probably almost afford one. I miss my bug-based kit car. Every so often I pick up a copy of Hot VWs just to relive what its like to build a really cool car for really cheap.
+1 on the carb. I had a Honda with carb gaskets that were deteriorating. Last time I had the carb apart I reassembled it using NOS gaskets they looked fine when I installed them but they started deteriorating right away. Little bits of them were finding their way into places they shouldn't and clogging up the works. I made my own gaskets, problem solved.
sounds like trash in main jet to me
Thanks guys! I did check and it appears the accelerator pump is not working. I have ordered a rebuild kit. My last carb rebuilds were Webers, this one looks much easier!
This is it, a bit dirty right now, but she loves it.
TheRX7Project said:
barefootskater said:
aircooled said:
Well, its NOT the vacuum advance
#009things
Almost guaranteed it’s carb related. Good news is those things are as simple as carbs get, and rebuild kits are cheap. Replacements are cheap. Upgrades are cheap. Man, I miss my vw.
If I had a buck for every time I've considered dumping all my other projects and just getting another A/C V-dub, I could probably almost afford one. I miss my bug-based kit car. Every so often I pick up a copy of Hot VWs just to relive what its like to build a really cool car for really cheap.
We had both a Beetle and a Ghia when I was a kid, but I've never really thought about one before. In fact, this is the first time I've worked on one. Now I keep cruising marketplace and craigslist looking for them. It's nice and simple, and it drives pretty well. I really like it. Kind of makes me want a Thing actually.
Take the top of the carb off , a handful of screws..,
Then look for the accelerator pump squirter , it should be brass ,
Pull if out , it's a tapered fit....
Now pull the carb arm and see if fuel comes out of the hole....
If it does your diaphram is ok
Now blow thru the squirter and see if air goes thru , if not get a tiny wire and push it thru the hole...
Replace the squirter, tap it with a punch so it does not fall out and aim it to the center of the butterfly , just a little to the side that opens....
Put the top of the carb back on and that's about it......
It really is that simple,.....
I will try that tonight, thanks!
Verify accelerator pump is working then check recommended pump shot. Some VW gurus recommend cycling the throttle/ shot 10X discharging into a jar then pouring the contents into a graduated cylinder and dividing by 10 for the pump shot reading.
I found this more accurate. Veterinarian syringe (from TSC) w/ vacuum tube to fit. Fill bowl. Cycle throttle to 'zero' the syringe level, return throttle closed. Next, do a sweep of throttle for pump shot measurement. Read in CC or ML, adjust as necessary.
I love old ACVWs.. but I am reminded how much I do not miss carbs
Ive been working on it tonight and may have stumbled on the problem. I assume something is missimg that goes in the hole near the plugged vacuum ports and behind the air filter strap plate. You can see the fuel squirting inside the hole.
Out of focus, hard to tell
