356 from Thailand trying to Restored

[Willie Skylaplee]

Hello,I'm trying to restore my 356(pre-a >1955) and I've found this forums and have a little question,
>I'm looking of steering(steering rack,steering >wheel,column etc) Do you have any idea if I >would like to do it as an original stlye where >should I buy it?
>Can I replace steering rack with VW rack? Will >it exactly fit to 356?(correct lenght and size?)
>If I bought a kit-car steering set will it be okay for quality and apperance?>
>I trying to rebuilt it after I have parked it an >ages in my garage.I live in Thailand and I'm the >only 356 owner in here so,that's mean I have to >order the rest of parts outside country.
>Please take a look at my photos I attached >you and please let me know some of your idea >about my car.>Thank you for every kindness
>Willie

[Willie Skylaplee]

Please give me some advisement and sorry for my grammar.
skylaplee@hotmail.com
willie

[Mark Pribanic]

Willie,
Welcome to the forums. Is your '55 a Speedster or a cab?

My advice to you would be to be patient. Find the correct parts and do it right. Unfortunately I don't have any of the parts you are looking for...

But I'm sure there are others on the list that can assist.

Mark

[Willie Skylaplee]

mark,
thank you very much for your advisement.My 356 is speedster(what difference with speedster and cab?)
What is an resonable price for 356 original "3piece" engine?

If I want to make my car as an super original what shoud I do?
There are lots of interior parts that I'm still looking for it such as windshield mirror post(left&right), FUEL GAUGE , steering wheel, etc.

Thank you for every kindness
Willie

[Omar Almada]

I have an extra wheel out of a 55 coupe not sure if its the same size mm for a speedster? I also have an engine runing and 95% complete 1600S I belive ? out of a 57 speedster and some funky wood seat bases.
Problem is that I am very far away from Thailand.

[Chuck House]

The steering wheel size out of a 55 coupe is the same for the Speedster.

Chuck House

-----Original Message-----
From: Omar Almada [mailto:twinpbic@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:14 AM
To: 356talk@356registry.com
Subject: [356Talk] Re: 356 from Thailand trying to Restored

I have an extra wheel out of a 55 coupe not sure if its the same size mm
for a speedster? I also have an engine runing and 95% complete 1600S I
belive ? out of a 57 speedster and some funky wood seat bases.
Problem is that I am very far away from Thailand.

------------------------
OMAR ALMADA

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

[Willie Skylaplee]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Thanks a lots for this knowledge.The next part is fuel gauge,anyone?

[Phil Planck]

Willie

I replaced the worn out steering gear box on my 55 coupe with a VW box made by TRW in Brazil. This was a long time ago, so I will have to check my records, but I believe I had to replace the non-adjustable short tie rod with an adjustable VW rod, and I had to use a VW pitman arm, as the VW box splined shaft is a smaller diameter. The VW pitman arm has to be from a specific model, which hopefully I have in my records. If you are interested in doing this, let me know and I will try to get all of the part numbers for you. Incidentally, the steering was much improved after this change. The last I checked, parts are no longer available to rebuild the early 356 steering gear box.

As far as the steering, column, I don't know if they are similar or the same as VW. Send an email to Jim at EASY to see if he has a clolumn. easypor@sbcglobal.net

Also, you could try to find a good used 11957 or earlier steering gear box. The problem with this, is you will need to find a reputable source that knows that they have a good box.

Good luck

Phil Planck

[James Penland]

Willy
Are you able to travel to the US? The bigger parts swap meets would be a good place to get some of these items. You should go to the 356Registry site and see the difference descriptions of the models. Buy the books that describe what part goes with which model that are available from the Goodie Store. There are big differences. It would be best if you could get to some of the suppliers face to face and they could show you the differences. I know that Jim at EASY has helped me immeasurably with getting the correct part. Good luck.

[Mike Smith]

Are you still alive Willy - you are not talking to us ?