What basics do I need in case of an engine emergency?

Hi everybody-
I am looking for some help. I am new and I am looking to do some coastal driving this summer. I am not a technical guy with motors but I am looking to learn. I am worried about the brake downs I would encounter on a 1600 engine. What are the common spare parts I should keep in the car at all times in case of any issues. So far I have an extra belt, fire extinguisher, and some Lynard Skynard..
Thanks for all your help in advance!!
Chris

Chris, I learned a great lesson from Joe L. last year on a run to Lake Arrowhead. You should have in your spare parts bag:

Rotor
Distributor Cap
Points
Spark Plugs & Wires
Mechanical fuel pump or Electrical
electrical tape
electrical wire
belt
& most of all a cell phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
etc.

Gabe

You will need some tools......so far my experience with break downs suggests what ever may break, it will be something other than what I have parts and or tools to repair. So far I have had to have it towed home 2 times, once was a broken mechanical connection to the hyraulic clutch pedal, another time was a shutdown of the MSD ignition, caused by a low battery caused by the alternator not working....caused by a wire loose on the charge lamp and an inattentive driver (me).

I also limped home (about 10 miles) with a broken linkage to a carb, as well as another time with only 3rd gear and no clutch, bad pressure plate.

None of these were problems I could have resolved on the road....

I do recommend a set of tools, I bought a set of reproduction 356 tools off ebay for entirely too much money, but the kit looks good! I would also recommend if you are using points and condenser, replacing those with either Pertronics or Compufire solid state points. And finally, a membership in AAA is cheaper than a single tow.....ask me how I know!

But not to cast these cars in a bad light, I have put 35,000 km on my car in the last 3 years and considering the amount of dabbling with my car I have done, the 2 complete failures on the road are no big deal......

Christopher,
Here is my recommendation that I have come up with over the last 40yrs of messing with the aircooled VWs and Porsche's. This is what should be in your tool chest:
1. Asperin and anti-Murhpy Pills
2. Cell Phone
3. Triple A Membership Card
4. Ice Chest with drinks
5. Basic Metric Tool set that you keep in car!
6. FIRE EXTINGUISHER

For my long distance hauler - the 71 Campmobile I keep:
1. Complete Distributor
2. Fan Belt
3. Clutch and Accelerator Cables
4. Spark Plugs
5. Fuel Pump
6. Jump Cables

If you break down and don't have the part, the first place I check is with NAPA. It is amazing the number of VW Parts they have.

Good Luck - Gert, VWracer#70

Forget jump cables. Carry a portable jump battery kit. I purchased one in Buena Park last April for about $35 bucks and it saved my butt in Henryetta, OK when I was ready to leave at 5:30 AM to get back to Tennessee. At that hour, it would have been hard to find a willing partner for a jump and I'm eternally grateful for this little gem. I always carry it now and was thinking of putting one in each car. Here's why: last week, I left the headlights on in the van and had to call for a jump. I would have been up and running in seconds if I just had that little battery pack in the car.
Live and learn....
Hoss

Portable jumper is a good call. Mine also has a built-in air compressor and charges from 12V Cig Lighter and 110V.

Here's what I carry and real-world examples of how I used them.
AAA card for sure: Bought the car from my father -- couldn't keep it running that same day and had it flat-bedded (100 mile max I think for AAA).

Leatherman Wave Multi-tool: Used for tightening every little phillips/flat screw and some allen screw sizes and nuts & bolts if you're careful about slippage.

Throttle Cable: Again, Leatherman. 40 minutes (first time I had the tunnel off) (Metalcraft chassis with easily removable tunnel).

Clutch Cable: Actually started the car up one time in 1st gear and drove all the way home (21 miles)in "rural" rush hour by power-shifting and doing slow circles in parking lots. Have also replaced one in a friends driveway with said Leatherman, with Jack & Stands. Have since reworked the shortened Clutch Cable so it doesn't wear any more back at the lever. 30 minutes. (Metalcraft chassis with easily removable tunnel).

Fan Belt: Obvious Gates 7355. Flat blade screwdriver for hold-back and a 19mm wrench.

Various Zip ties, elecrical tape

I don't really have any other parts on board, but I usually stay within 100 miles of home. Most of the time those other items give you a little warning ahead of time. I ALWAYS carry the Leatherman on my belt. I use it many times daily for everything. I also use it for Carb works cuz it has 4 different flat blades for Jet use.

Hope this helps.
Craig

Ditto to what everyone has said. Add to Gabriel's list a tool kit from VW Mexico; everything you need comes in a little pouch and it was only $24.95 at CB Performance when I bought it a couple of years ago. Also get a scissors type jack, and extra quart of engine oil and a can of Fix-a-Flat. That dose of Lynyrd Skynyrd is certainly good for all of us Rock'n'Roll junkies.....

The battery pack is a must, with air compressor if possible. One item I needed on two seperate occasions was a broken metal strap that holds the alternator/generator to its stand.By a bit of good luck I had a nylon strap belt that held my battery down and it was just long enough to work. I could only find replacements straps from a VW shop. Turns out the chrome alternator stand edges were too sharp and would cut the strap. A file and a couple bruised knuckles cured that problem but I still kept a spare strap on hand.

I have "AAA" Road Service! Cell Phone!

Kawika

Hoss! where's your engine? then I remembered....I need another cup of java.

AAA Membership - Important (suggest imputting your membership number in cel phone just in case you forget your card)

Auto Safety Kit - Costco $29.00: 12ft Booster cables, 12ft Tow rope, Air Compressor, 14oz Air in a can, 2 tie down straps, +/- Screwdrivers, Duct Tape, Triangle reflector, Handcrank flashlight, Multi tool, Blanket, Pair of knit gloves, emergency poncho and First Aid Kit.

Small Backpack with - John Muir's Book! Small Set of Sockets, Vice Grips, Misc Spare Parts, Couple of Powerbars, Film Canister with $10 bill and as many quarters you can fit.

St. Christopher Statuet!

Can't carry everything...just enjoy the car.

now that you have a complete list of the tools, spare parts, batteries, etc you need, don't forget the hitch on the car for the trailer you need to drag behind the car!!!!!

bill

Please, carry a fire extinguisher. It's a glass and magnesium car.

Although you can never plan 100% for what may leave you stranded, I have often found that it's ALWAYS a good idea to have some tools & a cell phone along for the ride. Other things I always have on hand are;
Repair manual of some sort ....... for anything air-cooled I STRONGLY recommend "The Idiot's Guide for VW"
few qt.s of oil
spare belts
spare filters
plugs
wires
can of starting fluid
rags, gloves, & a towell
fuses

Something else I have found helpful is to find out which parts store will deliver in your area. You would be amazed at how helpful & economical it can be to have parts delivered to you on the side of the road for a quick fix. My local parts supplier saved me from a very expensive (I estimate about $350-400) towing bill by delivering $10 worth of parts I needed for a quick roadside repair! Make sure you have some numbers saved in your cell phone ahead of time, 411 can be useless if you don't have an exact name & address.

Christopher:

I am sure thay you appreciate all of the advice that was shared, but with the amount of tools, parts, memberships and pieces... I suggest you buy a second speedster and tow it with you whenever you do a long trip... You just never want to get caught with out one!

Hey Christopher!

Maybe some 14 gauge wire and some twine. You never know what kind of McGuyver fix you'll have come up with when all else fails.

... and there I was, stranded by a broken throttle cable with no spare or parts store within miles, and down to my last beer, when alas, it struck me... (see pic)

I've got a tow rope. I've had to use it a couple times when my gas guage was on the fritz.