VW Beetle

• 1970 VW Beetle
• 1972 VW Beetle
• 1974 VW Beetle
• 2004 VW Beetle
• 2005 VW Beetle
• 2006 VW Beetle
• 2007 VW Beetle
• 2008 VW Beetle
• Used VW Beetle
• VW Beetle Parts

1974 VW Beetle

1974 VW Beetle questions and answers

Search with LemonFree.com for your next 1974 VW Beetle; buying or selling a car online has never been easier.

Need North Carolina Auto Insurance? Click here now!

Q: looking for 1974 vw beetle engine cooling pieces, anyone know where I can find them?
I have a 74 1600cc Beetle. I am looking for a set or air cooling flaps. This is the set of flaps inside the shroud, connected to the thermostat rod. The ones from my car have lost all the bushings and they just keep locking up. They actually pulled my last thermostat in half... Where can I find these? I wouldn't mind if they're used, as long as they are in good working condition. thank you

A: All Small, Colton Ca. Tried J.C. Whitney? Did not check but they used to have just about anything VW

Q: What are your thought on a 1974 vw beetle?


A: Their a classic and dependable car and everything, but nothing close to my personality. I also think the hard top looks better

Q: does eney one know were the water pump is on a 1974 vw beetle ?
the engin is in the back ov the car (its a air coold engin )

A: doesn't have one It's air cooled, you should have a big fan in with the engine to promote air flow over the block. Sorry Raven E, it seems that you are wrong! VW beetle DO have a fan to cool the engine, look at this(behind the carb is the fan housing) http://www.i405.com/vw/engine1.asp Thank you!

Q: Does anybody think that a running 1974 VW beetle is worth 600 dollars?
it need alot of work but is in good enough shape

A: that is a cheap price for a VW bug that still runs they usually start at 1500 and up and it is now a classic car so therefore it's value goes up the older it is

Q: Any idea of welding costs for 1974 VW Beetle?
I bought a 1285cc 1974 (M reg) Beetle last night for £300. It needs 3 x 3 inch's of welding in the wheelarches to pass the MOT and I wondered if any one had a rough idea on the sort of costs I'd be looking at. I appreciate without seeing it it hard to say but I just wondered if someone had a vague idea. The beetle generally is in good condition and seems solid. There is also slight movement on the heater channel ducts on the driver side, I'm hoping this is'nt too serious but advice about that would be appreciated as well.

A: Hi for the welding you must shop around for prices but around 100 to 150 for welding the ducts are straightfoward to do yourself Hope this helps

Q: I need some help identifying a VW beetle ?1974-help!?
I am about to buy a beetle, & I was lead to believe that it was in original condition, which as far as interior, it is, but now having done some research, i'm not sure about the exterior and the motor. The motor engine number begins with AR which does not seem consistent with any of the info on the net re engine no's. I couldn't find any reference to engine numbers beginning in AR. Also the car comes with 2 spare tyres - a thin one and a wider one-any idea why? The bonnet shape around the handle is narrow, compared to some pictures of other vw's i've seen - should it be wide or narrow for a 1974?

A: in 74 there were 2 types of beetles a standard and a super beetle the super beetle has the bigger wider hood and macpherson strut suspension in the front and in 74 a curved windshield-they handle better and have a better turning radius but are bigger and heavier the beetle you described must be a standard beetle because the hood is narrower and has the older style suspension, flat windshield etc.. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=189893 this link explains the differences between them , and this website should be able to help you out on finding the engine numbers and other stuff http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

Q: I just got a 1974 VW Beetle, what should I know about it?
Okay so my parents totally surprised me with a car last night. =) They got it for $2000. I think it's awesome (of course, it's my first car...) , but I just want to know what people who have owned these cars think. What would you say are the top ten things I need to know about owning a beetle? What do you think is the most common mechanical problem they have? Are there any websites or books you would recommend I read before I drive it? (I don't have to worry about driving it just yet, I'm not so good with a stick shift...) (oh! and it's not a super beetle.) Haha yeah, I was wondering if it would explode if that happened. But I drive safer than my grandma. ;D

A: OK.. top ten things MECHANICAL: 1) Check the oil every time you fill up and CHANGE the oil once a month. Its only three quarts. The oil is the life support for the car. If it is leaking out or low, you will dramatically reduce the engine life. If it is dirty and gritty you will also cut the engine life down. Oil changing is easy and you should learn how to do it. 2) Check the valve clearances every 3 to 6 months or so. A messy but easy job. 3) This is a 30 year old car. It requires maint. from 30 years ago. So the hinge points and fittings need to be lubed every 6 months to a year. Unless you have a grease gun take it to a gas station or service shop. 4) Check your lights and brakes routinely. Sometimes corrosion would build up on the contacts and a light would go out. As to brakes ...sometimes the automatic adjusters get a little lazy. 5) Install electronic ignition (about $50..) after that you will not have to worry about timing or points except to check it yearly or so. NON MECHANICAL ISSUES 1) Never overfill the gas tank (unless you like the smell of gasoline in the car) 2) Buy a book (out of print but available on eBay or in old book shops) on VW maint. "How to Keep your Bug Running Forever" or something like that. The best $10 you will ever spend. 3) Buy extra fuses and toss them in the glove box. Fuses blow at the most inconvenient times and they are not as easy to get off the shelf as they once were. 4) Check your battery at least once every 6 months. Make sure it has water. Put an anti-acid mat underneath it to keep the moisture from eating away at the floor panel. (You can buy one in most auto stores) 5) Always remember.. it is NOT a race car. Over 70 and you are not helping the engine, Instead enjoy the view, and the smiles of the people you drive next to. now go enjoy your car (great gift too.. thank your parents again!)

Q: what is the part # for a right rear tail light assembly for a 1974 vw beetle?


A: Go to www.junkyarddog.com they can find the part number, as well as the Part, close to you! You're going to have to do a lot of typing, though! But They are the Best!

Q: who knows about 1974 vw beetle engines?


A: Commonly called a pancake engine due to the air fins on the cylinder heads. It is not water cooled but air cooled, the air fins increase surface area for greater cooling. This is one of the easiest engines to work on and rebuild. The cylinder heads and cylinders are opposed to each other horizontally, 2 on one side 2 on other. They unbolt directly from the crankcase. The crankcase is the split type, i.e. splits into two halves for ease of removal. the 1974 had a "type 3" VW opposed cylinder engine, the same in the early porsche's, having been designed by the same man, E. Porsche. Replacement parts are dirt cheap, and there is an excellent book of how to designed to help with the repair of them. Millions of lazy, pot-smoking hippies were right.....THESE CARS ARE EASY TO WORK ON. The push out on average 80hp (type 3) or 60-70hp (type 1 and 2). Good Luck, just remember to not be afraid of the engine. It is the same basic type still used on airplanes today such as the cessna. You can't go wrong with an engine design that has worked in aircraft for decades!!!

Q: How th hotwire a 1974 VW supper beetle? (1600cc)?
I bought a beetle and there was no keys for it there is an all black wire all red wire a black wire with a yellow stripe a white wire with a red stripe and a small white wire with a black stripe and those were the only ones that were connected to the ignition

A: Check this site...look under the classified button. You should be able to find a new/used switch or a new/used key cylinder fairly cheap...then you can just swap it out. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

Q: Where around Atlanta Ga. would I look for a complete wiring harness to a 1974 VW Super Beetle?


A: Here are some links. I'm still looking for a problem in my 71..when I change the radio station....sometimes the wipers come on. Have fun :-) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ http://www.jbugs.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=12916 http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=wiring+harness&Search2.x=21&Search2.y=13

Q: Why is my VW Beetle cutting out and backfiring?
I have a 1974 VW 1200 beetle. She starts first time and runs ok for about 10 mins, then she seems to get a little chuggy, and occassionally backfires, then she cuts out when idling, any ideas, Im a girlie and I need help. thanks

A: Could be a number of things. Because you say it starts and runs for about 10 minutes, I would first check and see if the choke is opening. Need to take off pipe from aircleaner and look down on top of the carburettor. When engine is cold, should be closed. As engine runs, should open up. This is done electrically and this mechanism does fail as time goes on. The other area to look at would be the coil. This could be breaking down as it heats up. A rough and ready check, although not foolproof, is to feel it and see if it is getting hot. Should be warm but not overly hot.