I've been putting the final touches on the Beetle engine and the last project was installation of a new clutch.  Unfortunately, I hit a speed bump.

I thought it would be a good idea to order the clutch kit from a local auto parts store and am on the second set. 

 

What I'm running up against is the flywheel gland nut which sticks out too much to allow the clutch disc from seating on the flywheel.

On the new clutch discs the spline bumps up against the gland nut.  It wasn't until I pulled the clutch on the old engine that I noticed the disc spline was recessed.

On the discs in the two new clutch kits I've tried the spline sticks out enough to bump against the flywheel nut. 

With one of new clutch discs next to the old disc the different splines can be seen.

Since the flywheel gland nut is torqued to 250 lbs. I sure don't want to try and remove it to replace it.  Today I placed an order for a Sachs clutch kit and hopefully it won't be strike three.  

Just one day more...

There's still a few projects on it, but it's getting closer.  I've been test fitting the heater boxes and exhaust system before locking them down.  

This week I worked on refinishing of the steel wheels.  I had them sandblasted in preparation for paint.  Before painting a couple of them had to be tweaked from curb rash and bumps by bending them into shape with a wrench.

After priming they were painted with several coats of epoxy paint and now look factory new.

It hasn't been all work and we've enjoyed going for drives in the Model T truck.  The nice neighbor farmer has moved his cows and calves to the pasture which made a nice background for the Model T.

Life is good on the farm.

Just one day more...