TheSamba.com :: View topic - Main bearing dowels and a couple other hardware questions

Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:51 am

Sine the hardware questions have just been piling up for me, I figured I'd compile them into one thread rather than starting 3 or 4 for a couple little questions. Here it goes...

1. What size is the washer that goes between the distributor and the hole in the case?

2. I'm missing a bearing dowel in my case. Where can I get a new one? Can you get them at a hardware store?

3. There's a large-ish threaded opening next to the oil pickup in my case. What goes in there?

I have a 1979 2.0 engine.

Thanks.

Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:08 am

Another question, I too am doing the same.

Which bearings have a dowel for the main bearings?

edit; found it.
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=ECA0014&cartid=

Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:02 pm

That's good to know, but I would really like to avoid paying and waiting for shipping if I can avoid it.

Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:03 pm

Got a spare short block around? I was thinking of pulling my other short block apart, but I can wait on shipping and would rather not have another set of parts sitting around to confuse me. Wish I could be more of a help.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:44 am

Are those Type 4 dowels? Is there a difference?

Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:51 am

The Type4 store has em too.. They are closer to you so the wait should not be long. Shipping can't be bad for such small items.

http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/store/product.php?productid=16208&cat=0&page=1

Peace..

Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:59 am

If you can get the shipper to use 1st class mail it will cost little and may show up over night.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:10 am

Quote: 1. What size is the washer that goes between the distributor and the hole in the case?
There is no washer, there's the clamp and an O-ring on the distibutor.
Quote: 3. There's a large-ish threaded opening next to the oil pickup in my case. What goes in there?
The drain plug.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:18 am

How many pins do you have now? 4 or 5?

There is a hole in the side of the case half that is not used... you only need the one dowel pin in that half and 4 in the other.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=96603&highlight=dowel

They are the same as type 1... and you can also cut a end off the shank of the same sized drill bit to use for a replacement in a pinch.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:25 am

Tylinol wrote: Are those Type 4 dowels? Is there a difference?

no difference, all engines use 5 of the same dowel, part number 111 101 123.

http://www.germansupply.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=17277

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:28 am

busdaddy wrote: Quote: 1. What size is the washer that goes between the distributor and the hole in the case?
There is no washer, there's the clamp and an O-ring on the distibutor.
Quote: 3. There's a large-ish threaded opening next to the oil pickup in my case. What goes in there?
The drain plug.

I think he may mean the distributor drive gear? And yes there is a very specific washer on the bottom of the drive to the hole in the case. You need the correct one.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:45 am

keifernet wrote: busdaddy wrote: Quote: 1. What size is the washer that goes between the distributor and the hole in the case?
There is no washer, there's the clamp and an O-ring on the distibutor.
Quote: 3. There's a large-ish threaded opening next to the oil pickup in my case. What goes in there?
The drain plug.

I think he may mean the distributor drive gear? And yes there is a very specific washer on the bottom of the drive to the hole in the case. You need the correct one.

Is this the part?
https://www.aircooledtechnology.com/store/product.php?productid=16204&cat=0&page=1

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:58 am

Yes that is it... unique to the type 4 engine... It's either hunt a good used one or buy the new one from there.

The type 1 uses 2 thinner and larger diameter washers so no go using them.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:09 am

Another question about the small bits of the engine: I thought my new pistons and cylinders came with the circlips, but they didn't. Can you buy those from a hardware store or are they too VW-specific?

Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:14 am

Tylinol wrote: Another question about the small bits of the engine: I thought my new pistons and cylinders came with the circlips, but they didn't. Can you buy those from a hardware store or are they too VW-specific?

Your P&C's should have come this circlips. They are very application specific, don't go to your local hardware store for this on. Find ones made for the pistons you are running.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:17 pm

Yet another question: I got new pistons and cylinders from Mahle. Do they have to be honed to fit each other?

Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:49 pm

Tylinol wrote: Yet another question: I got new pistons and cylinders from Mahle. Do they have to be honed to fit each other?

No the cylinders are honed and pistons matched to size of cyls already.

Just be sure to clean them well before install ( BTW.... what manual(s) are you using/reading for rebuild?)

Also check the box for the wrist pin keepers your missing they may be in there or in the crown of one of the pistons if you have not unwrapped them all.

Also if they are missing you might consider some "teflon buttons" instead of hunting down a set of circlips that will be correct.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:16 pm

keifernet wrote: Tylinol wrote: Yet another question: I got new pistons and cylinders from Mahle. Do they have to be honed to fit each other?

No the cylinders are honed and pistons matched to size of cyls already.

Just be sure to clean them well before install ( BTW.... what manual(s) are you using/reading for rebuild?)

Also check the box for the wrist pin keepers your missing they may be in there or in the crown of one of the pistons if you have not unwrapped them all.

Also if they are missing you might consider some "teflon buttons" instead of hunting down a set of circlips that will be correct.

I'm using the Muir book, the Benteley, and How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen Air-Cooled Engine.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:16 pm

Tylinol, I send you a PM. Thanks

Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:07 pm

Got the dowels (I went ahead and ordered 3 of them; didn't want to have to wait another week if I lost one :lol: ) and I have a question about my pistons and cylinders.

I got my P&C's from Mahle, and the little instruction paper mentions having the cylinders bored to the sum of the number on the piston plus 0.15mm or something to that effect. Is that something I have to do even though I bought new P&C's from them, or is that only for a rebuild of old P&C's?

Also, do I have to have the rings gapped in any way, or are they good to go?