So you're shopping around for a VW, eh? Welcome! Classic VW's are loved because they're simple, charming, and fixable. But without knowing what to look for, they can also hide decades of neglect, amateur repairs, and rust that will turn your dream car into a money pit. Here are things to look for before you commit. Start With the Body — Rust Is the Enemy Rust is the kryptonite of any air-cooled VW. VW's were built with relatively thin steel, so the years of moisture, road sal

Air-cooled Volkswagen engines are (relatively) simple, durable, and surprisingly forgiving. But like any internal combustion engine, heat, wear, and human error can lead to major issues. At Postwar VW in Half Moon Bay, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I really need a rebuild, or just need some tuning?” Here are the most reliable signs your classic VW engine may be due for a rebuild. 1. Low or Uneven Compression Compression numbers tell a big story. If one or m

Recently I bought a 36hp air-cooled VW engine that had been sitting outside for several decades. It was $60, purchased for the sake of taking it apart, inspecting the damage, and retaining anything that could be salvaged. I expected most of it would be ruined from being out in the elements, and my expectations did not fall short. The image above was taken moments after I removed the valve cover. Big time yuck! The different colors that you see are the result of years of corro

A common upgrade to aircooled VW engines is the change from a non-doghouse (or "upright") fan shroud to a doghouse fan shroud. I'll explain why. Prior to 1971, the oil cooler in an aircooled VW engine was positioned near the #3 cylinder and was housed fully inside the fan shroud. During engine operation, hot air expelled from the oil cooler was released over the #3 cylinder, making it susceptible to overheating and related failures. VW corrected this in 1971 by redesigning