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Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:54 pm

If I replace my push rod tubes with stock ones (not the spring or adjustable type) can I loosen the head up, replace the tubes and seals and retorque the head, or will I need to replace the head gaskets as well since I've broken that seal?

Thanks

Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:02 pm

What head gaskets??

Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:43 pm

Yeah, like Jim states, there are no gaskets or sealant at the cylinder head-cylinder surface.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:08 pm

I was on CIP 1 site looking for pushrod tubes and noticed that they sell head gasket kits in various thicknesses. I've never had my heads off, so I don't know. Are you saying there are no gaskets? What are these copper gasket sets Cip 1 is selling? :oops: Please clarify, am I missing something here?

Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:14 pm

canvmnvw wrote: What are these copper gasket sets Cip 1 is selling? :oops: Please clarify, am I missing something here?

Profit

Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:49 pm

canvmnvw wrote: I was on CIP 1 site looking for pushrod tubes and noticed that they sell head gasket kits in various thicknesses. I've never had my heads off, so I don't know. Are you saying there are no gaskets? What are these copper gasket sets Cip 1 is selling? :oops: Please clarify, am I missing something here?

They really are shims (but also have to act as a gasket there) for when one goes to stroker crankshaft the compression ratio goes UP.

Keeping down the CR to keep the engine from from knocking on pump fuel or so one has to buy special racing fuel by the 55 gallon drum at over $5.00 a gallon...

Get the Bentley print of the "Volkswagen Service Manual" for your year and VW. Then pull engine, strip the engine down to longblock, remove the heads and replace the pushrod tube seals. While you are in there it is good to clean up the fins, retorque ALL the engine case fasteners, and replace oil cooler seals.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:21 pm

canvmnvw wrote: I was on CIP 1 site looking for pushrod tubes and noticed that they sell head gasket kits in various thicknesses. I've never had my heads off, so I don't know. Are you saying there are no gaskets? What are these copper gasket sets Cip 1 is selling? :oops: Please clarify, am I missing something here?

Volkswagen 1300 cc engines and later, never had gaskets between the cylinders and heads. And only paper gaskets between the cylinders and the engine case.

Now days, because of crappy gas, companies are offering the gaskets you mentioned...they are offered as gaskets/shims between the heads and cylinders, or as shims underneath the cylinders...to reduce the compression ratio.

A stock Air Cooled VW required 91 Octane (91 RON) gas back in days gone by...that is now "Hi Test" gas.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:41 pm

91 RON is our standard 87 octane. You do not need Premium fuel in a stock correctly tuned ACVW. If you do you have other issues to address.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:37 am

Thanks everyone, that clarifies things for me :D

Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:02 pm

Forgot to mention that these shims are also used in the case where the heads have been flycut and that reduces the chamber size in each head increasing CR.

Personally prefer shims between the cylinders and engine case first and then if really need be, shim between head and cylinder. The latter just doubles the chance of loss of compression due to a leak.