TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:58 pm

How hard is it to replace the main engine bearing? The engine is still in the car.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:59 pm

Crank bearings?

The engine has to come apart and be rebuilt.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:01 pm

judging by the question, it's hard to tell... meaning, to me replacing bearings is no big deal... but it does require total tear down of the engine and removal of timing gears on the crankshaft.... the case and crankshaft need to be measured to make sure they are still within working tolerances. If they are not machine work is necessary... just adding bearings is a gamble...

that said, why do you believe you need new main bearings?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:37 pm

I just got my emissions checked and the old VW mechanic said it was probably bad. causing the pulley to shimmy a little.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:38 pm

oye.... this mechanic wasn't a vw mechanic, was he?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:39 pm

Sounds like he's referring to endplay.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:47 pm

Yeah. I guess so. He was actually German so it was really hard to understand him. Could the main bearing mess with endplay?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:49 pm

Yes... sounds like you'll be doing a rebuild soon.

Better get a second opinion... someone who knows VWs.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:52 pm

No rebuild for me, I've already done it once. I'm sick of this engine. I've had it for 10 years. It's time for a new one, not another rebuild and hope that it lasts for another 10.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:53 pm

SLC... talk to Art Thraen at Aircooled Engineering. He's in SLC and built a killer engine for my Beetle.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:03 pm

I've already talked to him, he's a really cool guy, But he was really busy that day and I get a quote. Any clue on a price range for your 2180?

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:29 am

wompninja wrote: I've already talked to him, he's a really cool guy, But he was really busy that day and I get a quote. Any clue on a price range for your 2180?
Mine was $5000, but I supplied the heads, carbs, ignition, header, all tin, alternator, pulleys, deep sump and full flow oil setup. I'd figure turnkey it's about $8000.

He can do anything from stock to insane, so you need to talk to him and work on a budget.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:17 am

Glenn wrote: wompninja wrote: I've already talked to him, he's a really cool guy, But he was really busy that day and I get a quote. Any clue on a price range for your 2180?
Mine was $5000, but I supplied the heads, carbs, ignition, header, all tin, alternator, pulleys, deep sump and full flow oil setup. I'd figure turnkey it's about $8000.

He can do anything from stock to insane, so you need to talk to him and work on a budget.

that is a very reasonable price... once you start adding up parts, then take into account machine work, balancing, etc, that is a great price... and you get the piece of mind of having a proven engine proffessional doing the work... like Glenn said, Call the man and talk to him...

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:21 am

bugninva wrote: that is a very reasonable price... once you start adding up parts, then take into account machine work, balancing, etc, that is a great price... and you get the piece of mind of having a proven engine proffessional doing the work... like Glenn said, Call the man and talk to him...
This is how it arrived.

This is it being broken in before the dyno tuning.

I can tell you it starts on the first click, idles at 800rpm and has instant throttle response. I've built my share of engines and this is the nicest i've had.

Well worth the money.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:24 am

and you just can't put a price on the peace of mind that comes with a professionally built and broken in engine... none of the worry that comes from the initial start up... the older I get, the more I realize that "value" is not linked to lower price...

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:41 am

Thanks for the help guys