DIY Heater Channels?

FlamingEyeball · Post by **FlamingEyeball** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 8:50 pm

I'd be interested in reading comments by anyone and everyone who has had to replace a heater channel. For those who did it themselves, how difficult was it? Did you use the Bug Me video and if so, was it helpful? For those of you who have paid to get it done, what did it cost you for labor? I have a '69 Bug that I am working on and while the passenger side is mint and original, the driver's heater channel probably needs to be replaced. It's not horribly rotted but it needs several small patches so I just decided to replace the entire unit. The body is already unbolted as I have lifted it right off once to patch it before I decided to replace it. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Fusillade · Post by **Fusillade** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 4:50 am

I haven't replaced mine yet; however, I have watched the BugMe video several times and they seem to explain it quite well. It convinced me that I should be able to perform this job on my own with time and patience. I have collected most of the tools and parts to do the work and I hope to get started this month.

Good luck.

Kubel Nick · Post by **Kubel Nick** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 7:08 am

http://www.cirkut.com/bug/
a good site for this

FlamingEyeball · Post by **FlamingEyeball** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 9:37 am

Thanks guys. Nick- that '67 project in that link looked like it was ready for the crusher! That guy did a great job. Since mine is nowhere near as bad as that, I am confident that with a little help from the Bug Me video mine will be very do-able.

ToddGsanford · Post by **ToddGsanford** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 3:30 pm

recently replaced my heater channels on a 58 bug. the bug me video was not used but have seen there method used and is an effective way to do it. I did not weld in braces as this does not allow you to open and close the doors. instead I used ratchet straps leavin the doors in place. this allowed me to adjust accordingly. While they are by no means 100 perfect they are very close and my door to body gaps are less than 1/4 inch all around. used the bently manuals measurements. the hardest thing for me was keeping the body stable. I have a body jig that measures 6x4 and is 30 inches high. also used some saw horses to hold the side I was working on up. I also was replacing Rear quarter panels and the front firewall. if doing the front firewall install this first. quarters install after the heater channels. IMO. Ratchet Straps were great used a plasma cutter to remove old metal what remained. mine had almost no heater channel on pass side and missing most of the front on the driver side.
good luck

hoipolloi · Post by **hoipolloi** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 8:37 pm

Todd. i bet having that plasma cutter made things a whole lot easier. those things are soo much fun.

i have a ghia and i'm currently replacing both + part of the front and back fender arch on each side. this is my first major bodywork project. i'm doing it with the body up on saw horses and the doors off. i welded piping from our old swingset into the door area to keep it true. i bought the bugme video and some of the ideas were helpful... if you want i can sell you my copy at a discount (i'm holdin onto my typeIV rebuild

...

it seems as though this is a lot easier on a beetle (i guess everything is) and you shouldn't have too much of a problem. i just learned how to weld replacing my floorpans and now i have both channels welded in as well. all that's left now is the rockers and fenders.

good luck man
seth