My 1976 Mk1 Golf LS Automatic

[des]

Where about in TAS? I never saw this when I was living there, well, not that I remember!

Hobart area, rarely gets driven, only done about 5,000k's in 5 years since I've had it,

bought it at a car yard in Moonah for $400 where it had been sitting for over a year abandonded.

[Geoffrey Hale]

Hi
Welcome. This is a good group to link up with I reckon. Lots of people with lots knowledge about the Mk 1 Golf. I believe it's Australian build produced in Clayton Victoria. Over the years things get changed both in production at the factory and by owner as you have with the bumpers. From the photos it looks like it's had the original aluminium and plastic radiator replaced with an after market one which is made of more conventional for the 70's material that is copper and brass. These I think are more robust but probably not quite as efficient. I wouldn't think you would notice any difference specially in Tassie. The other item I noticed is that it has the remote mounted air cleaner. I would have thought that originally it would have had the smaller type mounted directly on top of the carby. Others my know more.
Cheers......Geoff

[des]

Hi Geoffrey

Yes radiator has been replaced....which gets to the one annoying thing I have with this car.....it overheats

Since owning it I have had the radiator placed, water pump....heater boxe....hoses....thermostat....welsh plugs....temp gauge....the thing that controls the temp gauge.......and it still overheats.

Today with about I dont know..15c temp outside the temp sits three quaters the way up the gauge...sometimes hovering almost on the red

Oh and it gets that hot within driving 3k's from home, then seems to sit around that point all the time.


All I can think to do is replace the radiator hoses again and another new thermostat.

It may be the can I guess too, as sometimes when you switch the car off the electric fan will run for a few mintues, and some times it will not,

Sometimes I feel just like letting it overheat and blow up, as I've spent a a lot of money on mechanical repairs on it with local mechanics,

Had the suspension done by Performance Automobiles in Hobart, which then broke because they didn't replace the rubber "things" on the struts so it had to be done again. exhaust done by them also (which sounds no different with a new system)

Has also had a new steering rack fitted, there would be other things along the way that I've also done but cannot remember, new brakes about 12 monthss ago etc.. etc..



I recently discovered Nino at Bocchoni motors with my Beetle, he seems to be pretty good

[Golf Loon]

The read panel is a swallowtail as the line curves up to the edge of the lights, all other Mk1s have a straight line.

Yours must be one of the last swallowtails, as I had a 5/76 that was not.

Andrew Robinson Automotive is where I would be taking it if I was in Hobart, he knows his Mk1s having had several of them.

[Lima]

Sorry to appear dumb, but what, if anything is the significance of that?

AFAIK nothing too serious, apart from the fact it indicates the car is a very early Mk1 (therefore rarer) and that rear panel is very cool...

for you!

[Jarred]

I agree with you Geoff, I would have thought that it would have had the smaller type air filter as well. being a 30 something year old car, i've no doubt it was probably replaced along the line.

Des: does the car actually over heat? does it go into the red area at all, or does it just seem to run at about 3/4 high on the gauge.

[des]

I agree with you Geoff, I would have thought that it would have had the smaller type air filter as well. being a 30 something year old car, i've no doubt it was probably replaced along the line.

Des: does the car actually over heat? does it go into the red area at all, or does it just seem to run at about 3/4 high on the gauge.

Most of the time it sits about 3/4 on the gauge (useless without markings on the gauge I think)

but sometimes it is like a hairs distance off the red part, which is at the end of the gauge,


would anyone be able to take a photo of their Golf's temp gauge to show me where the normal operating spot should be?


That would be great to compare,

oh and I'll take a photo of mine to compare.

[Jarred]

Sounds normal to me. my old 76er (also aussie built) used to sit up high on the gauge at normal operating temp, only on really hot days would it get near to the red part & ony when in traffic. the fan would cut in, and it wouldn't acutally over heat though.

But I've seen mk 1's with temps all across the gauge.

[j_lebis]

My temp hovers at about 3/4's or just below the red never been an issue for me!! (touch wood)

[dub be good to me]

Welcome, nice swallowtail!

I'll second that last comment, I've had two golfs with a variety of 8v engines (1.6, 1.8, 1.9) and injection gear (3 different carbies and kjet CIS) and the temperature gauge usually sits at about 3/4 on normal days and close to the red on hot days..

P.S - a tip for those who get stuck with an overheating car; bypass the thermo switch (wires going into the side of the radiator) with a piece of wire - it keeps the fan running all the time and helps keep it cool. Obviously only to get you home, not a permanent solution!
Once on a road trip around Tassie, I did this on an old Bluebird (that had its thermostat die) using a paperclip and some sticky tape - great Macgyver trick haha!