VW Beetle Heater Channels Part 1 - Preparing the body

Step by step process for preparing and bracing your Volkswagen Beetle to replace the heater channels.
Process is shown on a 1965 Beetle but will be basically the same for earlier and later cars.

[@roberttaylor7732]

I never would have though if the “work-hardened” aspect of this. Thank you!

[@wolz256]

Excellent information. And a good source of metal is bedframes from a thrift store. Angle iron that is much cheaper than a metal supply store.

[@RDAUGIRD]

Bed frame material is very low quality. I’d shy away from it.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Dude, you're good at this! Every time I come up with a question and get ready to ask in the comments, you end up answering it if I just let the video play a little longer. Keep up the great VW content- it's way better than the old "Bug Me" videos.

[@callahansgarage]

Thank you. I’m trying to be as thorough as I can be and make sure I cover all the questions I’ve had through the years.

[@InFocusImmigration]

Great video, you are very good in the way you explain things, it's like even the "not sharpest knife in the drawer" can understand it. However, I think you missed one very important thing to do first of all (maybe you have talked about it in your other videos I don't know) and that is to properly cover or remove all glass, windows, mirrors, gauges from the car, even the beautiful Caddy that stays in your garage need to be covered. Why so, well a lot of this splatter from welding and from cutting and grinding will get stuck or make marks in the mentioned surfaces, guess how I know that. You know it when you are trying to clean a window for example, or doing window tinting, I've done that too on a car that was rust repaired, not fun at all.

[@vwcoco]

Brilliant video sir!! Best way to do body off ,quite similar to how I tackled the job .. only about another 20 bugs left to do lol -vwcoco

[@encontrandotesorosconelale4858]

Hey. This is Alex. From Tulare California. You do a great job on the Volkswagen I have a 74 Volkswagen that a have to restore it to make it a life again. I need help.

[@cbpaton53]

... probably a good idea to increase the volume in your intro "welcome to .....", it comes across as a whisper :) enjoying the vids, thanks :)

[@alesandlagers]

Hey Callahan! awesome vids! I'm working on a 69 convertible. Any thoughts or differences on bracing for heater channel install?

[@alesandlagers]

Body is removed.

[@callahansgarage]

A convertible requires substantially more bracing, but the principle is the same, Lots of point of contact and lots of triangulation, and I always do convertibles one complete side at a time.

[@tospicy4ya]

Great video what,would you charge for replace both channels on a bug ? Are there many bugs and ghia in a dry state like that bug ?

[@James-cr5qx]

Really enjoyed the videos you have posted on the bug, how much time do you think it takes to restore a bug like this? I'm a welder by trade and very good with metal work and fabrication, but I have never taken on a car. I get 4 months off every winter. Do you think a first timer could fully restore a bug in that time?

[@callahansgarage]

Time frame for a restoration is dependent on two things budget and how many other people you're relying on. A 4 month restoration is completely possible with a big budget, and if you're doing your own bodywork, paint and upholstery.

[@James-cr5qx]

@callahansgarage thanks, 2 people and all welding and bodywork and paint prep myself but painting will have to leave to the pro's

[@sputnikxxx]

Curious about the rotisserie you have was it custom made? Looking for something similar for my beetle project

[@callahansgarage]

I built it. I discuss it briefly in my body removal video. I will be putting out a video on just the rotisserie in the future.

[@angelsoterojr]

Nice

[@Thomzombie303]

Hi Cal, i got a quick question. On my 66 i have to replace the pans, both heater channels and both lower A-pillar. In what oder would you do them? Heaters, pillars then pans?

[@callahansgarage]

I would do pans, channels, pillars

[@Thomzombie303]

@@callahansgarage thanks Cal!!

[@mtbsunday4649]

Great videos. Subscribed. Working on a 67 myself. The previous owner started the repair and unfortunately leaves me with few stock reference points. Any chance you could measure the very bottom of the heater channel up to the body line on the B pillar? and across from A to B where you welded in the brace? I have a feeling that mine is a bit out of spec. thanks for the help keep the videos coming.

[@Aircooledcorey]

@mtbsunday4649 Also working on a 67! Your comment is a few months old. Any progress?

[@mtbsunday4649]

Slowly making progress. I was able to collect the measurements I need from a builder on instagram. I cut out the previous owners repairs to free up the heater channels. The only way to get the body back to spec. Currently in the process of shaping patch panels (rear crossmember area) and welding in. How’s your project? KZbin channel? Thanks

[@bluwaterfred2132]

this is the first VW video I've seen that tells you what to do in regards to the keeping the body strait... can I assume that with a convertible you would need to add more steel supports? I.E; maybe two support bars an the posts and maybe a little more triangulation since a convertible doesn't have the roof?

[@wolz256]

Yes that is what I am about to do. Especially since my car is not a convertible, But a sedan with the roof cut off.

[@bluwaterfred2132]

@@wolz256 cant wait to see that video... :) by chance do you take on VW work?

[@philcappellini2820]

Very good explanation of the process one should go through to have a car remain relatively square when replacing the heater channels. I guess if the lower 6 inches of the car was gone (including the A& B pillars) or in rough shape. That you would have have worked your way down to the heater channel? Looking forward to the next video.

[@peterstone8701]

Too much info. Love the work you’re doing, but I feel talked at vs shown how you’re building it. Bolts are rusty on a 60’s car… got it. It feels like you’re an auditory learner, and you’re missing out on the viewers that are hands on and visual learners. This being YT, you’re missing out on 2/3 of your potential audience.

[@luispinto3928]

To much work unnecessary! I have done many just with one bar screwed on! No welds